Hi Lo Blackjack is a table game from Microgaming, part of their Gold Series range. It takes the familiar structure of European blackjack and adds a side bet that asks a simple question before the main action begins: will your first two cards total higher or lower than 13? That single addition changes how you think about every deal, without complicating the core game.
How Hi Lo Blackjack Works
The base game follows European blackjack rules. Two decks of cards are in play. The dealer stands on all 17s, including soft 17. Blackjack pays 3:2. Double down is restricted to hard totals of 9, 10 or 11. You can split once, and aces can also be split, but there is no re-splitting. There is no hole card - the dealer does not peek for blackjack before play continues - so doubling or splitting against a dealer ace or ten carries extra risk if the dealer completes a natural.
The hi-lo side bet is placed alongside your main wager before any cards are dealt. Once your first two cards land, the bet settles immediately:
- Lo (under 13): Your two cards total 12 or less. Ace counts as 1 for this bet. Pays 1:1.
- Hi (over 13): Your two cards total 14 or more. Pays 1:1.
- 13: Your two cards add up to exactly 13. This is the rarest outcome and pays considerably more - typically 10:1 depending on the casino's paytable.
If your hand totals exactly 13, the side bet settles at the enhanced payout regardless of what happens in the main hand. The hi-lo bet has nothing to do with whether you win or lose at blackjack - it resolves purely on your starting total.
House Edge: Main Game and Side Bet
The main hand in Hi Lo Blackjack carries a house edge of around 0.62% with correct basic strategy, which is consistent with two-deck European blackjack under these rules. The restricted doubling range (hard 9-11 only, no doubling after a split) costs a few hundredths of a percent compared to more liberal rule sets, but the dealer standing on soft 17 partially offsets that.
The hi-lo side bet is a different calculation. The Lo bet and Hi bet each carry a house edge of roughly 6.5%, which is significantly higher than the main game. The exact 13 bet has better odds in theory but is very unlikely to hit. This is a common pattern with blackjack side bets - they add excitement to individual hands but are less efficient use of your bankroll over time. Playing the main hand and skipping the side bet entirely is the lower-edge approach.
That said, the side bet stakes are typically small relative to the main wager, so occasional use adds variation without dramatically changing a session's outcome.
Basic Strategy for the Main Hand
Because Hi Lo Blackjack uses European rules with restricted doubling, the basic strategy differs in a few areas from standard six-deck charts. Key points to follow:
- Hard totals: Stand on 17 and above. Hit on 8 or below. Double on 11 against dealer 2 through 10 (not ace, given the no-peek rule). Double on 10 against dealer 2 through 9. Double on 9 against dealer 3 through 6 only.
- Soft totals: Stand on soft 18 (Ace-7) against dealer 2 through 8. Hit soft 17 and below against most dealer upcards. Soft doubling is not available in this game, so if you hold a soft total you cannot double even when the standard chart suggests it.
- Pairs: Always split Aces and 8s. Never split 10-value cards or 5s. Split 9s against dealer 2 through 9 except 7. Split 7s against dealer 2 through 7. Split 2s and 3s against dealer 4 through 7.
- No-peek adjustment: Be more cautious about splitting or doubling against a dealer ace or 10, since you cannot recover the extra chips if the dealer turns over a blackjack.
A basic strategy card for two-deck European blackjack with restricted doubling covers Hi Lo Blackjack well. Using one during play is standard practice and entirely acceptable in online versions of the game.
What the Side Bet Changes Strategically
One thing worth understanding is that the hi-lo side bet has no influence on how you should play your main hand. Your blackjack decisions should still follow basic strategy regardless of which side bet you placed or how your starting total landed. There is no correct adjustment to your main hand based on a hi-lo wager.
Some players use the side bet as a way to add a stake on hands where they feel they are likely to receive a strong or weak start. This is fine as entertainment, but it does not improve your expected return. The side bet and the main hand are mathematically independent.
About the Developer: Microgaming
Microgaming is one of the oldest casino software studios in the industry, founded in 1994 and among the first companies to build browser-based casino games at scale. Their Gold Series, which includes Hi Lo Blackjack, was introduced in the mid-2000s as a higher-quality tier of table games with improved graphics, clearer interfaces and more player-facing options such as statistics panels and configurable speed settings.
Microgaming's table games are tested and certified by independent bodies for RNG fairness, and their published house edge figures are accurate to correct basic strategy play. Hi Lo Blackjack appears in their Gold Series alongside Classic Blackjack Gold, European Blackjack Gold, and a number of other variants.
Who Hi Lo Blackjack Suits
If you know basic blackjack strategy and want a two-deck game with clean European rules, Hi Lo Blackjack offers a solid base game with a low house edge. The side bet is there if you want something to resolve on your opening cards, but it functions as an optional extra rather than a core part of the experience.
Players who prefer Vegas Strip or Atlantic City rules with more flexible doubling may find the restricted doubling range limiting. For those comfortable with European blackjack conventions, this is a well-built game with fair mathematics and a distinct side bet that does not overly complicate the session.
See all games from Microgaming for their wider table game range, including additional blackjack and card game variants.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes Hi Lo Blackjack?
Hi Lo Blackjack is developed by Microgaming, one of the longest-established casino software companies in the industry. It is part of their Gold Series of table games.
What does the hi-lo side bet pay?
The Lo (under 13) and Hi (over 13) bets each pay 1:1. A starting total of exactly 13 pays at an enhanced rate, typically 10:1, though this varies by casino.
What is the house edge in Hi Lo Blackjack?
The main blackjack hand carries a house edge of around 0.62% with correct basic strategy. The hi and lo side bets carry a much higher house edge of approximately 6.5%, which is why most experienced players focus on the main hand.
What are the doubling rules in Hi Lo Blackjack?
You can double down on hard totals of 9, 10 or 11 only. There is no doubling after a split, and soft doubling is not available. This is narrower than some other blackjack variants but is offset by the dealer standing on soft 17.
Does the dealer peek for blackjack?
No. Hi Lo Blackjack uses a no hole card (no peek) rule. The dealer does not check for blackjack before you act. If you split or double and the dealer subsequently reveals a natural blackjack, you lose the full split or doubled amount, not just the original stake.
How many decks does Hi Lo Blackjack use?
The game is dealt from two standard 52-card decks. Fewer decks generally favour the player in blackjack, and two decks contribute to the relatively low house edge on the main hand.
Where to Play Hi Lo Blackjack
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