Double barrelling is term used when you fire a second bullet if your opponent has already called your flop continuation bet. Throughout this article we will look at why and when you should double barrel, whilst also looking at a couple of examples.
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Why Double Barrel?
Double barrelling can be a great way to get your opponent off hand that they have been willing to call your flop continuation bet, but may opt to fold if you decide to bet again on the turn.
It allows you to put pressure on your opponent by giving them decisions to make post flop not only regarding your hand, but also as to how strong their hand may be against your range.
When to Double Barrel?
Good spots to double barrel are when you think your opponent may be chasing a draw on the flop but the turn bricks, meaning that it misses all draws. Whilst your opponent may of be happy calling one street with their draw, charging them a second time for it may just get them to fold their hand resulting in you taking down the pot.
If an opponent likes to float flops, and you know this as fact, then the double barrel is often a great pressure move against these types of players. Look to fire at most turns to once again put them to a decision.
It’s often a misconception that the double barrel has to be an outright bluff to get someone to fold their hand. Whilst you may think your opponent has already made some sort of hand you can still bet again as long as you have some equity in your hand. If the turn were to pick you up a flush or straight draw, or even make you a pair, then this will be a good spot as it gives you more ways to win the hand even if your opponent decides to call again on the turn.
Be very selective in who you double barrel. There’s no point in betting if the player is just calling every street and you have little or no chance of getting them to fold any sort of hand. With these types of players we want to be betting our made hands and for value.
Example of When to Double Barrel
Some of the best cards to double barrel are that which bring an over card to the flop. So for example, the flop reads J,4,5 rainbow and your opponent elects to call your continuation bet on the flop. The turn card brings us an Ace which we decide to bet. Now our opponent may have thought that we were just firing a continuation bet at the board to try and take it down, but now the Ace has come there is a real opportunity of this card hitting our range, resulting in us getting them to fold and us taking the pot down.
Example of When Not to Double Barrel
The worst time to double barrel is when the turn completes a lot of draws out there which may have hit our opponents range. For example, the board runs out 4,8,9 with two clubs and we elect to cbet, whilst being called by our opponent. The turn brings the Ten of clubs completing all flush draws coupled with some straight draws and two pair combinations.
It’s likely that this will have hit our opponents calling range on the flop and improved his hand, meaning the amount of time we can get them to fold on this turn card is very low. Our play here is to just give up on the hand and look to check/fold.
Key Points
- Don’t overkill the amount you double barrel.
- Be selective with opponents that you target for a double barrel.
- Use turn card that you think will of missed your opponents range or not improved their hand.
- Don’t get carried away in an attempt to get your opponent to fold. Sometimes they just have it!
