This game is a low hand only variation of seven-card stud. In Razz Straights and flushes do not count as hands; therefore the lowest hand is a run of cards from Ace to Five, known as the wheel. The Ace is considered a low card in this game. Unlike Hi-Lo games where 8 is the maximum low card, there is no maximum low card in the game.

When each player has placed the agreed on percentage of the minimum in the ante, the dealer deals two down-cards and one up-card in a clockwise rotation starting, as usual, with the player to their left. In Razz Poker betting is opened by the player with the highest card. It is a forced bet called the bring in. If two players share the highest card, then an agreed on hierarchy of suits will determine which is dominant, although this hierarchy of suits is only to determine the betting order and will not determine the winning hand which would split the pot in the event of equal low hands.

As usual, betting rotates clockwise until all players have either called, raised or folded. A second up-card is dealt. This round of betting is started with the minimum bet by the player with the lowest showing hand continues in a clockwise rotation until all bets have been called, raised or hands folded. The third up-card is dealt in the same order as before and again betting starts with the lowest showing hand, but it is started with the maximum bet. Again, it is resolved in the same manner as the previous round when all bets are called, raised or folded.

In Razz the final up-card is dealt in the same order and betting is opened with the maximum bet by the player with the lowest showing hand. Betting for this round closes when all players have either called, raised or folded. The final seventh card is dealt face-down and another round of the maximum bet is opened by the player who bet first in the previous round since they still have the lowest showing hand. Betting is resolved in the same way and the winner is the last remaining player or the player with the lowest hand. In the event of two or more players having the same low hand, the pot is split.

RAZZ POKER STRATEGY

The best Razz strategy is to look for fools, and there will be many about stumbling onto a game they do not understand from the holdem tables. The ideal starting hand would be to get three low cards such as an Ace, 2 and 3, although any three cards under eight are a playable starting hand. It’s a game in which you want to avoid pairs and trips, so you’re looking for paired door cards and other board cards which decrease the likelihood of any of the cards in your hand being paired.

If you’re dealt three low cards of different denominations and these are paired by some of the door cards, then you have a good opening hand. Remember that your opponents also have paired your door card, so they have the same odds of a low pairing with the remaining live cards that you do.

Getting the lowest hand in Razz is quite difficult. Pairs are common as are three of a kind and the hand often comes down to the lowest card. If you have high cards in your hand as well as pair, then its best to fold. Always keep an eye on the board and the dead cards and the approach in betting from your opponents.

This game can be quite profitable if played cleverly, especially if playing against undisciplined players who like the look of high hands and bet just a little too much rather than fold when they should. The last word in Razz Poker Strategy is therefore to remember to regularly fold.