How to play Equation Hi-Lo

The goal

Build an equation from your cards that comes as close as possible to 20 (High) or 1 (Low). The pot is split half to the best High and half to the best Low. Lose all your chips and you're eliminated.

The cards

• Number cards 0–10 in four metals: Gold › Silver › Bronze › Dirt.
• Everyone starts each hand with + − ÷.
• × card: you must discard one of + − ÷ in exchange, and you get a number card to replace it.
• √ card: an extra symbol you must put on one number. You also get a replacement number card.

A hand

1. Everyone antes 1 chip. You get 1 hidden card (only you see it) and 2 open cards.
2. Betting round 1: check, bet/raise, call or fold.
3. A 4th open card is dealt. Betting round 2.
4. Build & declare: arrange all 4 numbers and 3 operators (and any √) into one equation. Then declare High, Low or Swing (both: you need two equations and must win both sides, or you get nothing).
5. Showdown: the closest High and the closest Low each take half the pot. If nobody went for one side, the other side's winner takes everything.

Fine print

• Normal order of operations: × and ÷ before + and −. No brackets. You must use every card. Dividing by zero is not allowed.
• Ties: on High, the player with the highest number card wins. On Low, the lowest card wins. If the values match, the better metal wins.
• Table cap: nobody can put more into a hand than the smallest stack at the table had when it started.
• If time runs out while betting, you check, or fold if there's a bet to call. If time runs out before you lock in an equation, you forfeit the hand.