River Double Barrel

Overview

'River Double Barrel' is not a standard term in poker strategy. The conventional naming convention for continuation bets (c-bets) on successive streets is as follows: a single c-bet on the flop is called a 'single barrel' or just 'c-bet'; a c-bet on the flop followed by another on the turn is a 'double barrel'; and a c-bet on the flop, turn, and river is a 'triple barrel.' Thus, a river c-bet that is the second bet in a row (after the flop) would actually be a double barrel if the turn was checked, but that is rare in modern play. More often, the term 'river double barrel' is used erroneously when a player intends to describe a triple barrel or a river bet after a flop c-bet and a turn check (which is not a double barrel in the traditional sense).

Common Confusion

• Double barrel: Typically refers to betting the flop and then betting the turn. The river is not involved.
• Triple barrel: Betting the flop, turn, and river. This is the correct term for a three-street aggressive line.
• River double barrel: Might be used by inexperienced players to mean 'I double-barreled and now I'm on the river,' but this conflates the street count.

Strategic Context

In practice, a player who c-bets the flop, checks the turn, and then bets the river is not double-barreling—they are using a delayed c-bet or a river bet after a turn check. A true double barrel requires bets on both the flop and turn, regardless of the river action. Therefore, the phrase 'river double barrel' is ambiguous and best avoided. To communicate clearly, stick to the standard terminology: single, double, or triple barrel, indicating which streets were bet.

Example

• Standard double barrel: Hero raises preflop, c-bets flop, c-bets turn, then checks or bets river. This is a double barrel regardless of river action.
• Triple barrel: Hero c-bets flop, turn, and river. This is a triple barrel.
• Misuse: A player says 'I river double-barreled' after betting flop and river but checking turn. In reality, this is a single barrel on the flop and a separate river bet, not a double barrel.

Conclusion

While 'River Double Barrel' may appear in casual conversation, it is not a recognized poker term. For accurate strategy discussion, use 'double barrel' (flop+turn) and 'triple barrel' (flop+turn+river).