Hi Lo is one of those inherently popular casino games enjoyed by players of all abilities, and as you will see, there is a lot of luck attached to this poker variant as you have to be good at guessing.
In this Hi Lo guide, we will get to grips with all elements of the game, and provide a broad overview of how this simple game surfaced at online casinos.
Strap yourself in as we give you a whistlestop tour of this card game that is widely cherished by players.
A SHORT HISTORY OF HI LO GAME
The high low card game is derived from other card games, and the Hi Lo system was first invented by the mathematician Harvey Dubner in 1963 before it was later tweaked by Professor Edward Thorp, who was one of the founding fathers of card counting strategy.
Ever since, the system became highly effective for those players who enjoy card games, and it became a popular choice.
The casino card game has continued to grow throughout the USA, and aside from land-based casinos, this game can be found at most online casinos.
In the following section, we will take a closer look at the basic rules for the high low game.
MOST IMPORTANT RULES FOR HI LO GAME
Playing Hi Lo will seem relatively straightforward compared to other card games you might encounter.
For example, an ace might count as a low or high card, which generally speaking will be at the discretion of the casino you play at. Regardless, the game involves being able to guess whether the value of the next card dealt by the dealer is higher or lower than the previous card.
If you can guess correctly, then you are going to win more regularly in the long run with your bets, and the probability or odds will depend on the value of the card face up.
With that in mind, let’s explore house edges and what the RTP (Return to Player) is for those playing Hi Lo.
HOUSE EDGE
All casino players will be aware of this, and this is included in any high low card game to make sure the casino has a slight advantage.
In the case of house edge, this can vary between 0.6% and 2.15% for a standard deck, and this has been reflected in the following high low card game table.
House edge table- High Lo
| Decks | House Edge |
|---|---|
| 1 | 5.43% |
| 2 | 6.27% |
| 3 | 6.55% |
| 4 | 6.69% |
| 5 | 6.77% |
| 6 | 6.83% |
| 7 | 6.87% |
| 8 | 6.90% |
RETURN TO PLAYER
The Return to Player for high low card games will vary depending on which table you play at, and what comes out of the deck, such as an ace or king.
Typically, the RTP will be in the 96-97% range, which gives players greater chances of clocking up regular wins. Our table should prove to be useful.
Hi Lo RTPs
| Exposed Card | Lower Return | Higher Return |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 96.67% | 96.33% |
| 4 | 96.67% | 96.33% |
| 5 | 96.59% | 96.33% |
| 6 | 96.67% | 96.59% |
| 8 | 96.33% | 96.59% |
| 9 | 96.59% | 96.67% |
| J | 96.33% | 96.59% |
| K | 96.17% | 96.67% |
| A | 96.59% | N/A |
HOW TO PLAY THE HI LO CARD GAME?
Hi Lo is a simple game, and there are three possible outcomes — win, lose, or tie. The premise of the game is to guess whether the next card dealt by the dealer will be higher or lower than the previous card, and there will be one card face down.
If you guess that the following card in the next round dealt by the dealer will surpass the previous face down card (say a 6), then you will win money which will be the displayed payout.
Remember, there are no pre-set pay amounts for playing Hi or Lo, however, the fast-paced nature of the high low games and the betting options available make it appealing to new players.
WHAT IS A FACE UP CARD IN A HI LO GAME?
While there are a few variations of the Hi Lo game, there will always be a card face up when dealt by the dealer.
The face up card will be shown by the dealer to the players around the table at a casino, and the player wins once the dealer flips the hidden card, and the value of that card is revealed.
If the player wins, they will win money, and they can choose to double or pass, otherwise, they will lose, and the dealer will move on to the next round.
In the following section, we will explore the strategy entailed for Hi Lo games, and how you can incorporate them.
HI LO CARD GAME STRATEGY
While the rules are straightforward, and there is arguably more skill than luck involved, we have divulged some basic hi lo strategy tips that should help you with your bets during games.
- Pay attention to the cards – The most critical part of a high low game is to know what the deck is like and see which cards have been dealt. Once you know which cards have been shuffled or come out of the deck, then you will know what has been drawn, and you get more value with your bets.
- Avoid wagering on ties – While you can guess on a tie being an outcome at a casino, the house edge is often quite high for Hi Lo and so there is a strong chance you will lose. When playing for money, ties are generally quite scarce.
