Razz

1. A version of 7 Card Stud in which the object is to make the lowest possible poker hand. The "wheel," A,2,3,4,5, is the nuts.

Gameplay

Razz, which is played with eight or less players, is a fixed limit game. Each player is dealt two cards face down and one face up (the door card). The player with the highest door-card (aces are low) has to post the bring-in bet, which is usually one third to half the regular bet. If two players have a door card of the same rank, the bring-in is determined by suit (spades, hearts, diamonds, clubs). Play then continues as per any normal Stud game, with three more cards being dealt face up and the seventh and final card face down. Rounds of betting follow every card.

Basic Strategy

The best starting hand in razz is A-2-3, and the basic rules for starting hands states that you should only look to play 8s or lower, which means any three cards under 8 that are not paired. You should also try and steal antes and bring-in bets, especially in games with novice players. For example, if the player who posts the bring-in has a K showing, and it folds you in late position with a 9 showing, you should probably raise and hope to steal the pot.