How To Play
The game of Razz is much like Seven Card Stud except that the winner will have the lowest hand that can be formed from five of the seven cards dealt, rather than the highest. The best possible Razz hand contains A-2-3-4-5, which can be in any suit, because a straight or a flush is not considered a bonus in Razz. This top combination is called the “bicycle” or “wheel.”
Most games have a betting limit, which means there is a fixed amount each player can bet for each of the five rounds played. For example a table playing 2-4 Razz would require bets in increments of two for the first two rounds and bets in increments of four for the last three rounds. Each round can have a maximum of only three raises.
First Round
After the players ante, each one is dealt two cards face down which become the hole cards, and one card face up, called the door card. Whichever player has the highest door card must “bring in,” meaning he must place a mandatory first bet usually equal to ½ of the low bet. If two players have door cards, which are tied in value, the one closest to the dealer’s left is required to “bring in.” Play continues around the table in a clockwise direction with each person deciding whether to raise, call or fold. Every bet in this round has to be equal to the low limit.
Second Round
Each player is dealt one more card face up, which makes four cards total. Now, the player with the lowest hand showing must begin the betting. A hand of A-2 is the lowest possibility here and if two players are tied, it is the one nearest the dealer’s left who must begin. Play continues as before, with all bets and raises following the low limit.
Third Round
Every player still in the game receives a fifth card face up. Play is the same as in the last round with the lowest hand beginning, except now the bets must conform to the high limit.
Fourth Round
Continue as before after every player has received a sixth card face up. Bets and raises must again be equal to the high limit.
Fifth Round
A seventh card is dealt to every player remaining face down this time. Betting continues as before following the high limit bet. If there are still eight players remaining in the game at this point there would not be enough cards in the deck for everyone to receive another card. In that case, a single card is dealt face up in the middle of the table, which all the players can use if they wish.
Showdown
Anyone who is still in the hand and has not folded will now have the choice of showing his hand and hoping to win the pot. The player who made the last bet has to show his cards first and the rest proceed clockwise. Each player can show if he wishes or throw it in if he will not win the hand and doesn’t want the other players to see what he bet on.
If you have read all the other how to play guides and you are still hungry for more information read this guide to playing the game. Razz Poker has the distinction of being the low of the poker hands. The best hand you can be holding in Razz consists of A-2-3-4-5. Razz games require an ANTE. Want to read more? click here