How to Play Razz Poker: A Complete Guide to the Rules
Welcome to the world of Razz, the poker game where the worst hand wins! A fascinating lowball variant of Seven Card Stud, Razz challenges players to think in reverse. It’s a game of sharp observation, discipline, and skill, featured prominently in the World Series of Poker (WSOP) and high-stakes mixed games. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know, from the basic rules and hand rankings to a winning strategy for 2025.
Razz Poker Quick Facts
Get a quick overview of the game with these essential facts. Razz is a player-vs-player game, so instead of a house edge, the poker room takes a small commission called a “rake” from each pot.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Game Type | Lowball Stud Poker |
| Objective | Make the lowest possible 5-card hand from 7 cards |
| Players | 2-8 |
| Best Hand | A-2-3-4-5 (“The Wheel”) |
| House Edge | N/A (Game is raked, typically 3-5% of the pot) |
| Typical Stakes | Fixed Limit (e.g., $2/$4, $5/$10) |
How to Play a Hand of Razz: Step-by-Step
A hand of Razz follows a structured sequence of dealing and betting rounds, known as “streets.” Here’s how a typical hand unfolds:
- The Ante: Before any cards are dealt, all players at the table post a small, mandatory bet called an ante.
- Third Street (The Deal): Each player receives three cards: two dealt face down (your “hole cards”) and one dealt face up (the “door card”).
- The Bring-In: The player showing the highest door card must start the betting with a forced “bring-in” bet. If two players tie for the high card, suits are used to break the tie (Spades > Hearts > Diamonds > Clubs). Action then continues clockwise.
- Fourth Street: Each active player is dealt a second card face up. The player with the best (lowest) showing hand acts first. This is a “small bet” round.
- Fifth Street: A third up-card is dealt. Action again starts with the player showing the best low hand. From this street onward, the bet size doubles to the “big bet.”
- Sixth Street: A fourth and final up-card is dealt to each player. Betting follows the same rules as fifth street, using the big bet size.
- Seventh Street (The River): Each remaining player receives a final card, dealt face down.
- Final Betting Round: The last round of betting occurs, led by the same player who acted first on sixth street.
- The Showdown: If more than one player is left after the final betting round, they reveal their cards. The player who can make the best five-card low hand from their seven cards wins the entire pot.
The Core Rules of Razz Poker
Understanding what makes a winning hand is the most important concept in Razz. It’s simple once you grasp the key principles.
Razz Hand Rankings: What Beats What?
In Razz, hands are ranked from the highest card downwards. The goal is to have the lowest five unique cards. An Ace is always the lowest card. Crucially, straights and flushes do not count against your hand and are completely ignored. The best possible hand is A-2-3-4-5.
7-6-5-4-3(a Seven-low) beats8-4-3-2-A(an Eight-low).7-6-5-4-Abeats7-6-5-4-2(because the Ace is lower than the Deuce).J-T-9-8-7is a better hand thanQ-4-3-2-A(because the Jack is lower than the Queen).2-2-3-4-5(a pair of deuces) is a very weak hand and will lose to any five-card hand with no pair, likeK-Q-J-T-9.
The Irrelevance of Suits & The Problem with Pairs
Suits are completely ignored when comparing hands at showdown. An A-2-3-4-5 with mixed suits is the exact same strength as one made of all spades. The only time suits matter is for breaking a tie for the bring-in bet on third street.
Making a pair is the fastest way to ruin your Razz hand. A hand is valued by its five lowest unpaired cards. This means a King-high hand with no pair will always beat an Ace-high hand that has a pair of twos. Avoiding pairs is fundamental to Razz strategy.
Razz Betting Rules and Options
Razz is almost always played as a Fixed Limit game. This means the bet amounts are predetermined for each round. A typical $2/$4 game breaks down like this:
| Street | Bet Size | Who Acts First? |
|---|---|---|
| 3rd Street | Small Bet | Player with the highest door card (Bring-in) |
| 4th Street | Small Bet | Player with the best showing low hand |
| 5th Street | Big Bet | Player with the best showing low hand |
| 6th Street | Big Bet | Player with the best showing low hand |
| 7th Street | Big Bet | Player with the best showing low hand |
5 Essential Razz Poker Strategies for Beginners
Success in Razz comes from discipline and observation. Follow these five key strategies to improve your game immediately.
- Be Selective with Starting Hands: This is the most important skill. You should only play starting hands that contain three unique cards, preferably 8 or lower (e.g., A-4-8 or 2-5-7). Immediately fold starting hands with pairs or high cards like Kings or Queens.
