In chapter 10 of PLO From Scratch, Bugs continues the discussion of continuation betting by focusing on 3-bet and 4-bet pots, then shifts perspective to defending against c-bets and concludes with a structured summary of core principles.
1. C-Betting in 3-Bet and 4-Bet Pots
With 100BB stacks, 3-bet and 4-bet pots drastically reduce SPR:
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3-bet pots → SPR around 3–4 (low)
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4-bet pots → SPR around 1 (ultra-low)
Lower SPR improves risk/reward ratios and lowers stack-off thresholds. However, this does not mean automatic aggression is always correct. Equity and fold equity must still justify putting money in.
1.1 3-Bet Pots: Low SPR, But Not Blind Aggression
In 3-bet pots, bet-folding becomes expensive. Therefore, before c-betting, we must evaluate:
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How often Villain folds
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How often Villain’s range connects
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Our equity versus his continuing range
Example: Bluff C-Betting a Dry Board
On a dry/light board against a loose caller:
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Range analysis showed Villain misses frequently.
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Even conservative assumptions gave positive EV.
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Smaller c-bets improved risk/reward.
The key lesson:
Dry boards in 3-bet pots remain good bluffing candidates when Villain’s range is wide and weak.
1.2 When Not to C-Bet in a 3-Bet Pot
On coordinated flops that heavily connect with Villain’s likely calling range:
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Our overpair may be crushed.
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Villain’s continuing range may be strong.
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Equity versus shove range may be poor.
Detailed modelling showed that c-betting could become negative EV, even with dead money in the pot.
Important takeaway:
Low SPR lowers stack-off requirements, but not when equity is insufficient against a strong range.
Sometimes the correct play is simply to check and abandon aggression.
1.3 The Importance of “Good” vs “Bad” AAxx
A recurring theme:
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Good AAxx (suited, connected) → Often flop backup equity → Profitable bet-calls
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Weak AAxx (uncoordinated) → Flop poorly → Difficult postflop spots
In 3-bet pots, strong AAxx can stack off profitably with:
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Overpair + draws
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Backdoor equity
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Blockers to strong draws
Weak AAxx frequently underperform and may not justify 3-betting preflop.
Preflop selection directly determines postflop profitability.
1.4 Bluffing Selectively in 3-Bet Pots
Dry/light boards are best for bluff c-bets. However:
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Repeated automatic c-betting can be exploited.
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Bet-folding large pots is costly.
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Against observant opponents, over-bluffing creates vulnerabilities.
Thus, bluff frequency must remain controlled.
2. C-Betting in 4-Bet Pots
With SPR near 1, decisions simplify dramatically.
Effective pot odds after 4-betting often make it correct to:
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Push most flops
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Stack off with moderate equity
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Continue aggressively with broadways and premium non-AAxx hands
The critical insight:
Postflop decisions in 4-bet pots are largely determined by preflop hand selection.
If you 4-bet the right hands—premium AAxx and strong Broadway structures—you create mathematically protected shove spots.
Against loose 3-bettors, widening 4-bet ranges to include premium Broadway hands is justified.
3. Playing Against a C-Bet
The chapter then “turns the table” to defending versus c-bets, especially in heads-up pots where both players may have weak ranges.
Two primary counter-strategies:
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Bluff check-raising (out of position)
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Floating (in position)
3.1 Bluff Check-Raising
In multiway scenarios that become heads-up versus an aggressive c-bettor:
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Wide preflop range + high c-bet frequency = weak flop range.
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On dry boards, many combinations miss.
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Range analysis can confirm fold equity.
Even conservative modelling showed that:
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Villain may fold over half the time.
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Moderate-sized check-raises can be profitable.
Role of Blockers
Blockers:
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Slightly reduce Villain’s continuing combinations.
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Increase fold equity.
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Help randomize bluff frequency.
While the effect may appear small numerically, it meaningfully improves EV and prevents over-bluffing.
Key discipline:
Do not bluff every time. Selectively attack weak ranges.
3.2 Floating in Position
Floating involves calling a flop c-bet without sufficient pot odds, planning to:
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Steal on later streets.
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Exploit turn checks.
Ideal floating conditions:
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Villain c-bets wide.
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Villain gives up on turns.
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Villain rarely check-raises turn.
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You have some outs.
Floating shifts the attack to the turn, when Villain reveals weakness.
Why Float Instead of Raise Flop?
Advantages of floating:
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Avoids facing flop 3-bets.
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Delays investment until weakness is confirmed.
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Preserves equity realization.
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Maintains flexibility.
If Villain barrels too often:
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You gain implied odds on draws.
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He cannot profitably defend by firing blindly.
Floating therefore forces Villain into a dilemma:
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Check and surrender initiative
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Or over-barrel and donate implied odds
Position amplifies this pressure significantly.
4. Strategic Themes Across All Pot Types
4.1 Heads-Up, Singly Raised Pots
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C-bet frequently.
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Adjust sizing by board texture.
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Check marginal nutty draws in position.
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Bet-fold marginal made hands without outs.
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Attack players who over-c-bet or over-fold.
4.2 Multiway Pots
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Rarely pure bluff.
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Focus on nutty value and strong semibluffs.
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Avoid thin floats or light aggression.
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Fit-or-fold discipline is critical.
4.3 3-Bet and 4-Bet Pots
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Lower SPR → lower stack-off thresholds.
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Avoid frequent bet-folding in 3-bet pots.
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Preflop hand selection determines postflop freedom.
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In 4-bet pots, ultra-low SPR simplifies decisions.
The connection between preflop structure and postflop profitability becomes strongest in these pots.
5. Core Conceptual Takeaways
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Small positive EV c-bets accumulate meaningfully over time.
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Range-based thinking improves clarity.
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Modelling—even with conservative assumptions—guides disciplined aggression.
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Position is a powerful weapon, especially when floating.
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Blockers refine bluff frequency and success rate.
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Aggression must be selective, not automatic.
Final Thoughts
Chapter 10 completes the foundation of flop c-betting strategy by integrating:
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SPR dynamics
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Range modelling
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Selective aggression
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Defensive counterplay
Bugs emphasizes that profitable c-betting is not about betting often—it is about understanding when ranges are weak, when equity justifies commitment, and how preflop decisions create or limit profitable postflop opportunities.
Part 12 will extend these ideas to delayed c-betting, donk betting, double-barreling, and deeper turn play strategy.