What Is Razz?
Razz is the low-hand version of Seven Card Stud. Each player is dealt a total of seven cards: three face-down and four face-up. You make the best (lowest) five-card hand from those seven.
The key difference from typical poker is the goal: in Razz, high cards are bad and pairs are bad, because they make your hand “higher.” You want five unpaired low ranks.
Razz Hand Rankings (Low Hands)
In Razz, the winner is the player with the lowest five-card hand. The most common system is A-to-5 low:
- Aces are always low (Ace counts as 1).
- Straights and flushes do not count against you (they’re ignored for hand ranking).
- Pairs are bad because they reduce the number of unique low cards you can use.
| Hand | How It’s Read | Strength | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| A-2-3-4-5 | “Five-low” / “Wheel” | Best possible | Straight is ignored, so this is ideal. |
| A-2-3-4-6 | “Six-low” | Very strong | Lowest high card (6) is great. |
| 2-3-4-7-9 | “Nine-low” | Decent | Higher top card (9) is weaker. |
| A-2-3-8-8 | Pair of 8s | Bad | Pairs hurt; you’d prefer five unique low ranks. |
| K-2-3-4-5 | “King-high” low | Very bad | High cards kill your chances. |
Setup: Antes, Bring-In & Limits
Razz is most commonly played as a fixed-limit game with antes and a bring-in, just like Stud.
Antes
Every player posts an ante before the hand begins. This builds the pot and ensures action.
Bring-In (Who Posts It?)
After the first cards are dealt, the player with the highest showing up-card typically posts the bring-in (a forced bet to start the action). In Razz, this is the “worst” visible card, so it helps balance the game.
Dealing & Betting Rounds (3rd–7th Street)
Razz follows the Seven Card Stud structure. The “streets” refer to the stages of the hand.
| Street | Cards Dealt | Face Up? | Betting Trigger |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3rd Street | 2 down + 1 up | 1 up | Bring-in posted, then betting round |
| 4th Street | +1 card | Up | Betting starts with the best (lowest) showing hand |
| 5th Street | +1 card | Up | Bets usually increase (limit structure) |
| 6th Street | +1 card | Up | Betting starts with best (lowest) showing hand |
| 7th Street (River) | +1 card | Down | Final betting round → showdown |
Who Acts First After 3rd Street?
After 3rd street, betting generally starts with the player showing the best (lowest) up-cards—the strongest visible “low.” This is the opposite feel of many poker games: in Razz, the player with low up-cards is often driving the action.
Showdown & Splitting Pots
If more than one player remains after 7th street betting, players reveal their hole cards. Each player makes the lowest five-card hand from their seven cards.
In standard Razz, there is only one pot and it is awarded to the best low hand. (Some mixed games include variants like Stud Hi-Lo, which split the pot, but pure Razz is low-only.)
Reading Up-Cards (Dead Cards)
One of the biggest edges in Razz is paying attention to what’s already visible on the table. Because many cards are face up, you can often tell whether your draw is strong or “dead.”
What are “dead cards”?
Dead cards are cards you want to catch that you can already see in other players’ up-cards (or mucked cards if you saw them). If your best outs are dead, your hand is much weaker than it looks.
Why it matters
Razz is about improving to a smooth low without pairing. If the low cards you need are already out, your chances to improve drop fast.
You start with (A-4-7) and want to catch low cards like 2, 3, 5, or 6. If you can already see multiple 2s and 3s on other boards, your improvement path is narrower—folding becomes more attractive.
Beginner Strategy: Starting Hands & Discipline
Razz rewards tight, patient selection—especially early in the hand. Your best advantage is starting with cards that have a clear path to a strong low.
Good Starting Hands (3rd Street)
- A-2-3, A-2-4, A-3-4 (premium starts)
- Three low cards (ideally 7 or lower) with no pair
- Hands with an ace and two other low cards (especially if your up-card is low)
Hands to Avoid
- Paired door cards (pair showing up early is a warning sign)
- High cards (9, T, J, Q, K) on 3rd street
- Rough, disconnected starts with a lot of “pairing risk”
4th–6th Street: Keep Improving or Get Out
Many Razz hands are decided by whether you keep catching low cards while opponents start pairing or catching high cards. If your board “gets worse” and an opponent’s board “gets better,” folding is often the correct play.
Common Razz Mistakes
- Chasing with high cards: Starting too rough and hoping to “get there.”
- Ignoring dead cards: Calling without realizing your outs are mostly visible.
- Overplaying paired boards: Pairing is a huge problem in Razz.
- Not understanding low rankings: Forgetting that straights/flushes don’t hurt you.
- Calling down too often: Limit structure encourages calls, but disciplined folds still matter.
Home Game Tips & Variations
If you’re adding Razz to a home game, a few simple choices will keep it smooth:
| Setting | Recommended Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Betting | Fixed-limit | Easiest for learning; keeps pots manageable. |
| Bring-in | Use it | Creates action and follows standard rules. |
| Players | 2–8 | Avoid running short on cards and slow hands. |
| Teaching | Call hands out loud | Helps players learn “eight-low vs seven-low” quickly. |
How to Play Razz FAQ
What is the best possible hand in Razz?
The best hand is A-2-3-4-5, often called the “wheel” or “five-low.” Straights don’t count against you in Razz, so this is perfect.
Do straights and flushes count in Razz?
No. In Razz, straights and flushes are ignored for hand ranking. Only the five card ranks matter, and lower is better.
Are aces high or low in Razz?
Aces are always low in Razz.
What is a bring-in and who posts it?
The bring-in is a forced bet on 3rd street that starts the action. In most Razz rules, the player with the highest up-card posts it.
How many cards does each player get in Razz?
Each player gets seven cards total: three face-down and four face-up. You make the best (lowest) five-card hand from those seven.
Is Razz a split-pot game?
Pure Razz is a low-only game (not split pot). Split-pot versions are typically Stud Hi-Lo, not Razz.
