Outs poker explained

Count your outs to make better decisions at the poker table. Outs are the unseen cards that can improve your hand and turn a losing situation into a winning one. If you hold four cards to a flush after the flop, nine remaining cards of that suit can complete it–those are your outs.

Calculating outs is straightforward. Start by identifying which cards will help your hand. For example, with an open-ended straight draw (like 6-7 on a 5-8-K board), any 4 or 9 completes your straight–eight total outs. Adjust for overlapping possibilities; if you also have a flush draw, subtract duplicate outs to avoid overcounting.

Once you know your outs, estimate the probability of hitting them. Multiply your outs by 2 for the turn or river, or by 4 if you’re seeing both streets. Eight outs? You have roughly a 16% chance on the next card or 32% by the river. Use this math to compare pot odds and decide whether calling a bet is profitable.

Track outs quickly in-game to stay ahead. Practice counting them in different scenarios–flush draws, straight draws, combo draws–so it becomes second nature. The faster you recognize your outs, the sharper your decisions will be.

Outs in Poker: Definition and How to Calculate Them

Count outs by identifying unseen cards that improve your hand. For example, with four cards to a flush after the flop, nine remaining suit cards are your outs.

Key Scenarios for Counting Outs

Track outs differently based on your hand strength:

Situation	Outs	Example
Flush draw	9	Holding 2 hearts, 2 more appear on flop
Open-ended straight draw	8	Holding 6-7, flop shows 5-8-K
Gutshot straight draw	4	Holding 9-10, flop shows 7-K-Q

Calculating Odds from Outs

Multiply outs by 2 for turn/river percentages. With 8 outs: 8 × 2 = 16% chance per card. For two cards, multiply by 4 (8 × 4 = 32%).

Adjust for opponent’s possible cards. If you suspect they hold one of your outs, reduce the count. With a flush draw and two opponents, assume 1-2 outs may be dead.

Practice with hand history reviews. Note how often your outs appeared in similar spots to refine calculations.

What Are Outs in Poker?

An “out” is any unseen card that can improve your hand to a likely winner. For example, if you have four hearts after the flop, any of the nine remaining hearts in the deck are outs to complete your flush.

Why Outs Matter

Counting outs helps you decide whether to call, fold, or raise. The more outs you have, the stronger your odds of winning. If you hold an open-ended straight draw (like 5-6 on a 4-7-8 board), eight cards (four 3s and four 9s) can complete your straight.

Quick Tip for Counting Outs

Memorize common scenarios: flush draws have 9 outs, open-ended straight draws have 8, and gutshot straight draws have 4. Adjust for blockers–if an opponent might hold a card you need, subtract one out per visible blocker.

After counting outs, multiply them by 2 (for turn/river odds) or 4 (for turn + river) to estimate your winning chance in percentage. Eight outs? Roughly 32% to hit by the river.

Common Examples of Outs in Texas Hold’em

Identify outs quickly by recognizing these frequent scenarios in Texas Hold’em:

• Flush Draw: Holding two hearts with two more on the flop gives you 9 outs (remaining hearts).
• Open-Ended Straight Draw: With 6-7 on a 5-8-K board, any 4 or 9 completes your straight (8 outs total).
• Gutshot Straight Draw: Holding 8-9 on a 6-7-Q board? Only a 10 gives the straight (4 outs).
• Overcards: If you have A-K against a paired board, 6 outs (three Aces and three Kings) may win if paired.
• Combination Draws: With both flush and straight potential (e.g., 5-6 of hearts on a 4-7-J with two hearts), count non-overlapping outs carefully.

Adjust your outs in these situations:

1. Subtract outs if opponents likely hold your needed cards (e.g., two players fold low hearts on a flush draw).
2. Add backdoor outs for runner-runner possibilities, like hitting two consecutive cards for a flush.

Example calculation: After the flop, multiply your outs by 4 for turn/river odds. With 9 outs for a flush, you have ~36% chance (9 × 4) to hit by the river.

Counting Outs for Flush Draws

When you have four cards of the same suit after the flop, you’re on a flush draw with nine outs–the remaining cards of that suit still in the deck. For example, holding two hearts and seeing two more on the flop means nine hearts are left to complete your flush.

Adjusting for Blocked Cards

If opponents show aggression, they might hold some of your outs. Suppose you have the A♥ K♥, and the flop is Q♥ 7♥ 2♦. If an opponent raises with J♥ T♥, two of your outs are gone. Now only seven hearts remain to hit your flush.

