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Hey guys,

Just thought I'd write a little something.

On Double Barreling:

This is a concept not widely used in uNL or even SSNL. It is a very common play in MSNL+, where the aggression is much higher and more frequent than those games that we play. It can be an effective play used in many different manners.

What is Double Barreling?
Double Barreling is exactly that. Firing two barrels. The purposes can be very many- from pure bluffing against a suspected float or semi-bluffing with a nice draw, the double barrel is effective.

When double barreling:
-We mix our ranges so that when we bet the turn after raising PF/betting the flop, our hand is NOT always the nuts/strong hand. Our ranges are wider and therefore harder to read.
-Along with that, we gain more action to when we DO actually have a hand.
-When applied correctly to certain players, we either dictate the action and set ourselves odds in which we would not have recieved (when double barreling draws) and enable ourselves another chance at winning the pot other than improving.

Some examples of double barreling:

(Assume all situations are 100BBs/6max).

The first and very standard one:

You open xx in the CO, BB calls, all else fold.

Flop: T[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img]2[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img]9[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img]
BB checks, You bet, BB calls

Turn: A/K/paint
BB checks, You bet, he folds.

This is pretty much the standard double barrel line. We bet because the paint changed the board and therefore hand values. A villan should be much stronger if your betting (and repping) that paint card (and should fear a river bet if he calls). This is a very standard double barreling line used against all opponents.

As you move in limits, this common knowledge can be exploited (ie. calling much wider, bluff raising the double barrel because you know the opponent would double on this board nearly everytime, etc). But for now, this is still a nice play, and one that CAN be used for value too (ie. having AK on that such board and betting the turn).

Your raise A[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img]K[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img] to 4xbb. You get a TAG caller on the button, all else fold.

(10bb)Flop: T[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img]6[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img]6[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img]
You bet 6bb, he calls

(22bb)2[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img]
You bet 15bb, and he folds.

Notes: This is a common line used most against TAGgy regulars. This play is often used against more competent players as donkeys will continue to call with 77 and other marginal hands. As of PF/flop action, we can generally narrow TAG's hand range to a pp or some float. By double barreling, we generally fold out better hands against a very predicatable range. The TAG should be thinking "he knows that the turn changed nothing, why is he betting? He must be strong"

#3:

You raise A[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img]7[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img], Button calls, all else fold. He is an unknown player.

(10bbs)Flop: 4[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img]T[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img]K[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img]
You bet 8bb, He calls.

(26bb)Turn: 2[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img]
You bet 17bb

There are a few reasons why double barreling on these boards is nice. You set your own price for a draw, one that your opponent may not have given you. You also enable yourself another chance to win the pot other than improving (as stated earlier, and also the definition of a semi-bluff). In CR, GP states that K high boards are excellent ones to double barrel on, simply because you are representing a ton of strength.

As stated earlier, your hand range is widened- many times, you would be double barreling with AK and the like in this spot. Try exchanging A[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img]7[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] with AK/a set/QJ and you still may very well be double barreling. Mixing your strong hands with draws is an essential skill that evolves into 5th level thinking in the HSNL games (ie. bet sizing/etc).

Betting the turn makes river play GENERALLY pretty easy. If your opponent is one that will fold to aggression, you can triple barrel at times. If he's determined and willing to go far with this hand, you can c/f- (probably the best selection for those in uNL).

Another instance in which it might be nice to double with a draw is when you pick up a draw on the turn.

You open 6[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img]7[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img] someone calls.

Flop: T[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img]2[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img]4[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img]
You bet, he calls

Turn: 8[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img]
You should bet

Again, it goes along with the semibluffing thing. Sorry, forgot to add this little snipit (edit), one thing I forgot.

There are many more instances in which double barreling is effective, these are just a few. Think for yourself on some other spots and share them.