How to Play Razz Poker

What is Razz Poker?

Razz poker is the lowball variation of Seven Card Stud. It is played exactly like 7 card stud, but instead of getting the highest ranking hand, the objective is to end up with the lowest combination. If you've never played lowball poker before, it takes a little getting used to!

In Razz, Aces are always counted low, and flushes and straights don't count or affect hand value. The best hand is A-2-3-4-5. Razz is often an event in major poker tournaments, including the World Series of Poker. It is one of the 5 games that make up a H.O.R.S.E. mixed game poker event.

The game we now know as Razz poker was originally called "Razzle Dazzle".

Where to play Razz

One of the few online poker sites where you can play Razz poker is Full Tilt Poker. Full Tilt has Razz games at both the real money and play money tables - learn to play Razz without spending a dime! .

Playing Razz Poker

1. Before the start of each hand, all players must ante. The ante amount is usually 1/5 of the low-limit bet. Unlike blinds, ante amounts don't count towards future bets.
2. Each player is dealt 3 cards - two face down ("hole cards") and one face up (the "upcard").
3. The first betting round begins by the player with the highest ranking upcard posting a "bring in" bet. Ties are broken by suit - spades considered the highest, then hearts, clubs and diamonds. The bring-in is a forced bet, the amount being usually either 1/4 or 1/2 of the low limit bet amount. Optionally, this player can raise by betting the entire low-limit amount.
4. The first round of betting in Razz proceeds clockwise from the bring-in. Each player in turn can fold, call or raise the low-limit bet amount.
5. Fourth Street - Each remaining player receives another upcard. Betting begins with the player showing the lowest board (having the lowest combination of upcards). In the event of a tie, betting starts with the player nearest to the left of the button. Play proceeds clockwise, bets and raises must be the low limit amount.
6. Fifth Street - All players still in the game are dealt a third upcard. Again, betting begins with the lowest board and continues clockwise. Bets and raises from fifth street through the end of the hand are the higher amount.
7. Sixth Street - Each active player receives a fourth upcard. This is followed by a round of betting, bets and raises are at the higher level.
8. Seventh Street or River - Remaining players receive a final card face down, followed by a round of betting just as in the preceeding round.
9. Showdown - The player with the lowest combination using 5 of their 7 cards wins.