STOP C-Betting Out of Position (It's Costing You Money)

Upswing Poker Level-Up

Playing out of position as the preflop raiser is one of the most misplayed situations among poker players. A lot of people think that just because they raised preflop, they should follow through with a bet on the flop at a high frequency.

That’s largely true when you’re in position, but playing out of position calls for a much more passive and defensive strategy. If you’re continuation betting too often in these spots, you’re likely leaving a lot of money on the table.

Mike Brady and poker pro Gary Blackwood are going to help you plug that leak in this episode. First, we’ll help you understand the “why” behind out of position c-betting strategy. From there, we’ll go over a bunch of example situations to help you with these tricky spots.

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Written Version of this Episode

00:00 Introduction and Overview

02:52 Examples of Flops to Check Entire Range

06:28 Adjusting Strategy Against Loose Players

07:02 Check-Raising on Poor Flops

09:37 Flops that Warrant Some C-Betting

11:20 Building C-Betting and Check-Raising Ranges

12:54 Best Flops for C-Betting Out of Position

15:23 Final Thoughts and Lab Promotion

In this episode of our poker strategy podcast, hosts Mike Brady and Gary Blackwood tackle one of the most common and costly mistakes in poker: c-betting out of position. While many players instinctively continue betting after raising pre-flop, this episode reveals why a more passive and defensive approach is often the better choice when you're out of position. Gary and Mike break down the reasoning behind this strategy, helping you understand when to check, when to bet, and how to avoid spewing chips in these tricky spots.

The podcast begins by discussing why c-betting too frequently out of position can lead to significant losses. Gary explains how your range as the pre-flop raiser often fares worse against your opponent's tighter, more condensed range, especially on certain board textures. By opting for a passive strategy and checking more often, you can keep the pot under control and avoid putting yourself in difficult situations on later streets.

Listeners will gain insights into which flops are the worst for c-betting out of position, with examples like low-connected and disconnected boards where your opponent's range tends to perform better. The episode also covers how to adjust your strategy when facing loose players who might call or stab too frequently when checked to, offering tips on when to implement a check-raising strategy to exploit their tendencies.

As the discussion progresses, Mike and Gary explore scenarios where c-betting is still appropriate, particularly on boards that are better for your range or when you have strong equity. They emphasize the importance of building a balanced c-betting and check-raising range to keep your opponents guessing and to protect your overall strategy.

This poker strategy podcast is packed with practical advice and real-world examples that will help you refine your out-of-position play and minimize costly mistakes. Whether you're a cash game regular or a tournament grinder, the insights shared in this episode will help you level up your game and start making more profitable decisions at the table. Tune in, take notes, and learn how to stop spewing chips with expert guidance from Mike and Gary.