The invention relates to a dummy bar (1) for a continuous casting installation for casting a metal strand, including a dummy bar head (2), a transition piece (3) and a link chain (4), wherein the transition piece (3) and/or the link chain (4) are made of a plurality of links (5, 6) that are connected to each other in an articulated manner, and wherein the links (5, 6) can be pivoted relative to each other about a transverse axis (Q) extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (L) of the dummy bar (1). In order to particularly prevent internal stresses in the dummy bar when replacing parts of the dummy bar, the invention provides for at least one articulated joint (7) to be configured between two links (5, 6) that are connected to each other in an articulated manner, such that said joint allows a relative pivoting movement of the links (5, 6) about the transverse axis (Q) that is greater than any pivot angle (α) occurring during the use of the dummy bar (1). In or on the joint (7), a locking element (8) is displaceably arranged in a direction (T) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (L) of the dummy bar (1) and perpendicular to the transverse axis (Q). The locking element (8) can assume a position (A) in which the pivoting movement of the links (5, 6) is not influenced by the locking element (8), and a position (B) in which the pivoting movement of the links (5, 6) is limited to a predetermined pivot angle in a pivoting direction. The invention further relates to a method of the continuous casting of a metal billet using such a dummy bar.