It seems that whenever a game is featured in the World Series of Poker, it gains quite a following and so it goes with Razz poker. It is becoming popular though not for just this reason, it also contains some very unusual and interesting play mechanics. Stripped down to its skivvies, Razz is the same as ace-low stud poker as the goal in each game is to obtain the lowest possible hand, a suited ace through five. HORSE includes it as one of its mixed game play components and Razz has been known to present some real challenges to the beginning player. This primer is intended to inform the new player of the nuts and bolts of Razz game play and to introduce them to the strategies to start them on the way to success.
The Workings of Razz
As stated earlier, Razz is akin to low-hand seven card stud and is played with a maximum of eight players with a limit betting structure. The game starts with a deal of three cards, two face up, one face down to each player followed by a betting round led by the player with the highest card. In a tie, the suit is the tie breaker. Another face-up card is dealt and the player with the lowest hand leads the next betting round. The rounds continue until each player is dealt the fifth card and from here on the bets are doubled. After the final card is dealt face down, the play commences with the player who led off the sixth round, if he hasn’t previously folded. If such is the case, the play begins with the second player in the sixth round, and on it goes.
The Best Razz Strategy
An unsuited ace, two, three would be the lowest possible starting hand in Razz and a sensible strategy would be for the players with low, single cards below ten to remain in the game to the next round. A player with any hand of single cards below seven has a strong hand and an all out aggressive strategy is a good option should the other players be showing a weaker one. If the holder of the seven-high hand sees that the lowest face up card on the table is a ten, his odds at the pot are very high and he should proceed to value bet.
You must closely observe the face up cards so you can continuously update your odds of attaining a pair ( bad sign), or single cards, (good sign). . Your table position can give you an edge in betting when you see that your opponent’s visible cards are either low or high. A sound strategy would be to bet for value even in the event that you draw on the fourth street. You can still improve your odds at the pot due to your strong hand at onset, you may even draw to a lower hand. Always play your low hands with contention. If you find yourself with opponents also drawing to lower hands, don’t hold back, get them to up their bets so your pot will be enriched in the end.
With the understanding that Razz demands a thorough knowledge of its tactics and strategies, you will also know when to cut your losses and fold. You are most probably vying against players with a lower starting hand, so don’t hold out hopes of drawing to a low one yourself. Then again, if you are in the catbird position at the table, you can use that to get your opponents to enhance the value of the pot before they fold their marginal hands and give that rich pot to you.
For other poker rules or to sign up for Rakeback visit Rakeback Solution.
Visit Rakeback Solution for the best Rakeback rates and Rakeback Promotions.