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Holdem Freak
04-18-2008, 09:16 AM
Razz Rules

Razz is 7 card stud where the best low hand wins, played with two to eight players.
As in regular 7 card stud, every player is dealt a total of seven cards, three of them face down, and the other four face up.
Razz Rules - Objective


To make your best five card low hand, using any combination of the seven cards you are dealt. Aces are always low, and straights and flushes have no effect on the low value of a hand. The lowest possible hand is A2345.
Razz Rules - Forced Bets

Ante 7 card stud is normally played with an ante that is approximately 1/5 of the low limit bet size. Every player must ante up before the hand begins. The ante does not count towards any future bets.

Bring in After the initial deal when every player has 1 card showing, the person with the highest card must “bring in”, which means he must place the low limit bet size in the pot. If two or more players share the highest card, the one closest to the dealer’s left side must bring in. This bet counts as your first round bet, so as long as nobody raises, you won’t have to place any more money in the pot to see the next card.
Razz Rules - Betting Rounds

There are five rounds of betting. In fixed limit Razz, all bets and raises must be equal to either the low limit, or high limit bet size, depending on what round it is. In the first two rounds, all bets and raises must be equal to the low limit bet size. In the third, fourth, and fifth rounds, all bets must be equal to the high limit bet size. If, for example, you’re playing 3-6 razz, all bets in the first two rounds will be in increments of 3 dollars, and all bets in the last three rounds will be in increments of 6 dollars. A maximum of 3 raises are allowed per betting round.

1. 3rd street - Two cards are dealt face down to every player, followed by another card face up. The player with the highest card must bring in, by betting 1/2 of the low limit bet. He may choose to raise by betting the full low limit bet. Play proceeds clockwise around the table, with each player choosing to fold, call, or raise. All bets and raises must be equal to the low limit bet size.

2. 4th street - A fourth card is dealt face up to every player. The player with the lowest hand showing (at this point, the lowest possible would be ace-two) is the first to act. He may choose to fold, check, or bet. If two or more players are tied for the lowest hand, the one closest to the dealer’s left will be the first to act. Play proceeds clockwise around the table as before. Unlike regular 7 card stud, an open pair does not affect the betting limit. All bets and raises must be equal to the low limit bet size.

3. 5th street - A fifth card is dealt face up to every player. Play proceeds as in the previous round, with the lowest hand betting first, except now all bets and raises must be equal to the high limit bet size.

4. 6th street - A sixth card is dealt face up to every player. Play proceeds as in the previous round. All bets and raises must be equal to the high limit bet size.

5. 7th street - A seventh and final card is dealt face down to every player. Play proceeds as in the previous round. All bets and raises must be equal to the high limit bet size. In the rare event that all eight players remain in the hand at this point, there would not be enough cards for each player to receive another one. If that occurs, instead of every player receiving a card face down, a single card is placed in the middle of the table face up which every player is free to use.

Showdown - Anyone who has not folded after the last round of betting will now have the option of showing their hand in hopes of taking down the pot. The person who bet last is the first to show their hand, and then it proceeds clockwise from there, with each remaining player either choosing to show their hand, or muck it. Often times a player will muck their hand if they aren’t going to win the pot, and don’t want their opponents to see what they played.

StarlightCoast
09-28-2008, 05:06 AM
A few terms that you need to be aware of concerning Razz. Frustrating, infuriating, annoying, maddening, exasperating, and utterly and completely galling. Still love a Razz tourney when I have the opportunity.

Holdem Freak
09-28-2008, 02:57 PM
Oh I definitely agree with you there :D It is still fun

wisak7
11-11-2008, 11:48 PM
The one neat thing about razz is because you don't have to worry about flushes, straights, full houses etc ... there are many times when you know by looking at your opponents up cards whether or not you are ahead or behind in the hand. For the most part razz is a profitable game for me. More so in a ring game format. When I play H.O.R.S.E. tournaments I usually pick up a nice stack of chips too. Razz is definitely not an action game, so if you need the rush of moving all in or being able to move all in its probably best to move on to a different game.

