How to Count Outs in Omaha Poker

Players get four cards in their hand in Omaha.

Omaha is a poker game similar to Texas Hold'em, except players get four cards in their hand instead of two. This makes a big difference in the quality of the hands that players can make, and it also affects the number of outs they have to complete a better hand by the river. Take into account the types of hands you can make, as well as the number of unseen cards, when calculating your outs.

Instructions

1. Assess the hands you can make that should win. For example, if you hold 9-T-J-Q on a rainbow (meaning three different suits) flop of A-8-9, you likely are behind in the hand. A 9 may give you the best hand, but it just as easily could make a better hand for another player. Only count your straight outs in this spot. A 7, 10, jack or queen would give you the best possible straight, so you have 13 outs (four 7s, three 10s, three jacks and three queens).

2. Discount the cards that make your hand but also could result in you losing a big pot. In the previous example, if the board contained two of a certain suit, then a third card of that suit falling on the turn or river likely would give another player a flush. If that's the case, you should not count your straight cards that could result in a flush when factoring your outs.

3. Remember to deduct any cards you hold that block you from making the hand. For example, if you draw at a spade flush but have three spades in your hand, the number of outs you have is reduced by one since you can only play two cards out of your hand in Omaha.

4. Determine the percentage chance you have of making your hand by multiplying the number of outs you have by four on the flop and by two on the turn. So, if you have a nine-out flush draw, your odds of making the hand are about 36 percent on the flop and 18 percent on the turn.

Tips & Warnings

• Avoid drawing at small flushes and the bottom end of straight because you will often find yourself against a better hand in Omaha even when you hit your draw.

References

• "Pot-Limit Omaha Poker"; Jeff Hwang; 2008
• PokerSyte: Omaha Poker Rules & Strategy