Outs and How to Calculate Them
Level 3 - Lesson 3
Key Takeaways (Quick Summary)
- •Common outs: Flush draw=9, Open-Ended Straight=8, Gutshot=4, Set from pair=2
- •Calculate outs: 13 cards of same suit - 4 you see = 9 outs for flush
- •Combo draws stronger: Flush+Straight draw = 15 outs (beware double counting!)
- •Dirty Outs = outs that may improve your hand but you lose - reduce count by 1-2 if unsure
What are Outs?
Outs are the remaining cards in the deck that improve your hand to become the winner (most likely). Calculating outs accurately is a fundamental skill for every serious poker player!
How to Calculate Outs?
Steps:
- Identify the hand you want to make
- Calculate how many cards remaining in deck give you this hand
- Subtract the cards you see (your hand + board)
- This is your number of outs!
Full Deck = 52 cards
After flop: You know 5 cards (2 in your hand + 3 on board)
Remaining: 47 unknown cards
Common Outs - Memorize Them!
فلوش درو (Flush Draw)
9You have 4 cards of same suit, need the fifth
13 spades in deck - 2 in your hand - 2 on flop = 9 outs
Open-Ended Straight Draw
84 consecutive cards, need one from either end
Need 8 (4 cards) or K (4 cards) = 8 outs
Gutshot (Inside Straight)
44 consecutive cards with a gap, need the middle card
Need only K (4 cards) = 4 outs
Hitting Set from Pocket Pair
2You have pocket pair, want the third
There are 8♠ and 8♣ remaining = 2 outs
Two Overcards
6You have two cards higher than flop, want a pair
3 A remaining + 3 K remaining = 6 outs
Combo Draws
The strongest situations are when you have multiple ways to win - combo draws!
Flush Draw + Straight Draw
• Flush draw = 9 outs
• Straight draw = 8 outs
• But K♠ is counted twice!
→ Total: 9 + 8 - 1 = 15 outs!
Flush Draw + Overcards
• Flush draw = 9 outs
• A or K (for pair) = 6 outs
• But A♠ and K♠ are counted in flush!
→ Total: 9 + 4 = 13 outs!
Warning: "Dirty" Outs
Not all outs are "clean" - some may improve your hand but you still lose!
Example 1: Dominated Flush Draw
You have K♠ T♠, Flop A♠ 7♠ 2♥
If opponent has A♥ Q♠, their flush is bigger than yours!
⚠ Some of the 9 outs may be "dirty"
Example 2: Straight Makes Flush for Opponent
You have J♥ T♦, Flop Q♠ 9♠ 2♠
The 8 gives you straight, but if it's 8♠ and opponent has flush draw...
⚠ You may make your hand and lose to flush!
How to Handle Dirty Outs?
• Reduce outs count by 1-2 if you're unsure
• Be more cautious with large amounts
• Read the flop - is it likely opponent has better hand?
Quick Outs Table
| Number of Outs | On Turn | By River | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 | 32% | 54% | Flush+Straight Draw |
| 12 | 26% | 45% | Flush Draw + Gutshot |
| 9 | 19% | 35% | Flush Draw |
| 8 | 17% | 32% | Open-Ended Straight |
| 6 | 13% | 24% | Two Overcards |
| 4 | 8.5% | 17% | Gutshot |
Common Mistakes
❌ Counting outs twice: K♠ gives you flush and straight - don't count it twice!
❌ Assuming all outs are clean: Some outs may improve opponent's hand too
❌ Forgetting opponent may be ahead: Your pair may not be enough if they have two pair
❌ Over-counting overcards: A or K may not win if opponent has Set
Lesson Summary
Accurately calculating outs = knowing your true chance of winning. With Pot Odds, this equation determines your profitable decisions!
Practice calculating outs in every hand until it becomes automatic. Over time, you'll calculate them in seconds without conscious thought!