Poker continuation betting: why does this work if everyone knows about it

From my seat, I think c-betting still milks value because fear of bigger pots lingers, especially when players are uncomfortable navigating turns and rivers. Plenty would rather fold and see the next hand than risk getting tangled in a spot they haven't studied. It’s like with slots - folks know the house edge but keep spinning for that feeling of control. Knowledge isn't enough if confidence to push back is missing.

one thing that keeps c-betting profitable is distraction, not just skill level. when folks are bouncing between casino games, chat windows, and maybe a side slots spin, their focus is split, so those auto c-bets slide right by. sure, you’ll get nailed sometimes, but the bulk just fold and reload. in a way, it’s like bonus hunting - knowing what’s out there is step one, but actually capitalizing takes focus.

I’ll admit, I used to ask the same thing when I made the jump from live games to online poker. The trick is most players at lower stakes just autopilot postflop, calling because “they might hit” or folding anything that misses, so a simple c-bet can pick up pots no matter how obvious it should be. Like in roulette, plenty know the odds, but discipline and range awareness don’t come naturally. Next time you play, notice how many actually check-raise or float you light - that’s still rare, even now.