Razz: The Lowball Poker Variant – A Guide to Rules, Instructions & Strategy

Introduction

Razz is a form of poker that’s a bit different from the Texas Hold’em or Omaha that you might be used to. It’s a lowball game, which means the goal is to have the lowest hand possible.

It’s part of the H.O.R.S.E mix of poker games and has been around for a while, gaining popularity in the World Series of Poker in the 1970s. Indeed it’s still played in some WSOP tournaments; you can find some gameplay footage I’ve linked below.

Unlike traditional poker, flushes and straights don’t count against you in Razz, and aces are always low. So, the best hand you can have is A-2-3-4-5, known as “the wheel” which you might also know from Omaha Hi/Lo.

The game is usually played with a maximum of eight players, and it’s a stud game, meaning there are no community cards. Each player gets their own individual hand, some cards face up and some face down. It’s a game that requires a good memory and the ability to read other players, as well as a solid strategy.

Rules for playing Razz

Here’s a detailed breakdown of the rules:

1. Every player antes up, which means putting a small amount of chips into the pot before the hand starts.
2. Each player is dealt three cards, two face down (hole cards) and one face up (door card).
3. The player with the highest door card starts the betting with a ‘bring-in’ bet or a full small bet.
4. Play continues with each player having the option to fold, call, or raise when it’s their turn.
5. After the first round of betting, each player still in the hand gets another card face up (fourth street).
6. Another round of betting ensues, starting with the player who has the lowest hand showing.
7. This pattern continues for fifth street and sixth street, with each player receiving another card face up and a round of betting after each card.
8. Finally, a seventh card is dealt face down (the river), and there’s a final round of betting.
9. If there are two or more players left after the final betting round, there’s a showdown. The player with the lowest five-card hand wins the pot.

Remember, in Razz, straights and flushes don’t count against you, and the ace is always low.

Equipment and Setup for Razz

To play Razz, you need a standard 52-card deck of playing cards and poker chips for betting. Each player should have a stack of chips. Before the game starts, decide on the ante amount and the limits for betting. The dealer button is used to determine the order of play and moves clockwise after each hand.

How to Play Razz

Playing Razz involves several key mechanics:

1. Ante: Each player puts their ante into the pot.
2. Dealing: Each player gets three cards, two down and one up.
3. Betting Rounds: There are five betting rounds in total, one after each new card is dealt.
4. Showdown: If necessary, the remaining players reveal their hands to determine the winner.

The game is set up with each player receiving their cards and the first round of betting starting with the bring-in. Play continues with additional cards and betting rounds until the showdown or until all but one player folds.

How to Win at Razz

To win at Razz, you need to make the lowest possible hand. This requires a good understanding of the odds and probabilities of making a low hand, as well as the house edge. Beginners should focus on “playing tight”, meaning only going in with strong starting hands.

Intermediate players can start to play more hands based on their position and reading the table. Advanced players will often play any three cards to an eight, taking advantage of their skill in reading opponents and their upcards.

To enhance winning chances, skilled players aim to swipe Ante and Bring In bets from opponents. Situating yourself to the right of the Bring In bettor provides an opportunity. If other players fold and you display a lower card than the bettor, a raise often prompts a fold. Success varies, especially against seasoned players. Exercise caution to avoid provoking unnecessary confrontations.

The strongest hand is the “wheel” or “bicycle.” This hand consists of A-2-3-4-5, also known as the “wheel,” and it’s the best possible hand you can have. Since Razz is a lowball variant of Seven Card Stud, which I’ve written a guide on, traditional poker hand rankings are reversed. So, while a high straight like A-K-Q-J-10 is strong in regular poker, in Razz, it’s a terrible hand. Instead, you want to aim for low cards and avoid pairs, straights, and flushes. Keep an eye out for opportunities to make a wheel or similar low hands for the best chance of winning.

Best Strategies for playing Razz card game

Often the trickiest thing to get to grips with in Razz for new players is remembering you’re trying to build a terrible hand. The worse, the better, if you get me.

Some of the best strategies for playing Razz include:

• Starting Hand Selection: Stick to hands that have a good chance of developing into a low hand.
• Reading the Table: Pay attention to the upcards of your opponents to gauge their hand strength.
• Stealing Antes: If you have the lowest upcard, you can often bet to win the antes and bring-in.
• Knowing When to Fold: If your hand isn’t developing well, it’s often best to fold and save your chips for a better opportunity.
• Keep an Eye on Discards: Track discarded cards, which is vital for assessing odds. Building a low Razz hand means if you hold a 3 and two 3’s are discarded, drawing another 3 is unlikely. However, holding an ace and a 2, while a 3 is ideal, it’s less probable. Bet wisely with this information as you watch the table.

Here’s a basic strategy table, indicating the recommended action based on your hand:

Hand	Action
3-2-A	Raise
3-2-4 or lower	Raise if no higher cards are showing among opponents, otherwise call or fold
3-2-5 to 3-2-8	Raise if no higher cards are showing among opponents, otherwise call or fold
3-2-9 or higher	Call or fold depending on up cards of opponents

Variations

While Razz itself is a variation of stud poker, there are not many widely-recognized variations of Razz. However, some home games might introduce wild cards or other changes to the rules to mix things up.

Scenarios

Good scenarios in Razz include starting with three low cards, especially if they’re ‘wheel’ cards (A-2-3-4-5). Bad scenarios include pairing up your low cards or drawing high cards. To turn a bad scenario around, you might need to bluff or fold and wait for a better hand.

Frequently Asked Questions about playing Razz game

Q: What’s the best starting hand in Razz? A: The best starting hand is A-2-3.

Q: How many betting rounds are there in Razz? A: There are five betting rounds in Razz.

Q: Can straights or flushes count against you in Razz? A: No, straights and flushes do not count against you in Razz.

Q: What happens if two players have the same low hand? A: The pot is split between the players with the same hand.

External Links

Brian Townsend On Day 2 of 2014 WSOP $10k Razz [Video]

Razz Poker History