Overcards
Also known as: Overcard
Hole cards ranked above the highest board card — no pair yet, but roughly 6 outs to make top pair.
Overcards
Overcards are hole cards ranked higher than every card on the board. You haven't paired yet, but each overcard can pair the turn or river — typically about 6 outs (3 per card) to make top pair, worth roughly 12–24% equity by the river when you're behind.
- Two overcards = ~6 clean outs; even behind one pair you retain meaningful equity.
- Strongest with a backdoor-draw attached — a backdoor flush or straight adds equity and barreling options.
- Broadway-hands like
A♠K♣are the classic overcard holdings: huge when they hit, easy to give up when they don't.
Don't overvalue bare overcards multiway, but heads-up they're a fine semi-bluffing and continuation-betting candidate.
Example
You hold A♣K♦ and the flop is Q♠8♥3♣. You have two overcards — about 6 outs to top pair (any ace or king) plus a backdoor straight. Heads-up that's enough equity to c-bet; if called and you brick the turn, you can barrel a scare card or give up.