Hi-Lo Card Game: Rules and How to Play
By John Isaac,Editor at online-gambling.com
John Isaac
Editor at online-gambling.com | Rules Difficulty | Easy |
|---|---|
| RTP | 96.00% – 98.00% |
| Online Variations | RNG and Live Games |
| How to Win | Top Tips |
Free Hi Lo – Practice with Our Free Demo
Hi-lo is a popular card game with the simplest of rules. Will the next card that is dealt be higher or lower? That is the decision you make, with payouts made for choosing correctly.
The best way to get a feel for what the game has to offer is to play it. So, we have included a hi lo game demo that you can play for free right here:
PlayHow to Play Hi-Lo – Your First Steps
Hi-lo, also referred to as high low, has straightforward rules. The aim of the game is to guess whether the next card to be dealt will be higher or lower. Guess right and you win, guess wrong and you lose, it’s that simple.
As such, it is a great option for casino beginners. Yet the fast-paced gameplay and element of decision making also attract a loyal following of experienced players.
In the following sections, we cover the high low game rules, odds and payouts. Starting with the basics, here is what the hi lo table looks like:
We will now explain the basic rules for playing a classic high low game. The player will place a bet on the table and the dealer will deal a card face up.
The player must decide whether the next card to be dealt will be higher or lower in value than the face-up card. If you guess correctly, you win the displayed payout. If you lose, your wager is lost. The next game round then commences.
The game does not have stable payouts and as such, there is no preset paytable for hi-lo. The payouts vary depending on the base card. The greater the likelihood that the next card will be higher or lower, the smaller the payout odds will be.
You will learn more about the payouts and odds in the next paragraphs. We should also point out that these are the most basic game rules. Some online hi-lo game variants feature enhanced betting options and payouts, but they still follow the same general principles.
High Low Card Game Rules – Learn to Play Like a Pro
Odds and Payouts
As mentioned in the previous paragraph, high low does not offer fixed payouts. The payout for correctly guessing whether the next card will be higher or lower could vary each game round. This is because the odds change depending on the base card’s value. The higher the probability, the lower the payout.
For instance, if the base card is a 3, there is a high probability that the next card will be higher. As such, the payout will be much smaller for a higher card result rather than a lower one.
On a mid-value base card, the odds are close to 50/50. Yet considering that most hi-lo games have a 2.5% house edge, the odds drop to around 47.5%. As with all casino games, the house will always have an advantage.
The exact numbers behind those payouts are easy to work out. With a single 52-card deck and ace counted high, three of the 51 remaining cards tie the base card. The rest are split between higher and lower, and the chance of each outcome sets the payout:
| Base Card | Cards Higher | Cards Lower | Chance Higher | Chance Lower |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 48 of 51 | 0 of 51 | 94.1% | 0.0% |
| 3 | 44 of 51 | 4 of 51 | 86.3% | 7.8% |
| 4 | 40 of 51 | 8 of 51 | 78.4% | 15.7% |
| 5 | 36 of 51 | 12 of 51 | 70.6% | 23.5% |
| 6 | 32 of 51 | 16 of 51 | 62.7% | 31.4% |
| 7 | 28 of 51 | 20 of 51 | 54.9% | 39.2% |
| 8 | 24 of 51 | 24 of 51 | 47.1% | 47.1% |
| 9 | 20 of 51 | 28 of 51 | 39.2% | 54.9% |
| 10 | 16 of 51 | 32 of 51 | 31.4% | 62.7% |
| Jack | 12 of 51 | 36 of 51 | 23.5% | 70.6% |
| Queen | 8 of 51 | 40 of 51 | 15.7% | 78.4% |
| King | 4 of 51 | 44 of 51 | 7.8% | 86.3% |
| Ace | 0 of 51 | 48 of 51 | 0.0% | 94.1% |
The two percentages do not add up to 100% because the three tie cards are not counted. Depending on the variant, a tie is either a push or a loss. Some variants also count the ace low or offer a separate tie bet, which shifts these numbers slightly.
A fair payout would equal 1 divided by the chance of your pick. Hi-lo games pay slightly below that, which is where the house edge comes from.
House Edge and RTP
We have touched upon the house edge of the card game, but let’s take a moment to explain the details.
House edge is included in all games to make sure that the casino always has the advantage over the player.
Thanks to the house edge, over the long run, the casino can expect to make a profit. The return to player (RTP) is a different way of expressing the house edge of a game.
The RTP is the percentage of all money wagered by players that will be paid back in winnings over the long run. The higher the RTP, the lower the house edge. The theoretical RTP of hi-lo could vary between 96% – 98%.
High Low Card Games – Top Online Variations
If you want to play the hi lo table game online, you will find several RNG and live dealer variants that you can choose from. In addition to classic versions of the game, you can find some interesting variants.
For example, Hi-Lo Switch gives you the option to change the base card. Another interesting variant is Playtech’s live game. This version is played with a real dealer, and it offers different types of betting options and payouts. Hi-Lo Premium likewise features similar bet types.
