What Are Outs?
An out is any card remaining in the deck that improves your hand to the likely winner. Counting outs is the first step in calculating whether a draw is worth chasing. Once you know your outs, you can estimate your equity and compare it to pot odds to make the right decision.
Common Draws and Their Outs
- Flush draw (4 to a flush): 9 outs — 13 cards of your suit minus the 4 you can see
- Open-ended straight draw: 8 outs — cards on either end complete it
- Gutshot straight draw: 4 outs — only one rank fills the gap
- Two overcards (e.g., AK on a low board): 6 outs — 3 Aces + 3 Kings
- Set draw (pocket pair to trips): 2 outs
- Flush draw + open-ended straight: Up to 15 outs (remove overlaps)
The Rule of 2 and 4
This shortcut gives you a fast equity estimate at the table without complex math:
- Flop (two cards to come): Outs x 4 = approximate equity %
- Turn (one card to come): Outs x 2 = approximate equity %
Example: You have a flush draw (9 outs) on the flop. 9 x 4 = 36%. The exact probability is 35% — close enough for real-time decisions.
How to Count Accurately
- Don't double-count: If a card completes both your straight and flush, count it once
- Subtract tainted outs: If hitting your card also gives your opponent a better hand, it's not a clean out. A low flush draw when the board pairs might give someone a full house.
- Consider all possibilities: You might have more outs than you think. Two overcards add outs to a straight draw.
Outs to Equity Reference
- 1 out: 4% flop / 2% turn
- 4 outs (gutshot): 17% flop / 9% turn
- 8 outs (OESD): 32% flop / 17% turn
- 9 outs (flush draw): 35% flop / 19% turn
- 12 outs (flush + gutshot): 45% flop / 26% turn
- 15 outs (flush + OESD): 54% flop / 33% turn
Use our Outs Calculator to compute exact probabilities for any scenario.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an out in poker?
An out is any unseen card that will improve your hand to what you believe is the best hand. If you have four hearts, any of the remaining 9 hearts is an out to make a flush.
What is the Rule of 2 and 4?
On the flop (two cards to come), multiply your outs by 4 to estimate your equity percentage. On the turn (one card to come), multiply by 2. Example: 9 outs on the flop = ~36% equity (exact: 35%).
Can outs overlap?
Yes. If you have both a flush draw and a straight draw, some cards complete both draws. Count each unique card only once to avoid double-counting.