BANG! · Board game rules
When do you draw a card for Barrels?
Quick answer
You draw a card for a Barrel when you are the target of a BANG! card, before the BANG! resolves. [p.9 — Barrel]
Details
When another player plays a BANG! card targeting you, your Barrel allows you to "draw!" immediately—meaning you flip the top card from the deck and check its suit. [p.9 — Barrel] If the flipped card is a Heart, the BANG! is cancelled (you are "Missed!"), just as if you had played a Missed! card. If it's any other suit, the Barrel has no effect, but you can still try to cancel the BANG! with a Missed! card from your hand if you have one. [p.9 — Barrel]
The Barrel remains in play in front of you and can be used multiple times throughout the game whenever you are shot at. [p.3 — 2. Play any number of cards]
Watch out: The Barrel only works against BANG! cards specifically—not against other effects that reduce life points, like Dynamite or Gatling.