Continuation Betting

I think the one "play" that everyone is now aware of is continuation betting. For example, leading out on the flop (or 4th street) after making a raise pre-flop (or on 3rd street). This is so common that the continuation bet does not nearly get the respect that it once did. What I've found is that leading out on the turn (or 5th street) after making the normal continuation bet will get the respect that continuation bets once did.

That being said, you have to prepare to defend against those players who will raise any continuation bet you make. Of course, when you have the nuts, this is a profitable situation, but if you missed, you are usually folding to a raise. The best way to defend against this in my opinion is to not make the continuation bet as often. Checking behind will add a bit of deception to your game and keep your opponents guessing. Now that continuation betting is the "obvious play", do something that is not obvious, like checking, and see what that gets you. The only warning to this is to watch out for the draw that hits on the turn--you may have to proceed cautiously after that (or it may be a perfect bluff card ;) ).