Poker Articles

This article was written by Andrew Wiggins, AKA "Muddywater."

One of the topics I am frequently asked about is when it is appropriate to double barrel. The term double barreling refers to a player making a second continuation bet without a made hand on the turn. The question of when to do this is an incredibly open-ended question that has countless variables affecting the answer. However, there are general guidelines that can be followed to determine when a second barrel can or should be fired.

Many low limit players tend to overcompensate and fire too many barrels. They feel that the LAG style requires them to run a lot of bluffs. In fact, playing a LAG style is much more about using position than anything else. The essence of LAG play is to create the illusion that you are playing looser than you really are. This means that, at times, you will need to make a bet on the turn with nothing, but it should be done with caution.

In most instances, after a flop continuation bet, it is best to surrender an unimproved hand. This is especially true at lower limits. Double barreling is more effective at the higher limits (5/10+). There are too many unsophisticated calling stations at the lower limits. Reads also come into play more in the higher stakes games. In these games, the opponents are much more observant. Often times, there is history between the players as well.

I typically only double barrel about 20% of the time. By only betting a fraction of the time, my bets are able to retain respect. At the same time, the occasional double barrel will allow doubt to enter the mind of my opponent. I believe there is more value in having added respect on the turn than having complete disrespect. A good player should be able to manipulate hands in his favor, allowing him to get paid off on good hands. When you don’t have a hand, which occurs more often, you will want respect. The fact that I know my second bet gets respect a lot of the time influences the situations in which I double barrel. If I felt my respect on a table was low, I would not double barrel at all. The opposite is true when I have a lot of respect.

The most apparent spot to make a second bet is when your opponent is obviously floating you. This situation applies more when you are playing the hand out of position. It is usually unlikely for a player to float out of position on a regular basis. When you notice that you are getting floated by a specific player, it is often a good idea to start making some double barrel bets. This will typically win you the pot, while sending a message at the same.

Unless you are constantly getting floated, you will want to consider the board texture and the speed of the game before making a second continuation bet. Most often, you will want a scare card to come on the turn. For instance, if the board reads Q72 and the turn is an A, you can often represent the ace and bet again. However, if the board read Q72 and the turn was a 2, you wouldn’t want to bet very often. In the former example, you can force out a pair of queens. In the latter, it is unlikely that queens will fold. However, one thing to consider is the second card. If the board’s second card is a card close to the top card, there is a reasonable chance that your opponent called your first continuation bet with second pair. An example of this would be on a KJx board. Your opponent would often call a flop bet with a hand like AJ, but would typically fold to a bet on a blank turn.

Situations where semibluffs are possible are also good spots to make a second bet. This situation, however, is more read based. The problem lies in the fact that if you bet the turn and are check-raised, you often have to fold the hand. The exception is when you have put in a lot of money and have a combo draw. Otherwise, you won’t be getting the right odds to call a push. Therefore, by taking a second stab at the pot, you eliminate your free card and chance of making your hand cheap.

You will need to keep an eye on your opponents' tendencies. Two important factors to consider are how often your opponent slow plays big hands and how frequently he check-raises. His timing can also play a significant role. Usually an instacall on the flop signals weakness. Opponents tend to hold a hand that is mediocre but not great when they instacall the flop. They know that they will call and not raise or fold, and therefore there is little thinking to be done, hence the instacall.

The most important thing to realize is that double barrel bets should be used with low frequency. Their purpose is to keep your opponents honest and also to build action for when you have a real hand. Even occasional use will plant the seed of doubt in your opponents' mind during future encounters.

Double barrel betting is a necessary tool, as long as it is used in the right scenarios and with the right frequency. The next time you find yourself mindlessly firing two continuation bets or convincing yourself that your opponent is weak for no reason, stop and consider if you are in a favorable situation to fire that second barrel. Most times, you probably aren’t.