Clubs Poker BasicHow to Play Razz Poker
Razz turns traditional poker upside down: the lowest five-card hand wins. Learn the rules, read low hands correctly and make confident decisions across every street.
What is Razz?
Razz is a seven-card stud lowball game. Each player can receive up to seven cards over five betting streets, but only the best five-card low is used at showdown.
There are no community cards. Some of your cards are hidden and others are displayed face up, so paying attention to every exposed card is a central part of the game.
Unlike Omaha Hi-Lo or Stud Hi-Lo, there is no high half of the pot and no eight-or-better qualifier. The lowest five-card hand wins the entire pot.
Build the lowest unpaired five-card hand.
Aces are low. Straights and flushes do not count against you, but pairs, two pair and trips do. Start by comparing the highest card in each low hand; the lower high card wins.
The lower the top card, the stronger the hand.
7–6–4–2–A beats 8–5–3–2–A because seven is lower than eight.
7–5–4–2–A beats 7–6–3–2–A because five is lower than six.
Identical five-card lows split the pot. No suit is stronger than another at showdown.
Five betting streets, with information added one card at a time.
Players normally post an ante before the deal. Razz is usually played with fixed-limit betting: a small bet on the early streets and a larger bet from fifth street onward.
Two down, one up
Each player receives two hidden cards and one exposed door card. The highest exposed card posts the bring-in, then action continues around the table.
One card face up
The player showing the lowest exposed board acts first. Boards now reveal who appears to be improving and who has caught badly.
The bet size doubles
Another exposed card arrives. Decisions become more expensive, making board strength and the number of live low cards especially important.
Final exposed card
Every player still in the hand receives a fourth face-up card. This is the last public clue before the river.
River dealt face down
The last card is private. After the final betting round, remaining players reveal their cards and compare their best five-card lows.
Exact antes, bring-ins, betting limits and tie-breaking procedures for the forced bring-in can vary by table. The game client handles these automatically.
Choose the best five cards out of seven.
Player 1’s king and nine are ignored, leaving a smooth 7–4–3–2–A. Player 2 can make only 8–5–4–2–A, so the seven-low wins.
Begin with three low, unpaired and live cards.
Your exact decision also depends on position, the exposed door cards and whether the cards you need are still live. This simple guide is a strong starting point.
Three wheel cards
A–2–3, A–2–4 and A–3–4 are ideal starts. They are smooth, flexible and can develop into the very best lows.
Three cards seven or lower
Unpaired three-card sevens are normally strong, especially when your key ranks are not showing on opponents’ boards.
Smooth three-card eights
A–3–8 can be playable when the cards are live and opposing boards are weak. Be more selective against strong low door cards.
Pairs and high cards
Starting paired or with multiple high cards leaves too much work to do. Save bets unless a very specific steal opportunity exists.
A card is live when few or none of that rank are visible on other players’ boards. If you hold A–2–6 but three exposed threes are already gone, your chance of catching a three is much lower. Remembering folded door cards gives you a real edge.
Six habits that make Razz easier.
Good Razz is not only about your hidden cards. The best beginners combine sensible starting-hand selection with careful observation of the table.
Start smooth
Prefer three different low cards that work together. A–2–6 has more routes to a strong final low than 6–7–8.
Track exposed cards
Notice which ranks are already visible or folded. Your draw improves when the cards you need remain live in the deck.
Compare boards, not just hands
A clean A–4 board can apply pressure to a player showing 6–K, even though neither player’s hidden cards are known.
Respect fifth street
The betting limit usually doubles on fifth. Reassess before paying larger bets with a rough draw or a board that has fallen behind.
Steal when the door cards agree
If you show a low card and the players behind show high cards, completing the bring-in can win immediately. Stay aware of opponents who may defend.
Fold when the story changes
A promising start can become a clear fold after you catch high cards while an opponent catches low. Do not keep paying because your third-street hand looked good.
Avoid these costly Razz errors.
Reading the ace as high
In Razz, the ace is always low. A–2–3–4–5 is the best possible hand, not an ace-high straight.
Worrying about a straight or flush
Straights and flushes are ignored. Five low cards of one suit are evaluated exactly like five low cards of mixed suits.
Ignoring duplicated ranks
A pair reduces the number of distinct low cards available. Always find your best five-card combination before naming your hand.
Playing every three-card eight
Not all eights are equal. A–2–8 is much smoother than 6–7–8, and live cards can change the decision further.
Forgetting folded door cards
Cards that leave the table still matter. Tracking them helps you judge whether the ranks that improve your hand remain available.
Chasing on the big-bet streets
Fifth, sixth and seventh street are expensive. Continue because the price and matchup make sense, not simply because one card could save you.
Quick answers before you play.
The essentials of Razz rules, hand rankings and table action in one place.
What is the best hand in Razz?
Do straights and flushes count in Razz?
How many cards do you use in Razz?
Who acts first in Razz?
Is Razz the same as Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo?
Can two players tie in Razz?
Ready to put your lowball skills to work?
Look for Razz in the Clubs Poker tournament lobby and mixed-game rotations, then use this guide as your quick reference at the table.