After a flop c-bet, should you keep betting the turn or check? Learn how to distinguish good barrel cards from bad ones.
After c-betting the flop, continuing to bet on the turn is called a double barrel (or second barrel).
| Turn Card | Barrel? | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Overcards (A, K) | ✅ Good | PFR's range contains more Ax, Kx |
| Bricks (low cards like 2, 3) | ✅ Good | No board change → flop initiative maintained |
| Cards that improve opponent's range | ❌ Bad | Favors BB's suited connectors / middle pairs |
| Draw-completing cards | ⚠️ Situational | Good if your range contains the draws |
Turn K♣ = overcard favoring Hero's range
Hero's CO range: AK, KQ, KJs, etc. — many hands that hit the K
Villain (BB) range: relatively fewer K-holding hands
A♣Q♦ = gutshot (T) + overcard (A) → semi-bluff
Large sizing (66%) puts pressure on Villain's jack pairs and middle pairs
Turn 6♦ = a card that favors Villain
BB's range: 85, T8, 53 — many straights completed + 76/77/66 two pair/sets + 65 pair+OESD
Hero's AKo = pure air (complete miss on this board)
Barreling this turn means getting called by hands that are almost always ahead → check is correct
Turn barrels should always be large: 66% pot or more
Source: GTO Wizard Blog, Upswing Poker
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