Backdoor Flush Draws

With two suited cards on the flop and one in your hand, you have a backdoor flush draw. For example, if you hold 8♣ 9♣ and the flop is A♦ K♣ 3♠, you need two more clubs. The turn offers 10 outs (remaining clubs), and if it hits, the river gives nine.

Always count visible cards and adjust for possible blockers. If you’re unsure about opponents’ holdings, stick with the standard nine outs for open-ended flush draws.

Counting Outs for Straight Draws

Identify the number of cards that complete your straight by counting the remaining cards in the deck that fit your sequence. For open-ended straight draws (OESD), you typically have 8 outs, while gutshot straight draws offer 4 outs.

Open-Ended Straight Draw (OESD)

An OESD means you have four consecutive cards and need one on either end to complete the straight. For example:

• Holding 6♥ 7♠ on a board of 5♦ 8♣ 2♠ gives you 8 outs (4s and 9s).
• Any of the four 4s or four 9s in the deck complete your straight.

Gutshot Straight Draw

A gutshot requires one specific card to fill the middle of your sequence. For instance:

• Holding J♦ 10♣ on a board of 9♠ 7♥ 2♦ gives you 4 outs (any 8).
• Only the four 8s in the deck complete your straight.

Adjust your outs if opponents might hold cards you need. If two 9s are visible (on the board or in your hand), your OESD drops to 6 outs instead of 8.

Calculate equity by multiplying outs by 2% per card on the turn and 4% per card on the river. With 8 outs after the flop:

• Turn: 8 × 2% = 16% chance to hit.
• River: 8 × 4% = 32% chance if you see both cards.

Calculating Outs for Combined Draws

When you have multiple draws at once–like a flush and a straight draw–count each set of outs separately, then adjust for overlapping cards. For example, with an open-ended straight draw and a flush draw on the flop, you typically have 15 outs: 9 for the flush and 8 for the straight, minus 2 cards that complete both.

Handling Overlapping Outs

If two draws share the same cards, avoid double-counting them. A flush draw with 9 outs and a gutshot straight draw with 4 outs may only have 12 outs total if one card completes both. Always cross-check which cards overlap.

Example Scenario

You hold 7♥ 8♥, and the flop shows 6♥ 9♣ K♥. Here, you have:

• 9 outs for the flush (any heart).
• 6 outs for the straight (5♣, 5♦, 5♠, 10♣, 10♦, 10♠).

Since no cards complete both draws, you have 15 clean outs.

For a more complex case, if the flop were 6♥ 9♥ K♦, the 5♥ and 10♥ now count for both draws. Total outs drop to 13 (9 flush + 6 straight – 2 overlaps).

The Rule of 2 and 4 for Outs

Use the Rule of 2 and 4 to quickly estimate your winning chances after the flop. Multiply your outs by 2 for the turn or river, and by 4 if you expect to see both cards.

For example, with a flush draw (9 outs) on the flop:

Situation	Calculation	Approximate Equity
Turn card only	9 outs × 2	18%
Turn and river	9 outs × 4	36%

This shortcut works best with 8 or fewer outs. For more outs, adjust the result slightly downward – 14 outs actually give about 48% equity (not 56%).

After the turn, always use the Rule of 2. With one card left, multiply your remaining outs by 2 for the river odds. A gutshot straight draw (4 outs) has roughly 8% chance to hit.

Compare these percentages to pot odds to make calling decisions. If the pot offers 3:1 (25%) and your equity is 36%, the call is profitable long-term.

Adjusting Outs for Dead Cards

Subtract outs that are no longer available due to dead cards–cards you know are out of play. For example, if you hold 6♥ 7♥ and the flop is 2♥ 9♥ K♦, you normally have 9 outs for a flush. But if two opponents show A♥ and Q♥, adjust your outs to 7.

Common scenarios where dead cards reduce outs:

• Visible mucked cards: If a folded player reveals a heart, exclude it from flush calculations.
• Opponents’ upcards in stud games: Track exposed cards that block your draws.
• Board duplicates: If the turn is 5♠ and you’ve seen two 5s folded, eliminate remaining 5s from straight draws.

To adjust accurately:

1. Note all visible dead cards preflop, flop, and turn.
2. Cross-check them against your needed outs.
3. Recalculate pot odds with the updated out count.

Example: You have 8♦ 9♦ on a 7♣ T♥ J♠ board. Normally, any 6 or Q (8 outs) completes your straight. But if an opponent shows 6♣, you have 7 outs left.

