C-Bets Under Fire: How to Size Them from Early Levels to Final Table

Why C-Bet sizing can make or break you.

Continuation betting (c-betting) is one of the cornerstones of modern tournament poker. Done correctly, it applies pressure, builds pots, and leverages fold equity. Done incorrectly, it bleeds chips, reveals your range, and – especially under ICM pressure – can spell absolute disaster.

Many players make the mistake of treating c-bet frequencies as fixed. In reality, c-bet frequencies evolve with stack depth, ICM implications, and the stage of the tournament. Getting this balance wrong isn’t just a leak – it’s a guarantee for fiasco.

Here’s a stage-by-stage breakdown to help you calibrate your c-bet strategy, and a quick reference you can apply in study tools like GTO Wizard.

• Read more: Multiway Muscle: Big-Bet Windows Revealed by GTO Wizard
• Read more: Eldarova’s Dynamic Exploit Equilibrium (DEE) Theory

Early Stages (Deep Stacks, Minimal ICM)

Frequency: High (55-70%+ on favourable boards)

Reasoning:

• Opponents overfold, giving you profitable bluff spots.
• Deep stacks amplify positional edges; initiative has greater value.
• Risk of busting is minimal (often rebuy periods or early levels).

Adjustments:

• C-bet wide with small sizing (25-33%) – cheap, consistent pressure.
• Lean into exploitative aggression; force opponents into mistakes.

Mid Stages (Blinds Rising, Shallower Stacks)

Frequency: Moderate (45-60%)

Reasoning:

• Shallower stacks = pots escalate quickly; mistakes are costlier.
• Opponents defend wider, creating tougher post-flop dynamics.
• More medium-strength hands in play (peels and floats).

Adjustments:

• Reduce bluff frequency – avoid bleeding chips.
• Prioritise equity-driven c-bets (overcards + backdoors, strong draws).
• Check back marginal showdown value (e.g., A-high on 9-6-2).

Bubble Stage (Heavy ICM Pressure)

Frequency: Polarised, sharp drop (30-45%)

Reasoning:

• Risk premium shifts everything: opponents call lighter when short, fold more when covered.
• Fold equity becomes volatile depending on stack dynamics.
• Busting before the money is catastrophic.

Adjustments:

• Vs short stacks – bluff less; they defend wider to survive.
• When covering others – ramp up pressure with polarised strategy:
  • Small bets for denial.
    • Big bets to apply max ICM pressure.
• When covered – tighten up, pot control, avoid thin bluffs.

Final Table (Extreme ICM, Pay Jumps Critical)

Frequency: Very selective (20-35%)

Reasoning:

• Pay jumps are massive; survival outweighs small edges.
• Ranges are tight and fold equity shrinks.
• Stacks polarise (short vs big).

Adjustments:

• C-bet mostly strong value and premium semi-bluffs.
• Reduce weak stabs; mistakes are too costly.
• Mix in traps with nutted hands to balance checking ranges.
• Big stacks can leverage polarising c-bets to suffocate middling stacks.

At a Glance: C-Bet Evolution by Stage Table

• Read more: Mastering ICM Defence: Introducing rMDF for Tournament Survival

The Danger of Static Play

Treating c-bet frequencies as static is one of the fastest ways to sabotage your tournament life. Each stage demands its own calibration of frequency, sizing, and risk appetite.

• Early on, wide and cheap aggression builds momentum.
• Midway, equity-driven selectivity saves chips.
• On the bubble, polarisation and ICM awareness are critical.
• At the final table, value and survival rule, with big stacks wielding maximum pressure.

The players who master these shifts don’t just survive – they thrive, turning c-bets into a surgical weapon instead of a self-inflicted wound.

Famous Players Known for C-Bet Mastery

If, like me, you watch a lot of tournament coverage, you’ll notice certain players consistently stand out for their command of c-bet frequencies and sizing. Here are some of the best examples:

1. Stephen Chidwick – Widely regarded as one of the most technically sound players in the world. Exceptional at adjusting c-bet frequencies by stack depth and ICM pressure. His ability to vary sizing in solver-approved ways (⅓-pot range bets vs polarised over-bets) makes him incredibly difficult to exploit.

2. Fedor Holz – Member of a Team Pokercode, famous for his 2016 super-run and online dominance. Uses small, frequent c-bets on dynamic boards to maintain aggression without overcommitting. Also skilled at applying ICM-aware pressure at final tables with polarised large bets.

3. Justin Bonomo – Known for disciplined, solver-based strategies. Rarely leaks chips by over-bluffing with c-bets; instead, he chooses equity-driven lines. Mixes in deceptive check-backs, protecting ranges and keeping opponents guessing.

4. Adrian Mateos – Spanish superstar who’s lethal in short-stack and bubble dynamics. Excellent at adjusting c-bet frequencies at the bubble and FT stage – presses when covering, controls pot when at risk. Uses nuanced small c-bets to deny equity, then ramps up polarisation when stacks get shallow.

5. Jason Koon – Revered for his range awareness and live reads. Combines solver-based c-bet strategy with live table feel, especially in high-roller final tables. Masters the balance of small c-bets to keep ranges wide and over-bets to capitalise on fold equity.

6. Daniel Negreanu (modern era) – Historically known for live reads and exploitative style, but since working with solvers during his heads-up match vs Doug Polk, he’s rebuilt his c-bet game. Now much more solver-balanced, with strong use of smaller sizings in spots he used to over-bet.

• Read more: 2025 WSOP Main Event: Final Table Analysis by Aytan Eldarova

What We Can Learn from the Masters

What unites these players isn’t just technical skill – it’s adaptability. Chidwick’s solver precision, Holz’s fearless aggression, Bonomo’s discipline, Mateos’s ICM instincts, Koon’s mix of theory and live reads, and Negreanu’s reinvention all highlight one truth: c-bets aren’t static moves, they’re dynamic weapons. The very best don’t rely on a single frequency or size; they adjust to stack depths, board textures, and tournament pressure. For aspiring players, the lesson is clear – mastering c-bets means mastering context.