Razz is a seven-card stud poker game where instead of the highest hand winning, the lowest or worst hand wins the pot. The number of players can range from two to eight per table. The lowest hand in Razz is A-2-3-4-5, because straights and flushes don't count against a hand being low, and aces are counted as low. The ace to five straight is also called "the bike" or "the wheel," and is the best possible low hand. Unlike split-pot hi-lo games like Omaha, Razz doesn't have an "eight or better" component to it's play. In a hi-lo eight-or-better game, the winning low hand cannot have a card higher than 8 in it to count as a low hand -- but since Razz is a game with only a low hand winning, any hand can win, including hands with low pairs. However, while this is possible, it's highly unlikely, and most winning Razz hands will not have a pair in them.
Razz is primarily a game of catching cards. it's true! There is a ton of luck in razz, but there is nothing as profitable as a loose razz game. Many players think of razz as simply a game of betting the best low on board and calling and trying to pull good cards. To some degree this is true, but if you play TAG and understand a couple of basic concepts (that your opponents do not) you will have far the best of it.
To start with, don't playing anything with any card higher than an 8. Just don't. Raise if you feel you're ahead. The exception would be if you have the lowest door card and decent cards in the hole - if you're showing a ten and are looking at a bunch of paint, raise.
Remember that a made 8 is ahead of a perfectly smooth draw like 2345 on fifth. If you're behind, call only if pot odds warrant.
A hand like 34622 is behind 35678, but ahead of 46789. In each case, the other hand will likely bet, since he can clearly see that he is currently ahead. In the first case, he is, and it's a marginal pot odds call, while in the second he is ahead right now, but you are the money favorite, so a raise is in order (his bet appears corect to him but is really a big mistake - this is where a lot of your razz profits will come from).
No free cards!
Learn to recognize the nuts, which can often be clearly seen in razz. bet 'em if you get 'em.
Play Razz online today at Full Tilt Poker or Poker Stars.
