How to Play Razz
Razz, or seven card stud low, is a game similar to 7-card stud in regards to the structure and how it’s played. However, instead of needing to make the best 5 card hand out of 7 cards dealt, the objective is actually to make the worst 5-card hand. In other words, the best hand in razz would be an A, 2, 3, 4 and 5 also known as a wheel. Flushes and straights do not count against you and aces are counted as low cards.
The rules of razz are provided in more detail below. For the purpose of this article, I’ll use $2 for the small bet and $4 for the big bet. Antes will be $.25 and the bring-in will be $.50.
Rules for Razz
In razz, there are no blinds. Instead, all players are forced to pay an ante. The amount of the ante is generally a fraction of the bring-in. Using my example, each player would be forced to pay $.25 before the cards were dealt. Antes create dead money which in turn creates incentive or “action.”
Once the antes have been posted, 3rd street is dealt. Each player is dealt 3 cards with the first two being dealt faced down and the 3rd card being dealt face up. The 3rd card is referred to as the “door” card.
After the cards have been dealt, there is one more forced bet known as the bring-in. The player who has the highest door card will be the one to pay the “bring-in.” Again, the exact amount will depend on the game you’re playing, but is around half of the low bet. Using my example, the bring-in would be $.50. If two or more players have the same door card, then the player who pays it will be determined by the suit of the cards. Spades are first followed by hearts, diamonds and then clubs.
The player who brings-in will have a couple options. They can bring in for the minimum ($.50) or can do so for the full bet ($2). After the bring-in, the action will continue clockwise until each player has acted. Each player will have the option to fold, call or raise. There is a maximum or “cap” of 3 raises per betting round.
4th Street. All players still involved in the hand will be dealt another card face up. The betting round will start with the player showing the lowest exposed 2-card hand. Players will have the option to check, bet, call or fold based on the action before them. Again, the bets are still using the smaller of the two amounts ($2) and betting is capped at 3 raises.
5th & 6th Street. Both 5th and 6th street will be the same as 4th street. All remaining players are dealt another card face up and the player with the smallest exposed hand will be the first to act. Unlike 4th street, however, the bets are now using the larger of the two amounts ($4).
7th Street. 7th street will be the same as 5th/6th street except the cards are dealt faced down.
If there are more than one player left after the betting round on 7th street, players will then go to showdown. All players will need to flip over their hands and the player with the best low 5-card poker hand will win the pot.
After the pot has been awarded, players will then post antes again, the cards will be shuffled and a new hand will be dealt.
Top 10 Razz Hands
Here are the top 10 hands you can have in razz.
- 5, 4, 3, 2, A *Also known as a wheel.
- 6, 4, 3, 2, A
- 6, 5, 3, 2, A
- 6, 5, 4, 2, A
- 6, 5, 4, 3, A
- 6, 5, 4, 3, 2
- 7, 4, 3, 2, A
- 7, 5, 3, 2, A
- 7, 5, 4, 2, A
- 7, 5, 4, 3, A
Razz Pointers for Beginners
For those of you that are new or maybe are struggling in razz, here are a few strategic pointers.
- Choose starting hands wisely. Any hand with a pair or several paint cards should be folded. If you have a hand consisting of 2-3 low or wheel cards, then you have a decent starting hand. The best starting hand is A-2-3.
- Pay attention to the cards that are face up. This is where you get all of your information. You want to look for other hands that might have you beat or that might be drawing (so you can bet and charge them). Additionally, you want to get an idea of what “live” cards you have and what cards are “dead.” Live cards are outs that you still have while dead cards aren’t.
- Use your door card to your advantage. If you have a wheel card in the door, you can possibly steal the antes, despite what your hidden cards are. Players will be apprehensive to continue further if you have x-x-[2] showing. Be careful though. Skilled or more experienced players will have somewhat of a clue as to what you’re doing. This will become truer as the game progresses and you’re deemed as a good player.
Related "How To" Posts:
- How to Deal a Heads Up Texas Hold’em Game
- How to Play Badugi
- How to Play Three of a Kind in NL Hold’em
Written by Matt Geer