Holdem Freak
11-12-2008, 06:07 AM
Very good point wisak. Would you say that RAZZ is a strategy or skill game?

wisak7
11-13-2008, 01:21 AM
Razz is a game of both skill and strategy but most of all logic. I hope this post isn't too long, but I have a couple of hand histories to help explain what I mean. Take for instance this hand: Even though the Ace I was dealt on 5th street paired an Ace I had in the hole, my top 3 cards of 4,2,A were a powerful combination. Couple that with the 3 top cards of my opponent , 8, A, 10 , and my consistent betting made for a situation that my opponent didn't want to get involved in. My opponents calling my previous bets rather than raising also tipped me off that he had a weak hand even though at this point in the hand he could have easily been ahead since I had a pair of aces in my hand.
Transcript for game #21988201635 requested by wisak7 (wisak7@yahoo.com)
*********** # 1 **************
PokerStars Game #21988201635: Razz Limit ($0.25/$0.50) - 2008/11/12 19:34:14 ET
Table 'Tergeste III' 8-max
Seat 2: rufferdude3 ($9.40 in chips)
Seat 3: danni7601 ($5.05 in chips)
Seat 4: RonCoot ($9.95 in chips)
Seat 5: tarashk ($10.10 in chips)
Seat 6: ColdNuts ($9.30 in chips)
Seat 7: korjae ($6.35 in chips)
Seat 8: wisak7 ($10 in chips)
rufferdude3: posts the ante $0.05
danni7601: posts the ante $0.05
RonCoot: posts the ante $0.05
tarashk: posts the ante $0.05
ColdNuts: posts the ante $0.05
korjae: posts the ante $0.05
wisak7: posts the ante $0.05
*** 3rd STREET ***
Dealt to rufferdude3 [Jd]
Dealt to danni7601 [6s]
Dealt to RonCoot [3c]
Dealt to tarashk [8h]
Dealt to ColdNuts [2d]
Dealt to korjae [9h]
Dealt to wisak7 [Ah 9s 2s]
rufferdude3: brings in for $0.10
danni7601: folds
RonCoot: folds
tarashk: raises $0.15 to $0.25
ColdNuts: calls $0.25
korjae: folds
wisak7: calls $0.25
rufferdude3: calls $0.15
*** 4th STREET ***
Dealt to rufferdude3 [Jd] [8d]
Dealt to tarashk [8h] [Ac]
Dealt to ColdNuts [2d] [Td]
Dealt to wisak7 [Ah 9s 2s] [4d]
wisak7: bets $0.25
rufferdude3: folds
tarashk: calls $0.25
ColdNuts: folds
*** 5th STREET ***
Dealt to tarashk [8h Ac] [Th]
Dealt to wisak7 [Ah 9s 2s 4d] [Ad]
wisak7: bets $0.50
tarashk: folds
Uncalled bet ($0.50) returned to wisak7
wisak7 collected $1.80 from pot
wisak7: doesn't show hand
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $1.85 | Rake $0.05
Seat 2: rufferdude3 folded on the 4th Street
Seat 3: danni7601 folded on the 3rd Street (didn't bet)
Seat 4: RonCoot folded on the 3rd Street (didn't bet)
Seat 5: tarashk folded on the 5th Street
Seat 6: ColdNuts folded on the 4th Street
Seat 7: korjae folded on the 3rd Street (didn't bet)
Seat 8: wisak7 collected ($1.80)

