Razz Poker: A Simple Guide
Razz Poker, also known as “seven-card razz,” is a unique twist on traditional poker. Unlike most poker games where players aim to make the highest hand, the goal in Razz is to create the lowest possible five-card hand. This lowball game uses a format similar to seven-card stud and is played in different variants such as Pot Limit, Fixed Limit, and even No Limit!
The Pot-Limit RAZZ Knockout tournament will make its first-ever introduction to The Festival Series schedule during Bratislava 2024! Reason enough to dive into the theory of this game, and to give a simple explanation to all players out there. With the Knockout format added to the tournament, it is a game which has a lot of potential for No-Limit Hold'em players to go out there and try out one of the most-player mixed games in the world. Have a taste of the mixed games, and perhaps you trigger yourself in getting to know the other side of the coin that poker is!
Here’s how it works:
Game Basics
- Objective: Make the lowest five-card hand.
- Cards: Each player is dealt seven cards, but only the lowest five count.
- Ace is Low: Aces always count as low in Razz.
- No Flushes or Straights: Suits don’t matter, and neither do flushes or straights.
The best hand in Razz? It’s 5-4-3-2-A, which is called the “wheel.” Other strong hands are ones with low cards without pairs, like 6-4-3-2-A.
How to Play
- Antes and Bring-In Bet: Each player antes (a small, required bet) to start. The player with the highest door card (the first face-up card dealt) posts the “bring-in” bet.
- Dealing Rounds:
- Third Street: Each player is dealt three cards (two face down, one face up). The player with the highest up card posts the bring-in. Betting follows, moving clockwise.
- Fourth Street through Seventh Street: Players are dealt one card per round, alternating between face up and face down, with a betting round after each. Players end up with three face-down and four face-up cards.
- Winning the Hand: After the last card is dealt, players reveal their hands. The player with the lowest five-card hand wins.
We consider Razz as potentially the 'easiest' mixed game to understand and master. The difficulty however in Razz, is to adapt to the game and not think too much like Hold'em when it comes to bluffing for example. Razz is a game which is part of mixed-game powerhouses such as 8-Game and H.O.R.S.E, and this is not without a reason! Razz is one of the nicer games out there, and truly undervalued if you'd ask us!
Basic Razz Strategy
- Starting Hands: Ideal hands are three low, unpaired cards like A-2-3. Hands with any card above an 8 are usually folded early by experienced players.
- Betting Wisely: Razz players with low up cards are often aggressive with betting to appear strong, hoping to win the pot right away.
- Watch the Table: Pay attention to others’ face-up cards. This helps you keep track of “outs” (cards you might still draw) to complete your low hand.
The good part about Razz poker is that you can see 4 out of 7 cards of your opponent(s). This helps you try to figure out more easily what your opponent is drawing to and gives you more information to calculate your chances.
Key Tips
- Avoid Pairs: Pairing up increases the value of your hand, which isn’t desirable in Razz.
- Steal the Bring-In: If everyone folds to you and you have the lowest-up card, complete the bring-in to steal the pot.
- Knowing You’ve Won: If you know your opponent can’t beat your hand, betting confidently on later streets can maximize your winnings.
If you are playing against one or two opponents, and both of them have high cards such as [10x][Jx][Qx][Kx] as their 'face-up cards', it is very valuable for you to continue betting, even though you might not have a very good hand yourself (considering your own face-up cards). Meaning, if you hold for example [7x][3x][9x] and you get a [3x], and a [7x] as other face-up cards, it is very likely you have a very good drawing hand. This makes it rather impossible for an opponent to keep calling when having high cards as face-up cards.
Summary
Razz is a fun and challenging game to master, especially for players who enjoy H.O.R.S.E. or mixed game formats. With some simple strategy and attention to low hands, you’ll be ready to take on Razz and perhaps will become the first-ever Champion in Razz at The Festival Series!
