The Higher Lower card game has to be one of my all-time favorite casino-style card games. It was one of the first real card games I learned, probably because it’s so simple to understand; my family thought it was a good place to start when I first showed an interest in card games.
The game is played with a standard deck of 52 cards and is sometimes referred to as Red Dog, which I am sure you already have stashed away in your games cabinet. Still, instead of brushing off those old faithful, dusty cards, consider investing in something a little modern that will impress your guests, such as these Sea King Premium Playing Cards. They’re super cool.
One very simple goal in higher-lower is to guess whether the card to be revealed next will be higher or lower than the previous one.
Sounds easy enough, doesn’t it? And it is.
However, there are some penalties when you get the wrong answer, which could send you crashing down in points and losing to your opponents, so you’ve got to use your noggin and guess wisely.
Let’s find out more, shall we?
Rules And Gameplay in Higher Lower
Firstly, pick yourself a dealer. It’s down to you how to select this person, and don’t worry; you can change it each round so everyone gets a turn.
Now you’ve got a dealer; they need to shuffle the cards and place one single card down in the middle of the table, and another beside it, face up.
The rest of the deck is placed to one side. Let’s call it the stockpile. It’s where each new card will be revealed.
Now that everything’s in place, it’s time to make your bets. It’s down to you who goes first. You may flip for it or choose the youngest in the group. It’s time to go crazy!
As you’ve probably already guessed, you need to predict whether the next card you see will be higher or lower than the one presented on the table.
Higher Lower Strategy
Let’s think about this logically. Let’s say the card in the middle is a two of hearts; the chances of the next card being lower than that are pretty low or impossible if you’re counting the Ace as the highest. Therefore, you’d bet “higher” to predict the next card.
On the other side, if the card on the table is a Jack, chances are, the next card out will be lower.
Of course, this strategy doesn’t always work, and the game can likely throw you a curve ball, but if we’re looking at the chance, you’re best to bet the highest probability.
Also, make sure you keep an eye on the cards that have already been played throughout the game because this can give you an indication of what’s left in the deck, giving you the upper hand. You can keep that tip to yourself if you like.
Higher Lower Online
Suppose you’re a tech lover and prefer to play card games digitally. In that case, there’s a version of higher or lower online that means you can bet much more than simply higher or lower. It goes into way more depth than that.
Aside from guessing whether the following card will be lower or higher, you can also wager whether it could be an equal card or a group by suit, or you can even go as complex as to guess whether the next card might be an Ace or a King.
Higher Lower Drinking Game
If you want to add more energy to your party by throwing in some drinking games, you’ll be glad that higher lower adapts perfectly, and the rules are simple. Each time a player guesses incorrectly, they take a drink. It’s as easy as that.
Did You Know?
There was a British TV show in the early 80s that was solely related to the card game Higher Lower. It was called “Play Your Cards Right.”
The show was hosted by Bruce Forsyth and featured a large playing board where the cards would be placed.
Contestants used the same rules as I’ve told you about today to try and move up a pyramid, and the first contestant to reach the top won the game.
Play Your Cards Right remained a popular TV show in the United Kingdom for over 40 years.
To Break It Down
Higher Lower Card Game is a classic pastime enjoyed by people of all ages for generations. It’s so popular that a famous TV show is based in the UK.
The game is easy to learn, can be played with just two people, and has many variations in casinos and households worldwide.
The odds of correctly guessing whether the next card will be higher or lower are approximately 50/50, making it fun, tense, and competitive.
Overall, the Higher Lower Card Game is a popular game that combines elements of luck and strategy and is enjoyed by people of all ages and skill levels.
