In essence, Razz poker represents the lowball variant of Seven (7) Card Stud. The sequence of play mimics that of standard stud poker, Seven Card Stud with the exception being the unique lowball hand rankings.
This game has steadily gained fame over the years, particularly among high-stakes players. Notably, it's been a staple in the mixed games lineup at the renowned World Series of Poker (WSOP) for many years, serving as the R (Razz) in their H.O.R.S.E tournaments.
It’s important to recognize that, despite Razz being classified as a lowball game, its hand rankings vary from those in other formats. lowball games like 2-7 Triple Draw.
With that clarified, let’s delve into the fundamental hand rankings in Razz.
- The Basics – Razz Hand Rankings
- The Basics – Making Hands in Razz
- Razz Regulations – Betting Limits: Small Bets, Big Bets, and Antes.
- Razz – Third Street Action
- Razz – Fourth Street Action
- Razz – Fifth Street Action
- Razz – Sixth Street Action
- Razz – Seventh Street Action – also known as the River.
- Razz - The Betting Options
- Additional Considerations
The Basics – Razz Hand Rankings
Hand rankings in lowball formats can differ significantly. In Razz, the low hand classification follows the same guidelines as in Stud Hi/Lo, but is not the same as the system used in 2-7 Triple Draw. Omaha Hi/Lo In Razz, straights and flushes are not considered detrimental to our hand.
Here are the rules -
- Aces are always low (i.e. good) in Razz.
- However, holding pairs does negatively impact our hand (which is true across all lowball formats).
- The best possible hand in Razz is referred to as 'The Wheel,' made up of A, 2, 3, 4, 5, showcasing the lowest possible combination of five cards. It's worth noting that this particular hand can also be classified as a straight, although this classification holds no relevance in Razz.
In all lowball scenarios, the strength of the hand is assessed based on the value of the highest card, not the lowest. One common mistake among newcomers is focusing on the lowest card's value instead of the highest.
For instance, Player 2 might incorrectly assume they have the winning hand because they have an Ace, while their opponent’s top card is a Deuce. However, Player 1 is the actual winner here, as their highest card is a Six compared to Player 2’s highest card, which is an Eight (where lower values are advantageous in this game format).
Player 1 – 2,3,4,5,6
Player 2 – A,2,5,7,8
Typically, hands are identified based on the value of the highest card. Thus, Player 1 would have their hand referred to as a Six-low , while Player 2's could be called an Eight-low.
In instances where two players showcase the same highest card, the hands are named according to the additional cards required to differentiate them.
Eight-Seven low, Eight-Seven-Five low , and so forth.
Razz operates under a Stud framework, meaning there are generally no community cards involved (with one specific exception if the deck should run dry).
The Basics – Making Hands in Razz
By the conclusion of the final betting round, every player will have drawn seven cards. From these, players have the freedom to select the best five to form their hand.
Even though all seven cards are uniquely assigned to each player, it's vital to distinguish between up cards and down cards.
Down cards are hidden from everyone else (similar to hole cards in Hold’em). In Razz, three out of the seven cards will be down cards (as is common in Stud variations). The other four are up cards, visible to all players at the table. While up cards still solely belong to the player, they provide insight into what kind of hand an opponent might possess. By the end of the betting round, we can gain visibility of four of each opponent's seven cards.
In Razz (and Stud), the up cards a player has are often referred to as their board. It's crucial to evaluate our hand's strength in relation to what our opponent's board reveals and to consider how likely they are to be strong.
The configuration of each player's hand in Stud variations appears as follows.
During the initial betting round (known as Third Street), each player receives two down cards and one up card.
d = downcard
u = upcard
(dd)uuuu(d)
Razz Regulations – Betting Limits: Small Bets, Big Bets, and Antes
Variations of Stud poker adhere to a fundamentally different framework compared to games like Hold’em and Omaha. For starters, no button is present. Instead, the action is dictated by the values of each player's up cards. In the initial betting round, the player with the highest (least advantageous) hand initiates the action, while in the following rounds, the player with the best (most advantageous) hand acts first.
Before any betting takes place, however, antes need to be placed into the pot. Antes function similarly to blinds,
with the key distinction being that all players must contribute the ante each round. Texas Hold’em The betting structure in Stud games usually outlines the ante sizes clearly.
For example, consider a limit Razz game with stakes of $1/$2/$0.15 .
Note that three values are typically used to define the stakes in a Razz (or any Stud) game: the small bet, the big bet, and the ante. The ante tends to be of relatively minor importance in comparison to the small and big bets. The terms “small bet” and “big bet” apply to any poker game that follows a fixed limit betting system.
Small Bet – The standard amount for a bet or raise in a fixed limit structure.
Big Bet – The standard betting or raising amount applicable only under specific circumstances, typically later streets.
Once all players have contributed their antes, cards are dealt.
The betting rounds or streets in Stud variations are referred to according to how many cards each player has during that street. Thus, Third Street (though it's the first betting round) is called 'third' because players each receive three cards.
Razz – Third Street Action
Players receive two down cards followed by one up card.
The betting round commences with the player displaying the highest (least favorable) up card.
At this stage, we’ll be able to see one upcard for each of our opponents at the table.
In Razz, Aces are always considered low, which means a King stands as the most disadvantageous up card. If two players share the same ranked up card, a tiebreaker based on suits will determine the acting order, which we will elaborate on in the 'additional considerations' section below.
The player holding the highest (least favorable) up card is obliged to post what is called the '
'. Its value typically falls between the size of the ante and the small bet. For example, in a game with stakes of $1/$2/$0.15, a reasonable bring-in amount might be $0.40. This fixed amount forms part of the game's structure, whether or not it is explicitly listed as part of the table stakes. (Thus, four values actually describe the limits of a Stud/Razz game: small bet, big bet, ante, and bring-in.) bring-in Once the bring-in has been covered, the action initiates with that player.
