Razz Poker Game Rules: How do you play razz poker?

The Razz Poker is played between two to eight people, for which a standard deck of 52 cards is used. At the same time, it is one of the most interesting, popular and practiced variants of poker. It is based on the rules of the game of Stud poker. However, there are very different requirements for those, like you, want to win.

As in most poker games, in 7 Card Stud, the biggest hand in the ranking wins the pot. In razz poker, however, the opposite happens because the lowest hand wins the pot. Interesting, right? Don't miss the explanations that we are going to give you so that you enjoy this great game.

Contrary to what happens with Stud Hi Low, where you will need a qualifying hand, that is, nothing above 8, in Razz Poker you will not have restrictions to qualify by hand, given that any hand qualifies. You should only make the lowest possible hand so that, in that way, you can win.

By the way, the lowest possible hand is A-2-3-4-5. Now, as you’re probably wondering “why is this hand low if I have an Ace and a Stair?”, We’ll tell you that in any “Low” poker version the Aces are counted as 1, which is the lowest card, while the Ladder and Color are not considered as combinations. Therefore, they are ignored – read more.

The objective of Razz Poker is very simple, as we explain it

So that you understand better the later explanations that we will offer you, you must take into account the previous slogan. So the objective of Razz Poker is quite simple, since it is about using the seven cards available during the hand, to create the lowest ranking hand, although you must remember that the Aces are low and the Ladder and the Color are not counted.

In what has to do with the important subject of the bets of the Razz, we have that this one is played with fixed limit, almost always. This, although you will be able to find some game without limits or, if you want, with a limit of Pot in some occasion. What does “fixed limit” mean? It means that none of the players can bet more, or less, than the betting levels of the game. So, for example $ 2/$ 4.

On the other hand, but in the same conceptual direction, note that there are five Razz betting rounds: the first two require that all bets and raises be equal to the “Low-end” ($ 2m), while three last betting rounds require that the bets and, also, the raises be equal to the “High-end” of $ 4.

The Razz Poker doesn't need blind bets, which is very interesting 

Another aspect that you must take into account is that the Razz doesn't need blind bets, as it does with Texas Hold’em or, well, with Omaha, modalities that we have already explained in another publication. However, the Razz uses a small “Ante” bet and also a “Bring-in” bet. Let us then describe these and other betting options that you can take into account if you wish.

The “Ante” is a small bet usually made by all players involved before the cards are dealt. You have to keep in mind, yes, usually it is between 10% and 25% of the “Low-end”. For this reason, in a game with betting levels (an example, of course) $2/$4, the "Ante" bet would be $ 0.20 to $ 0.50. Remember that this is an example, nothing more.

In what has to do with the “Bring-In”, we have that once the cards have been dealt, each player will have three cards: two faces down (“hole”) or “Hole cards” (Uncovered) the “Door card”. The player with the lowest card uncovered (face up), must the “Bring-in” bet, which by the way, is equal to half the “Low-end” ($ 1 for the example we have been exposing).

If there is a draw in a razz poker game (which is not strange), the “Bring-in” bet is placed by the player with the lower Poker card. At this point, it is very important that you keep in mind that the range of Clubs (from less to more) is: Clubs, Diamonds, Hearts, and Swords.

With these explanations, whatever you do research on the subject, you will understand that it is a game of the most fun, so you can't wait to play it, either for more fun or, if you prefer, for you to earn money.