Poker glossary

Outdraw

To outdraw is to beat an opponent by drawing a better hand. The player who was behind catches a card and wins.

The simple explanation

If you have a pair and the opponent has a flush draw, and he hits his flush, he has outdrawn you.

A closer look

Outdrawing is the same as drawing out or sucking out. It is a normal part of poker, since draws have real chances. Good players avoid giving free cards, and they bet to make draws pay. When you are the one who is outdrawn, think about whether you made the right play. When you are the one with the draw, count your outs and the price.

A practical example

You have top pair, and your opponent hits his flush on the river. He outdrew you.

Full explanation

To outdraw is to beat an opponent by drawing a better hand. The player who was behind catches a card and wins.

To outdraw is to win by catching the card you need.

It is the same as drawing out.

Charge draws to protect your hand.

Count your outs when you draw.

Alternative spelling: out-draw, out draw

Drawing out

No-limit Hold’em · Blinds 1/2 chips · No rake

Read the example transcript

Player A has the button (BTN) and posts the 1-chip small blind (SB). Player B posts the 2-chip big blind (BB).

Preflop · Pot: 3 chips
The blinds are 1 and 2 chips. Heads-up, the dealer (D) also posts the small blind.
- Player A BTN / SB King of clubs (Kc)King of diamonds (Kd) · Stack 199 · In this round 1
- Player B BB Ace of hearts (Ah)5 of hearts (5h) · Stack 198 · In this round 2
Preflop · Pot: 8 chips
Player A raises to 6 before the flop.
- Player A BTN / SB King of clubs (Kc)King of diamonds (Kd) · Stack 194 · In this round 6
- Player B BB Ace of hearts (Ah)5 of hearts (5h) · Stack 198 · In this round 2
Preflop · Pot: 12 chips
Player B calls. Each player has put in 6 chips.
- Player A BTN / SB King of clubs (Kc)King of diamonds (Kd) · Stack 194 · In this round 6
- Player B BB Ace of hearts (Ah)5 of hearts (5h) · Stack 194 · In this round 6
Flop · Pot: 12 chips
The flop gives Player B a flush draw. Player A has a pair of kings and is ahead.
Board: 10 of hearts (Th)7 of hearts (7h)2 of clubs (2c)
- Player A BTN / SB King of clubs (Kc)King of diamonds (Kd) · Stack 194 · In this round 0
- Player B BB Ace of hearts (Ah)5 of hearts (5h) · Stack 194 · In this round 0
Flop · Pot: 12 chips
Player B checks.
Board: 10 of hearts (Th)7 of hearts (7h)2 of clubs (2c)
- Player A BTN / SB King of clubs (Kc)King of diamonds (Kd) · Stack 194 · In this round 0
- Player B BB Ace of hearts (Ah)5 of hearts (5h) · Stack 194 · In this round 0
Flop · Pot: 18 chips
Player A bets 6.
Board: 10 of hearts (Th)7 of hearts (7h)2 of clubs (2c)
- Player A BTN / SB King of clubs (Kc)King of diamonds (Kd) · Stack 188 · In this round 6
- Player B BB Ace of hearts (Ah)5 of hearts (5h) · Stack 194 · In this round 0
Flop · Pot: 24 chips
Player B calls 6.
Board: 10 of hearts (Th)7 of hearts (7h)2 of clubs (2c)
- Player A BTN / SB King of clubs (Kc)King of diamonds (Kd) · Stack 188 · In this round 6
- Player B BB Ace of hearts (Ah)5 of hearts (5h) · Stack 188 · In this round 6
Turn · Pot: 24 chips
The turn is not a heart.
Board: 10 of hearts (Th)7 of hearts (7h)2 of clubs (2c)4 of spades (4s)
- Player A BTN / SB King of clubs (Kc)King of diamonds (Kd) · Stack 188 · In this round 0
- Player B BB Ace of hearts (Ah)5 of hearts (5h) · Stack 188 · In this round 0
Turn · Pot: 24 chips
Player B checks.
Board: 10 of hearts (Th)7 of hearts (7h)2 of clubs (2c)4 of spades (4s)
- Player A BTN / SB King of clubs (Kc)King of diamonds (Kd) · Stack 188 · In this round 0
- Player B BB Ace of hearts (Ah)5 of hearts (5h) · Stack 188 · In this round 0
Turn · Pot: 24 chips
Player A checks.
Board: 10 of hearts (Th)7 of hearts (7h)2 of clubs (2c)4 of spades (4s)
- Player A BTN / SB King of clubs (Kc)King of diamonds (Kd) · Stack 188 · In this round 0
- Player B BB Ace of hearts (Ah)5 of hearts (5h) · Stack 188 · In this round 0
River · Pot: 24 chips
The river is the nine of hearts. Player B completes his flush and has drawn out on Player A, who was ahead until this card.
Board: 10 of hearts (Th)7 of hearts (7h)2 of clubs (2c)4 of spades (4s)9 of hearts (9h)
- Player A BTN / SB King of clubs (Kc)King of diamonds (Kd) · Stack 188 · In this round 0
- Player B BB Ace of hearts (Ah)5 of hearts (5h) · Stack 188 · In this round 0

Cards are shown for learning; totals are displayed before pot collection.

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