Outs
Outs are the unseen cards that will improve a player's hand to one that is likely to win. For example, with four hearts, there are nine outs for a flush.
The simple explanation
When you have a draw, count the cards that will complete it. If you hold four hearts, there are nine hearts left in the deck, so you have nine outs.
A closer look
The number of outs lets you estimate your chance to hit: multiply by 2 after the turn and by 4 after the flop. You then compare the chance with the pot odds. Some outs are not clean: they may give a hand that is beaten, or give the opponent a better hand. Count outs carefully.
A practical example
You hold A♥ 5♥ and the flop is 9♥ 7♥ 2♣. You have nine outs to a flush.
Full explanation
Outs are the unseen cards that will improve a player’s hand to one that is likely to win. For example, with four hearts, there are nine outs for a flush.
Outs are cards that improve your hand.
Count them to estimate your chance.
The rule of 2 and 4 helps.
Some outs may not be clean.
Outs
No-limit Hold’em · Blinds 1/2 chips · No rake
The blinds are 1 and 2 chips. Heads-up, the dealer (D) also posts the small blind.
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 KKing of clubs (Kc)KKing of diamonds (Kd) · Stack 199 · In this round 1
- Player B BB AAce of hearts (Ah)55 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 KKing of clubs (Kc)KKing of diamonds (Kd) · Stack 194 · In this round 6
- Player B BB AAce of hearts (Ah)55 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 KKing of clubs (Kc)KKing of diamonds (Kd) · Stack 194 · In this round 6
- Player B BB AAce of hearts (Ah)55 of hearts (5h) · Stack 194 · In this round 6
- Flop · Pot: 12 chips
Player B needs a heart for his flush. Nine hearts remain in the deck, so he has nine outs.
Board: 99 of hearts (9h)77 of hearts (7h)22 of clubs (2c)
- Player A BTN / SB KKing of clubs (Kc)KKing of diamonds (Kd) · Stack 194 · In this round 0
- Player B BB AAce of hearts (Ah)55 of hearts (5h) · Stack 194 · In this round 0
Cards are shown for learning; totals are displayed before pot collection.