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Razz Poker Guide
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Razz Poker Guide
May 11th, 2009 by admin
Razz poker is a fun and exciting variation of seven card stud low poker that seems to be growing in popularity. Learning the basics of razz poker is essential to mastering the game and becoming a strong razz poker player. One of the fundamental differences between razz poker and its cousin seven card stud low is that there is no qualifying hand to win, such as eight low, etc. This makes razz a very unique option to mix up your poker play and add a bit of variety to your gaming skills, especially if you are particularly fond of seven card stud low. Let’s look at razz poker in greater detail, such as the rules that govern the game and tips for making razz a profitable venture for you.
Razz Poker Rules
The rules of razz poker are very straightforward. Up to eight players can play razz poker at one time, and razz is dealt with a standard deck of 52 cards. There are five betting rounds in razz poker, not including the ante. Deal begins with the player who is seated to the left of the dealer. Each razz player will be dealt seven cards, two face down, four face up, and one final face down “river” card. An ante is required in razz poker before the first three cards are dealt. The player who holds the highest porch card or door card (facing up) is the player who initiates the action in razz poker. Bets are initially at the lower limit, and are begun by the first player who is also known as the bring in player. In following rounds, action starts with the player who has the lowest hand on the board of the visible door cards. There are seven “streets” in razz poker which refers to the round that is being played. Four bets are the maximum number allowed in the game; this includes three raises and the opening bet. During the showdown, players reveal their hands with the lowest five card hand being declared the winner of the razz poker pot.
Razz Poker Tips
One of the most important skills to be developed during razz poker play is observation. By being very observant of the opponents’ cards that are showing, you can tell a great deal about what they are holding in their hands. These porch cards in front of your opponents are your best friends in razz. Simply knowing what is on someone else’s porch will allow you to figure out various bits of information about what is left in the deck, the strength of other’s hands and your own hand’s strength, and more. Another skill you must acquire to be a successfully strong razz player is to look for dead cards. A dead card is a good card in razz because if you see three 3’s on the board, and you are holding a three in your own hand, you know that you’re not going to draw to your three to make a pair, which makes your hand stronger. Additionally, knowing when to fold in razz is an important skill. Oftentimes in razz, as in any game of chance, you just have to fold your cards and cut your losses before they become even bigger and eat into your bankroll. If your lowest five cards contain anything over a ten, for instance, you should fold. The longer you play razz, the better equipped you will be to understand which hands should be folded and which can be helped.
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