Razz poker rules for beginners
Razz is Seven Card Stud where the lowest hand wins. Each player gets seven cards (three down, four up) and makes the best low five-card hand. Aces are low, and straights and flushes don’t count, so the best possible hand is A-2-3-4-5. Pairs are bad: they make your hand higher.
How a hand is dealt
Section titled “How a hand is dealt”The deal is the same as Seven Card Stud: third street (2 down, 1 up), fourth to sixth street (one up card each), seventh street (one down card), with a betting round on every street.
The big difference: on third street the highest up card pays the bring-in (a king is the worst card), and from fourth street the lowest showing hand acts first.
Ranking low hands
Section titled “Ranking low hands”Compare from the highest card down:
| Hand | Called |
|---|---|
| 5-4-3-2-A | The wheel, the best |
| 6-4-3-2-A | A “six-four” |
| 7-5-4-3-2 | A “seven” |
| 8-7-6-5-4 | An “eight” |
| K-Q-J-10-9 | Very weak |
So 7-5-4-3-2 beats 7-6-3-2-A, because 5 is lower than 6.
Good starting hands
Section titled “Good starting hands”- Three cards 5 or lower, like A-2-4: excellent.
- Three different cards 8 or lower: playable.
- Hands with a pair or a high card (10 and up): usually fold.
- Watch the up cards: if you need a 3 and three 3s are showing, your chances are low.
- A paired up card on an opponent’s board is good news for you.
- Fixed-limit betting means pots build slowly; don’t chase with a bad draw for many streets.
Razz is the R in HORSE.
What is Razz poker?
Section titled “What is Razz poker?”Seven Card Stud where the lowest hand wins, with aces low and straights and flushes ignored.
What is the best hand in Razz?
Section titled “What is the best hand in Razz?”A-2-3-4-5, called the wheel.
Who pays the bring-in in Razz?
Section titled “Who pays the bring-in in Razz?”The player with the highest up card on third street.
Do pairs help in Razz?
Section titled “Do pairs help in Razz?”No. Pairs make your low hand worse.