Combo Counting in Poker: The Secret Weapon of Elite Players

Combo counting is one of the most powerful yet underutilized skills in poker. While many players understand hand ranges conceptually, the ability to quickly count specific hand combinations gives you a massive edge in making accurate decisions. In this comprehensive guide, we'll break down everything you need to know about combo counting and how to apply it in real games.

What is Combo Counting?

Combo counting is the practice of determining exactly how many combinations of specific hands exist in a given range. Every poker hand has a finite number of possible combinations, and understanding these numbers allows you to precisely calculate probabilities and make mathematically optimal decisions.

Basic Combination Mathematics

Before diving into practical applications, let's establish the fundamental numbers you need to memorize:

Unpaired Hands

• Suited unpaired hands (e.g., AKs): 4 combinations
• Offsuit unpaired hands (e.g., AKo): 12 combinations
• All combinations of an unpaired hand (e.g., AK): 16 combinations (4 suited + 12 offsuit)

Pocket Pairs

• Any specific pocket pair (e.g., AA): 6 combinations

Quick Reference Table

How Board Cards Affect Combinations

This is where combo counting becomes truly powerful. The cards on the board directly reduce the number of combinations your opponent can have.

Board Removal Effects

When a card appears on the board, it "blocks" certain combinations from being possible:

• One card on board blocks: Pocket pairs reduced from 6 to 3 combos, suited hands reduced from 4 to 3 combos
• Two cards on board blocks: Pocket pairs reduced from 6 to 1 combo, suited hands may be impossible

Practical Application: Analyzing a River Decision

Let's walk through a complete hand analysis using combo counting:

Step 1: Define Villain's Range

Based on the action, villain's range likely includes:

Value hands:

• Overpairs: AA (3 combos - one Ace doesn't matter), KK (3 combos - K on board), QQ (6 combos), JJ (6 combos), TT (6 combos)
• Top pair: AK (9 combos - one K on board)
• Total value: 3 + 3 + 6 + 6 + 6 + 9 = 33 combos

Bluffs:

• Missed suited broadway: AQs, AJs, QJs (accounting for blockers, approximately 8 combos)
• Total bluffs: ~8 combos

Step 2: Calculate Required Equity

You're getting 145:60 pot odds, so you need to win at least 60/205 = 29.3% of the time to break even.

Step 3: Calculate Your Winning Percentage

You win against bluffs (8 combos) and lose to value (33 combos):

• Win rate: 8 / (8 + 33) = 8/41 = 19.5%
• Need: 29.3%
• Conclusion: FOLD - You're not getting the right price

Advanced Combo Counting Concepts

Using Your Own Cards as Blockers

Your hole cards also remove combinations from your opponent's range. In the example above, you hold 9♥9♦, which means villain cannot have:

• 99 (you block 2 of the nines)
• Any hand with 9♥ or 9♦

This blocker effect is usually minor but can be significant with specific holdings.

Flush Draw Combo Counting

When the board shows a flush draw, combo counting becomes more complex:

Betting Pattern Adjustments

Adjust combo counts based on how hands typically play:

• Aggressive players may 3-bet premium hands preflop, removing them from their flatting range
• Passive players may check-call with some value hands, splitting their range
• Position affects which hands players continue with

Common Combo Counting Shortcuts

The "Rule of 2 and 4" for Combo Counting

Here are some helpful shortcuts for quick mental math:

• Premium pairs (QQ+): 3 categories × 6 combos = 18 combos (if no blockers)
• Broadway combos (AK, AQ, KQ): Each suited has 4, offsuit has 12
• With one blocker on board: Pairs drop to 3, suited hands drop to 3

Estimation Over Precision

In-game, you don't need exact numbers. Being within 10-20% is usually sufficient:

• "Villain has about twice as many value hands as bluffs" is often good enough
• "There are roughly 12 combos of top pair vs 6 combos of bluffs" gives you the direction

Practice Exercises

To build your combo counting skills, try these exercises:

Exercise 1: Basic Counting

Board: A♥9♠2♦

Count the combinations of:

• AA (Answer: 3 combos)
• AK (Answer: 12 combos - no suited combos possible with A♥ on board for hearts, so 3 suits × 4 offsuit combos = 12)
• 99 (Answer: 3 combos)

Exercise 2: Range Analysis

Board: K♠Q♠7♥3♣2♦

Villain's value range: KK, QQ, AK, KQ

Villain's bluff range: AJ, AT, A5s

Calculate:

• Value combos: KK (1), QQ (3), AK (9), KQ (6) = 19 combos
• Bluff combos: AJ (12), AT (12), A5s (3) = 27 combos
• Bluff to value ratio: 27:19 or about 1.4:1

Implementing Combo Counting in Your Game

Start Simple

Don't try to count every combination in every hand. Start by:

1. Identifying key decision points (usually river calls)
2. Counting only broad categories ("value vs bluffs")
3. Using round numbers ("about 20 value combos vs 10 bluffs")

Build the Habit Post-Session

Review interesting hands after your session:

• Write out your opponent's likely range
• Count combinations for each category
• Compare your decision to the mathematically correct one
• Note patterns you can apply in future hands

Use Tools to Verify

Poker solvers and range tools can help you practice:

• Input hand histories into GTO Gecko
• Compare solver ranges to your estimated ranges
• Check if your combo counts were in the right ballpark
• Learn which hands you typically overestimate or underestimate

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Forgetting Board Removal

Always account for how board cards reduce combinations. This is especially critical for pocket pairs and suited hands.

2. Not Adjusting for Player Tendencies

Theoretical combos don't match actual combos if players don't play all hands the same way. A nit won't have as many bluff combos as GTO suggests.

3. Over-Complicating During Play

Don't spend 5 minutes counting combos in a live hand. Get a rough estimate and make a decision. Perfect is the enemy of good.

4. Ignoring Your Own Blockers

Your hole cards matter. If you hold AK, your opponent has fewer combos of AA, KK, and AK.

Conclusion

Combo counting transforms poker from a game of hunches into a game of mathematics. By understanding exactly how many combinations of each hand type exist, you can make precise calculations about pot odds, fold equity, and optimal strategies.

Key takeaways:

• Memorize the basic numbers: 6 for pairs, 4 for suited, 12 for offsuit
• Account for board removal - cards on board reduce possible combinations
• Start with simple value vs bluff calculations before getting more complex
• Practice post-session to build your intuition
• Use estimation during play - rough accuracy is better than slow precision

With consistent practice, combo counting will become second nature, allowing you to make more accurate decisions and significantly improve your win rate. Start incorporating this skill into your game today, and you'll see the difference in your results.