Now consider this hand as an example of knowing when you have the best hand. After 5th street my top 3 cards were A,3,10. My opponents up cards were 4,7,4 and 5,2,Q. Now in this case there is no possible way that either of these two opponents, at this point in the hand, have a better hand than me. When you are playing Razz, or any other limit game for that matter, when you think you are ahead, or in this case KNOW you are ahead, do not let your opponents see a free card. The only exception would be if you were holding the absolute stone cold nuts. (which in razz is A,2,3,4,5) Even though through 5 cards in this hand my hand was 10,8,6,3,A (not all that great of a razz hand) it was the best at the time and after my bet my opponents didn't feel like chasing and ultimately folded.
Transcript for your last 1 games requested by wisak7 (wisak7@yahoo.com)
*********** # 1 **************
PokerStars Game #21988481797: Razz Limit ($0.25/$0.50) - 2008/11/12 19:45:03 ET
Table 'Tergeste III' 8-max
Seat 1: olfishnfool ($10.85 in chips)
Seat 4: RonCoot ($7.60 in chips)
Seat 5: tarashk ($20.45 in chips)
Seat 6: ColdNuts ($8.45 in chips)
Seat 7: korjae ($1.55 in chips)
Seat 8: wisak7 ($9.05 in chips)
olfishnfool: posts the ante $0.05
RonCoot: posts the ante $0.05
tarashk: posts the ante $0.05
ColdNuts: posts the ante $0.05
korjae: posts the ante $0.05
wisak7: posts the ante $0.05
*** 3rd STREET ***
Dealt to olfishnfool [4s]
Dealt to RonCoot [2s]
Dealt to tarashk [5c]
Dealt to ColdNuts [3c]
Dealt to korjae [Ac]
Dealt to wisak7 [8d 6h Ah]
tarashk: brings in for $0.10
ColdNuts: folds
korjae: folds
wisak7: calls $0.10
olfishnfool: calls $0.10
RonCoot: folds
*** 4th STREET ***
Dealt to olfishnfool [4s] [7s]
Dealt to tarashk [5c] [2d]
Dealt to wisak7 [8d 6h Ah] [3s]
wisak7: checks
olfishnfool: checks
tarashk: checks
*** 5th STREET ***
Dealt to olfishnfool [4s 7s] [4c]
Dealt to tarashk [5c 2d] [Qh]
Dealt to wisak7 [8d 6h Ah 3s] [Td]
wisak7: bets $0.50
olfishnfool: folds
tarashk: folds
Uncalled bet ($0.50) returned to wisak7
wisak7 collected $0.60 from pot
wisak7: doesn't show hand
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $0.60 | Rake $0
Seat 1: olfishnfool folded on the 5th Street
Seat 4: RonCoot folded on the 3rd Street (didn't bet)
Seat 5: tarashk folded on the 5th Street
Seat 6: ColdNuts folded on the 3rd Street (didn't bet)
Seat 7: korjae folded on the 3rd Street (didn't bet)
Seat 8: wisak7 collected ($0.60)

Holdem Freak
11-13-2008, 08:04 AM
Razz is a game of both skill and strategy but most of all logic. I hope this post isn't too long, but I have a couple of hand histories to help explain what I mean. Take for instance this hand: Even though the Ace I was dealt on 5th street paired an Ace I had in the hole, my top 3 cards of 4,2,A were a powerful combination. Couple that with the 3 top cards of my opponent , 8, A, 10 , and my consistent betting made for a situation that my opponent didn't want to get involved in. My opponents calling my previous bets rather than raising also tipped me off that he had a weak hand even though at this point in the hand he could have easily been ahead since I had a pair of aces in my hand.
Transcript for game #21988201635 requested by wisak7 (wisak7@yahoo.com)
*********** # 1 **************
PokerStars Game #21988201635: Razz Limit ($0.25/$0.50) - 2008/11/12 19:34:14 ET
Table 'Tergeste III' 8-max
Seat 2: rufferdude3 ($9.40 in chips)
Seat 3: danni7601 ($5.05 in chips)
Seat 4: RonCoot ($9.95 in chips)
Seat 5: tarashk ($10.10 in chips)
Seat 6: ColdNuts ($9.30 in chips)
Seat 7: korjae ($6.35 in chips)
Seat 8: wisak7 ($10 in chips)
rufferdude3: posts the ante $0.05
danni7601: posts the ante $0.05
RonCoot: posts the ante $0.05
tarashk: posts the ante $0.05
ColdNuts: posts the ante $0.05
korjae: posts the ante $0.05
wisak7: posts the ante $0.05
*** 3rd STREET ***
Dealt to rufferdude3 [Jd]
Dealt to danni7601 [6s]
Dealt to RonCoot [3c]
Dealt to tarashk [8h]
Dealt to ColdNuts [2d]
Dealt to korjae [9h]
Dealt to wisak7 [Ah 9s 2s]
rufferdude3: brings in for $0.10
danni7601: folds
RonCoot: folds
tarashk: raises $0.15 to $0.25
ColdNuts: calls $0.25
korjae: folds
wisak7: calls $0.25
rufferdude3: calls $0.15
*** 4th STREET ***
Dealt to rufferdude3 [Jd] [8d]
Dealt to tarashk [8h] [Ac]
Dealt to ColdNuts [2d] [Td]
Dealt to wisak7 [Ah 9s 2s] [4d]
wisak7: bets $0.25
rufferdude3: folds
tarashk: calls $0.25
ColdNuts: folds
*** 5th STREET ***
Dealt to tarashk [8h Ac] [Th]
Dealt to wisak7 [Ah 9s 2s 4d] [Ad]
wisak7: bets $0.50
tarashk: folds
Uncalled bet ($0.50) returned to wisak7
wisak7 collected $1.80 from pot
wisak7: doesn't show hand
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $1.85 | Rake $0.05
Seat 2: rufferdude3 folded on the 4th Street
Seat 3: danni7601 folded on the 3rd Street (didn't bet)
Seat 4: RonCoot folded on the 3rd Street (didn't bet)
Seat 5: tarashk folded on the 5th Street
Seat 6: ColdNuts folded on the 4th Street
Seat 7: korjae folded on the 3rd Street (didn't bet)
Seat 8: wisak7 collected ($1.80)

