When should I c-bet small?

On dry boards where you have range advantage, especially heads-up and in position. Sizes around one third pot work well.

When should I bet big postflop?

On wet boards with many draws, or when you have strong value and want to charge draws. Use two thirds to three quarters pot or more.

How do I use the Rule of 2 and 4?

From the flop, multiply your outs by 4 to estimate your chance to hit by the river; from the turn, multiply by 2 to estimate your chance to hit on the river.

Why does position matter postflop?

Acting last gives you more information, better pot control, and higher equity realization. You can bet more accurately and call wider in position.

Postflop Basics: Flop, Turn & River Made Simple

“Postflop” is everything after the deal: the flop (3 cards), turn (1 card), and river (1 card). Your job is to bet for value when ahead, bluff when it’s smart, and fold when behind. Keep it simple, play in position, and use clear bet sizes.

Flop

Most info appears here. Small c-bets work on many dry boards.

Turn

Bigger bets on wet boards. Value grows; many draws appear or miss.

River

Final decision. Value bet thinly vs callers; bluff when story makes sense.

The three streets (simple timeline)

Flop

3 community cards. Decide: small c-bet or check. Ask: who has the advantage on this board?
Turn

4th card. Pot grows fast. Use bigger bets on wet boards; many hands become clear value or clear folds.
River

5th card. Final bet/raise/call/fold. Value bet when worse can call; bluff when better hands can fold.

Your actions each street

Check

Do nothing; pass action. Good for hands that want to see a card or to protect your checking range.

Bet

Value (worse hands call) or bluff (better hands fold). Choose a size with a purpose.

Call

Continue with enough equity or with showdown value. Prefer calling in position.

Raise

Build pot with strong value or apply pressure with strong draws. Use bigger sizes vs draw-heavy boards.

Continuation bet (c-bet) — quick rules

When c-bet small (⅓ pot)

Dry boards: A-7-2 rainbow, K-5-5.
You have range advantage (your preflop range has more top pairs/overpairs).
Heads-up pots, especially in position.

When bet bigger (⅔–¾ pot)

Wet boards: J-T-9, 9-8-7 two-tone (many draws).
With strong value and strong draws (to charge draws).
Turns/rivers where your hand is very strong.

Want exact sizes? See Bet Sizes (Easy Guide).

Board textures (why the board matters)

Texture

Example

Plan

Dry (static)

A-7-2 rainbow, K-9-3

Small bets often; many hands don’t improve much.

Wet (dynamic)

J-T-9, 9-8-7 two-tone

Bigger bets; charge draws, protect value.

Paired

K-K-4, 8-8-3

Good for small bets; trips advantage often with preflop raiser.

Monotone

A♠-8♠-3♠

Have a plan with/without a high spade; size up with strong flushes.

Low connected

6-5-4, 7-6-3

Fewer high cards; ranges closer. Value/deny with bigger sizes.

Nut advantage: If your range has more “best possible” hands (straights/flushes/sets), you can bet bigger and more often.

Position (IP vs OOP)

In position (IP)

You act after them. Easier to control pot size.
Use more small bets and delayed c-bets (check flop, bet turn).
Call wider with draws and showdown hands.

Out of position (OOP)

Act first; tougher to realize equity.
Check more often. When you bet, choose sizes with clear goals.
3-bet pots OOP: tighter continues, bigger sizes on wet boards.

Draws & quick odds (Rule of 2 & 4)

What is an “out”?

An out is a card that improves your hand to likely winner. Example: Four to a flush = 9 outs.

Draw

Typical outs

To river (from flop)

Flush draw

~36% (9×4)

Open-ender

~32% (8×4)

Gutshot

~16% (4×4)

2 overcards

~24% (6×4)

Turn to river only → multiply outs by 2. From flop to river → multiply by 4.

Pot odds (call or fold?)

Break-even equity = bet / (pot + bet). If your chance to win is higher, call is OK.

Facing

Need folds / equity

Use

⅓ pot bet

~25%

Many draws can continue

½ pot bet

~33%

Stronger draws/overcards

¾ pot bet

~43%

Good draws/top pairs

More examples: Odds & Outs.

Bet sizing (simple plan)

Small (¼–⅓ pot)

Dry boards, range advantage, frequent c-bets.

Medium (½ pot)

Default size on many turns and rivers.

Big (⅔–¾ pot)

Wet boards; charge draws; strong value / strong draws.

Overbet (1.2–1.5x)

When you have nut advantage on turn/river. Polarised range.

Deep dive here: Bet Sizes.

Plan your line (think ahead)

Example 1 — Top pair, good kicker (IP)

Flop K-7-2r with KQ. Line: Bet small flop → Bet turn on bricks → River value vs worse kings/7x if called before.

Example 2 — Nut flush draw (IP)

Flop J♥-9♥-3♦ with A♥5♥. Line: Bet bigger (charge) → Barrel some turns → River bluff spades/straight cards if you miss.

Rule: Big size → fewer bluffs, strong value. Small size → more bluffs, wider value.

Multiway pots (3+ players)

Adjustments

Bet less often; ranges are stronger on average.
Bluffs go down; value bets need to be stronger.
Prefer position; avoid thin calls OOP.

Simple plan

C-bet small on very dry boards only.
Check more marginal top pairs.
With strong draws, bet bigger to charge many players.

Common postflop mistakes

Betting big on dry boards with weak hands (you fold out worse, get called by better).
Betting too small on wet boards (cheap cards let draws catch up).
Never bluffing rivers (you miss value vs folds) or always bluffing (be selective).
Calling out of position with weak draws (hard to realize equity).
Ignoring position — IP wins more chips with the same cards.

Postflop Basics (Flop • Turn • River)