The nut low is the best possible low hand in split-pot poker games, typically requiring five unpaired cards eight or lower with no card duplicated.
In games like Omaha Hi-Lo and Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo, the nut low represents half the equity in the pot. A player holding A-2-3-4-5 has the absolute nut low, also called a wheel, which cannot be beaten by any other low hand. The concept is crucial for split-pot games where the pot is divided between the best high hand and the best qualifying low hand.
The nut low changes based on the community cards. On a board showing 8-7-3-K-Q, a player holding A-2 would have the nut low (A-2-3-7-8). However, if the board pairs or contains cards higher than eight, no low hand is possible and the entire pot goes to the high hand winner.
How Does the Nut Low Work?
In split-pot games, low hands must meet specific qualifying criteria. The most common requirement is “8 or better,” meaning your five-card low hand must contain no card higher than eight, with straights and flushes not counting against the low. Aces play as low cards for this purpose.
To determine the nut low, identify the five lowest unpaired cards available using any combination of your hole cards and the board. The best low hand reads from highest to lowest card. For instance, 7-6-4-3-2 beats 7-6-5-3-A because when comparing from high to low, the third card (4 vs 5) determines the winner.
On a board of 7-4-2-K-Q, a player holding A-3 has the nut low (7-4-3-2-A). No other combination of hole cards can make a better five-card low hand.
Nut Low vs Second Nut Low
The second nut low is the next best possible low hand. On a board of 8-5-3-K-Q, a player with A-2 has the nut low (8-5-3-2-A), while a player with A-4 has the second nut low (8-5-4-3-A). Understanding this hierarchy prevents costly mistakes in split-pot games.
