Official Poker Rules BoardDocument OPR-510 · Updated 28 September 2026

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Chowaha Rules

Chowaha is a high-low split game with two hole cards and a layout of twelve community cards: three flops, two turn cards and one river. These form four overlapping five-card boards. Each player must use both hole cards with three cards from any one board, and may use one board for high and another for low.

Players: 2 or more
Type: Shared card, high-low
Hole cards: 2 (both must be used)
Community cards: 12, forming 4 boards
Pot: High-low split, 8 or better for low

Article 1Players, deck and objective

1.1

Chowaha was devised by Mike Chow. It is listed on pagat.com, and its rules are set out on Wolf's Poker Page.

1.2

The game uses a standard 52-card deck with no jokers and no wild cards. High hands rank according to the standard poker hand rankings. Low hands must be eight or better; as in Omaha Hi-Lo, they are usually ranked ace-to-five, ignoring straights and flushes.

1.3

The object is to win the high half of the pot, the low half, or both. The cards speak: there is no declaration.

Article 2The deal and the layout

2.1

The dealer shall announce the forced bets and betting limits before the deal.

2.2

The dealer deals two hole cards face down to each player.

2.3

The community cards are laid out in three columns:

2.3(a) the flop: nine cards in three rows of three, called here the top, middle and bottom flops;

2.3(b) the turn: two cards, an upper turn card and a lower turn card;

2.3(c) the river: a single card.

2.4

The layout forms four five-card boards. Every board includes the river card.

2.4(a) Board 1: the top flop, the upper turn card and the river.

2.4(b) Board 2: the middle flop, the upper turn card and the river.

2.4(c) Board 3: the middle flop, the lower turn card and the river.

2.4(d) Board 4: the bottom flop, the lower turn card and the river.

Figure 2.1The nine flop cards in three rows, the upper and lower turn cards and the river; the discs show the order of turning, and each board is one flop row with the turn card beside it and the river.

Article 3Play and betting

Round	Before the round	Community cards showing
1	Two hole cards dealt to each player	None
2	The flop: nine cards turned face up	9
3	The two turn cards turned face up	11
4	The river card turned face up	12

3.1

Betting on each round follows the usual order: players act in turn clockwise and may check, bet, call, raise or fold as the round allows.

3.2

If all but one player fold, the remaining player wins the whole pot without showing.

Article 4Showdown and splitting the pot

4.1

Each hand shall consist of both of the player's hole cards and three cards from one of the four boards. Cards from different boards may not be combined.

4.2

A player may use one board for their high hand and a different board for their low hand.

4.3

The best high hand wins half the pot and the best qualifying low hand wins the other half. If no hand qualifies for low, the best high hand wins the whole pot.

Example

Different boards for high and low

Top flop: K♠K♦9♣ · Middle flop: 7♥4♠2♦ · Bottom flop: J♣10♣3♥

Upper turn: 5♣ · Lower turn: Q♣ · River: 8♠

Player A holds A♣3♣.

A's high: with board 4 (J♣10♣3♥Q♣8♠), A uses A♣3♣Q♣J♣10♣, an ace-high flush.

A's low: with board 2 (7♥4♠2♦5♣8♠), A uses A♣3♣2♦4♠5♣, a 5-4-3-2-A low, the best possible.

Player B holds K♥K♣. With board 1 (K♠K♦9♣5♣8♠), B makes four kings, which beats A's flush. B has no low.

Result: B wins the high half and A wins the low half.

Article 5Common variations

High only. The whole pot goes to the best high hand. This is described as the casino version.
Four hole cards. Each player is dealt four hole cards and must use exactly two of them, as in Omaha.
Remaining cards as hole cards. The cards left after the layout is set aside are shared out as hole cards, and each player must use exactly two.

Article 6Frequently asked questions

How many boards are there in Chowaha?

Four. The twelve community cards (three flops, two turns and one river) overlap to make four five-card boards, and every board includes the river.

Do you have to use both hole cards in Chowaha?

Yes. Each hand is both hole cards plus three cards from one board.

Can you use different boards for high and low in Chowaha?

Yes. Your high hand and your low hand may come from different boards.

Final authority

Where any doubt remains in the application of this document, Rob is right.

Hand rankings, high to low: royal flush · straight flush · four of a kind · full house · flush · straight · three of a kind · two pair · one pair · high card. Suits never break ties.

Chowaha Rules · OPR-510 · officialpokerrules.com/chowaha/

OPR-510Uncontrolled when printed