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Let's dive into the intriguing world of Razz poker, a lowball variant that's been turning heads! If you already know how to play Seven-Card Stud, you're already ahead of the game, my friend. But there are some crucial differences to remember, so let's get to it.
What's the Difference Between Razz and Seven-Card Stud?
While Razz and Seven-Card Stud share similarities, there are a few key differences that set them apart. Most notably, the objective in Razz is to build the lowest possible five-card hand instead of the highest. Sounds counterintuitive, but stick with me.
Additionally, the player who brings in the action and the order of play during the showdown differ between the two games. Since pairs have a high value, the lowest-valued cards (or the best Razz hand) determine who starts the action. Don't worry, I'll explain more about that later.
You should also be aware of some other quirks before we continue:
- Aces are always low in Razz, and straights and flushes don't count.
- There's no 8 or better rule.
- If all other players fold, the last active player wins the pot automatically.
- Razz games are usually played with a fixed, limited betting structure but can be played with a pot-limit or no-limit structure as well.
Hand Rankings
Once all the betting rounds have been completed, and only a handful of players remain, it's time for the showdown. The goal is to have the best five-card low hand out of the seven cards dealt. But remember, straights and flushes are irrelevant here.
The player who last bet or raised has the honor of showing their cards first. If nobody bet, the player in seat one (or the closest) will have to reveal their cards first, followed by the remaining active players clockwise around the table.
The Best Razz Hand
The best hand you can hope for in Razz is a wheel: A-2-3-4-5. This hand cannot be beaten by any other hand without pairs, making it the king of lowball poker. Even if a player has two pairs or higher, they will win if it's the lowest hand at the table.
In Razz, hands are evaluated from the highest card to the lowest. So, for instance, A-2-3-4-8 will lose to 3-4-5-6-7. If two players have identical hands, the pot gets split between them. Suits don't factor into the winning hand.
Gameplay
Now that you've got a glimpse of what it takes to win a hand of Razz, let's take a closer look at a typical game. Similar to Seven-Card Stud, each player is dealt up to seven cards.
After the first three cards are dealt, betting begins, and every player still in the game gets another exposed card. The player with the lowest exposed hand starts the subsequent betting round. Betting continues, and after the fifth card is dealt, the player with the lowest exposed hand can check or bet.
The process continues until all the cards have been dealt and it's time for the showdown. Once the dust settles, the player with the best five-card low hand wins the pot.
Antes, Betting, and Bring-in
Just like Seven-Card Stud, Razz poker uses antes and bring-in bets to get the action rolling. In Razz, the player with the lowest-valued cards or the best Razz hand starts the action rather than the one with the highest-valued show cards. This will be more clear as we dive deeper into the gameplay.
Now that you understand the basics, it's time to talk strategy!
Sources:[1] PokerHandRankings.com - Razz Poker Hand Rankings[2] PokerStrategy.com - How to Play Razz Poker[3] Two Plus Two Forums - Razz Strategy[4] PokerNews - How to Play Razz Poker: Everything New Players Need to Know
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- Razz poker is a lowball variant that originated from Seven-Card Stud, a game you're already familiar with if you know how to play it.
- In Razz, instead of aiming for the highest hand, the objective is to build the lowest possible five-card hand.
- When evaluating hands in Razz, straights and flushes are irrelevant, and hands are evaluated from the highest card to the lowest.
- To win a hand of Razz, a wheel (A-2-3-4-5) is the best hand you can hope for, as it cannot be beaten by any other hand without pairs.
- Taking a closer look at Razz gameplay, each player is dealt up to seven cards, and the player with the lowest exposed hand starts the betting round, unlike Seven-Card Stud.
