About counting outs in poker?

Question

If you have a high number of outs(15) and a lower number of outs(11) which is better for you the higher or lower? and why is it better for you? also when is the right time to count outs before the flop, on the flop, on the turn, or on the river? if you have more information about outs please let me know I would appreciate it a lot thanks.

Answer 1

Assuming Texas Hold'em in this example...

After the flop, you have seen your two hole cards, and the three cards on the flop.  So out of 52 card, you know what five of them are.  So there are 47 cards that you have not seen.

On the flop you have two more cards to come.  This is the first time you need to evaluate your outs.  An out is any card that improves your hand.  Therefore the more outs you have, the better it is for you.

So for example, you hold AK of hearts and the flop brings J Q of hearts and a 2 of spades.

So let's count your outs.  There are nine hearts that could make you the nut flush.  And also there are four tens that would give you the straight.  Of course you already counted the ten of hearts, so it is only three outs and not four.

So in this scenario you can be pretty sure that if you get a heart or a ten, you will win the hand.  And unless the board pairs or someone is holding T9 of hearts (so has a shot at a straight flush), you are pretty safe if you hit either your flush or your straight.

So you have 12 outs here.  Although you might consider an ace or king as another out, because then you'd have top pair with a great kicker.  Maybe good enough to win.  So there are six more outs that would give you a decent hand.

Once the turn is dealt, you get to count your outs all over again.  This time you have seen six of 52 cards, so there are 46 cards left that you have not seen.

Now you have just one card remaining to come, so half as many chances to get one of your outs, as you did on the flop.  Or maybe you improved your hand, but still have outs to improve it further.  For example in this example, a ten of clubs comes on the turn, you still have outs to draw to a nut flush or royal flush.

Once the river card has been dealt, there is of course no point in counting outs, because all the cards that are due to be drawn, have been drawn.  Either you've hit one of your outs or you didn't.

After you have learned to count outs, the next thing you need to learn is how to use that to predict your chances of hitting your hand.  And then you need to learn the correlation between outs and pot odds.  Finally, you need to learn to consider implied odds.

Answer 2

if ya have a good hand after the flop lower is better  if not higher is better

Answer 3

You should be counting your outs after the flop, the turn, and the river. The number may change for the initial draw and other draws can become available (maybe a back door flush.) As opposed to what the previous poster stated, counting outs is more crucial when everyone is NOT all-in. You want to be able to decide if you are getting the proper odds for calling or placing a bet. By dividing the number of outs by the number of cards left in the deck you can get a rough percentage of your chance to hit your out.  

Answer 4

The way I look at outs is if your in a hand with an opponent and after the flop you are behind.. You have so many cards (outs) that you can catch to win that hand. The more outs you have the better.

Answer 5

If you need the outs you want the higher #

If you Don't need the outs you want the lower #

That usually happens after the flop and after your all in with someone else or others

and you really don't count the outs until AFTER flop and all involved in the hand are all in