Continuation betting. Is it still a good idea?
You raise preflop, then represent a strong hand by raising again on the Flop. That is a C-Bet. It still works.
A few years ago, about 2008, the C-Bet was generally recommended nearly 100% of the time. Good advice then. Times changed and players changed. Then the recommendation became to C-Bet mostly on dry Flops. They said you would be representing a strong hand when your opponent was unlikely to have hit the board. Maybe good advice then, not so much now.
Studies of the game, done with analysis applications such as Holdem Manager, say different. The rate that opponents fold to a C-Bet has very little to do with the board being wet or dry. Easily verified.
Many players routinely make poor C-Bets following obsolete advice. If your opponent folds, it's most likely because he missed the flop and has nothing to do with you. It's not about what you hold, it's only about what your opponent holds.
With all of that in mind, we can more clearly think about when to C-Bet. A 742 Flop clearly rates a C-Bet while a Q88 Flop is usually a no, because no one is going to fold if they hold a Q or an 8. A 975 flop is wet, but is us unlikely your opponent holds an 8 or a 6 to make a gut-shot draw. How about a monochrome board, three cards of the same suit. Great for stealing the pot. An opponent will flop a Flush on a monochrome board about 7.5% of the time.
Other ideas to consider before making a C-Bet are Ranges and Frequencies. To make yourself unexploited you must include a random factor. A range is a good way to do that.
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