Poker Odds Calculator

Number of Outs:

The number of cards remaining in the deck that will improve your hand to a winner.

Current Street: Flop (2 cards to come) Turn (1 card to come)

Select whether you are on the Flop or the Turn.

Understanding Poker Odds: Your Guide to the Poker Odds Calculator

In the strategic world of poker, understanding your odds is paramount to making informed decisions and maximizing your chances of winning. While gut feelings can sometimes pay off, consistent success at the tables often comes down to mathematical probability. This Poker Odds Calculator helps you quickly determine the likelihood of improving your hand, specifically focusing on "outs" and the probability of hitting them on future streets.

What are "Outs" in Poker?

"Outs" are simply the cards remaining in the deck that will improve your current hand to a hand you believe will be the best. For example, if you have four cards to a flush (a "flush draw"), there are nine cards of that suit left in the deck that would complete your flush. These nine cards are your "outs."

Common examples of outs include:

Flush Draw: If you have four cards of the same suit, there are 9 remaining cards of that suit (13 total cards of a suit – 2 in your hand – 2 on the board = 9 outs).
Open-Ended Straight Draw: If you have four cards in a row (e.g., 5-6-7-8), there are 8 cards (four 4s and four 9s) that would complete your straight.
Gutshot Straight Draw: If you need an inside card to complete a straight (e.g., 5-7-8-9, needing a 6), there are 4 cards (four 6s) that would complete your straight.
Set (Three of a Kind): If you have a pair in your hand and one of your cards matches a card on the board, you have a set. If you have a pair in your hand and the board has one of your cards, you have 2 outs to hit a set (the remaining two cards of that rank).
Two Pair to Full House: If you have two pair, there are 4 outs to hit a full house (two cards for each pair).

Sometimes, your outs can overlap (e.g., a flush draw that is also an open-ended straight draw). In such cases, you count the unique cards that improve your hand. For instance, if you have a straight-flush draw, you count the cards that complete the straight AND the cards that complete the flush, but only count the cards that complete both once.

How the Calculator Works: The "Rule of 2 and 4"

This calculator uses precise probabilities based on the number of cards remaining in the deck. It also demonstrates the commonly used "Rule of 2 and 4," a quick mental shortcut for estimating your odds:

From the Flop (2 cards to come): Multiply your number of outs by 4 to get an approximate percentage chance of hitting one of your outs by the river.
From the Turn (1 card to come): Multiply your number of outs by 2 to get an approximate percentage chance of hitting one of your outs on the river.

While the "Rule of 2 and 4" provides a good estimate, our calculator provides the exact mathematical probability, which can be slightly different, especially with a higher number of outs.

Calculating Your Odds: Flop vs. Turn

The number of cards remaining in the deck changes as the game progresses, which directly impacts your odds:

On the Flop: After your two hole cards and the three flop cards are dealt, there are 5 cards visible. This leaves 47 unknown cards in the deck. When calculating from the flop, you're interested in the probability of hitting your out on either the turn OR the river.
On the Turn: After the turn card is dealt, there are 6 cards visible (2 hole + 4 board). This leaves 46 unknown cards in the deck. When calculating from the turn, you're interested in the probability of hitting your out on the river.

Example Scenarios:

Let's walk through some examples to illustrate how to use the calculator:

Example 1: Flush Draw on the Flop

You hold A♠ K♠. The flop comes J♠ 8♠ 2♦.

Your Hand: You have a flush draw (four spades).
Number of Outs: There are 13 spades in a deck. You have 2, and 2 are on the board. So, 13 – 2 – 2 = 9 spades remaining. Your outs = 9.
Current Street: Flop.
Calculator Input: Enter '9' for "Number of Outs" and select 'Flop' for "Current Street".
Result: The calculator will show your precise odds of hitting a flush by the river (approximately 35%). The Rule of 4 would suggest 9 * 4 = 36%.

Example 2: Open-Ended Straight Draw on the Turn

You hold 6♥ 7♥. The board is 5♠ 8♦ 2♣ 9♦.

Your Hand: You have an open-ended straight draw (needing a 4 or a 10).
Number of Outs: There are four 4s and four 10s in the deck. Your outs = 8.
Current Street: Turn.
Calculator Input: Enter '8' for "Number of Outs" and select 'Turn' for "Current Street".
Result: The calculator will show your precise odds of hitting a straight on the river (approximately 17.39%). The Rule of 2 would suggest 8 * 2 = 16%.

By consistently using this calculator and understanding the underlying probabilities, you can improve your decision-making in poker, whether it's deciding to call a bet, raise, or fold. Good luck at the tables!