Razz
Read also
Razz is Seven card stud where the best low combination wins. Must have 2 players at the least. As in standard Seven card stud, every player gets a total of seven cards, three concealed, and 4 upcards.
At the end of the game, the player will have 7 cards and he will have to play 5 from them to make a hand. Aces are low, and flushes and straights have no effect on hand rank. The lowest achievable hand is A-2-3-4-5.
There are a few clear rules of combination development that are observed in Razz.
- Remember that Aces are the smallest card;
- Straights and Flushes don’t count against you;
- Maximum of eight players can play;
- Best achievable combination: A-2-3-4-5;
- The eight or better rule do not apply.
These Razz card combinations are ranked from least powerful (1st = will rarely win - have to fold this), to strongest (12th = the stone cold nuts):
- 7
7
7
5
5
- J
J
6
5
4
- 5
5
9
8
5
- 4
4
T
9
7
- T
9
8
7
6
- J
T
9
8
5
- T
9
7
7
5
- 8
6
5
4
3
- 8
6
3
2
A
- 7
6
5
3
2
- 6
5
4
2
A
- 5
4
3
2
A
3rd Street. This is an ante game, with all participants paying some amount to play each game. There is no dealer button used. Each participant receives two down cards (that only they can see) and one face up card, socalled door card. The player with the highest card must “bring it in”, or begin the betting with either a small or a big bet. Other players in turn then can either call the bet or raise it.
2nd round – 4th street. Once the initial betting round is finished another exposed card is dealt to each player. The round is started by the person with the weakest combination. The max bet is equal to the lower limit. This player has the choice to bet or check. Play proceeds in a clockwise manner until all gamblers have called or folded.
3rd round of betting - 5th Street. Each player receives another face up card. The same betting procedure as Round 2 applies, but that the completion and bring-in bet has risen now. Three raises are allowed in the betting round, restricted to the amount of the completion bet.
4th betting round - (6th Street). A 6th face up card is dealt up to each player, followed by the 4th betting round.
5th round of betting - 7th Street. The last 7th down card is dealt. It will still follow the same betting arrangement with the 5th and 6th street. The 7th street becomes very important since it will be the last card before the showdown.
Just in case eight opponents are still active after the Sixth street, players will have to distribute the community cards placed in the center of the poker table.
The Showdown. Players show their cards at this level. The person with the lowest combination wins the pot. Straights and Flushes don’t count against the players low cards. For example, A-2-3-4-5 suited has the equal strength as A-2-3-4-5 offsuited. And, A-2-3-4-5 is the best possible hand to have in Razz Poker.


