In Texas Hold’em, an “Out” is any card left in the deck that will improve your hand to a likely winner. Knowing how many outs you have is the first step to calculating your Equity (your percentage chance of winning).
Our Outs & Equity Calculator uses the famous “Rule of 4 and 2” to instantly translate your card count into a winning percentage.
How to Use the Equity Calculator
This tool is a quick estimator designed to be used during a hand or for quick analysis.
- Count Your Outs: Look at your hand and the board. Count how many cards in the deck give you a strong hand.
- Tip: See the “Common Outs Cheat Sheet” below if you aren’t sure.
- Enter the Number: Input the total number of outs into the calculator.
- Select the Street:
- Flop: Choose this if there are still 2 cards to come (Turn and River). The calculator multiplies your outs by roughly 4.
- Turn: Choose this if there is only 1 card to come (River). The calculator multiplies your outs by roughly 2.
- Read Result: This is your approximate Equity. Compare this number to your Pot Odds to decide if you should call.
Common Outs Cheat Sheet
Memorize these common scenarios to speed up your play:
| Draw Type | Example | Number of Outs |
|---|---|---|
| Flush Draw | 4 cards of same suit | 9 |
| Open-Ended Straight | 4-5-6-7 (Needs 3 or 8) | 8 |
| Gutshot Straight | 4-5-7-8 (Needs 6) | 4 |
| Two Overcards | AK vs Board 8-5-2 | 6 |
| Monster Draw | Flush Draw + Straight Draw | 15+ |
Example: Calling with a Draw
You hold Js Ts (Jack and Ten of Spades).
The Flop is: 2s 7s Ad.
You have a Flush Draw. There are 13 spades in the deck. You hold 2, and there are 2 on the board. That leaves 9 spades remaining in the deck (Outs).
- Outs: 9
- Street: Flop (2 cards to come)
- Math: 9 x 4 = 36%.
The calculator shows ~36% Equity. This means you will hit your flush a little more than 1 in 3 times. If your opponent bets small, you should definitely Call. If they bet “All-in” for 10x the pot, you should Fold.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the “Rule of 4 and 2”?
It is a simple math shortcut used by pros.
On the Flop: Multiply outs by 4 to get percentage equity.
On the Turn: Multiply outs by 2 to get percentage equity.
Note: It is slightly inaccurate for huge draws (14+ outs), but close enough for decision making.
What are “Dirty Outs”?
A “Dirty Out” is a card that improves your hand but might give your opponent an even better hand. For example, if you need a 7 to make a Straight, but the 7 puts a third Heart on the board, it might give your opponent a Flush. You should discount dirty outs from your calculation.
What are “Backdoor” draws?
A backdoor draw (runner-runner) requires you to hit perfect cards on BOTH the Turn and the River. For example, having 3 hearts on the Flop. These are generally worth about 1-2 “outs” worth of equity but shouldn’t be relied upon heavily.