Advanced post-flop strategies for floats, probe bets and double-barreling

These three poker strategies can help you quickly gain an edge against other players

In poker, advanced players often employ various post-flop strategies to exploit their opponents and maximize their profits. Three such strategies are floats, probe bets and double-barreling.

Firstly, a float is a play where you call a bet on the flop with the intention of bluffing on a later street. This move is effective against opponents who tend to continuation bet frequently but are likely to give up on the turn if called. 

Floats work best when the board texture does not heavily favor the opponent’s range or you’re your range can reasonably represent a stronger hand. By calling the flop bet and bluffing on later streets, you can apply pressure and often force your opponent to fold better hands.

Secondly, probe bets are small bets made by the out-of-position player on the turn following a checked flop. This strategic move is used to gather information about the strength of the opponent’s hand. By making a small bet, you put pressure on the opponent while keeping the pot small, enabling you to see a cheap showdown if called.

Probe bets are effective when the player’s hand range can reasonably represent a medium-strength hand. Skilled players can use probe bets to induce bluffs or value bets from their opponents, allowing them to make more informed decisions on later streets.

Lastly, double-barreling is a play where you continue your aggressive betting on the turn after continuation betting on the flop, regardless of whether you improved your hand or not. The objective of this strategy is to put maximum pressure on opponents, forcing them to fold weaker hands that have missed the board. 

Successful double-barreling requires a good understanding of board textures, opponent tendencies and proper hand selection. It is important to choose hands that have a reasonable chance of hitting the board and scare opponents into folding.