How to Play Razz Poker?

Poker comes in so many variants, with Texas Hold ‘em leading the way and Omaha poker in second place. But there are many other poker variants, and here we discuss one of the oldest poker variants, Razz poker, which is a variant of 7-Card Stud. But the trick with Razz poker is that the lowest hand wins, which changes some things in the strategy and rules.

Razz poker is a lowball poker variant, and the hand rankings differ from those of the high-hand poker variants. Even though Razz poker is not as mainstream as other variants, it is the R in H.O.R.S.E. poker tournaments, which means you should know the Razz poker rules and how to play this game.

Credit: 20Bet

Main Razz Poker Rules

The general poker rules apply to Razz poker as well, but there are several main differences that you must know so you can more quickly master the game. Because we can consider Razz poker as 7-Card Stud Low, it means the low hand wins, and you need to try and make the lowest possible hand using five of the seven cards you are dealt. Here are the main Razz poker rules:

• The Ace is the lowest card in Razz poker
• The Razz poker game is limited to 8 players
• Straight and flush hands don’t count in Razz poker
• Pairs are a downside in Razz poker
• Generally, Razz poker is played as a fixed-limit betting game, with the first two betting rounds with a small bet and the subsequent rounds with a big bet
• The small bet is usually one-half or one-third of the big bet
• The player who has the highest “door” card opens the betting round; the King is the highest possible door card
• If two players have the same high card, the suits break the tie
• The suits in Razz poker are ordered like this: clubs is the lowest, diamonds is the second lowest, hearts is second best, and spades is the best

Razz Poker Gameplay

Razz poker has a specific rule that separates it from other Stud poker variants, and that is the rule on the player who opens the betting. Here we outline the Razz poker gameplay rules:

• Ante bets – the players start by placing ante bets, and they get two face-down cards, known as hole cards, and one visible card, known as the door card. The dealer deals the cards one at a time, first dealing face-down cards and then the face-up card
• Third Street – first round of betting – the player with the highest door card starts the betting with the Bring-in, which usually needs to be larger than the ante. The betting round continues with the player to the left of the Bring-in, who can call, raise, or fold, and continues in a clockwise direction
• Fourth Street – second round of betting – after the first round of betting ends, the players get another face-up card, and the player with the lowest value hand starts the betting round; the bet is the small bet size, and the betting continues clockwise, with the player on the left continuing the betting
• Fifth Street – third round of betting – after the second round of betting, each player gets another face-up card, and the player with the lowest exposed hand starts the betting and the bet is the bigger bet amount, and the betting continues clockwise
• Sixth Street – fourth round of betting – again, each player gets another face-up card, and the player with the lowest exposed hand starts the betting, and again, the bet is the bigger amount, with the betting continuing with the player on the left
• Seventh Street – fifth round of betting – the River – in this round, each player gets one face-down card, and they now have three face-down and four face-up cards. The player with the lowest visible hand starts the final betting round, and they can either check or place a big size bet
• Showdown – after the betting ends, the remaining players go to a showdown where they compare hands. The best low hand wins and the flush and straight poker hands don’t count

Expert Opinion

Leo Coleman

Chief Editor / Gambling Specialist

Throughout my Razz sessions, keeping mental tabs on exposed and mucked cards has quite literally been a game changer for me. Let’s say for example I hold A-2-7. If I see two more Aces or twos revealing, my draw is strongly undermined, even if it appears to be advantageous on paper. On the other hand, noticing that critical low cards are out can bolster my confidence in betting. This habit of tracking cards enables me to fold marginal hands early and attack when the situation is favorable in terms of odds and the deck. This bit of discipline, though minor, is impactful in this subtle, position-heavy poker variant.

Razz Poker Hands Ranking

The best hand in Razz poker is 5-4-3-2-A, which is called the wheel, and it is also the best winning low hand in the Omaha Hi-Lo poker variant. There are no qualifiers in Razz poker, and even if you have two pairs or something else, but if it is the lowest hand on the table, it will still be the winning hand. In cash games, you can check potential payouts with a poker payout calculator to see how much value certain hands offer in specific situations.

The winning hands in Razz poker are ranked from the highest card down to the lowest; you need to watch for the high card in the showdown. For example, the hand 7-6-4-3-A will lose from the hand 6-5-3-2-A because 7 is higher than 6. Any complete five-card hand, no matter how weak, will beat a card hand with four different cards.

If two players have the same winning hand, they will split the pot, and suits are not used in hand evaluation.

