Introduction
To succeed on the game table, you need more than just a good hand — you must be able to assess your chances of improving it. That’s where the concept of ‘outs’ comes in. Outs are the lifeline of every Poker player, helping you determine the likelihood of making a winning hand.
In this article, we will explore Poker outs, how to count them accurately, and how to use them to make smarter decisions at the table.
Understanding Out in Poker
An ‘out’ refers to a card that can enhance your current hand, potentially turning it into a winning one. For instance, in Texas Hold'em, if you have four cards of the same suit (four cards toward a flush), any other card of that suit remaining in the deck is considered an out since drawing another would complete your flush.
Knowing how many outs you have offers a crucial advantage, especially when deciding whether to call a bet or continue in the game.
Types of Poker Outs
Outs can relate to several types of hands. These involve drawing hands, where you are hoping to hit one of your outs to complete a hand like a flush, straight, or set.
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Flush Draw Outs
A flush draw occurs when you have four cards of the same suit, and you need one more card of that suit to complete a flush.
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Example:
You have 10♠ 5♠, and the board shows 2♠ 6♠ 9♦.
You are drawing to a flush. To complete your flush, you need one more spade.
Outs:
There are 9 outs (13 spades in the deck minus the 4 you can see = 9 outs).
Probability:
Turn: The probability of hitting one of your outs on the turn is about 19%.
River: If you miss the turn, the probability of hitting the river is about 17%.
Combining both turns, your total probability of hitting the flush by the river is 36%.
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Straight Draw Outs
A straight draw happens when you need one more card to complete a straight. There are two types of straight draws: open-ended and gutshot.
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Example 1: Open-Ended Straight Draw
You have 9♣ 10♠, and the board shows 6♥ 7♦ Q♠.
You need either a 4 or an 8 to complete your straight.
Outs:
There are 8 outs (4 remaining 4s and 4 remaining 8s).
Probability:
Turn: Your chance of completing the straight on the turn is about 16%.
River: If you miss the turn, your chance of completing the straight on the river is another 16%.
Your total chance of hitting the straight by the river is 31%.
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Example 2: Gutshot Straight Draw
You have 5♠ 6♦, and the board shows Q♠ 9♠ 8♣.
You need a 7 to complete the straight.
Outs:
You have 1 out (the remaining 7).
Probability:
Turn: The chance of completing your straight on the turn is about 2%.
River: If you miss the turn, the chance of completing on the river is 2%.
The total chance of completing your straight by the river is 4%.
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Two-Pair or Set to Full House Outs
If you have two pairs or a set (three of a kind), you can improve to a full house, which is a much stronger hand.
Example: Set to Full House
You have 8♣ 8♦, and the board shows 8♠ 4♦ Q♣.
You have a set of eights and need either another 8 or a 4 to complete a full house.
Outs:
There are 4 outs (2 remaining eights and 2 remaining fours).
Probability:
Turn: Your chance of completing a full house on the turn is about 8%.
River: If you miss the turn, your chances of hitting the river are another 8%.
Your total chance of completing a full house by the river is about 16%.
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Overcards Outs
If you are holding overcards (cards higher than any card on the board), you hope one of your overcards will pair or improve further to make a better hand.
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Example:
You have K♦ J♠, and the board shows 6♠ 7♣ 2♦.
You need a King or a Jack to make a pair and improve your hand.
Outs:
There are 6 outs—3 remaining Kings and 3 remaining Jacks.
Probability:
Turn: Your probability of hitting one of your outs on the turn is about 24%.
River: If you miss the turn, your chance of hitting the river is another 24%.
The chance of hitting a pair by the turn or river is about 46%.
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Straight Flush Outs
A straight flush draw is a combination of a straight and a flush. This is a very strong hand, as it not only gives you a straight but also makes it a flush. Hitting a straight flush can win the hand instantly.
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Example:
You have 9♠ 10♠, and the board shows 6♠ 7♠ Q♣.
You need the 8♠ to complete a straight flush.
Outs:
There is 1 out—the 8♠.
Probability:
Turn: The chance of completing the straight flush on the turn is 2%.
River: If you miss the turn, your chance of hitting the river is 2%.
Your total chance of completing the straight flush by the river is 4%.
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Reverse Outs
Reverse outs occur when a card that could complete your hand would also complete your opponent's better hand. For example, if you are drawing to a straight, but your opponent already has a higher straight, hitting one of your outs could help them instead of you.
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Example:
You have 6♣ 7♠, and the board shows 8♠ 9♠ J♦.
You need a 5 or a 10 to complete your straight.
However, your opponent has 10♣ Q♠. If the 10 hits, your opponent now has a higher straight.
In this case, the 10 becomes a reverse out for you.
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Outs and Pot Odds
You must compare the number of outs with the pot odds to make the most informed decision. Pot odds are the ratio of the current size of the pot to the cost of a contemplated call. It may be worth calling if the pot odds justify the probability of hitting your outs.
Example:
The pot is ₹5,000.
Your opponent bets ₹1,000.
You have 9 outs to hit your flush, with a probability of around 36%.
Pot Odds:
Pot odds = 5,000 : 1,000 = 5:1.
The probability of hitting your flush (36%) is better than the pot odds (5:1), which means calling is profitable in the long run.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are outs in Poker?
In Poker, ‘outs’ refers to the cards still in the deck that can improve your hand or create a winning combination. Knowing your outs is essential for evaluating your chances of success when aiming to complete a specific hand. For example, if you are pursuing a flush draw, your outs comprise the remaining unseen cards from that suit in the deck.
How to do outs Poker calculation?
Count the cards that can improve your hand to calculate your outs in Poker. For example, if you are drawing to a flush, count the remaining cards of your suit in the deck. There are 13 cards per suit, minus the ones you can already see (your hand and community cards). Multiply your outs by 2 on the turn and 4 on the flop to get an approximate percentage chance of hitting your hand by the river.
What is the difference between ‘open-ended’ and ‘gutshot’ straight draws?
An open-ended straight draw occurs when you have four cards in sequence and can complete the straight with either of two possible cards. For instance, holding 7♣ and 8♦ while the board shows 5♠, 6♣, and Q♦ allows you to finish your straight by drawing a 4 or a 9. A gutshot straight draw requires a specific card to complete the straight, such as needing a 7 with 5♠ 6♦ and a board of 8♣ 9♠ Q♦. Gutshots have fewer outs compared to open-ended draws.
Conclusion
Understanding what is out in Poker is essential as it allows you to make informed decisions grounded in probability and your hand's strength. By calculating outs, you can assess whether calling, raising, or folding is beneficial. Combined with pot odds and implied odds, this knowledge enriches your decision-making process, enabling more profitable choices—especially when betting or raising in large pots.
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