Objective of the Game
Razz, also known simply as Raz, is a popular card game where the goal is to have the lowest possible hand. It's played with a standard 52-card poker deck.
Number of Players
- Minimum: 2 players
- Maximum: 8 players (recommended)
Materials
- 1 standard deck of 52 playing cards
- Chips or tokens for betting
Basic Rules
- Game Setup:
- Each player starts with a certain amount of chips or tokens.
- The dealer shuffles the cards and deals two cards face down to each player.
- A third card is dealt face up.
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The player with the highest face-up card must post the "Bring-In", a forced first bet.
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Gameplay:
- Third Street: After the initial cards and the bring-in bet, betting starts with the player to the left of the bring-in. The round continues clockwise.
- Fourth Street: Each player receives another face-up card. Another betting round begins, starting with the player with the lowest visible card combination.
- Fifth Street: Another face-up card is dealt, followed by a betting round.
- Sixth Street: Another face-up card is dealt, followed by a betting round.
- Seventh Street or River: Each player receives a final card face down. The last betting round begins.
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Showdown: Players show their best five cards. The player with the lowest poker hand wins.
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Special Rules:
- Ace-as-One Rule: Aces are always low. The best possible low hand is 5-4-3-2-A.
- No Straights or Flushes: Unlike regular poker, straights or flushes are irrelevant in Razz.
Strategy Tips
- Be mindful of starting cards: A uniformly low starting hand can make a significant difference.
- Watch the exposed cards: Keep track of the other players’ upcards to better gauge the strength of your hand relative to theirs.
- Use bluffs judiciously: Since Razz is a lowball game, bluffing is common, yet risky.
Razz requires strong memory and opponent reading skills. Enjoy the game and remember to think strategically!
