How to play Razz Poker?
Razz poker is a unique poker variation that has become extremely popular all over the world at a much faster pace than most other variations of poker. It is a low-ball game where players are offered with a total of 7 cards. The best 5 card hand wins the game. One of the main differences in razz poker is that flushes and straights don’t count. As a result, the best possible hand is A, 2, 3, 4, 5.
The Gameplay
There are a number of stages in which Razz poker is played.
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Ante – Before beginning the game, players must play a nominal amount (depending on the bet limits). Basically, this amount can be considered as the cost of playing the game.
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Third Street – Once all players play the Ante, each player is dealt with three cards, two face down and one facing up. The player with the highest card (the one that is facing up) must start the betting round. They must play an amount that is equal to the initial buy-in or increase the bet. The betting continues clockwise until it is complete.
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Fourth Street – Once the first round of betting is complete, players receive another card facing up. The player with the lowest exposed hand begins the second round of betting.
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Fifth Street – Once the second round of betting is complete, players receive another card facing up. The player with the lowest exposed hand begins the third round of betting.
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Sixth Street – Once the third round of betting is complete, players receive another card facing up. The player with the lowest exposed hand begins the fourth round of betting.
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Seventh Street (also known as the River) – Once the fourth round of betting is complete, players receive another card facing down. The player with the lowest exposed hand begins the fourth and last round of betting.
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The Showdown – If more than one player remains at the end, the game goes into a showdown. Showdowns must be exposed clockwise. The player with the best five card ace to five card low wins the entire hand.
Razz Hand Values
Razz hand values aren’t difficult to figure out. Any hand that has a 6 high beats a hand with a 7 high. Similarly, a hand with a 7 high beats a hand with a 10 high. The best way to look at your hands is by placing them from high to low. Therefore, if you hold a 8, 7, 5, 2, A (ace is a low card in Razz poker) combination you can beat the player holding 8, 7, 6, 3, A. Your main goal is to make the lowest possible hand using the seven cards allotted to you. Remember, something like a pair is extremely bad. Even cards like K, Q, J, T, 9 would win against a simple 5, 4, 2, A, A.
Razz Poker Strategies
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The most important thing to consider is your hand selection. Pay heed to your cards and check out the exposed cards of your opponents to determine the strength of your hand.
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It is also important to utilize your door card. If you have the lowest door card that is facing up, you should look at raising the bet, even if your hole cards weaken your position.