Introduction to Split-Pot Games

Split-pot games are great because two winners means double the reasons to play a hand, and often twice as much action. However, split-pot games can be very confusing, especially to those who have never played Lowball, or any other form of “lo” poker. But this guide should answer all your questions about how to play split-pot games.

What is a split-pot game?

7 Card Stud Hi-Lo and Omaha Hi-Lo are split-pot games. That means that there can be two winners. When there are two winners they split the pot, each winning half.

There is always a “hi” winner. The “hi” winner is the player with the best poker hand, just like Texas Hold’em or 7 Card Stud. There can also be a winner for “lo,” if anyone qualifies. If no one qualifies for “lo,” than the “hi” winner takes the whole pot.

What is a “lo” hand and how do I know if it qualifies?

A low hand is five unpaired cards under 9. That is, five cards 8 or lower, none of which are of the same rank. Remember, an ace is low for a “lo” hand. Let’s look at a few examples:

Hand 1: Ah 2c 2d 3s 4h

This hand does not qualify because of the pair of deuces.

Hand 2: As 3c 5h 7s 9c

This hand does not qualify because of the 9. All five cards must be lower than 9.

Hand 3: 4s 5h 6c 7d 8d

This hand does qualify, the fact that it makes a straight is irrelevant. The same is true for flushes, they still count as a qualifying “lo” hand.

Hand 4: Ac 3h 4s 5c 8d

This hand qualifies as well, remember that for your “lo” hand, an ace is “lo.” For a “hi” hand, ace is still the highest card.

Which “lo” hand is better?

Now that you know what qualifies for “lo,” you need to know how to rank the “lo” hands. The rule is that you start with the highest of the five cards. If your highest card is a 7, and your opponents’ is an 8, you win the “lo.” If you have the same highest card, you go to the second-highest card, and so on. Here are some examples, the winners are highlighted:

Example 1

Hand A: 8h 4s 3d 2d Ah
Hand B: 7s 6h 5h 4c 3c

Hand B’s highest card is a 7, Hand A’s is an 8, so Hand B is the winner.

Example 2

Hand A: 7h 6c 3d 2h Ac
Hand B: 7d 5d 4c 3c 2c

Hand B wins again. Since they both have a 7 as the highest card, you go to the next highest, and B’s 5 is lower than A’s 6.

Example 3

Hand A: 8h 5h 4d 3c Ac
Hand B: 8d 5c 4s 3h 2c

These two hands are as close as they get, but the same principle applies. Here you have to go all the way down to the last card before a winner is determined.

As a side note, if two players have the exact same “lo” hand, they each win ½ of ½ the pot, ¼ of the whole pot.

Can you win both ways and do you have to use the same cards each way?

It is definitely possible to win the “hi” and the “lo.” And you don’t need to use the same five cards both ways. Let’s look at an example from 7 Card Stud Hi-Lo and one from Omaha Hi-Lo.

Example 1 – 7 Card Hi-Lo

Hand A: 6s 6h 7d 3c 8d Ac As
Hand B: Kc Qh Kd 5s 9c 8c 5h