Razz poker is a variant of the game that completely turns the tables on the most popular forms of the game.

Here, instead of the player with the highest hand winning, just the opposite happens. Forcing players to always look for the lowest combination of cards completely changes the strategy. If you want to know how to play razz poker, read on because we are going to tell you everything you need to know about this peculiar type of poker.

What is razz poker

Razz poker has specific rules that you should know before you start playing. It is played with seven cards, cards that will be used to try to form the lowest possible hand. Here, straights and flushes are worthless, so what is the best (worst) hand you can have in razz poker? It would be 5♦ 4ª 3♥ 2♣ A♥. This hand is referred to as “the wheel”.

It is very similar to 7 Card Stud, only here you should be looking at the lower hands, not the higher ones.

Razz poker rules

  • Low hand. It should always be your goal. At first it may seem a bit confusing, but it is the basis on which the whole razz poker strategy revolves. Low hands, synonymous with success.
  • Betting. As in other modalities, the bets in razz poker are made at the beginning of each round. It maintains the structure of the 7 Card Stud games, so you will not have trouble getting used to it if you have already tried this type of game.
  • Limits. Normally, razz poker is played with fixed limits. That is, both raises and new bets have predefined amounts in each round. The options to call, raise or fold are maintained, depending on the game of each player and the possibilities of his cards.
  • Discards and change of cards. During the game, players can receive a maximum of 7 cards. The first three are received face up, and the other four are always face down. Of the three cards that are uncovered, the player can discard one and receive another card as a replacement. This procedure can be repeated for each hand.
  • Winner. In the last round the winner is determined, who will be the one who has managed to form the lowest possible hand.

How to play razz poker

  • Deal of cards. You already know the basic rules, so it won’t be complicated for you to know how to play razz poker, because it is quite similar to 7 Card Stud, and it keeps elements of Hold’em games that you surely know. Remember: 3-hole cards and 4-hole cards per player. You can discard one of the uncovered cards and get another in its place each round.
  • Betting rounds. Always within the limits. For example, we can talk about 2€/4€, and in that range the bets must be moved.
  • Discard and seventh card. The discard is available throughout the game, but you can only use it once per round, and only with the cards uncovered.

Best strategies for razz poker

  • Play aggressively with low cards. If you have low cards in sight (between the three-hole cards), it is in your best interest to play aggressively in order to raise and re-raise the bets and build up a big pot. This will give you an advantage in putting pressure on your opponents, who may be overwhelmed by the situation and end up discarding themselves from the pot.
  • Be cautious with medium cards. Average cards in razz poker, such as a 4 or a 5, can be dangerous. They will leave you in no man’s land, and there is nothing worse than trying to make a low hand and having cards that, while not bad, end up being useless. You should consider folding if your opponents’ visible cards are lower than yours.
  • Think carefully about how to use covered cards. A good strategy in razz poker is the one that is based on the use of hole cards to induce the opponents to bluff. This will position you better for the pot in the later rounds.
  • Observe and optimize your BRM. As different as this type of game is, knowing how to play razz poker and managing your bankroll properly is essential to stay in the game in the long run.