Hi/Lo and Low Ball

Low Ball is normally played as a version of Draw Poker, but more importantly there are three versions of low.

California or Ace to 5 Low Ball is probably the most common and what you usually find at Internet poker sites.  The lowest hand is A,2,3,4,5.  Straights and flushes do not count.  Razz, a Seven Card Stud variation of Low Ball usually uses this structure.

6-4 Low Ball is the next most popular in this game the lowest hand is A,2,3,4,6 and flushes and straights lose.

Finally there is Kansas City Low Ball.  In this variation the lowest possible hand is 2,3,4,5,7 with no flush.  Again straights and flushes lose. In this variation the Ace counts for high only.

As you can see playing the wrong game in the above situation could lead to some costly misunderstanding

In Hi/Lo variations you also find many different rules but the most common is the requirement for the low to "qualify."  The hand must be at least an 8 low.  Five cards 8 or below with no pairs.  Straights and flushes do not count.  The most common forms of Hi/Low split are Omaha and Seven Card Stud.

Remember that the house rules can be very important when participating in any game that has a "low" segment.  Check the house rules.