How to Play Razz
Razz is a simple game that aims to make the best possible low hand. The format of this game is the same as seven-card stud high, but in Razz, only the lowest hand wins. If you’re familiar with seven-card studs, know that Razz is essentially seven-card studs, but upside down.
Here’s a brief overview of the rules of Razz:
- Players use their five lowest cards to make a hand
- There is no high hand, as soft hands win in Razz
- There is no qualifier for creating a soft hand
- Flushes and straights have no value
- Aces count as a low card
Under these rules, the best hand in Razz is ace, deuce, three, four, and five – known as a ‘wheel.’ Yes, it’s straight, but remember that straights and flushes don’t count in Razz – only the rank of cards matters.
The Betting Structure of Razz
Razz is normally played eight-handed, and since it’s a stud game, it’s played with a fixed-limit betting structure. The betting is almost identical to seven-card stud, a game we assume you’re familiar with. Therefore in this next section, we’ll only highlight the differences between the two games.
An example of a razz game, with antes being posted:
A Razz Showdown
Here are two razz hands at a showdown. See if you can work out who wins.
Hand A:
Razz Strategies
Like its high-hand cousin, razz prizes live cards, so the value of your hand rises or falls based on what exposed cards you see around the table. You want to start with three low cards and not see any of your outs exposed in an opponent’s hand. It also helps for small ranks that you already hold to be out as it minimizes your pairing that card. The minimum starting hand you should play against a strong group of starting players is three cards, no higher than a seven.
Razz is a game of boards, and it’s fairly easy to determine if you’re ahead in hand or behind, which means that chasing low cards can be expensive. Likewise, if you have a bunch of babies on board, it’s tough for someone to call you who is showing a worse hand than yours.
As in all forms of poker, observe your opponents’ tendencies and adjust your play accordingly. Many players avoid this poker variation as they find it very stressful to be dealt starting hands that would be excellent for high only. As they go on a run of pocket Kings, rolled-up Queens, and other starting hands, which would be powerhouses in regular seven-card studs, they tend to begin to tilt in Razz. Be sure to keep your emotions in check when playing this game.
Razz has been around for a long time but has seen a resurgence of interest since mixed games such as HORSE have recently become popular. There is no substitute for playing experience, so the best way to learn how to play Razz is to play it. Hopefully, this lesson has given you a taste of the game.
