Gambling terms, explained straight

Poker

Hi-lo poker rules

Hi-lo poker is a split-pot variant where the pot is divided between the highest hand and the lowest qualifying hand at showdown.

Also called
High-low split, high-low, Hi/Lo, split-pot poker31
Low qualifier
In Omaha hi-low split-8 or better, the low hand must be eight-high or better to qualify42.
No qualifier
If no player qualifies for low, the high hand wins the whole pot42.

Key points

  • At showdown, the best high hand takes half the pot and the best qualifying low hand takes the other half32.
  • The same player can win both halves (scoop the pot)34.
  • Hi-lo rules apply to variants such as Omaha hi-low split-8 or better (Omaha/8)41.

Where this term is used

Poker Omaha poker rules hi-lo Explains the specific Omaha variant of hi-lo, including the two-card/three-board rule and eight-or-better low qualifier. Poker Omaha hi-lo rules Covers the rules of Omaha hi-lo, a split-pot game with a high hand and a qualifying low hand. Poker Poker betting rules Describes the standard betting structures used in poker games, including limit, no-limit, and pot-limit. Poker Pl o poker rules Details the rules of Pot-Limit Omaha, a popular poker variant that can be played hi-lo. Poker Poker rules dealer Outlines the dealer's responsibilities and procedures in poker games. Poker Poker dealing rules Covers the standard dealing rules for poker, including shuffling and card distribution.

Sources

  1. Card Games: Index of High-Low Poker Variants pagat.com Defines hi-lo poker and lists its alternative names.
  2. Omaha Poker - card game rules pagat.com Provides the eight-or-better low qualifier rule and the no-qualifier rule for Omaha hi-lo.
  3. High-low split en.wikipedia.org Explains the split-pot mechanism and that the same player can win both halves.
  4. Omaha hold 'em en.wikipedia.org Supports the low qualifier rule, the no-qualifier rule, and the scoop possibility.

Sources are drawn from regulators, universities and published research, and each one is labelled with what it actually is — a preprint is not called a paper. Bookmaker and affiliate pages are never cited here, because a page that sells betting is not a neutral authority on it.

Written and maintained by Ellis Warrender, writer and maintainer.

Last updated 28 July 2026. Spotted an error? Tell me and it gets fixed and logged on the corrections page.