How to Play Razz Poker

This guide will show you how to be a profitable razz poker player.  If you've never played the game before, make sure to read our Razz Poker Rules page so you know the basic structure of the game.  Once you're done with that, read this article to get the tips and strategies you'll need to crush the tables.

The first part of this guide will focus on Razz starting hand selection.  When you are first dealt your two face down cards and your one face up card, you should obviously be looking for low, unpaired cards.

Starting Hands

The lower the better, and if you have a 3-2-A in the hole, you better jam that pot, because it's the best hand in razz.  Matter of fact, if you have any combination of three cards that are a 5 or below, make sure to raise the pot.

As you have a higher and higher hand, you need to play more cautiously.  We recommend playing all hands that are below a 7, and you can occasionally play a hand that is three cards 8 or below, but be careful with that one.

Other Players' Cards

Another thing you need to take into consideration is what the other players up cards are.  In Razz you have a ton of information, because you can see over half of the other players' cards.  This is especially useful on the first round of betting.  If you hold an 8 low, and every other up card is a 9 or higher, you know that you MUST be holding the best hand at the moment, so you should really jam the pot.

One final thing to observe about the face up cards is that if the cards you hold are also out there, this is a great thing!  Since you are trying to avoid making pairs, if you hold an Ace and see three Aces out there, you know that you won't be able to pair that card, so it's great for your hand.

Betting Style

When you have a premium hand, or have reason to believe you are ahead in the hand, you need to make sure to really get your money in the pot.  Unlike other poker games, where you might consider slow playing, you want to play fairly straight forward in Razz.  When you have a big hand, like a 3-2-A in the first round, you want to get as much money in the pot as possible, because you're way ahead of the other players.

Always keep in mind that you need to be playing tight in the first round of betting.  Playing hands like A-3-9 is not sensible, and will lose money over the long run.  Even though a hand looks like it could turn out well, you shouldn't be chasing cards for expensive bets throughout the hand. 

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