Poker Odds Calculator
The number of cards remaining in the deck that will improve your hand to a winning hand (e.g., 9 for a flush draw, 8 for an open-ended straight draw).
The total number of cards remaining in the deck that have not been revealed (e.g., 47 after the flop, 46 after the turn).
Whether you are waiting for one more card (e.g., the river) or two more cards (e.g., the turn and the river).
Mastering Poker: Understanding and Calculating Your Odds
In the strategic world of poker, especially Texas Hold'em, understanding your odds is not just an advantage—it's a fundamental skill. While gut feelings and reading opponents play a role, the cold, hard math of probabilities often dictates the best course of action. Our Poker Odds Calculator is designed to demystify these numbers, helping you make more informed decisions at the table.
What Are Poker Odds?
Poker odds refer to the probability of a specific event occurring, such as hitting a card that improves your hand. These odds are typically expressed as a percentage (e.g., 20% chance) or a ratio (e.g., 4:1 against). Knowing your odds allows you to compare them against the pot odds (the ratio of money in the pot to the cost of your call) to determine if a call is profitable in the long run.
The Concept of "Outs"
The first step to calculating your poker odds is identifying your "outs." Outs are the cards remaining in the deck that will improve your current hand to a hand you believe will win. Counting outs accurately is crucial:
- Flush Draw: If you have four cards of the same suit, there are 9 remaining cards of that suit in the deck (13 total cards of a suit – 4 in your hand/on board = 9 outs).
- Open-Ended Straight Draw: If you have four cards in a row with two ends to complete the straight (e.g., 5-6-7-8), there are 8 outs (four 4s and four 9s).
- Gutshot Straight Draw: If you need one specific card in the middle to complete a straight (e.g., 5-7-8-9, needing a 6), there are 4 outs (four 6s).
- Set (Trips) Draw: If you have a pair in your hand and one of those cards on the board, you need the last remaining card of that rank. There is 1 out. If you have a pair in your hand and are looking for a third card on the board, there are 2 outs.
- Two Pair to Full House: If you have two pair and want to hit a full house, there are 4 outs (two cards for each of your pairs).
Sometimes, your outs might overlap (e.g., a card that completes both a straight and a flush). In such cases, you only count the card once.
How Our Poker Odds Calculator Works
Our calculator simplifies the complex probability calculations by asking for three key pieces of information:
- Number of Outs: Based on your hand and the community cards, how many cards will improve your hand?
- Number of Unknown Cards: This is the total number of cards remaining in the deck that have not been revealed.
- After the Flop: 52 (total deck) – 2 (your hole cards) – 3 (flop cards) = 47 unknown cards.
- After the Turn: 52 – 2 – 3 – 1 (turn card) = 46 unknown cards.
- Cards to Come: Are you waiting for one more card (the river, after the turn) or two more cards (the turn and the river, after the flop)?
The calculator then uses these inputs to determine your exact probability of hitting one of your outs and expresses it as a percentage and as odds against (X:1).
The "Rule of 2 and 4" (A Quick Approximation)
While our calculator provides precise odds, poker players often use a quick mental shortcut called the "Rule of 2 and 4" at the table:
- After the Flop (2 cards to come): Multiply your outs by 4 to get an approximate percentage chance of hitting your hand by the river.
- After the Turn (1 card to come): Multiply your outs by 2 to get an approximate percentage chance of hitting your hand on the river.
For example, with 9 outs on the flop, the Rule of 4 suggests a 36% chance (9 * 4). Our calculator will show a more precise ~35%.
Examples of Using the Calculator
Example 1: Flush Draw on the Flop
- Your Hand: A♠ K♠
- Flop: 7♠ J♦ 2♠
- Outs: You need any spade. There are 9 spades left (13 total – 2 in your hand – 2 on the board). So, Number of Outs = 9.
- Unknown Cards: 52 (deck) – 2 (your hand) – 3 (flop) = 47 unknown cards.
- Cards to Come: You're waiting for the turn and river, so 2 cards to come.
- Calculator Result: Approximately 35.00% probability, or roughly 1.86:1 odds against.
Example 2: Open-Ended Straight Draw on the Turn
- Your Hand: 6♥ 7♦
- Flop: 4♠ 5♣ Q♦
- Turn: K♠
- Outs: You need an 8 or a 3 to complete your straight. There are four 8s and four 3s. So, Number of Outs = 8.
- Unknown Cards: 52 – 2 (your hand) – 3 (flop) – 1 (turn) = 46 unknown cards.
- Cards to Come: You're only waiting for the river, so 1 card to come.
- Calculator Result: Approximately 17.39% probability, or roughly 4.75:1 odds against.
Example 3: Set on the Flop
- Your Hand: 8♥ 8♦
- Flop: 8♠ A♣ 2♦
- Outs: You already hit your set! But let's imagine you had 7♥ 7♦ and the flop was 7♠ A♣ 2♦. You'd have 0 outs for a set. If you had 7♥ 7♦ and the flop was 7♠ A♣ 2♦, you'd have 0 outs for a set. Let's use a different example: You have A♥ K♥ and the flop is A♠ K♣ 2♦. You have two pair. To improve to a full house, you need another Ace or another King. There are 2 Aces left and 2 Kings left. So, Number of Outs = 4.
- Unknown Cards: 47 unknown cards.
- Cards to Come: 2 cards to come.
- Calculator Result: Approximately 16.47% probability, or roughly 5.07:1 odds against.
Beyond Basic Odds: Pot Odds and Implied Odds
While knowing your raw poker odds is essential, it's only one piece of the puzzle. Smart players also consider:
- Pot Odds: The ratio of the money in the pot to the cost of your call. If your pot odds are better than your hand odds, it's a profitable call in the long run.
- Implied Odds: The money you expect to win on future betting rounds if you hit your hand. This can justify calling with worse immediate pot odds.
By combining the precise calculations from this tool with your understanding of pot odds and implied odds, you can elevate your poker game and make more consistently profitable decisions.