A Guide to Playing Razz Poker
Ever since Razz became a featured game in the World Series of Poker (WSOP), the game has been growing in popularity for its unique mechanics. In its most basic form, Razz is an ace-low stud poker game where the goal is to get the lowest possible hand (Ace through Five, Non-Suited.) The game is featured in the popular HORSE mixed-game play, and is considered one of the more challenging games for newer players. This guide helps to introduce players to the basic mechanics of game play for Razz, as well as introducing you to some of the introductory strategies for effective, competitive play.
How Razz Works
The equivalent to low-hand seven card stud, razz is organized with up to eight players and played with limit betting. Play begins when the dealer offers each player three cards (two facing up, one facing down) which is followed by a round of betting beginning with the player showing the highest card (who is required to ante with ties going to the suit.) This is followed by another card dealt face up with the lowest hand beginning the round which continues until each player receives their fifth card, where the betting amounts double. When players receive their final card, the card is dealt face down and play begins with the player who began the sixth round (or the first remaining player thereafter).
Optimal Razz Strategy
While the lowest starting hand in Razz would be Ace, Two ,Three (unsuited), common strategies call for players who have low, unpaired cards (below 10s) playing into the next round. Any unpaired hand below seven is considered a very strong hand and should be played aggressive, depending on what other players show. If you have a seven-high hand and see the lowest visible card as a ten, you can feel confident you likely have the best hand and should bet for value.
Players should pay close attention to the showing cards which can update their odds of receiving a pair (a negative event) or more unpaired cards (a positive event.) Often times, players can use position to their advantage betting out to compete with players who have lower shown cards. Proper strategy involves betting for value even if you’re drawing on fourth street, since you can maximize your chances of success by playing your strong starting hands – while you’ll often draw out to another lower hand, playing your low hands aggressively is a dominant strategy in the end. When you’re competing against other players who are drawing to a lower hand, make them pay so you can extract equity from the pot.
Razz requires both tactical and strategic understanding, and players should know when to fold hands that are likely to lose – don’t stay in a pot hoping to draw to a long shot, since you’re likely competing against players with a made lower hand. On the other hand, using late position to your advantage can help you extract value by getting marginal drawing hands and antes to fold, improving your pot equity.
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