In poker, a high-low split refers to what?

[ProGambler]

In poker, a high-low split refers to a pot division method used in certain variants where the pot is split between the best high hand and the best low hand (if applicable). This means that two players can potentially win a portion of the pot by having the best high hand and the best qualifying low hand.

High-low split games are typically played in variants such as Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha Eight or Better) and Seven-Card Stud Hi-Lo. These games introduce an additional element to the pot division, as players compete for both the best high hand and the best qualifying low hand (if there is one).

 

[CR7]

In Omaha Hi-Lo, each player is dealt four private cards and must use two of them in combination with three community cards to make the best possible high hand. Additionally, the player must also make the best qualifying low hand, which is a five-card hand consisting of cards ranked 8 or lower. If there is no qualifying low hand, the high hand takes the entire pot.

In Seven-Card Stud Hi-Lo, each player is dealt seven cards, and they must use any five of those cards to make the best high hand. Similar to Omaha Hi-Lo, players must also aim to make the best qualifying low hand, using five cards ranked 8 or lower. Again, if there is no qualifying low hand, the high hand takes the entire pot.

The dividing of the pot in a high-low split game is determined by comparing the best high hand and the best qualifying low hand. These two hands are evaluated separately, and if a player has the best high hand and the best qualifying low hand, they can win both halves of the pot, known as "scooping" the pot. If there is no qualifying low hand, the best high hand wins the entire pot.

It's worth noting that the rules for determining the best qualifying low hand can vary slightly depending on the specific game variant. Some games require the low hand to be an 8-or-better hand, meaning that all five cards must be 8 or lower, while others may use a different specified rank for the low hand.

Overall, high-low split games in poker add an extra layer of strategy and complexity, as players must carefully consider both their high and low potential hands and aim to maximize their chances of winning both halves of the pot.

 

[Crazy_winner]

One-half of the pot goes to the player with the highest-ranking high hand in accordance with the rules of poker. The standard poker hand rankings are used to determine the high hand. The other half of the pot goes to the person with the strongest low hand.