Outs Calculator

How to Count Outs in Poker

An "out" is any unseen card that will improve your hand to what is likely the best hand. Counting outs accurately is a core poker skill that allows you to calculate your equity and make informed decisions.

The Rule of 2 and 4

The Rule of 2 and 4 is a quick mental shortcut for estimating equity:

• On the flop (2 cards to come): Multiply your outs by 4 for approximate equity.
• On the turn (1 card to come): Multiply your outs by 2 for approximate equity.

This calculator shows both the Rule of 2/4 estimate and the precise mathematical probability, so you can see how close the shortcut is to the real number.

Precise Equity Formula

The precise equity on the flop with n outs is:

Equity = 1 - ((47-n)/47 × (46-n)/46)

On the turn: Equity = n / 46

Important Considerations

Not all outs are "clean" outs. Some cards that improve your hand may also give your opponent an even better hand. For example, if you have a flush draw, one of your outs might give your opponent a full house. Discount your outs based on the board texture and your opponent's likely range.

Counting outs answers one question: how often a draw gets there. It does not tell you what your hand is worth against what your opponent actually holds. For that, hand against hand, hand against a range, or range against range on a specific board, use the equity calculator.