- Watch the Up-Cards: Pay close attention to the cards visible in your opponents’ hands and the cards of players who have folded. These cards are “dead.” If you need a 5 to make a great low and you see three 5s already out, your chances of hitting one are zero.
- Steal the Antes and Bring-ins: If your door card is very low (like an Ace or a Deuce) and all your opponents are showing high cards (like Jacks or Queens), be aggressive. A single raise can often win the pot right there.
- Fold When You’re Behind: Don’t get emotionally attached to a hand. If you start with A-2-3 but then catch a King and a Queen on the next two streets, while your opponent is showing three low cards, it’s time to fold. Chasing is a losing proposition in Razz.
- Remember Your Board is Your Story: Your up-cards tell a story to your opponents. If you are showing A-4-5, you represent a very strong hand and can bet with confidence to apply pressure. Conversely, if you are showing K-Q-T, opponents will rightfully challenge you.
Game Variations: Razz in Mixed Games
While you can find Razz cash games and tournaments, it is most famous for being a core component of mixed games. Razz is the “R” in H.O.R.S.E. (Hold’em, Omaha Hi/Lo, Razz, Stud, Stud Hi/Lo) and a key part of the popular 8-Game Mix. Learning Razz is essential for any player who wants to become a well-rounded poker expert.
Best Online Platforms to Play Razz Poker
Finding a good online platform is key to practicing and enjoying Razz. Look for sites with good traffic, a range of stakes, and a user-friendly interface. Below are examples of what to look for.
| Online Poker Platform | Razz Availability | Typical Bonus Offer | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online Platform A | Yes (Cash Games & Tournaments) | Matched Deposit Bonus | High traffic and a wide range of stakes |
| Online Platform B | Yes (Mainly Mixed Games) | Free Play or Tournament Tickets | Excellent mobile app interface |
| Online Platform C | Yes (Limited Cash Games) | Instant Bonus on Deposit | Great for beginner-friendly micro-stakes |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Playing too many starting hands: Starting with a pair, a face card, or three cards like 7-8-9 is a recipe for disaster. Be patient.
- Chasing draws: Don’t keep calling bets on later streets after you’ve already made a pair or caught another high card.
- Ignoring your opponents’ boards: You must constantly evaluate how your hand stacks up against the visible cards of your opponents.
- Misreading your hand: At showdown, it’s easy to overlook a hidden pair. Always double-check your seven cards to find your best five-card low.
Bankroll Management for Razz
Proper bankroll management is critical. A standard rule of thumb for limit poker is to have at least 300 big bets for the limit you are playing. For a $2/$4 game, the big bet is $4, so a recommended bankroll would be at least $1,200. If you’re just starting, find the lowest micro-stakes games available online to learn the ropes without significant financial risk.
Playing Razz on Mobile
Most major online poker operators offer excellent mobile apps for both iOS and Android. You can enjoy Razz and other Stud games on the go, with interfaces optimized for smaller screens, making it easy to see all the action and place your bets.
Razz Poker Rules FAQ
What are the rules for Razz in poker?
Razz is a lowball poker game where the goal is to make the lowest possible five-card hand from seven cards dealt to you. Aces are always low, and straights and flushes do not count against your hand. The player with the worst poker hand wins.
Does a flush count in Razz?
No. A flush has no negative impact on your hand in Razz. A hand like A-2-4-5-8, all of hearts, is simply an “Eight-low” and is valued the same as if the suits were mixed.
Do suits matter in Razz?
No, suits do not matter when determining the winning hand at showdown. The only time a suit is used is to break a tie to determine who must post the forced “bring-in” bet on third street.
What is the best low in Razz?
The best possible hand in Razz is A-2-3-4-5, also known as “The Wheel” or “Number One.” It is the perfect low and is unbeatable.
Is Razz a game of skill or luck?
While there is definitely short-term luck involved in the cards you are dealt, Razz is overwhelmingly a game of skill. Long-term success is determined by solid strategy, starting hand selection, card memory, discipline, and the ability to read opponents’ boards.
What happens in a tie?
If two or more players have the exact same five-card low hand at showdown (for example, two players both have 8-6-5-2-A as their best hand), the pot is split evenly between them.
Responsible Gambling: Please remember that poker should be an enjoyable form of entertainment. Always play within your means, set limits for yourself, and never chase losses. If you feel you may have a gambling problem, seek help from professional organizations.
