How to Play Razz: the Basics
Razz has become known as one of the most frustrating variants of the game of poker around, in that it is a very difficult game to master. But with so much focus on Texas Holdem and the like these days, it is nice to be able to change up the pace, and it can also be quite profitable.
Razz is kind of like the reverse of stud, in that you are drawing to make the lowest five card poker hand possible. You are drawing to make the lowest five card hand possible, with the ultimate nuts being Ace 2 3 4 5 of any suitl
Razz is dealt the same way stud is, where you receive two cards face down and one face up. Betting then follows, and another card is dealt face up, until all players have 7 cards in front of them (so long as they stay in the betting). The 7th and last card is dealt face down.
In razz, pairs are bad, and straights and flushes do not matter. You are simply playing the lowest five cards you can, without including pairs. For instance, if you have 2 3 4 5 J Q K, this is a pretty bad razz hand, as you’re playing a Jack high. A player holding 5 7 8 9 10 Q K, would then beat you because they have a 10 as their fifth highest card.
Razz, like stud, can be hard in that your hand can start off looking great (such as you have Ace 2 3 in the hole to start) but then develop into nothing (imagine being dealt four jacks in a row after those first 3).
