Hi Lo is a popular version of poker. One of the reasons that many people enjoy playing this game is due to the slightly different rules. For instance, the players with the highest hands as well as the lowest hands both have a chance of winning.
Those that have tried their hand at Omaha poker will find it easier to pick up the rules and conditions of Hi Lo. If you would like to know how to play this game properly, you are going to need to know how it is arranged. Here is what you will need to know before playing Hi Lo:
Understanding Hi Lo
Hi Lo is considered a community card game. There are typically about ten players involved in a single game at the table. The dealer deals the cards in a clockwise formation. Each player is given four cards, one at a time. These are known as the ‘hole cards’.
Once the cards have been dealt, the betting begins. Two of the players are nominated as the small blind and the big blind. These are the forced bets that are placed prior to the game. The small blind is the smallest bet and is typically determined by the table. While it can vary, the big blind is usually about double the bet of the small blind. At this point, the other players can look at their hole cards. This means that they can call the blind, raise it, or even fold.
Once the betting has taken place, it is then time for ‘the Flop’. This is when three community cards are made available to all those who are playing. When this has concluded, yet another round of betting will take place. This is typically an increment on the small bet.
The fourth community card, ‘the Turn’ will then be revealed. More betting will ensue. This time, however, the increments are based on the large bet. The final community card is known as ‘the River’. After this has been dealt, there is one last round of betting.
It is then time for ‘the Showdown’. Here, the remaining players reveal the hands that they are holding. The players are expected to use two of their hole cards along with three of the community cards. The player with the best high card hand and the player with the best low card hand win. The pot is equally split between the two players.
Playing Online Hi Lo
The games are quite similar, both in real life as well as the online game. The game involves the same number of players. Also, the pot is split between the person with the best high hand and the best low hand. At times, one player may have both these hands. In these instances, they get the pot all to themselves. Conversely, there may only be one high hand and no hand in the game. Here, the high hand will win the entire pot.
In Online Hi Lo, straights and flushes are not included. Aces can be included in both high hands and low hands. This is because Aces can take on different values for each hand.
There are plenty of online casinos that offer demo versions of Hi Lo. If you have not played this game before, in a real casino or online, you should definitely get some practice. This will help you to understand and utilize the rules to your advantage. You should not place wagers on this game until you know how to play Hi Lo properly.
Online Hi Lo Strategies
One of the most important hands that you can have with Hi Lo is the Ace and Deuce combination. Essentially, having an Ace and a Deuce will guarantee that you have one of the highest rated hands in the game. This is because with these cards, more often than not, you will have one of the best low hands in the game.
The only thing better than an Ace Deuce, is an Ace, Deuce, and a Three. There may be an instance where there is a duplicate card among the community cards. In this instance, you are going to need another low card to help you out. Thus, a Three gives you the best option.
If you want to play online poker, Hi Lo is definitely one of your best options. As long as you understand the rules and regulations governing the game, you will have a good chance at succeeding.
