Low Hand Rankings

When using this guide, take note that this is not an absolute guide for all types of poker. The Low hand type of scoring works much differently then other poker games. Usually hands like Flushes are not recognized and high cards like aces are used instead as a low card. Be sure you know the exact rules of any low hand game you play in.

With the above in mind, the following hand rankings are usually used in poker games:

In a hand where you have no pair, the best possible hand to have is a straight or a flush since they do not count in low hand rules. The rest of the hands you have are valued backwards, with the hand with the lowest value taking the hand. The highest card of each players hands will be compared, and the lower shall win. In case of a tie, the next highest will be compared in the same way.

Examples:

• Ten, Nine, Seven, Four, Two will beat Ten, Nine, Seven, Four, Three.
• Queen, Ten, Three, Two, Ace beats Queen, Ten, Five, Three, Ace.
• Seven, Four, Three, Two, Ace beats Seven, Five, Three, Two, Ace.
• Nine, Eight, Six, Five, Four beats Nine, Eight, Seven, Five, Four.

When both players have one pair the hand with the lowest pair will win the hand. In the occasion that both players have the same pair, the next highest card in each hand will be compared and the lowest will win.

As you may have deduced, low hand games use the same basic rules as normal poker except it is done backwards.

Contrary to prior written statements, some low hand games do allow straights and flushes as acceptable hands. The best example of this is the Deuce to Seven Draw game. In this game Ace is still counted as high, making the sequence from two to seven the best possible hand.

Eight (8) or Better Rankings - Low Hands
In some games there are two winners for a high hand and a low hand. In these games low hands must have all five cards ranked 8 or below. Even if you have the lowest hand with a ten high, your hand WILL NOT qualify in these games. Make sure you clarify the exact rules of your games before you begin to play.