Draw Hi-Lo

Introduction

The game Draw Hi-Lo can be likened to the traditional variant of a similar game. Genie's Hi Lo It is an easy-to-understand game where players wager on whether the next card drawn will surpass or fall short of the currently displayed card. The winning odds align closely with the chance of success. This game is developed by Betsoft, a notable provider of gaming software for online casinos.

Rules

1. This game uses a standard 52-card deck, and card rankings follow the same structure as in poker, where aces are always valued lowest.
2. Once a card is played, it is not put back into the deck, ensuring that players will not encounter the same card more than once during a single game.
3. Players begin by receiving a randomly drawn card. If it's not obvious what the next step should be, they can decide to wager on whether the next card will be higher or lower.
4. When the player guesses correctly, they will receive payouts according to the provided pay table. If there's a tie, the wager will remain unchanged. A wrong guess will result in a loss.
5. Aside from the first choice, players have the option to exit the game at any moment and cash out their accumulated winnings.

Error in Help File

I believe if I don't clarify this, many players will rush to inform me that I've made a mistake concerning the payout for betting higher than a 4, as indicated by the game’s pay table showing a 1.4 payout.

I maintain that this pay table contains an error. For instance, the opposite bet of under 10 offers a payout of 1.3. Furthermore, the top of the page features a screenshot indicating that a win for betting higher than 4 pays out at 1.3. Additionally, I personally encountered this situation and received a payout of 1.3x, so there’s no need for further discussion on this matter.

Strategy

The table below outlines an optimal strategy for players who don't engage in card counting, focusing on maximizing their expected value rather than just their chances of survival.

Key to Table:

• H = Higher
• L = Lower
• QH stands for Quit if possible; if not, choose Higher.
• QL means Quit if possible; if not, opt for Lower.
• QE indicates Quit if possible; otherwise, it is irrelevant.

Basic Strategy Analysis

The table below presents the probabilities and expected returns associated with betting Higher for those who do not count cards.

Another table displays the probabilities and expected returns for betting Lower, again for players who aren't counting cards.

There is also a table that outlines the probabilities and expected returns for making plays that deliver the highest expected value at various stages for non-card-counters.

In the preceding table, you will notice that the anticipated returns for the middle cards—6, 7, and 8—are below 100%. Therefore, it's advisable to exit unless it's your initial turn, in which case participation is mandated.

By adhering to the fundamental strategy, the return, expressed as the ratio of the player's projected final winnings to their initial stake, is estimated at 96.07%.

This statistic derives from a simulation that concluded when the player decided to quit, faced a loss, increased their initial bet to 100 times the starting amount (to inject realism), or when there were no more cards available to play.

Card Counting

Tracking the number of remaining cards of each rank would not be overly complicated, allowing players to accurately gauge the probabilities for both Higher and Lower outcomes. This enables players to make informed choices on whether to proceed or withdraw.

By following such a card-counting strategy, the estimated return, calculated as the ratio of the player's expected final winnings to their original bet, reaches an impressive 100.36%! Who else provides such advantageous betting opportunities without hurdles?

Written by: Michael Shackleford