Razz festival

By Ben Blaschke
20 May 2009

ONE of the least played – and therefore least well-known forms of poker - is Razz.
For those relatively new to the poker world it will seem like a bizarre interpretation of Stud and may take some time to become accustomed to, namely because the best hand loses.
That’s right, in Razz the goal is to make the lowest hand possible – thus the best Razz hand is A-2-3-4-5 (known as a wheel) followed by A-2-3-4-6.
This concept will be at least a little familiar to those that have played Omaha Hi-Lo or 7-Card Stud Hi-Lo, all of which feature in H.O.R.S.E.
However, while Razz is very much a specialist form of poker, even its top exponents will tell you it can be one of the most infuriating games you can ever play.
It is also one of the most poorly played by inexperienced players looking to expand their repertoire – so let’s look at some basics.
In Razz each player starts with three cards – two face down and one exposed for the whole table to see.
Betting starts here, the player with the highest exposed card (such as a King because Ace is low) posting the bring-in which is similar to the blinds in Hold ‘Em.
From here a round of betting ensues with the option to either call or complete (raise).
Those still in the hand are then dealt a fourth card (known as fourth street) face up and another round of betting ensues.
This is repeated on fifth, sixth and seventh streets so that by the end the player with have two cards face down, four up and then their seventh also down.
The key to avoiding trouble in Razz is to be selective with your starting hands and observant of your opponents’ up-cards.
The best starting hand is obviously A-2-3 but any three wheel cards (ie. Three non-paired cards between Ace and 5) is an excellent hand and you should complete if first-in or three-bet most of the time if not.
A starting hand with 6-high is also strong and seven-high is usually worth playing but be wary of what your opponents hold once you start looking down at hands like A-5-8 or worse.
Forget hands that feature paint unless the up-cards suggest you can steal the antes.
Fourth street is by far the moist important street in Razz because it will determine whether you continue on in the hand.
That’s where Razz can be so frustrating – even a great starting hand such as A-2-3 can turn into a nightmare when the board comes A-2-3-K-K-J-10. All of a sudden your wheel has become truly.
If you start with A-2-3 and fourth street is a 4-5 or 6 then you are heading all the way to seventh street.
If, however, it comes a King, then you still need two low cards to make a solid hand and the decision upon whether to continue depends entirely on your opponents’ hand.
If he is now showing two low cards it’s time to let the hand go, but if he is showing a pair or a picture card then you may consider seeing fifth street.
Again, though, if fifth street bricks it’s time to let your beautiful three-card wheel starting hand go into the muck.
It is a common weakness of beginning players to become tied to their great starting hands but remember that Razz is as much about saving money when fourth and fifth streets are cruel as it is about betting out when you have a made low hand.
Give it a shot, though, because variety, as they say, is the spice of life.