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Equation Hi Lo is a poker-style card game played with math instead of poker hands. You are dealt number cards (0–10) and operator cards (+, −, ×, ÷, √), and you arrange them into an equation. Your goal is a result as close as possible to either 1 (Low) or 20 (High). A hand plays out in the order below.
To start, you receive two face-up number cards and one hidden card that only you can see (it's revealed at showdown), along with operator cards to combine them. A first round of betting then goes around the table.
Everyone always gets the +, − and ÷ operators. On top of those, you may also be dealt a × (multiply) or a √ (square root) card.
If you're dealt a multiply (×) card, you must discard one of three cards: the ×, the +, or the −. You may never discard the ÷. The game highlights your three choices, just like below — tap one to discard it.
+
÷
−
7
3
×
A × was dealt — discard the ×, +, or − (highlighted). The ÷ can never be discarded.
If you're dealt a root (√) card, you're also dealt an extra number card to compensate for the additional operator, so your equation stays balanced.
+
−
÷
8
5
2
A √ and an extra number card (highlighted) are dealt together.
After the first bet, you're dealt one more face-up card. Then the equation-forming phase begins under a countdown timer. Drag your cards left and right to order them into the equation you want, then lock in before the timer runs out. A valid equation gives a real number:
3
×
6
+
2
× and ÷ resolve before + and − · 3 × 6 + 2 = 20
The √ is unary — unlike normal order of operations, it applies only to the single number immediately to its right, not to the rest of the expression:
9
+
7
√ binds to the 9 only: (√9) + 7 = 3 + 7 = 10 — not √(9 + 7).
An equation that can't be evaluated — such as dividing by zero — is rejected, and you'll need to rearrange your cards:
8
÷
0
Division by zero is rejected — the cards flash red until you fix it. If the timer runs out before you form a valid equation, you're automatically folded.
With equations locked, a second round of betting takes place. You can call, raise, go all-in, or fold.
No player may bet more than it would take for the player with the fewest chips to go all in — bets are capped at the shortest stack. There are no side pots like in regular poker, because the pot is already potentially split between the High and Low winners.
Finally, each remaining player bets on a side. Low means your result is closest to 1; High means closest to 20. Importantly, Low targets 1, not 0 — a result of 1.25 (0.25 away from 1) beats a result of 0.25 (0.75 away from 1).
A Swing bet claims both pots. Players who go Swing then form a second equation from their cards — one aimed at 1 and one aimed at 20.
Tap the side your result is closest to (Low selected here), or pick Swing to chase both.
1.25 is just 0.25 from the Low target of 1 → a strong Low hand
At showdown the Low pot goes to whoever is closest to 1, and the High pot goes to whoever is closest to 20.
A Swing bet must win both sides. If a Swing player wins Low but loses High (or vice-versa), they win nothing — and the side they did win passes to the next-closest player who bet that side, if any.
Ties. If players are an equal distance from the target:
2
5
4
4
9
6
8
8
">" means "beats". Low: lower number — then lower suit — wins. High: higher number — then higher suit — wins.
Suit rank, low to high: Stone < Bronze < Silver < Gold.