What is Runner Runner in Poker?

Introduction

The 'runner runner ' scenario is among the most thrilling and improbable occurrences at the table. These moments can leave opponents stunned and turn the tide of a game.

In this article, we will explore the concept of runner-runner in Poker.

What Does Runner-Runner Mean in Poker?

The term runner-runner refers to making your hand sequentially getting the required cards on the turn and river. The term is often used interchangeably with a backdoor draw, as it usually involves completing a flush, straight, or other combination that was not apparent on the flop.

Runner-runner outcomes are rare because they rely on hitting two precise cards in a row. The odds of this happening are slim, so these events are often dramatic and unexpected.

How Does a Runner-Runner Play Out?

Let’s break it down step by step:

1. The Flop:

• After the first three community cards are dealt, the player has a weak hand or no immediate draw.

2. The Turn:

• The fourth community card creates a backdoor draw, such as a possibility of a flush, straight, or trips.

3. The River:

• The final community card completes the hand, turning a long-shot situation into a winning one.

Types of Runner-Runner Draws

1. Runner-Runner Flush

• To hit a runner-runner flush, you must draw two suited cards in a row, one on the turn and the other on the river.
• Generally, you have a small percentage chance of completing a flush after the flop if no suitable cards are on the board. The probability of hitting a runner-runner flush is generally around 4.2% (1 in 23).

Example:

• You are holding ♠A ♠8 in a Texas Hold’em game.
• The board is ♥K ♦J ♠6 on the flop (no spades).
• Turn: ♠Q (brings a backdoor flush draw with two spades on the board).
• River: ♠5 (completes the flush with three spades on the board).
• Outcome: You now have the nut flush, even though you had no flush draw on the flop.

2. Runner-Runner Straight

• A runner-runner straight requires you to draw one card that completes your straight on the turn and a second card on the river that completes it further.
• With 8 outs (for example, 4 cards of one rank and 4 cards of another rank), the odds of completing a runner-runner straight are also around 4.2% (1 in 24).

Example:

• Your hand is 9♠7♠.
• The flop shows Q♣K♦2♠ (no immediate straight draw).
• Turn: J♠ (gives an inside straight draw).
• River: 10♠ (completes the straight with J-Q-K-10).
• Outcome: You win with a runner-runner straight, surprising your opponent who likely didn’t expect it.

3. Runner-Runner Full House

• Completing a runner-runner full house involves drawing one card to make a set (three of a kind) and another matching card to complete the full house.
• The probability of hitting a runner-runner full house is roughly 6.4% (1 in 16), depending on the number of outs and specific situation.

Example:

• You have A♠ Q♦.
• The flop is A♥ 6♦ 10♣.
• Turn: Q♣.
• River: A♦ (gives you three Aces and two Queens).
• Outcome: Your full house beats opponents who might have trips or lower two pairs.

4. Runner-Runner Trips or Four of a Kind

• The odds of hitting runner-runner trips or four of a kind are very low, as you need to draw the exact rank twice in succession (for example, hitting one card to make trips and another matching card to complete quads).
• These odds are generally around 0.4% (1 in 250), reflecting the rare nature of this type of hand.

Example:

• Your hand is 7♣A♠.
• The flop is 10♦J♥2♠ (no immediate improvement).
• Turn: 7♦ (hitting one pair).
• River: 7♥ (gives you trips).
• Outcome: You turn an unlikely situation into a monster hand.

The formula for Calculating Runner-Runner Odds

Calculating the odds of hitting a runner-runner draw involves multiplying the odds of hitting your outs on the turn and the river. Here’s the structure:

Turn odds = Number of outs on the turn/Remaining unseen cards after flop

River odds = Number of outs on the river/Remaining unseen cards after the turn ​

To get the combined probability of completing a runner-runner draw, multiply the odds for the turn and river together.

For example, if you need 8 outs for a straight:

• Turn odds: 8/47 ​ (because there are 47 unknown cards left after the flop)
• River odds: 7/46​ (after one of your outs hits on the turn)

Multiplying these odds gives you the total probability of completing your runner-runner straight.

Strategy for Runner-Runner

For the Player:

• Don’t Chase Low-Probability Draws:
• Unless the pot odds are exceptionally favourable, chasing a runner-runner outcome is a losing proposition in the long run.
• Maximize Value When You Hit:
• If you complete a runner-runner hand, it often surprises opponents. Use this opportunity to extract value by betting appropriately.

For the Opponent:

• Recognize Backdoor Potential:
• Even if the flop seems safe, consider the possibility of backdoor draws when deciding bet sizes.
• Protect Your Hand:
• Strong hands on the flop should be bet aggressively to deny equity to players chasing long-shot draws.

The Psychological Effect of Runner-Runner

Runner-runner situations can cause dramatic swings in emotions and situations at the table:

• For the Winner:
• Hitting a runner-runner hand can be exhilarating, boosting confidence and creating a sense of invincibility.
• For the Loser:
• Losing to a runner-runner draw can feel demoralizing, especially if the odds were heavily in their favour.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a runner-runner draw in Poker?

A runner-runner draw in Poker refers to hitting two specific cards in a row, one on the turn and the other on the river, to complete your hand. These draws are typically used for completing a flush or straight, often involving unlikely yet impactful turns in a hand.

When should you chase a runner-runner draw?

Chasing a runner-runner draw is only advisable when the pot odds justify the risk. If the potential payoff from completing the draw outweighs the cost of continuing, it might be worth chasing. However, given the low odds of success, runner-runner draws should not be chased without carefully considering your stack size and the situation.

Can a runner-runner draw complete a full house?

Yes, a runner-runner Poker full house can be completed if you hit one card to form a set and another matching card on the river to form a full house. This is a less common but possible scenario, and the odds of completing it are around 6.4% (1 in 16).

Conclusion

Hitting a runner-runner draw can result in some of the most memorable moments in poker due to the unexpected nature of such hands. However, the odds of completing a runner-runner draw are low. While these hands can sometimes win pots unexpectedly, they should not be relied upon as part of a consistent strategy. Instead, you must consider your outs and understand pot odds to make the best decision when chasing a runner-runner hand.