As is often the case, when a game is featured in the World Series of Poker it is apt to gain a following, as is the case with Razz. It also doesn't hurt its popularity when the game offers some peculiar and challenging features The nuts and bolts of Razz are that it is an ace low stud poker game with the objective of compiling the lowest possible hand of an unsuited ace through five. It is one of the games making up HORSE poker, a mixed play variant, and can be overwhelming for folks new at the game. The purpose of this basic Razz primer is to inform you of the game's play structure and some strategies to help you become a respected and feared competitor.

The Workings of Razz

Razz is structured like low-hand seven card stud as mentioned above and up to eight players play the game in a limit-bet format. A game commences with each player receiving three cards, two of them face up and one face down, after which comes the first betting round let by the player with the highest face up card. In case of a tie for highest card, the tie goes to the suit. Another round with the deal of a face-up card and the lowest hand starts off the betting round. The rounds go on until each player is dealt their fifth card whereupon the bets double in size. The final card is dealt face down and the next round is led by the player who began the sixth round. If this player folded prior to the round, then the second player in the sixth round begins and so on.

The Ultimate Strategy in Razz Poker

Ace, two, three unsuited is the lowest possible beginning hand in Razz, but good sense strategy will have players with low, single cards under ten staying through to the next round. Any hand comprised of single cards lower than seven is a very strong hand, indeed and playing it aggressively is good strategy if the opponents are showing very little. If your hand is seven high and your glance around the table picks up nothing under a ten, now is your chance to bet for value.

You must closely observe the face up cards so you can continuously update your odds of attaining a pair ( bad sign), or single cards, (good sign). . Your table position can give you an edge in betting when you see that your opponent's visible cards are either low or high. A sound strategy would be to bet for value even in the event that you draw on the fourth street. You can still improve your odds at the pot due to your strong hand at onset, you may even draw to a lower hand. Always play your low hands with contention. If you find yourself with opponents also drawing to lower hands, don't hold back, get them to up their bets so your pot will be enriched in the end.

In order to be successful at Razz, you must clearly comprehend its tactics and strategies. Know when to fold when your hand is a loser, don't hang on in hopes of drawing to a low hand as your opponents will probably have a lower hand even before a draw. But do use your table position for all its worth to force your opponents to bet high so when you collect that pot it's a humdinger.