If you are new to the game, the classic RNG version is the best starting point, as you can set your own pace before trying a live table.
We have listed the main advantages of playing high low online:
- Convenient access to real money games 24/7
- Choice of classic and innovative game variants
- Play with real dealers from your home
- Get extra playing time with bonus offers
- Play the game on your mobile phone or tablet
- Wide range of betting limits to suit both low and high stakes player
The game is available at most online casinos. Rules and availability vary by location. If you’re playing from the US, check our US online gambling guide; in the Philippines, our Philippines casino guide shows where real money card games are available.
Special Tips – How to Be Successful at Hi Lo
While high low may be a simple game, there is no easy way to win. Card counting is not really an option, especially when playing online.
You must make logical decisions to play the game well. There are also a few tips we share with you to help you play the game successfully.
- Learn the rules – High low game rules are simple. But you need to understand them to be able to play the game well. Read the rules before you play.
- Practice hi lo for free – Before you play with real money, play for free. It is a good way to familiarize yourself with the betting style and gameplay with no monetary risk involved.
- Plan your budget – Play responsibly by setting yourself a budget and sticking to it. Decide what you are comfortable spending before you start and never chase losses.
- Consider the fact that payouts could vary – Hi lo payouts can vary from one round to the next. Check the payout odds on offer each time you decide to bet higher or lower on the next card.
- Know when to stop – Set a time limit as well as a budget. Hi-lo rounds are fast, so it is easy to play more than you planned. Take regular breaks and stop while the game is still fun.
These tips help you get the most out of the game. Savvy casino players are always on the lookout for strategies to help improve their odds.
You could try to play hi lo with a strategy. We look at playing strategies and systems next.
Play Hi-Lo with a Strategy
Because the game involves so few decisions, there are not many hi lo strategies available. To play optimally, you must always make logical decisions.
While high payout odds are alluring, you have a higher probability of winning bets with lower payout odds. Choose wisely, and bet on higher or lower based on the most likely outcome.
Card counting is another strategy that could slightly improve your odds. Although it is of no use when playing online due to auto shuffling.
You could also try using a popular gambling strategy, such as Martingale. Martingale is a progressive betting strategy that can be applied to even-money bets.
It is a well-known strategy for playing online roulette, but you can apply the same principles to playing hi-lo. Here is what the strategy consists of:
- Your first bet should be the lowest possible stake
- Place the same bet each time until you lose
- After a loss, double your bet
- If you have successive losses, you should continue to double your bet each round
- If you win, you will recover previous losses, and possibly gain a small profit
- You can then restart with your initial bet and follow the same steps
You should keep in mind that no betting strategy can guarantee success. A result is never guaranteed, and you could exhaust the maximum betting limits before recuperating any losses.
Playing hi lo with the Martingale strategy could quickly deplete your bankroll if you have a losing streak. So, you should always consider your budget.
Final Thoughts
The high low card game is easy to learn and fun to play. The rules take a minute to learn, and the payouts follow the probability of each guess. There is a good mix of RNG and live dealer variants to keep things interesting.
Before playing for real money, practice with the free demo and get familiar with the odds and payouts. Set a budget, treat the game as entertainment, and remember that no strategy removes the house edge.
If Hi-Lo is too simple for you, why not try blackjack? The popular card game gives you the opportunity to put your skills to use, with strategies that can cut the house edge to a minimum. Our complete blackjack guide explains the rules and includes a free game demo.
Popular Questions
To end our high low guide, we have collected the questions players ask most often about the game. You will find them below, together with our answers.
1. What is a hi lo?
Hi lo is a casino card game that can be played both in land-based casinos and online. Players bet on the outcome of the next card to be dealt; either higher or lower. Check our guide to how to play high low for full details.
2. How to play hi lo?
To play the high low card game, you bet on whether the next card to dealt will be higher or lower than the base card. Our overview of the rules contains a step-by-step guide to playing hi-lo.
3. How to count cards hi lo?
Hi lo is a method of counting cards, usually used in blackjack. It involves assigning a point value to each rank of card and keeping a running count of whether the value is higher or lower as cards are dealt. It is a strategy used by players to try and gain an advantage.
4. What is Omaha hi lo?
Omaha Hi Lo is a poker variant. It follows the rules of Omaha High, with the exception being the showdown. As a split pot game, Omaha Hi Lo poker's pot is divided in half. One half goes to the best hand, the other goes to the best low hand.
5. How to win at hi lo?
The best way to improve your chances of winning at hi-lo is to make sensible decisions on betting higher or lower. You can also check our top tips for more advice on how to up your game.
6. What is the RTP of a high low game?
High low RTP tends to range from around 96% - 98%. Variants that introduce enhanced betting options can have an impact on RTP. For example, Playtech's Live Hi-Lo has an RTP ranging from 96% - 96.67%. Hi-Lo Premium has an RTP of 97.17 – 97.50%.
7. Where can I play free high low card game?
We have included a high low game demo on this page which you can play for free. Give it a try! It is the best way to get to grips with the rules and how to play before risking any of your own real money.