- Don’t bet more than you could afford – While playing high low games can be fun, you shouldn’t sacrifice more than you could afford. Establish a budget before you start playing, and walk away from the table if you start to drain too much money. Once the fun stops, then stop!
- Practice the game for free – Before you begin to play for real money, it is always a good idea to test the game in demo mode, so you can familiarise yourself with the rules and what a standard deck looks like before you hurl yourself in at the deep end.
HOW TO SUCCEED IN HI LO GAME?
There is no one-fits-all type of strategy for improving your chances of success playing Hi Lo at a casino, but there are a couple of ways that spring to mind that are worth sharing.
Firstly, to minimise the risk involved make your initial bet a low one. If you can correctly guess the next card, then, by all means, make the next bet higher. Having a Martingale-style strategy in place could be beneficial, so you bet the same each round until you lose, and hopefully, the odds will slightly improve per round when playing.
Closely connected to this point, is to have good bankroll management in place when you play a game. Whether it is the first bet or last bet you make, you should divide your bets into smaller manageable amounts or have a fixed amount per session, and walk away if things start to spiral out of control.
ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF HI LO CARD GAME
While a hi lo game is quite straightforward in terms of the bets that can be made, there are a few advantages associated with the game.
ADVANTAGES
- Rules are straightforward – Whether you wish to play this game online or at a casino, the basic premise of it is simple. You simply have to guess whether the next card drawn from the deck will be higher or lower than the previous card. An ace can count as high or low.
- Fast paced action – For those who have played some casino games, rounds can be drawn out. But when you play Hi Lo, you will notice this game can be fun and frantic, and you don’t have too much time to dwell on making a bet. Rounds switch from the first player to the next player very quickly.
- You can control your levels of risk – Although guessing is a big part of the game, you can control the level of risk for each bet, and if you feel uncomfortable, you can switch things up if necessary.
DISADVANTAGES
And now let’s see what the drawbacks are when it comes to this particular card game.
- House edge not favourable – If you are playing online or at a land-based casino, the house edge can be much higher which means the odds aren’t always in your favour and you can lose more money in the long run.
- Very little strategy involved – While this might suit novice gamblers or those who like to play freely, it is a game almost purely based on luck. But for those who like to play more challenging table games, then blackjack might be more to their liking.
- Can be a volatile game – While you are betting on cards to be higher or lower, there can be some big swings, which is something you need to factor into your bet. The odds can change drastically and you can be on the wrong side of some significant losses.
HI LO GAME IN ONLINE CASINO
Hi Lo is quite a versatile game, and it is not just restricted to land-based establishments. You will find many an online casino where players guess the value of the next card, and those who guessed correctly will win the game.
There are many live dealer variants to pick from, and they will have been produced by many of the leading software developers in the industry, including Playtech. Among the options available, includes Hi-Lo switch which allows the next player to change or switch the base card.
Similarly, Hi Lo premium mirrors many of the same bet types, and for those who have played, they will notice they will be given a bigger range for which to place wagers.
CONCLUSION
Hi Lo, as we have seen, is a fascinating game, but it is one with little strategy involved, and it requires more luck than anything else when you make a bet. There is also a drinking version of the game, which is worth exploring. The first player will be dealt a card, and they will then guess the next card. If they wrongly guess the face down card, they will have to take a sip of their drink, and you can play this at home.
This guide has been designed to inspire you, and it is widely available at online casinos, so have a go today and see why we rate it so highly!
⭐ Is Hi Lo a game of chance?
In short, yes. While the odds can vary, there is little strategy involved and you just have to guess high low cards from the deck.
⭐ Can I play Hi Lo game at EnergyCasino?
Yes, there will be Hi Lo options available if you scroll through Energy Casino's library of games.
⭐ How do I get the Hi Lo game bonus?
You will have to look through the terms and conditions, and then apply a promo code if necessary. Those that have played before will know how to do this.
⭐ How many players can play Hi Lo?
There is no restriction on the number of players, but usually, there aren't more than two players at any one time. One of these will be the dealer who will be in control of the deck.
⭐ How to increase your chances in Hi Lo?
You can increase your odds of winning by attaching a lower level of risk per bet and managing your bankroll properly, so you don't wager more than you can afford.