Poker Triple Barrel Chart
How often does a triple barrel need to work? This poker triple-barrel chart lists folds needed and villain MDF for river sizes ⅓–pot into a $100 pot after flop and turn bets were both called. Pair it with the double-barrel chart, the c-bet chart, the bluff-to-value chart, and the free bluff calculator.
Triple-barrel sizing chart: folds needed and MDF
Setup used for every row: heads-up pot already $100 on the river after you c-bet the flop and barreled the turn, and got called both times. Action is on you — you bet again (a triple barrel).
| Third-barrel size (of pot) | Folds a pure barrel needs | Villain MDF | Bet into a $100 pot |
|---|---|---|---|
| 33% (⅓) | 25% | 75% | $33 |
| 50% (½) | 33.3% | 66.7% | $50 |
| 67% (⅔) | 40% | 60% | $67 |
| 75% (¾) | 42.9% | 57.1% | $75 |
| 100% (pot) | 50% | 50% | $100 |
Folds needed = bet ÷ (pot + bet). MDF = pot ÷ (pot + bet). They always add to 100%. Numbers assume a pure bluff (zero equity when called) heads-up.
The formula
Folds needed = bet ÷ (pot + bet)
MDF = pot ÷ (pot + bet) = 1 − folds needed
Identical arithmetic to a turn barrel or flop c-bet of the same size. What changes is the story: they already called twice, so light triple barrels need a clear reason.
Worked example: $100 pot, half-pot triple barrel ($50)
You c-bet the flop and barreled the turn; both got called. Pot is $100 on the river. You bet $50.
- Folds needed (pure): 50 ÷ 150 = 33.3%.
- Villain MDF: 100 ÷ 150 = 66.7%.
- Check: 33.3% + 66.7% = 100%.
Against a nit who folds 40% on a blank river, a pure half-pot barrel clears. Against a sticky caller, check more or have thin value. Try the calculator preloaded for a $50 river barrel.
Worked example: $100 pot, one-third pot triple barrel (~$33)
Same $100 pot, now a small third barrel of one-third pot (about $33).
- Folds needed: 33.3 ÷ 133.3 = 25%.
- Villain MDF: 75%.
Small river barrels after two calls only need a quarter of their range to fold. The tradeoff: medium hands continue cheaply — when polarized, a larger size or an overbet is often clearer.
Triple barrel vs double barrel vs c-bet
Break-even fold % matches a c-bet or double barrel of the same size. Roles differ. A c-bet is first; a double barrel is second on the turn; a triple barrel is third on the river after two calls. Fire again when the river favors you or missed draws are heavy in their range; otherwise give up.
The multiway trap
Everyone behind you must fold. Two opponents each folding 40% leave a pure bluff winning only 16% (0.4 × 0.4). A half-pot third barrel needs 33.3% heads-up — multiway, skip most air barrels on the river.
When to triple-barrel small vs large
Small (⅓–½). Blank rivers, heads-up, thin value vs a capped range, or cheap folds from weak pairs that called twice.
Large (⅔–pot). Scare cards, polarized nuts/near-nuts, or missed-draw heavy ranges. Pure bluffs need 40–50% folds — see the bluff-to-value chart.
Give up. Multiway, sticky callers, rivers that help them, or no plan versus a raise. Depth: SPR chart. Oversizes: overbet chart.
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See it on Amazon →Triple-barrel FAQ
What is a triple barrel in poker?
A triple barrel is betting the river after you c-bet the flop, barreled the turn, and got called both times. It is the third barrel in a multi-street line — not a probe after they checked.
How often does a triple barrel need to work as a pure bluff?
Same formula as any bet: folds needed = bet ÷ (pot + bet). One-third pot needs 25% folds; half pot 33.3%; two-thirds 40%; three-quarters 42.9%; pot 50%. On the river treat these as pure-bluff targets unless you have thin showdown value.
How is a triple barrel different from a double barrel?
Break-even fold % for the same size is identical. Timing differs. A double barrel is the second barrel on the turn; a triple barrel is the third on the river after two calls. Their range is filtered twice, so light river barrels need a clearer story or you should check more.
What is MDF facing a triple barrel?
Minimum defense frequency = pot ÷ (pot + bet). Facing a half-pot river barrel, MDF is 66.7%; facing one-third pot, 75%. Fold more often than that and pure third-barrel bluffs print.
When should you triple-barrel small vs large — or give up?
Small (⅓–½) on bricks and for cheap folds from capped ranges. Large (⅔–pot) on scare cards or polarized value. Give up multiway, when the river helps them, or with no plan versus a raise. Pair with the double-barrel, overbet, and bluff-to-value charts.