Check – The player opts to merely match the bring-in amount. The action continues clockwise, with other players required to at least match the bring-in amount or fold.
He has two options -
- Complete – The first player to act may raise (complete) their bet to match the small bet amount. This usually occurs when the player feels confident in their three dealt cards (similar to open-raising in Hold'em ). Subsequently, the other players must either at least match the small bet amount, fold, or potentially raise.
- All bets and raises during Third Street are made in increments of the small bet. Hold’em As soon as the betting concludes on Third Street, everyone at the table is dealt another up card, resulting in a total of four cards (two up, two down).
This time, the action starts with the player holding the lowest (best) ranked up cards.
Razz – Fourth Street Action
Both up cards are evaluated. If two players possess an Ace (the optimal up card), then the second card's value will determine which player acts first.
After the player to act first has been established, another betting round follows.
All bets and raises on Fourth Street occur in increments of the small bet.
Another up card is dealt to every player, bringing the total to five cards (two down, three up).
Consistent with previous rounds, the action initiates with the player who has the best-ranked up cards.
Razz – Fifth Street Action
Another up card is dealt to each player, resulting in a total of six cards (two down, four up).
At this stage, the betting continues in increments corresponding to the big bet.
Razz – Seventh Street Action – also known as the River big bet .
Razz – Sixth Street Action
A final card is dealt to each player, face down, culminating in seven cards (three down, four up). This final betting round occurs in increments of the big bet.
If multiple players remain in the hand after the betting period concludes,
They reveal their hand strengths, and the best hand is declared the winner of the pot.
The betting options available in Razz closely resemble those found in most other poker formats.
Action proceeds to our left without needing to place a bet. This can only be utilized if no bets have been made in the current betting round. Showdown is reached.
We initiate the first wager for this betting round. Other players must match our bet, raise, or opt to fold.
Razz - The Betting Options
If there’s an existing wager in this current betting round and we choose not to match it, folding entails relinquishing all rights to the pot.
Here is a quick recap -
|
BETTING OPTION |
USAGE |
|---|---|
|
Check |
When there’s an existing wager in play during the betting round, a 'call' means matching that bet precisely to continue playing. |
|
Bet |
In a scenario where there’s an existing wager, choosing to raise increases the wager amount. The original bettor must match our raise or fold. |
|
Fold |
If another player has already raised in the current round, and we choose to raise once more, any further raises beyond the initial are categorized as 're-raises.' |
|
Call |
As most Razz games adhere to a fixed limit , the amount we can wager or raise at any time is determined by the size of the small bet or big bet (whichever applies to the street). |
|
Raise |
Razz can be described as a variation of 7-Card Stud focused on achieving the lowest possible hand, and it follows similar rules with a significant difference – the player with the lowest hand takes the pot! Discover the ins and outs of this thrilling poker variant. |
|
Re-raise |
Essential Tools to Begin Your Journey in Razz |
In essence, Razz poker is the lowball adaptation of the Seven Card Stud game. The gameplay sequence remains the same as in standard variations, albeit with a twist regarding hand rankings aimed at achieving lower values.
Additional Considerations
Over the years, Razz has gained traction among players, particularly high-stakes participants. It has also been a staple in mixed games at the prestigious World Series of Poker (WSOP), where it features as part of the H.O.R.S.E tournaments.
Clubs→Diamonds→Hearts→Spades
It's important to note that while Razz is designed for lowball play, its hand rankings can differ from those found in other lowball formats.
Here is a quick example -
On Third Street:
Player 1: King of hearts upcard
Player 2: King of Clubs upcard
With that clarification, let’s delve into the fundamental hand rankings of Razz.
Understanding Razz Rules: Small Bets, Large Bets, and Antes
Razz – Action on Seventh Street, also known as the River
On Fourth Street:
Player 1: 3s2d
Player 2: 3h2d
Not all lowball games utilize the same hand ranking system. The method used in Razz mirrors that of low hands in Stud Hi/Lo, yet it is not aligned with the approach used in 2-7 Triple Draw.
In Razz, neither straights nor flushes have any bearing on your hand strength.
However, pairs are detrimental to your hand (this holds true for all lowball games). maths The best possible hand in Razz is referred to as “The Wheel,” which is represented by A, 2, 3, 4, 5, the lowest possible five-card combination. While technically a straight, its classification doesn’t affect play in Razz.
When assessing the strength of low hands across various formats, the value of the highest card is what matters most, not the lowest card. A common mistake among newcomers is to focus on the lowest card’s value instead.
For example, player 2 might naively believe he holds the superior hand because he possesses an Ace, compared to his opponent's Deuce. However, player 1 actually wins here since his highest card is a Six, while player 2 has an Eight (remember, lower values are preferred in Razz).
Typically, hands are conveyed based on the value of their highest card. In this scenario, player 1's hand can be termed a Six-low , whereas player 2’s would be labeled as an Eight-low. caps .
In instances where two players have identical high cards, the hands will incorporate additional cards as necessary to break ties.
For example, on Fourth Street:
Player 1 bets
Player 2 raises
Player 1 re-raises
Player 2 re-raises
Eight-Seven low, Eight-Seven-Five low , and so forth.
Razz is classified as a Stud format, meaning there are no community cards, save for one exception that occurs if the deck is depleted.
By the end of the final betting round, each player will have received seven cards. They can select the five best cards from these seven to form their hand.
Even though all seven cards are unique to each player, it’s vital to distinguish between up cards and down cards.
