Double barreling in poker: betting the flop and the turn
A double barrel is betting the turn after you already made a continuation bet on the flop. It puts pressure on opponents who called the flop with medium hands and draws. Barrel with strong hands, good draws and good scare cards; give up with hands that have no equity on bad turns.
When to double barrel
Section titled “When to double barrel”- Value: you have a strong hand that worse hands will keep calling. See value betting.
- Semi-bluff: you picked up a strong draw on the turn. See semi-bluff.
- Scare card: the turn is an overcard (A or K) that fits your preflop raising range better than the caller’s.
Good and bad turn cards
Section titled “Good and bad turn cards”| Turn card | For the preflop raiser | Typical plan |
|---|---|---|
| Ace or king | Good: fits your range | Barrel more often |
| Card that completes a draw you hold | Good | Bet for value |
| Card that completes obvious draws you don’t hold | Bad | Check more |
| Low blank (e.g. a 2 on K-8-4) | Neutral | Barrel with value and good draws |
See turn play and flop texture.
Sizing
Section titled “Sizing”About 2/3 of the pot is a common turn size. Use the same size for value hands and bluffs. See bet sizing.
When to give up
Section titled “When to give up”- Against calling stations: they call twice with weak pairs; don’t bluff. See calling stations.
- When your hand has no outs and the turn helps the caller.
- In multiway pots. See multiway pots.
Triple barrel
Section titled “Triple barrel”Betting the river too is a triple barrel. Only do it with strong hands or when your bluff story is very believable. See river play.
What is a double barrel in poker?
Section titled “What is a double barrel in poker?”Betting the turn after a continuation bet on the flop.
When should you double barrel?
Section titled “When should you double barrel?”With strong hands, good draws, or on turn cards that fit your range better than the caller’s.
What is a triple barrel?
Section titled “What is a triple barrel?”Betting the flop, turn and river.
Should you double barrel against calling stations?
Section titled “Should you double barrel against calling stations?”Only for value; don’t bluff them twice.