Courchevel Hi/Lo Poker
Courchevel Hi/Lo is a poker variant based on Omaha Hi/Lo, where the pot can be shared between the best high hand and the best qualifying low hand.
Each player receives five private cards, known as hole cards, and five community cards are dealt face-up on the board. The first community card is revealed before the pre-flop betting round, making Courchevel Hi/Lo different from 5 Card Omaha Hi/Lo.
To make your hand, you must use exactly two of your hole cards and exactly three community cards. You can use different combinations of hole cards to make your high and low hands.
Visit our Poker Hands page to learn more about hand rankings.
How Does Courchevel Hi/Lo Work?
Courchevel Hi/Lo uses an 8-or-better qualification rule for low hands. To qualify, a low hand must contain five different card ranks, all eight or lower.
The pot is divided between the best high hand and the best qualifying low hand. If no player has a qualifying low hand, the best high hand wins the entire pot.
Understanding Low Hands
Courchevel Hi/Lo uses the Ace-to-Five, also known as the California system, to rank low hands.
- Aces count as low.
- Straights and flushes do not count against a low hand.
- The best possible low hand is 5, 4, 3, 2, A, known as a wheel.
Low hands are ranked from their highest card downwards. For example, a six-low beats a seven-low, while two six-low hands are compared by their next-highest cards.
Here are examples of qualifying low hands, ranked from weaker to stronger:
Low hand
Example
Eight-low
8, 7, 6, 5, 4
Seven-low
7, 6, 5, 4, 2
Six-low
6, 4, 3, 2, A
Wheel
5, 4, 3, 2, A
A qualifying low hand can also make a strong high hand. If one player wins both the high and low portions of the pot, this is known as a scoop.
Types of Courchevel Hi/Lo Games
Courchevel Hi/Lo is available in three betting formats:
- Limit Courchevel Hi/Lo: Bets and raises follow fixed amounts set by the game’s betting structure.
- Pot Limit Courchevel Hi/Lo: You can bet up to the current size of the pot.
- No Limit Courchevel Hi/Lo: You can bet any amount from the minimum permitted bet up to your entire chip stack.
The betting structure determines the permitted bet sizes and raise limits. Check the rules for your selected game before taking your seat.
Rules for Playing Courchevel Hi/Lo
Courchevel Hi/Lo uses a dealer button to indicate the nominal dealer position. Before each hand, the player immediately clockwise from the button posts the small blind, and the next player posts the big blind.
Each player receives five hole cards, and the first community card is dealt face-up. The pre-flop betting round then begins with the player to the left of the big blind.
A hand follows these stages:
Pre-flop
After receiving their hole cards and seeing the first community card, players can fold, call or raise, subject to the game's betting structure.
Flop
The remaining two flop cards are dealt face-up, completing the three-card flop. A new betting round follows.
Turn
The fourth community card is dealt face-up, followed by another betting round.
River
The fifth and final community card is dealt face-up. Players then take part in the final betting round.
Showdown
If more than one player remains after the final betting round, the hands are compared.
- The best high hand wins half the pot.
- The best qualifying low hand wins the other half.
- If no low hand qualifies, the best high hand wins the entire pot.
- If players tie for either half, the relevant share is split equally.
Remember that every high and low hand must use exactly two hole cards and three community cards. Once the pot is awarded, the dealer button moves clockwise to the next player and a new hand begins.
Understanding the Betting Formats
The rules of Courchevel Hi/Lo remain consistent across Limit, Pot Limit and No Limit games, but the permitted bet sizes differ.
Limit Courchevel Hi/Lo
Betting follows predetermined amounts. Pre-flop and flop bets use the smaller betting increment, while turn and river bets use the larger increment. The source rules specify a maximum of four bets per player in each betting round, including the initial bet, raises and final cap.
Pot Limit Courchevel Hi/Lo
The minimum bet is generally the size of the big blind. The maximum bet or raise depends on the current pot size and the amount required to call. Each raise must meet the minimum raise requirement, and there is no fixed cap on the number of raises.
No Limit Courchevel Hi/Lo
The minimum bet is generally the size of the big blind. Players can bet up to their entire chip stack, subject to the minimum raise rules. There is no fixed cap on the number of raises.
The game software restricts bet amounts to the permitted minimums and maximums for the selected format.
Learn to Play Courchevel Hi/Lo for Free
New to Courchevel Hi/Lo? Free poker tables offer a way to learn the rules and practise the game without wagering real money.
You can also explore other Hi/Lo variants, including 5 Card Omaha Hi/Lo and Omaha Hi/Lo, or discover the available Poker Tournaments.
Explore More Poker Games
Looking for another format to try? Visit our Poker Games page to explore the poker variants available on PokerStars on Betfair and find a game that suits your preferences.