Just. Bet. Pot.

Clayton · #1 03-08-2006, 05:45 AM

I have always consistently heard of concepts revolving around making continuation bets of 2/3 to 3/4 the pot on the flop.

in my 1/2 NL play I have reverted to just making pot sized bets almost as if I was pressing a phantom "bet pot" button and for the most part I feel like my game has changed dramatically as it masks my holdings a lot more effectively and I'm stacking people more. Mind you this involves continuation bets and more pot bets on the turn.

I dunno, any merit to this? It just feels easier and better. Am I being tricked?

AllIn3High · #2 03-08-2006, 05:51 AM

I like having the option of manipulating the potsize. Especially versus weak opponents. Versus stronger opponents I like not being "forced" to fire a pot-sized on the turn because I will often fire 2nd barrel, and it quickly gets expensive if these are always potsize.

You also miss out on being able to coerce/trick your opponent into ceratin behaviour with your bets, like inducing raises or laydowns by varying your bets.

This is just what comes to mind.

Chomper4 · #3 03-08-2006, 05:54 AM

For one, a continuation bet is usually a bluff you make after raising preflop and missing the flop. C bets are supposed to be half the pot as well instead of 2/3 or 3/4. I'm not too sure what concept you are really talking about since there isn't a specific example or even general idea. Are you talking about making these bets when you do or don't have a big hand?

AllIn3High · #4 03-08-2006, 05:58 AM

[ QUOTE ]
For one, a continuation bet is usually a bluff you make after raising preflop and missing the flop. C bets are supposed to be half the pot as well instead of 2/3 or 3/4. I'm not too sure what concept you are really talking about since there isn't a specific example or even general idea. Are you talking about making these bets when you do or don't have a big hand?

[/ QUOTE ]

He's talking about always betting the pot postflop.

Chomper4 · #5 03-08-2006, 06:03 AM

I think always betting the pot post flop is a losing practice in the long run. You're not giving yourself odds if he raises and you've committed too much money if you intend on folding to a raise or even checking on the turn if your flop bet is called. People say to make a C bet to give yourself odds to call raises or easy escapes if you intend to fold. The theory behind the C bet is that if you bet half the pot, then you only have to win 1/3 of your C bets to break even which is great odds in the long run.

Sciolist · #6 03-08-2006, 06:07 AM

If you generally bet the pot but only c-bet for 50% the pot, you give away your holdings. I c-bet too much, and I c-bet for 100% the pot... I think I'd better stop, or better, randomise my c-bets a bit better.

Also, I bet the pot in position, and 3/4 pot out of position.

HotPants · #7 03-08-2006, 09:45 AM

[ QUOTE ]
I dunno, any merit to this?

[/ QUOTE ]

If it works it works

Against perfect opponents always betting pot is probably wrong, but I doubt you'll run into many of them

Hattifnatt · #8 03-08-2006, 09:48 AM

With 100bb stacks bets around pots on all streets after a preflop raise use to be enough to get anything in the middle.

The extra dollars that comes in on the flop is important to be able to get much in later without overbetting.

I used to nearly always bet the pot size but have lately started to bet a little less 3/4 - 4/5 most of the time.

Herrigel · #9 03-08-2006, 10:15 AM

[ QUOTE ]
C bets are supposed to be half the pot as well instead of 2/3 or 3/4.

[/ QUOTE ]
Do I get this right? You usually C-bet 1/2 pot, but bet more when you actually have a hand?

binions · #10 03-08-2006, 10:22 AM

[ QUOTE ]
I have always consistently heard of concepts revolving around making continuation bets of 2/3 to 3/4 the pot on the flop.

in my 1/2 NL play I have reverted to just making pot sized bets almost as if I was pressing a phantom "bet pot" button and for the most part I feel like my game has changed dramatically as it masks my holdings a lot more effectively and I'm stacking people more. Mind you this involves continuation bets and more pot bets on the turn.

I dunno, any merit to this? It just feels easier and better. Am I being tricked?

[/ QUOTE ]

When you c-bet the amount of the pot with air or a marginal holding where you hope they fold, they have to fold 50% of the time to make your bet break-even.

When you c-bet 60% of the pot with a hand that is looking for a fold, then it only has to work 38% of the time.

(Bet 60 at 100 pot. 38% they fold and you win $100 = $38 equity. 62% they call and you lose $60 = -$37.2 equity).

The thing is, betting 60% of the pot with your good hands only gives them 2.7:1 odds. If they call with a flush draw or a straight draw or middle pair, they are making a mistake (unless you routinely pay them off, making their implied odds adequate).

And that's what NLHE is about. Getting them to make mistakes.

Sure, sometimes they will have a big draw, and will be getting the right price.

But, sometimes, when you bet pot, they will occasionally fold these weak draws that they would have called for 60% of the pot. In other words, your bet makes them play more correctly.

By the way - they will still call pot with their big draws.