Credit: Ivibet

How to Read a Razz Poker Hand

In Razz, reading your hand is about judging how strong it is against the other players. Because the lowest five-card hand wins, look at all seven of your cards and pick the best five, while also noticing the cards that are visible to everyone. Here are some important ideas to help you evaluate your hand:

• Highest Card Determines Strength: When comparing hands, the five-card combination with the lowest highest card wins. If tied, the next highest card is compared, and so on. For example, A‑2‑3‑4‑8 (“8‑low”) loses to 2‑3‑4‑5‑6 (“6‑low”) because the 8 is higher than 6.
• Potential vs. Realized Hands: At the start of a hand, think about how likely you are to make a strong low hand by looking at your cards and the ones showing on the table.
• Flexible Card Selection: With seven cards dealt, choose the combination of five that creates the lowest effective hand, even if some higher cards remain unused.

If you focus on how your hand compares to others and pay attention to the cards everyone can see, you’ll be able to make smarter choices about when to bet, fold, or raise, instead of just following set rules.

Best Starting Hands in Razz Poker

The hole cards you have in Razz poker are essential, as are in all poker variants. Knowing which has potential is important, as you can assign poker ranges to your opponents and hone your poker strategy. Since results can vary significantly, using a poker variance calculator can help you understand if the results are due to skill or luck. Here we list the best starting hands in Razz poker; please note that you can use only five of the seven cards you have in your hand, so the starting hands play a crucial role:

Razz Poker Strategy & Tips

Razz poker needs practice to master, as you are aiming for the “worst hand in poker,” which is the winning hand in Razz poker. However, this is not enough, so you need to master other poker strategies, so we share some poker tips we believe will help you become a better Razz poker player:

Learn the rules & hands

Always tend to learn the detailed rules of the game you play, and the same goes for Razz poker. For example, the Ace is the lowest-ranking card in Razz poker, and if two players have the same winning hand, they’ll share the pot.

Start with a good hand

Learn which are good starting hands in Razz poker, and tend to only play when you have an excellent starting hand. If you play with a good starting hand, you improve your winning chances, as some hands have better winning potential than others.

Observe the face-up cards

Observe the face-up cards your opponents hold, as these are vital pieces of the informational puzzle. Based on your hole cards and your opponent’s face-up card actions, you can discern their plan and strategy and even guess if they are bluffing.

Look at your opponents’ tells

Observe your opponents and try to notice their poker tells. These can be physical or verbal traits that they make, which are related to their actions; you can learn a lot by observing the other players, like if they tend to call or check often, which is an indication of their poker hand.

Bankrol Management

Keeping track of your stacks is important. Although it’s advisable to have a predefined budget for each poker game, taking advantage of a poker chip calculator is useful for ensuring you always know exactly how much you have in play and how best to distribute the chips.

Credit: Wazamba

Responsible Razz Poker Gambling

Razz poker can be a lot of fun, but it’s important to remember there are risks involved. Playing responsibly helps you enjoy the game and look after your money. By following these tips and paying attention to your poker strategy, you’ll have a better time at the table and be safe:

• Set a Budget: Decide in advance how much money you are willing to spend and stick to that limit.
• Use Time Limits: Plan your sessions to stay alert and make better choices.
• Take Breaks: Regular breaks help you maintain focus and avoid impulsive decisions.
• Know When to Stop: If you feel frustrated or stressed, then step away from the table.

FAQs

What is the best hand in Razz poker?

The best hand in Razz poker is called the wheel, and it is 5-4-3-2-A. This is actually the “worst” hand in poker, which wins the pot in Razz.

What hands count against you in Razz poker?

Flushes and straights don’t count in Razz poker, so it does not matter if the cards are in the same suit. Pairs are also undesirable, as if you have two pairs, you are limiting your winning chances.

How do the Aces count in Razz poker?

The Aces in Razz poker count as 1, or the lowest card. The highest card in Razz poker is the King, then the Queen, Jack, and so on.

What happens if you run out of cards in Razz poker?

Razz poker is limited to 8 players. In the case of all eight players remaining until the last round, they are not dealt one card each, but the last card is placed face-up on the table, and all the players use it as a community card.

Do pairs count in Razz poker?

Pairs count against you in Razz poker, so any hand that has a pair should be avoided. You need to make the lowest possible hand using five of the seven cards you are dealt, even if you have one pair, but the other five cards make a strong winning hand, and you have the potential to win.

Which player starts first in Razz poker?

The player with the highest “door” card starts betting on Razz poker. The door card is the first face-up card that the players get after they place the antes, and this is the only place where the suits are used in Razz poker, ranked as ♠-♥-♦-♣, from best to worst.