Basic Razz Poker Strategy

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Last week, we gave you the basic rules of how to play Razz poker. This week, we delve a bit deeper and look at some basic strategies for the game. Since many players do not like to play this game, even a solid basic strategy will be enough to give you an edge in many games.

Those just starting out playing Razz poker need to keep three things in mind; hand selection, board play, and boardlocking.

Hand Selection

In Razz, you are primarily looking for three cards eight and below that do not pair and the lower your hand, the better. The best hand is clearly A-2-3 but in most scenarios any three cards eight or below are great starters.

Stay away from two card starters whenever possible. By this, we mean hands with a ten or higher and two babies. Many beginners will think about playing these hands with hopes of catching lucky. You are often going to be far behind better players and will end up donating money. Three card nines can be played somewhat sparingly, but generally when you are looking at a bunch of high door cards.

With three card starters to an eight, be very careful if your opponent looks to be drawing to a lower hand. If you are on fifth street with 9-8-3-2-A and are looking at an opponent showing 7-6-2 on fifth street, you are likely far behind. Even if they do not have a made seven low, they probably have a draw to it and your best draw right now is an eight low. It is time to fold.

Board Play

Board play in Razz Poker a big key to being successful. When your opponent catches bad and you catch good, you need to consider playing to your board’s strength regardless of your hole cards. By catching bad, we mean that a player has caught either a high card, paired up, or caught a card that likely puts them behind your hand.

If you are showing 7-2 on fourth street and your opponent is showing 8-K, it is going to be very tough for them to continue in a hand when you may have four cards to a seven. By this we mean that assuming your hole cards are low, you now have four cards to a seven low. Strong board play will win you many pots in this game.

Boardlocking

Something you need to watch for when playing Razz is boardlocking. Boardlocking is when the best possible hand that your opponent has is worse than you hand. For example, if your opponent is showing 8-6-9-10, the best possible hand your opponent has is an 8-6 low. If you are sitting with an 8-5 low or better, you cannot lose the hand no matter the river card.

The earlier you can boardlock a player, the better. For example, let’s assume a player has 8-9 on fourth and caught a 10 on fifth. Their best hand is going to be an eight-low regardless of what comes the remainder of the hand.

While you can’t always use boardlocking on fifth, that concept will help you put them on a hand. In our example above, if you’re hand is reasonable on fifth, and they call with 8-9-10 showing, they are definitely drawing to an eight. Odds are they have a made 10-9 with redraws to a nine and eight.

Depending on your hand, you can adjust your play accordingly. If you have a made hand that can beat an eight or nine, you can pump the pot. If you’re drawing yourself, you can try and make your draw or get out the way if they improve. If you somehow cannot beat their 10, such as you have junk in the hole, then it is time to get out on the next street.

The above Razz poker strategy will get you started on the road to becoming a successful player. You will not find this game spread in many live casinos unless it is in a mixed game, so you will likely have to hone your skills in online Razz poker games. If you can become proficient in Razz, you will find plenty of spots to take advantage of players as many do not spend much time in honing their skills in this game.