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How to Play Razz Poker

Razz poker can easily be one of the most frustrating forms of poker you will encounter. However, if you want to be a well-rounded player or delve into mixed games, Razz is a variant you must learn. In this article, we will teach you the basic rules for playing Razz.

Objective of Razz

Razz is a lowball variant of Seven Card Stud where the lowest five-card hand takes the pot. Unlike Stud 8 or Better, Razz poker does not have a qualifier for the hand. In addition, straights and flush do not count, only the hand ranking. As such, a wheel (A-2-3-4-5) is the best holding. Also, aces only play low in Razz. A pair of aces is actually lower than a pair of deuces in Razz.

Betting Structure

In most games of Razz, betting structure is in a fixed limit format. Bets on third and fourth street are in a so-called “small bet” amount. Bets on fifth through seventh streets are a big bet amount. In a $3-$6 Razz game, the small bet would be $3 and the big bet $6.

Gameplay

Prior to cards being dealt, each player puts up an ante which is usually 25% of the small bet amount. In a $2-$4 Razz game, the ante would be .50. Once antes are posted, each player receives three cards. Two cards are dealt face down, and the last card is dealt face-up, this card is referred to as the door card.

Once the deal is completed, the player with the highest door card must then make a forced bet known as a bring-in. The bring-in amount is usually double the ante, or .50 in our previous example. The bring-in player also has the option of making a completion to the small bet amount.

Razz #poker #pokerstars pic.twitter.com/TXeh1Ul9sT

— Doug Severiano (@DougieSeveriano) July 19, 2019

This is not considered a raise. If the bring-in player does not complete the bet, any person at the table may complete the bet when action is on them. Once a bet is completed, raising may then occur in the small bet amount. After a completion, a maximum of three raises is allowed in fixed betting.

Once third street action is completed, a second card is dealt face up to each remaining player. This is fourth street and the player with the lowest hand has the option to open the betting. For the remainder of the hand, the players with the lowest hand will open the betting. Since this is a lowball game, there are no double bets on fourth for an open pair.

When action is completed on fourth street, a third card is dealt face up to remaining players and is known as fifth street. Betting is now in the big bet amount for the remainder of the hand.

Going to Showdown

After fifth street action, the final up card, known as sixth street, is dealt face up. The player that opens the betting on sixth street will also open action on the river. When sixth street action is completed, a final card is dealt face down to the remaining players.

Although this is originally known as seventh street, the term “river” has been adopted due to Texas Hold’em familiarity. This final round of betting ensues and the players then go to showdown where the player with the lowest five-card hand takes the pot. In the event that two players have the same hand, they will split the pot.

Game Where You Can Gain a Huge Edge Over Many Players

If there is one game in mixed games where you can gain a significant edge over the average player, it is Razz. Many players do not like playing the game, so they don’t put in enough time to learn it.

For those wanting to be well-rounded players, or those wanting to play mixed games, learning Razz is a must. In a future article, we will cover some basic strategies on how to play Razz.

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