Now consider this hand as an example of knowing when you have the best hand. After 5th street my top 3 cards were A,3,10. My opponents up cards were 4,7,4 and 5,2,Q. Now in this case there is no possible way that either of these two opponents, at this point in the hand, have a better hand than me. When you are playing Razz, or any other limit game for that matter, when you think you are ahead, or in this case KNOW you are ahead, do not let your opponents see a free card. The only exception would be if you were holding the absolute stone cold nuts. (which in razz is A,2,3,4,5) Even though through 5 cards in this hand my hand was 10,8,6,3,A (not all that great of a razz hand) it was the best at the time and after my bet my opponents didn't feel like chasing and ultimately folded.
Transcript for your last 1 games requested by wisak7 (wisak7@yahoo.com)
*********** # 1 **************
PokerStars Game #21988481797: Razz Limit ($0.25/$0.50) - 2008/11/12 19:45:03 ET
Table 'Tergeste III' 8-max
Seat 1: olfishnfool ($10.85 in chips)
Seat 4: RonCoot ($7.60 in chips)
Seat 5: tarashk ($20.45 in chips)
Seat 6: ColdNuts ($8.45 in chips)
Seat 7: korjae ($1.55 in chips)
Seat 8: wisak7 ($9.05 in chips)
olfishnfool: posts the ante $0.05
RonCoot: posts the ante $0.05
tarashk: posts the ante $0.05
ColdNuts: posts the ante $0.05
korjae: posts the ante $0.05
wisak7: posts the ante $0.05
*** 3rd STREET ***
Dealt to olfishnfool [4s]
Dealt to RonCoot [2s]
Dealt to tarashk [5c]
Dealt to ColdNuts [3c]
Dealt to korjae [Ac]
Dealt to wisak7 [8d 6h Ah]
tarashk: brings in for $0.10
ColdNuts: folds
korjae: folds
wisak7: calls $0.10
olfishnfool: calls $0.10
RonCoot: folds
*** 4th STREET ***
Dealt to olfishnfool [4s] [7s]
Dealt to tarashk [5c] [2d]
Dealt to wisak7 [8d 6h Ah] [3s]
wisak7: checks
olfishnfool: checks
tarashk: checks
*** 5th STREET ***
Dealt to olfishnfool [4s 7s] [4c]
Dealt to tarashk [5c 2d] [Qh]
Dealt to wisak7 [8d 6h Ah 3s] [Td]
wisak7: bets $0.50
olfishnfool: folds
tarashk: folds
Uncalled bet ($0.50) returned to wisak7
wisak7 collected $0.60 from pot
wisak7: doesn't show hand
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $0.60 | Rake $0
Seat 1: olfishnfool folded on the 5th Street
Seat 4: RonCoot folded on the 3rd Street (didn't bet)
Seat 5: tarashk folded on the 5th Street
Seat 6: ColdNuts folded on the 3rd Street (didn't bet)
Seat 7: korjae folded on the 3rd Street (didn't bet)
Seat 8: wisak7 collected ($0.60)


First let me say, never worry about how long your posts are. I would rather have a long and informative post. You definitely did that here. Second let me say that was an awesome post you had there. How far did you go in the session and was it a profitable. Lastly what might you suggest to others who are thinking of playing this game for the first time?