In the realm of poker’s diverse variations, one game stands out for its unique twist and strategic intricacies – Razz Poker. While Texas Hold’em and Omaha dominate the spotlight, Razz Poker quietly offers an exciting departure from the norm.
In this guide, we embark on a journey into the fascinating world of Razz, where the traditional hierarchy of hands is flipped on its head. From understanding the basics to mastering the art of lowball (lowball is a type of poker in which the lowest hand wins the pot) strategy, we’ll delve into the nuances that make Razz a compelling challenge for both seasoned poker players and newcomers looking for a fresh, mind-bending experience.
Get ready to explore the rules, strategies, and secrets of a game that rewards players who aim for the lowest hand – where the ace-to-five straight becomes the ultimate royal flush.
Table of Contents
Origins and History of Razz
Razz has roots in the early 20th century but gained popularity in the 1970s as a staple of mixed games and the World Series of Poker (WSOP) events. It is a lowball variant where the goal is to make the lowest possible five-card hand. Razz Poker offers a refreshing change of pace from traditional high hand variants and has earned its place as a beloved game in the poker community.
The basics
Razz follows the same structure as Seven-Card Stud, but with a twist. The objective is to make the lowest five-card hand using any combination of the seven cards dealt to each player. In Razz Poker, straights and flushes do not count against the player’s hand. The best hand in Razz is Ace-2-3-4-5, also known as the “wheel”.
Razz can be played with two to eight players and, unlike Texas hold’em, IT does not involve community cards. Players are individually dealt seven cards throughout the course of the hand, of which three are dealt face down and four are dealt face-up.
Razz is usually played with a Limit betting structure, in which the bets are in fixed increments. For example, in a $10/$20 limit game the bets are in increments of $10 on the first two betting rounds, and increments of $20 on the last three betting rounds.
Rules and Gameplay
Ante
Before a game of Razz begins, all players must post the ante. While the blinds are the forced bets in Texas Hold’em, antes are the forced bets placed by every player in Razz. Think of the ante as the cost of being dealt into the hand.
>> Click here to know more about blinds and antes.
The amount of the ante depends on the game. In this guide, we will use a $10/$20 razz game with an ante of $1 and a bring-in of $5 as an example.
Third Street
Each player is initially dealt three cards, two hidden hole cards and one face-up (door card). The player with the highest door card would have to post the $5 bring-in, but this person does have the option to “complete” the bet by posting $10 (the small limit of the game)
Observation: If two or more players are showing the same card, the tie is broken by the suit, with the player having the highest ranking suit being the one forced to post the bring-in. Suits follow this rank, from high to low: Spades (highest), Hearts, Diamonds, and Clubs (lowest).
Action continues clockwise around the table, with each player having the option to call, raise or fold. In the case that the first player who brought in only posts the bring-in, other players may have the option of completing the bet to $10 as the first raise.
Once the betting is complete, every player left in the hand is dealt a fourth card, referred to as fourth street.
Fourth Street
Each player receives another face-up card. The first player to act is the one showing the lowest hand. This player may either check or bet the lower structured betting amount; in ou example that would be $10. Another round of betting takes place.
Fifth Street
Players now receive another face-up card, the ‘Fifth Street’. Again, the first player to act is the one with the exposed cards that have the lowest poker value. Another round of betting takes place.
From fifth street forward, all bets are in big bet increments ($20 in our example).
Sixth Street
Players now receive another face-up card, the ‘Sixth Street’. Again, the first player to act is the one with the exposed cards that have the lowest poker value. Another round of betting takes place.
Seventh Street (River)
Each player now receives the final card. This card is dealt face-down and known only to the respective player. Yet again, the first player to act is the one whose exposed cards have the lowest poker value. Another round of betting takes place and if two or more players remains, we go to the Showdown.
Showdown
If more than one player remains after the seventh street, the player who placed the last bet or raise reveals their cards first. If there was no bet on seventh street, the player in the earliest seat shows his cards first. The rest of the other player’s hands are shown in clockwise order.
The player with the lowest five-card hand wins the pot. In situations where hands are identical (ties), the pot is evenly split among the players with the matching hands.
Once the pot is awarded, the next hand begins.
To better illustrate the gameplay, see in the image below an example of the seven cards dealt in Razz and their respective streets.
Low Hand Explained
Razz uses the ‘Ace to Five’ system for ranking low hands. What does that mean?
For the low hand, the ace is considered a low card (the lowest), and straights and flushes do not count against a hand, so the best possible hand is a “wheel”: 5, 4, 3, 2, A. The next lowest possible hand is 6-4-3-2-A.
Very important: The low hand is always ranked from its highest card downwards.
Let’s give you some examples to make it easier to understand:
Hand A: 7, 6, 5, 4, 3
Hand B: 8, 7, 3, 2, A
In this case, hand A is a better low hand because it’s highest card is a seven. Hand A is a ‘Seven-low’ while Hand B is a ‘Eight-low’.
Hand A: J, 7, 4, 3, A
Hand B: J, 6, 4, 3, A
In this case, the highest card in both hands is a jack, but the second highest card in hand B is a six, which is lower than the seven in hand A, making hand B the best low hand.
Hand A: 8, 8, 7, 3, A
Hand B: 8, 8, 4, 3, A
In this case, both hands have a pair of eights, but the second highest card in hand B is a four, which is lower than the seven in hand A, making hand B the best low hand.
Unlike Seven Card Stud Hi/Lo or Omaha Hi-Lo, there is no qualifier for a low hand in Razz. In situations where hands are identical (ties), the pot is evenly split among the players with the matching hands.
Strategies and Tips
To enhance your Razz skills, consider the following strategies and tips:
- Starting Hand Selection: Focus on starting hands with low-ranking cards and the potential to make a smooth low hand.
- Observing Opponents: Pay attention to the exposed cards of your opponents to gauge their potential hands and adjust your betting and decision-making accordingly.
- Avoiding Dead Cards: Be mindful of the cards that have already been folded or exposed, as they may affect the range of possible low hands.
- Stealing Antes: Take advantage of opportunities to steal antes and bring-ins by representing a strong low hand when your opponents have weak hands showing.
- Patience and Discipline: Razz can involve longer hand durations and swings in fortune. Exercise patience and maintain discipline throughout the game.
Razz offers a refreshing and unique experience in the world of poker, challenging players to aim for the lowest possible hand. By understanding the rules and implementing effective strategies, you can become a skilled Razz Poker player and thrive in this intriguing upside-down variant.
Remember to practice, analyze your gameplay, and continually refine your skills to embrace the world of lowball poker and enjoy the excitement Razz Poker brings to the tables.
