MORE THAN ONE WAY TO PLAY · INTERMEDIATE

What Is Low Hand in Poker?

A poker hand evaluated under a low-ranking system, where lower cards can be better.

What it means

Low rules are not universal. Ace-to-five games treat aces as low and ignore straights and flushes; deuce-to-seven games count straights and flushes against a low and treat aces as high. Eight-or-better split games also require five distinct ranks eight or lower to qualify.

AT THE TABLE

A practical example

A-2-3-4-5 is the best Razz low but is not a good 2-7 low.

A common misconception

There is no single low-hand ranking chart that applies to every lowball game.

Where you will hear it

Razz, Omaha Hi-Lo, Stud Hi-Lo, 2-7 Draw. The exact usage can vary with rules and context.

Related concepts

Keep learning

Study this idea in a wider poker context, then return to the dictionary whenever a term needs a closer look.

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