Razz poker is a unique twist on seven-card stud, in which the aim is to create the lowest possible five-card hand. Straights and flushes don’t count, and aces are always low.
This challenging variant has been a staple in mixed games and celebrated its first Poker World Series event in 1971. Though not as famous as Texas Hold’em, Razz attracts seasoned players who appreciate its strategic complexity.
This guide explains the rules, key strategies, and how to master starting-hand selection for success.
Razz Poker – 5 Key Takeaways
- Lowest hand wins — The goal in Razz is to make the lowest possible five-card hand, with Aces always low and straights/flushes not counting.
- Best starting hands — Three unpaired low cards are ideal, with A-2-3 being the strongest.
- Fixed limit betting — Razz uses fixed-limit betting, with stakes increasing on later streets.
- Pay attention to exposed cards — Observing opponents’ upcards is crucial for informed decision-making.
- Bring-in bet — The highest exposed card must make a forced bet to kickstart the action.
Razz Poker Rules
The game is typically played with two to eight players using a standard 52-card deck. The game follows a fixed-limit betting structure and consists of five betting rounds. Each player is dealt seven cards throughout the hand, to make the best five-card low hand. The key principle to remember is that the lowest hand wins the pot in Razz.
The game begins with each player posting an ante. The dealer then deals each player two cards face down (hole cards) and one face up (door card). The player with the highest door card must make a forced bet called the “bring-in.”
After this, the first betting round begins, moving clockwise around the table. Subsequent betting rounds occur as additional cards are dealt, alternating between face-up and face-down cards.
The final card is dealt face down, followed by the last betting round. If more than one player remains after the final betting round, a showdown occurs where the lowest five-card hand wins the pot.
Razz Poker: The Basic Betting Action
The betting action in Razz follows a structured sequence:
- Ante — Each player posts an ante before the cards are dealt.
- Third Street — Each player receives two face-down hole cards and one face-up door card. The player with the highest door card must make the bring-in bet or complete to a full bet.
- Fourth Street — Players receive a second face-up card. Betting begins with the lowest exposed hand.
- Fifth Street — A third face-up card is dealt. Betting limits double from this street onwards.
- Sixth Street — Players receive a fourth face-up card, followed by another round of betting.
- Seventh Street (River) — The final card is dealt face-down. The last betting round occurs.
- Showdown — If more than one player remains, the lowest five-card hand wins the pot.
Betting Options
Players have several options when it’s their turn to act:
- Call — Match the current bet to stay in the hand.
- Raise — Increase the current bet, forcing others to match or fold.
- Fold — Surrender your cards and exit the hand, forfeiting any chance to win the pot.
- Check — Pass the action to the next player without betting (only possible if no bet has been made in the current round).
The betting begins with the player holding the highest exposed card on third street and then moves clockwise in subsequent rounds. Razz is typically played as a fixed-limit game, meaning bet sizes are predetermined based on the stakes.
Razz Poker Blinds and Antes
Unlike many poker variants, Razz doesn’t use poker blinds. Instead, it relies on antes and a bring-in bet to generate action. Antes are small forced bets that players must post before the cards are dealt. They ensure there’s always money in the pot to fight for, encouraging action and preventing overly tight play.
The bring-in bet is unique to Razz and other stud games. After the initial deal, the player showing the highest door card must make the forced bring-in bet. This player can either post the bring-in amount (usually a fraction of the small bet) or complete a full small bet. The bring-in starts the betting action and adds money to the pot.
Antes and the bring-in are crucial to Razz’s gameplay. They create immediate stakes and prevent players from simply folding until they receive premium starting hands. They also add strategic considerations when calculating pot odds and deciding whether to enter a hand.
Table Position in Razz Poker
Unlike community-card games such as Texas Hold’em, table position in Razz is not fixed throughout the hand. Position changes with each betting round based on the exposed cards, adding a dynamic layer to poker strategy.
On third street (the first betting round), the player with the highest door card acts first by making the bring-in bet. After that, action proceeds clockwise. From fourth street onwards, the player with the lowest exposed hand acts first in each betting round. The best position (acting last) can change from street to street depending on the cards dealt.
While poker position isn’t as crucial in Razz as in flop games, it still matters. Acting last gives you more information about opponents’ hands and betting patterns, enabling more informed decisions.
Razz Poker Hand Rankings
In Razz, the hand rankings are inverted compared to traditional high poker games. The goal is to make the lowest possible five-card hand.
Key points
- Aces are always low.
- Straights and flushes don’t count against your hand.
- Pairs are bad — the more pairs you have, the worse your hand.
- The highest card in your five-card hand is the most important factor.
- If two players have the same five-card low hand, they split the pot.
Winning a Hand in Razz Poker
Winning a hand in Razz can be achieved in several ways:
- Making the best hand — Form the lowest five-card hand at showdown through careful starting-hand selection and strategic play.
- Forcing opponents to fold — Aggressive betting and bluffing can make opponents fold better hands, especially when you read their exposed cards and betting patterns well.
- Uncontested pot — If all other players fold before showdown, you win the pot by default regardless of your actual hand strength.
Razz Poker Starting Hands
The best starting hands in Razz are three unpaired cards, 8 or lower. The absolute best starting hand is A-2-3, known as “the golden three.” Other premium starting hands include A-2-4, A-2-5, and A-3-4.
Good starting hands
Good starting hands typically consist of three unpaired cards, 9 or lower. Examples include 2-4-8, 3-5-7, and 4-6-8.
Speculative starting hands
Speculative hands might include two low cards and one medium card, like 2-5-T or 3-6-J. These require improvement and can be played in late position or when the bring-in is cheap.
Bad starting hands
Bad starting hands include any hand with a pair, three high cards, or two high cards. Examples: K-Q-7, 9-9-2, or J-T-3 — usually fold these from early position.
Razz Poker Starting Hands Cheat Sheet
Betting in Razz Poker
Betting is crucial for building the pot, bluffing, and gathering information. Key reasons and timing for betting:
Why bet?
- Build the pot when you have the best hand.
- Bluff or semi-bluff when opponents have weaker hands.
- Gain information about opponents’ holdings.
When to bet?
- You have a strong made hand or a strong draw.
- Opponents’ exposed cards suggest they have weak hands.
- You’re in late position and the action has been checked to you.
How much to bet?
- In fixed-limit Razz, bet sizes are predetermined.
- On third and fourth streets, bets and raises equal the small bet.
- On fifth street and beyond, bets and raises equal the big bet (usually double the small bet).
In Razz, it’s often correct to bet your strong hands aggressively, as exposed cards give opponents a lot of information about your hand strength.
Razz Poker FAQ
What is the best hand in Razz poker?
The best hand in Razz poker is 5-4-3-2-A, also known as “the wheel” or “the bicycle.”
Do flushes and straights count in Razz?
No, flushes and straights do not count against your hand in Razz poker.
How many cards do you get in Razz?
In Razz, each player is dealt seven cards throughout the hand — three face-down and four face-up.
Is Razz always played with fixed limit betting?
While Razz is typically played with fixed limit betting, some variations may use pot-limit or no-limit structures.
How important is position in Razz?
Position in Razz is less important than in flop games, but it still matters. The acting order changes each street based on exposed cards.