Hi‑Lo
Hi-lo is the name for poker games in which the pot is split between the best high hand and the best qualifying low hand. If one player has both the best high and the best low, he wins the whole pot. The best-known examples are Omaha hi-lo and seven-card stud hi-lo.
The simple explanation
In hi-lo games half of the pot goes to the highest hand and half to the lowest. A low hand must usually have five cards of rank eight or lower with no pairs, which is called 'eight or better'. If nobody has a qualifying low, the high hand takes the whole pot.
A closer look
The best possible low is A-2-3-4-5, called the wheel, which is also a straight and therefore a high hand. A player who holds both the best high and the best low scoops the pot. The danger in hi-lo is being quartered, when you share one half of the pot with another player and receive only a quarter. Good hi-lo players pay attention to the nut low, and they choose starting hands that can make both hands.
A practical example
In Omaha hi-lo, a player has A♦ 2♣ K♠ K♦ and the board is 3♥ 4♠ 8♣ K♣ 7♦. He has a low (A-2-3-4-7) and trip kings for high, so he can win both halves.
Full explanation
Hi-lo is the name for poker games in which the pot is split between the best high hand and the best qualifying low hand. If one player has both the best high and the best low, he wins the whole pot. The best-known examples are Omaha hi-lo and seven-card stud hi-lo.
Hi-lo means that the pot is divided between the highest hand and the lowest qualifying hand. The most popular games are Omaha hi-lo (also called Omaha eight-or-better) and stud hi-lo.
A low hand usually has to be eight-high or lower to qualify.
If one player has the best high and low, they scoop.
If there is no qualifying low, the high hand takes the whole pot.
Alternative spelling: hi lo, hilo, high-low, high low