RAZZ is a variation of seven-card stud in which the low hand wins. Standard play and situational rules are nearly identical to seven-card stud poker, with a handful of exceptions. In this poker game, the "loser" always wins, bringing a fun element to game play. To have more fun, poker analyzer (CPU, scanning camera) and barcode marked cards; Infrared contact lenses or sunglasses and marked cards; IR camera and IR marked cards may be helpful.
Important Things to Remember in Razz Poker Rules.
Aces are low.
There is no "8 or better rule."
Straights and flushes do not count as playable hands in Razz.
If all other players at the table fold, leaving only one active player, he automatically wins the pot at the end of the hand.
Betting Structure
Razz games are typically played in a fixed limited betting structure, though playing with a pot limit or no-limit betting structure is possible.
For the sake of this example, we are using a fixed betting structure with $2/$4 stakes.
Players ante up. The dealer deals the three cards to each player to determine the Door card, and the highest player places the Bring-In. This starts the betting round. For this round, all bets must match the $2 stake.
Fourth is when the fourth card is dealt face-up to all players. Betting begins from now on with the player who gets the lowest card. For this round, all bets must match the $2 stake.
Fifth street is when the fifth card is dealt face-up to the players. Betting takes place again, this time matching the $4 stake.
Sixth street deals the sixth card face-up to all players. Betting takes place again, also matching the $4 stake.
Seventh street deals the final card face-down, and betting takes place one last time, matching the $4 stake.
If by chance two players remain in the game, a showdown takes place where all players reveal their hands. The one with the lowest five card hand wins.
Running out of Cards
When playing with a full table of eight people, it is possible to run out of cards before all players receive seven cards. If this happens, which is rare, seventh street is dealt as a single card face up. The card then becomes a Community Card for all players to use as their seventh street.
Razz Poker Tips
In Razz poker, the object is to get the worst possible hand, but just like in other poker games, the player that pays the most attention to detail has the best chance of winning. Building a winning strategy is a matter of reading the table, knowing how to play and when to fold, and playing smart. Use these Razz poker tips to improve your game.
The Information at Hand
The first piece of information you need is right on the table. Each player is dealt three cards, two face-down and one face-up. Paying attention to how your cards stack up against your opponents' cards is the first step in sizing up the game.
Watch the Dead Cards
Dead cards that have been discarded are important when considering the odds. You're trying to build the lowest possible Razz hand, so if you're holding a 3 - and two 3's have been discarded - your chances of getting a three on the draw are pretty slim. Conversely, if you have an ace and a 2, a 3 is the best card you could draw, but you are much less likely to draw one. Make smart betting decisions based on the odds.
Don't be Afraid to Fold
Folding is often a good strategy. Players who don't know how and when to fold are bound to lose far more frequently than they win. If your opponents have higher up cards than you're holding, stay in. The best possible Razz starting hand is Ace, 2, 3, unsuited. If you have high cards, pairs or suited cards - in other words, good hands in normal poker games - fold.
Learn How to Read
How your opponents play should influence your own style. At nearly every table, some players will doggedly stay in every hand, some will timidly fold every hand, and some will play aggressively all the time to intimidate the other players and steal the pot. Each of these playing styles is weak and shows inexperience. If your opponents are loose players, staying in the game, or playing aggressively - and you have a good hand - stay in the game and take their chips. Nobody has a good hand every time. If you have a good hand, raise. Call the bluff. Chances are pretty good you'll win.
If the table is tight and conservative, scare opposing players off by raising big and steal the pot when the other players fold. Just be sure to vary your approach to ensure you don't become predictable.
Play Your Level
The bottom line is that sometimes you lose and sometimes you win, no matter how good or bad you are. Be gracious, win or lose, and people will always welcome you at the table.
It's tempting to look for a game where big money is at stake, but it's not wise to get in over your head before you have the skills to pull it off. Keep to low stakes games until you know you're ready to move up, even if you've played for higher stakes in other poker games. Razz poker takes many of the same skills necessary for more traditional games like Texas Hold'em, but it will take extra concentration to reverse conditioned thinking and build really bad hands to win!
Strategy
The most difficult thing about Razz Poker strategy might be remembering to build a terrible hand, the worse, the better. Unlike traditional poker scoring, the best Razz hand you can build is an unsuited Ace-2-3-4-5. Each player is dealt seven cards during the round, and the scoring hand is the worst - which in this game is the best - five cards. A good starting strategy is to develop some rules for tight play and some decisions about when to break out with some more aggressive moves to throw off your opponents.
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Attention: WINNING is NOT guaranteed and furthermore, using the company's products to win money by cheating while in Casinos or Private Games is FORBIDDEN. Please be aware of the fact that in some countries cheating at gambling games is considered a crime and therefore punished by law.