Common Mistakes When Counting Outs

Overcounting outs is a frequent error. For example, if you hold 5♥ 6♥ on a 7♥ 8♠ 2♦ board, you might count 9 flush outs plus 8 straight outs (four 4s and four 9s). However, the 4♥ and 9♥ overlap–they complete both draws. Count them once, giving you 15 outs (9 flush + 6 non-flush straight cards).

Ignoring dead cards distorts calculations. If an opponent shows aggression with A♥ K♥, two of your flush outs are likely gone. Adjust by subtracting those cards from your total.

Assuming all outs are live can backfire. On a K♠ Q♦ 3♣ board with J♣ T♣, you might count 8 outs for an open-ended straight. But if an opponent holds A♠ 9♠, the 9♣ is no longer available.

Forgetting reverse implied odds leads to inflated expectations. Chasing a non-nut flush with 4♦ 5♦ on a A♦ J♦ 2♠ board gives you 9 outs, but if another player holds K♦ Q♦, your low flush loses when hit.

Misapplying the Rule of 2 and 4 causes equity miscalculations. The rule assumes all outs are clean. If you have 12 outs but 3 are tainted (e.g., pairing the board when your opponent has trips), multiply only the 9 reliable outs by 4 on the flop.

FAQ

What are outs in poker?

Outs are the unseen cards left in the deck that can improve your hand to a likely winner. For example, if you have four hearts after the flop, any of the remaining nine hearts in the deck can complete your flush—those nine cards are your outs.

How do I count outs in poker?

To count outs, identify which cards will improve your hand. If you have an open-ended straight draw (like 6-7 on a 5-8-K board), any 4 or 9 will complete your straight. Since there are four of each in the deck, you have eight total outs.

Why is knowing outs important?

Counting outs helps you decide whether to call, fold, or raise. If you have many outs, your chances of winning increase, making it more profitable to continue in the hand. Fewer outs mean weaker odds, so folding might be better.

Can outs change during a hand?

Yes, outs can change as new cards are revealed. If you’re chasing a flush and another heart appears on the turn, your outs decrease because fewer hearts remain in the deck. Always reassess after each street.

How do I use outs to calculate winning odds?

Multiply your number of outs by 2 to estimate your chance of hitting on the next card (for one street). For two streets (turn and river), multiply by 4. For example, with nine outs for a flush, you have roughly a 36% chance by the river.

What are outs in poker?

Outs are the unseen cards left in the deck that can improve your hand to a likely winner. For example, if you have four hearts after the flop, any remaining heart can complete your flush—giving you nine possible outs (13 total hearts minus the four you already see).

How do I calculate my odds of hitting an out?

After the flop, multiply your number of outs by 4 to estimate your chance of hitting by the river. With one card to come (turn or river), multiply by 2. For instance, nine outs for a flush give roughly a 36% chance (9 × 4) to complete it by showdown.

Why count outs if I can’t control the next card?

Counting outs helps you decide whether calling a bet is profitable. If the pot odds (money you can win vs. the bet cost) are better than your card odds, it’s a good call. For example, a 20% chance to win justifies a call if the pot offers 5-to-1 or better.

Do all outs have equal value?

No. Some outs may give you the best hand but still lose to stronger draws. A backdoor flush draw (needing two running cards) has fewer outs than an open-ended straight draw. Also, beware of “tainted outs” that could improve an opponent’s hand.

Can I have zero outs in poker?

Yes. If your opponent shows a full house and you’re drawing to a flush, no card can save you—your outs are dead. Always reassess outs based on visible cards and likely opponent holdings to avoid chasing hopeless hands.

What exactly are “outs” in poker?

Outs are the unseen cards left in the deck that can improve your hand to a likely winner. For example, if you have four cards to a flush after the flop, there are nine remaining cards of that suit in the deck—those are your outs.

How do I calculate my odds of hitting an out?

After the flop, multiply your number of outs by 4 to estimate your chance of hitting by the river. For example, with 9 outs for a flush, you have roughly a 36% chance. If you’re on the turn, multiply outs by 2 instead—so 9 outs would mean about an 18% chance.

Does the number of outs always guarantee a win?

No, outs only show potential improvements, not guaranteed wins. Even if you hit your draw, another player might have a stronger hand. Always consider possible better hands opponents could hold.

Are there common mistakes when counting outs?

Yes, players often overcount outs by ignoring cards that might give opponents a better hand. For example, if you’re chasing a straight but three suited cards are on the board, some of your straight outs could complete a flush for someone else.

