What Are Outs?
An "out" is any unseen card that, if dealt, would improve your hand to what is likely the best hand. Counting outs accurately is a core poker skill because it lets you estimate your equity and make informed decisions about calling, raising, or folding.
Common Drawing Hands and Their Outs
| Draw | Outs | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Flush draw | 9 | Two hearts in hand, two on flop (9 remaining hearts) |
| Open-ended straight draw | 8 | 9-8 on a 7-6-2 board (any T or 5 completes it) |
| Gutshot straight draw | 4 | 9-8 on a 7-5-2 board (only a 6 completes it) |
| Two overcards | 6 | A-K on a 9-7-3 board (three aces + three kings) |
| Flush draw + gutshot | 12 | 9 flush outs + 3 non-flush straight cards |
| Flush draw + open-ender | 15 | 9 flush outs + 6 non-flush straight cards |
| Set to full house/quads | 7 | Set of jacks: 1 remaining jack + 6 board-pairing cards |
| One pair to two pair/trips | 5 | Hold AK on A-7-2: 2 remaining aces + 3 remaining kings |
Backdoor Draws
A backdoor draw (also called a runner-runner draw) is one that needs both the turn and the river to complete. For example, holding two hearts with one heart on the flop gives you three cards to a flush — you need hearts on both the turn and the river to complete it.
Backdoor draws are not counted as standard outs, but each one is worth approximately 1 equivalent out (~4% equity). While not enough to chase on their own, they add meaningful equity to hands that already have other reasons to continue — such as a pair with a backdoor flush draw, or overcards with a backdoor straight draw.
In close decisions, adding ~4% equity per backdoor draw can tip the math in your favor. Experienced players factor backdoor draws into their semi-bluffing decisions and pot odds calculations.
The Rule of 2 and 4
Once you know your number of outs, you can quickly estimate your equity:
- On the flop (two cards to come): Multiply your outs by 4 for an approximate equity percentage.
- On the turn (one card to come): Multiply your outs by 2.
For example, a flush draw with 9 outs on the flop gives you approximately 9 x 4 = 36% equity (the actual value is closer to 35%). On the turn, it's 9 x 2 = 18% (actual ~20%). These estimates are close enough for quick in-game decisions.
Accuracy of the Rule
The rule of 4 slightly overestimates equity for large out counts and slightly underestimates for small ones, but it is accurate within a few percentage points. For more than 8 outs on the flop, you can use the modified formula: (outs x 4) - (outs - 8) to be more precise. For example, 15 outs: (15 x 4) - (15 - 8) = 60 - 7 = 53%. The actual equity is about 54.1%.
How to Count Outs Correctly
Step 1: Identify your draw
What hand are you drawing to? A flush, a straight, two pair, trips? Often you will have multiple draws at once.
Step 2: Count each card that completes your draw
Go suit by suit or rank by rank. Be systematic so you don't double-count. If you have a flush draw and a straight draw, count the flush outs first, then add only the straight outs that are NOT already counted as flush outs.
Step 3: Subtract tainted outs
A "tainted" out is a card that improves your hand but also likely improves your opponent's hand even more. For example, if the board is J-T-3 and you have Q-9 (open-ended straight draw), a king gives you a straight but also completes any opponent holding A-Q. Discount outs that could give your opponent a better hand.
Step 4: Convert to equity and compare to pot odds
Use the rule of 2 and 4 to get your equity estimate, then compare it to the pot odds you are being offered. If your equity exceeds the pot odds, you have a profitable call. Use the pot odds widget on the calculator.
Outs to Equity Quick Reference
Flop equity assumes two cards to come; turn equity assumes one card to come. Values are approximate, rounded from exact probabilities. The rule of 2 and 4 gives similar estimates and is easier to use at the table.
| Outs | Flop (2 cards) | Turn (1 card) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4% | 2% |
| 2 | 8% | 4% |
| 4 | 16% | 9% |
| 6 | 24% | 13% |
| 8 | 31% | 17% |
| 9 | 35% | 20% |
| 12 | 45% | 26% |
| 15 | 54% | 33% |
Common Mistakes
- Counting all outs as clean: Not all outs are equal. Discount outs that could give your opponent a better hand.
- Forgetting to combine draws: If you have a flush draw and a straight draw, count all unique outs. Combined draws are much stronger than single draws.
- Ignoring the board texture: On a paired board, your flush draw might be worthless if your opponent has a full house.
- Using the rule of 4 on the turn: The rule of 4 is only for the flop (two cards to come). On the turn, use the rule of 2.
Next Steps
- Learn how to calculate pot odds and combine them with your out count.
- Try the odds calculator to see your outs and equity in real time.
- Practice counting outs with interactive quiz questions.