Playing Third Street in Razz Poker

When it comes to playing Razz, the most important decision in the entire hand comes on third street, the instant you're dealt your hand.  The main mistake players make in this situation is playing far too many hands.  When it comes to Razz, the phrase "tight is right" is more true then ever.  You're going to get paid off more with your solid hands, and lose more with your marginal hands, so you need to play tight aggressive.

Hands You Should Play

Often times players will call the bring in with hands like J-4-3 because they see potential in the 4-3 part of the hand.  However, every time you come in with something like that, there will be someone playing a solid 8 low who is far ahead of you in the hand.

When you face a player who is raising with hands like K-6-A or other hands only containing two low cards, this is where you're going to make your money.  To take full advantage of these players, make sure to keep tight, and keep playing your 7 lows and better.  Even if you have a hand like 7-9-2, and you think you're slightly ahead of your opponent, you're still far better off waiting for a premium hand to take their money.

Playing Agressively

When you do have the solid hand, and the aggressive player raises it, make sure to re-pop it.  You want to isolate with the loose aggressive player so you can let him bet his money away to you.  However, make sure to reraise it on third street to knock out other player's solid hands so you have the best chance to beat the loose player.

If you're the first player coming in with a 7 low or better, make sure to raise it to knock out drawing hands that may improve against you.  Since you're likely to have the best hand at this point, you need to get other players out of the pot to protect your hand.  Tight aggressive is the name of the game when it comes to Razz.

However, there is an exception to the rule above.  If you're the first player coming in, and see dangerous cards behind you such as 2's, 3's, and 4's, you should throw your 7 low away.  The reason for this is because it is very likely you are already behind, and since many low cards are showing, you have less outs to complete your 7 low hand.

As a basic rule of third street in Razz, raise when you believe you're ahead, and fold when you're not sure if you're ahead or know if you're behind.  Follow that advice and you'll be playing very close to perfect third street play. 

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