Reviews

NeonBloom

*Sigh.* Another cold calculation, another set of numbers to memorize. Outs—those tiny flickers of hope, just probabilities dressed in math. You count them, weigh them, cling to them… only to watch the river crush the last shred of delusion. Funny how poker turns longing into equations. But what’s the point? Even if you calculate perfectly, the cards don’t care. They never do.

**Names and Surnames:**

*”Oh, darling, do enlighten me—when you so graciously explain how to count outs like it’s basic arithmetic, are we assuming everyone at the table is politely waiting while I tally my hopeful little cards? Or is this just another charming fantasy where poker math magically overrides the guy across from me sighing loudly because I dared to think for three seconds? And while we’re at it, does calculating outs also come with a guarantee that the river won’t spitefully prove them useless, or is that an advanced lesson in delusion?”*

Emily Carter

*”So, if I flop a flush draw, should I just ‘calculate’ my way to victory or pray the poker gods hate my opponent more? Genius.”* (102)

Benjamin

Outs in poker? Just math pretending to be hope. Count ’em right, and you’ll still lose to a guy who thinks ‘pot odds’ is a new strain of weed. But hey, at least you’ll feel smart while your stack vanishes. 47 cards left, 9 outs—sounds like a sob story waiting to happen. Pro tip: if you’re calculating at the table, you’re already the fish.

Evelyn

The quiet arithmetic of outs—those spectral chances flickering at the edge of the flop—always feels like counting fireflies in a jar. You know the number, yes, but their glow is softer when you’re the one waiting. Four to a flush, nine lingering in the deck; the math is cold, yet your fingers trace the percentages like a bruise. It’s cruel, how probability wears a pretty dress but dances alone. And when the turn bricks, that unshaken 20% folds into the hollow space where hope was. Poker is just grief, rehearsed.

Matthew

*”Outs in poker? Just the cards that can save your sorry hand. Count ’em right, and you’ll know whether to push or fold. Simple math: if you’ve got 9 outs after the flop, multiply by 4 for your odds. Turn gives you 8? Multiply by 2. No crystal ball needed—just cold, hard numbers. Miss your draw? Blame the deck, not the math. And if you’re still guessing, maybe stick to bingo.”* (328 символов)

StarlightDreamer

*”Ah, outs—the magical little numbers that turn your hopeless bluff into a ‘mathematically sound decision.’ Because nothing screams ‘I know what I’m doing’ like frantically counting cards you’ve never seen while pretending it’s all part of the plan. Just multiply by 2 or 4 (or consult the nearest poker guru’s cryptic chart), and voilà—you’re either a genius or just another optimist with a losing hand. Either way, at least the math makes you *feel* smart before the river ruins everything.”*

Ava Thompson

“Wow, who knew counting outs could feel like solving a tiny, fun puzzle? At first, it seemed like math torture, but now it’s kinda satisfying—like knowing exactly how many chocolates are left in the box before stealing one. The trick is to stay chill and practice. Sure, you’ll miscount sometimes, but hey, even poker pros started somewhere. And when you finally nail it mid-game? Pure magic. Keep it light, laugh at the blunders, and enjoy the ride. Every flop’s a fresh chance to flex those new skills!” (356 chars)

Isabella Reynolds

Counting outs in poker is a skill every player should have in their toolkit. It’s not just about memorizing numbers—it’s about understanding how many cards can actually improve your hand. If you’re holding four to a flush, you’ve got nine outs left in the deck. Open-ended straight draw? That’s eight. Simple math, but it changes everything when you’re deciding whether to call, raise, or fold. The trick is to stay sharp and not overestimate your chances. Multiply outs by 2 or 4 after the flop to gauge your odds, but always keep in mind—the more outs you think you have, the more careful you should be. It’s easy to get carried away, but discipline wins games. Practice counting them fast, and soon it’ll feel like second nature.

PixelPrincess

Oh my stars, outs in poker are like little secret whispers from the universe, telling you exactly how many cards can turn your hand into pure magic! ✨ Imagine holding a flush draw—those 9 unseen hearts are your fairy godmothers, just waiting to swoop in and make your dreams come true! And calculating them? It’s like counting shooting stars: take those beautiful outs, multiply by 2 or 4 (because why not let your heart race faster?), and voilà—you’ve got your % chance to shine! Every out is a tiny spark of hope, a maybe, a *what if* that keeps the game deliciously dizzying. Who knew math could feel so romantic? 💖 Fold? Never! Not when destiny might be hiding in the next card!