🎙️ Weekly Poker Strategy Coaching

Week 4 – 2026

Continuation Betting: When to Fire, When to Slow Down

 By: Hal Coblentz- Semi-Professional Cash Game Player 20+ years

By now, we’ve talked about hand selection, discipline, and position. This week is where I see the biggest mistakes — and the biggest opportunities.

Continuation betting, or c-betting, is one of the most misunderstood concepts in poker. Some players c-bet every flop. Others never do. Both are wrong.

A continuation bet isn’t automatic.
It’s intentional.

What a Continuation Bet Really Is

A continuation bet is simply this:

I raised preflop, and I bet the flop.

That’s it.

But why I bet the flop matters more than the fact that I raised preflop.

I’m asking myself:

• Who does this board favor?
• What am I representing?
• How many players am I against?
• Do I have equity if called?

If I don’t know the answer to those questions, I shouldn’t be betting.

When I Almost Always C-Bet

Dry, Disconnected Boards

Boards like:

• K♣ 7♦ 2♠
• A♦ 9♠ 4♣
• Q♠ 6♦ 3♣

These flops miss most calling ranges. Even when I miss, I’m still representing strength.

In heads-up pots, I’ll c-bet these boards often, even with nothing.

When I Have Range Advantage

If I raise from late position and get called by the blinds, many flops favor me — even if I miss.

Why?

• I have more strong aces
• I have more big pairs
• I have more broadways

That’s not ego — that’s math.

When I Slow Down (And Save Money)

Wet, Connected Boards

Boards like:

• 9♠ T♠ J♦
• 8♦ 9♦ T♣
• 6♠ 7♠ 8♥

These boards smash calling ranges. When I c-bet blindly here, I’m lighting chips on fire.

Unless I have strong equity or a real plan, I often check these boards.

Multiway Pots

This is huge.

The more players in the pot, the less I c-bet. Someone usually has something.

Heads-up? I apply pressure.
Three or four players? I tighten way up.

Hand Example #1: Standard C-Bet

I raise from the cutoff with A♠ K♦
Big blind calls.

Flop: K♣ 7♦ 2♠

This is a slam-dunk c-bet.

• I hit top pair
• Board is dry
• My opponent checks

I bet for value and protection.

Hand Example #2: Missed Flop, Still a Bet

I raise on the button with Q♠ J♠
Big blind calls.

Flop: A♦ 6♣ 2♠

I missed — but this is still a great c-bet.

• Ace favors my range
• Board is dry
• One opponent

If he folds, I win immediately. If he calls, I reassess.

Hand Example #3: Knowing When to Check

I raise with A♦ Q♦
Two callers.

Flop: T♦ 9♠ 8♣

Even though I have overcards and a backdoor draw, this board is dangerous.

I often check here.

• Too many strong draws out there
• Multiway pot
• I don’t need to force action

Checking isn’t weakness — it’s control.

Biggest C-Bet Mistakes I See

• C-betting every flop automatically
• Betting wet boards with no equity
• Betting multiway pots too often
• Firing turn barrels without a plan

A continuation bet should tell a believable story. If it doesn’t, good players will punish you.

My C-Bet Rule of Thumb

Before I bet the flop, I ask:

“What am I trying to accomplish?”

If the answer is “because I raised,” I check.

Week 4 Player Challenge

This week, I want you to:

1. Track every c-bet you make
2. Note board texture (dry vs wet)
3. Record results when checked vs bet

You’ll be shocked how much money you save by checking more.

Coming Up Next Week

In Session #5, I’ll dive into Turn Play & Double Barrels — when to keep applying pressure and when to shut it down before things get expensive.

Until then:
Bet with purpose.
Check with confidence.
And remember — not every flop belongs to you. ♠️🔥

Poker Strategy Coaching

 🃏 Poker Strategy – Session 3

 By: Hal Coblentz- Semi-Professional Cash Game Player 20+ years

Position Is Power: Playing Fewer Hands, Winning Bigger Pots

Session 3 Focus

If there’s one concept I wish every player truly understood early, it’s this:
Position is everything.

I don’t care how pretty your cards look—if you’re out of position, you’re fighting an uphill battle. This week, I want you to start winning before the flop by simply choosing better spots based on where you’re sitting at the table.

🔁 What Position Really Means

Position is about who acts last on every betting street.

• Early Position (EP): Under the Gun (UTG, UTG+1)
• Middle Position (MP): The bridge between danger and opportunity
• Late Position (LP): Cutoff (CO) and Button (BTN)
• Blinds: Worst seats post-flop, period

The later you act, the more information you have—and information wins money.

🎯 My Core Rule

I play fewer hands early, more hands late, and aggressively protect my late position.

If you apply just that rule consistently, your win rate improves immediately.

📊 Preflop Hand Selection by Position (Live Games)

Early Position (Tight & Disciplined)

Hands I’m opening:

• AA–TT
• AK, AQ (sometimes AJs)
• KQs

Hands I’m not opening:

• Small pairs (unless table is passive)
• Suited connectors
• Weak aces

Early position mistakes are expensive because you’ll be first to act every street.

Middle Position (Controlled Expansion)

Hands I add:

• 99–77
• AJs–ATs
• KQs, QJs
• Occasional suited connectors (98s+)

I’m still cautious, but now I can observe how tight or loose the table really is.

Late Position (Where I Make My Money)

Hands I add:

• Any pocket pair
• Most suited aces
• Broadways
• Suited connectors & one-gappers
• Occasional steals with blockers

On the button, I’m not just playing cards—I’m attacking ranges.

🧠 Hand Example #1 – Cash Game ($1/$3)

I’m on the Button with A♠9♠.
Two limpers ahead of me.

This is a mandatory raise.

Why?

• I have position
• I isolate weaker players
• I control pot size
• I can steal later streets

I raise to $20.
Blinds fold. One limper calls.

Flop: K♠7♠2♦

This hand prints money because:

• I have position
• Nut flush draw
• Fold equity

I continuation bet, knowing I can win the pot now or later.

🧠 Hand Example #2 – Tournament Spot

Middle stages of a tournament.
I’m in Early Position with K♦J♦.

This is a fold for me.

Same hand on the Button?
It’s a raise or even a 3-bet depending on stacks.

Same cards. Different position. Completely different strategy.

⚠️ Common Position Mistakes I See

• Limping early with speculative hands
• Calling raises out of position “to see a flop”
• Playing the same range from every seat
• Ignoring the button’s power

If you’re losing money, odds are you’re overplaying hands from bad seats.

🔥 Session 3 Assignment

For the next week:

1. Track how many hands you play from early position
2. Open wider only from the button and cutoff
3. Avoid calling raises out of position
4. Raise more—don’t limp late

You don’t need better cards.
You need better seats.

🎙️ Final Thought

Great poker players don’t just play hands—they play positions, people, and pressure.

Once you respect position, the game slows down, decisions get clearer, and your bankroll lasts longer.

Next session, I’ll break down bet sizing and why most players bet too small when it matters most.

— Hal
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