What Is Razz Poker? – How to Play Guide

Turning traditional poker logic upside down, Razz Poker’s goal is to build the lowest possible five-card hand. 

This inversion makes this variation a nicely-paced game focused on patience and observation. It’s a part of professional mixed rotations such as HORSE, and is ideal for players who enjoy calculation and steady play rather than fast aggression. 

Over time, Razz carved a niche but loyal following — so let’s dive into what it is that makes this game so special.

What Is Razz Poker?

Razz poker is a seven-card lowball variant played with a standard 52-card deck. Each player receives seven cards in total, but only the lowest five count toward the final hand. Aces are always low, and neither straights nor flushes penalize the value of a hand.

The objective is simple: make the lowest combination possible. The best hand in Razz is A-2-3-4-5, known as the “wheel.” Because of the low-hand format, pairs are harmful instead of helpful, and cards nine or higher usually weaken a draw.

The razz card game rewards focus more than flair. Reading opponents’ visible up-cards and noting which small ranks have already appeared become critical parts of every decision. Success depends on clear tracking and disciplined play rather than chasing big pots.

This interesting variant is available in many platforms — you can check our full list of the online casinos with the best payouts and begin playing.

Razz Poker Rules

Razz follows a clear structure modeled after Seven Card Stud but reversed in scoring. Every hand begins with an ante, and players aim to create the lowest five-card combination from seven total cards. Here’s how a typical round flows:

1. Antes: Each player places a small mandatory bet before the deal.
2. Third Street: Every player receives three cards—two face down and one face up. The player with the highest up-card starts the betting with a forced “bring-in.”
3. Fourth to Sixth Street: Each new street adds one face-up card per player. The lowest visible hand begins the betting on these rounds.
4. Seventh Street (the River): A final card is dealt face down to each remaining player.
5. Showdown: Players form their best five-card low hand using any of their seven cards. The lowest hand wins the pot.

The game uses a fixed-limit betting structure, which means bet sizes are predetermined by the table’s stakes. For instance, in a €5/€10 Razz game, the early rounds use €5 bets, and the later streets use €10.

There are no blinds, no community cards, and no high-hand wins. Straights and flushes do not count against a player, so 5-4-3-2-A is a perfect result rather than a disqualifying straight. 

Razz Hand Rankings

Unlike traditional poker, Razz flips the ranking system completely. Winning depends on how low your hand runs without pairing cards. The ace always plays as one, giving it top value in constructing low combinations.

Below is a quick reference for common razz hand rankings:

Since straights and flushes don’t apply, hands are judged strictly by high card from the bottom up. A hand of 8-6-5-4-2 beats 8-7-6-3-2, because the first hand’s highest card (8-6-5-4-2) is lower in overall value.

Players often refer to the best razz hand—A-2-3-4-5—as “the wheel.” Memorizing these inverted rankings is crucial; misunderstanding them can flip a win into an unexpected loss. Mastering how these combinations interact forms the backbone of razz poker hand rankings, the first step toward confident and accurate play.

How to Play Razz Poker

Once the rules and rankings are clear, the rhythm of Razz becomes more predictable. Every round centers on evaluating your starting three cards and adapting to the board as new up-cards appear. Since players share visible information, each decision draws heavily on observation and timing rather than instinct alone.

At the start of each hand, look for strong low combinations such as A-2-3 or A-2-4. These setups offer the best chances to improve without pairing. When your up-card is higher than an opponent’s visible low card, you’ll act later in the betting order, which can be an advantage since it allows you to gauge other players’ confidence before committing more chips.

As the hand progresses through fourth, fifth, and sixth streets, pay attention to “dead cards.” If many of your needed low ranks are already visible in opponents’ up-cards, your chances of improving drop significantly. Folding in those spots is often the smarter play.

Aggressive betting typically benefits players who already have a made low or a strong draw that can’t easily be overtaken. On the other hand, passive calling can save money in situations where your hand weakens against the field.

Razz Poker Strategy

The mindset for Razz differs sharply from other stud games. Since every player’s goal is to build the lowest possible hand, the key isn’t deception but information management. Recognizing which low cards are still live and making steady decisions around them defines success.

Here are practical strategy foundations for consistent play:

• Start strong or don’t start at all. Enter pots only with three cards below an eight, such as A-2-6 or 3-4-5. Weak openers cause long-term losses.
• Read exposed cards carefully. If several low cards are already visible on the table, fold early instead of chasing unlikely draws.
• Value bet with made lows. When your board shows strength, build the pot gradually through value bets. Most opponents will call lightly in lower-limit games.
• Avoid bluffing into bad boards. Razz rewards steady play, not wild aggression. Bluffing is effective only when your exposed cards look far stronger than your opponents’.
• Track opponents’ tendencies. Some players fold too early when paired; others chase marginal hands. Adjust bet sizing to their patterns.

Good razz poker strategy is about information and discipline, not speed. The fixed-limit structure limits how much you can win per hand, so minimizing leaks over many sessions matters more than short-term swings. Playing measured, math-based poker leads to steadier results in this lowball format.

Modern Razz and Online Play

Razz has secured a quiet but steady place in modern poker lineups, especially within mixed-game events like HORSE and 8-Game. These formats test a player’s adaptability across multiple disciplines, and Razz serves as a mental reset from fast-paced, bluff-heavy games. Its fixed-limit nature rewards patience, observation, and stamina, which makes it a consistent inclusion in professional rotations.

Online poker platforms have helped the game reach a broader audience. Digital interfaces track exposed cards automatically, removing one of the hardest manual skills in live play. Many sites now offer low-stakes tables, making Razz accessible for beginners who want to learn without heavy financial risk.

For analytical players who enjoy structured logic and rhythm over high volatility, Razz remains a reliable choice. It stands as one of poker’s purest forms of discipline and pattern recognition, where every visible card carries weight.

Wrap Up on Razz Poker Games

Razz Poker completely changes the way that most players think about the game. Pairs hurt, patience governs every choice, and the lowest hand wins. 

But the core poker skills of discipline and memory are still valid, and they’re sharpened by studying Razz Poker. Although it's not the most visually appealing format, it improves intuition for all other forms of poker. 

Razz offers a fun test of concentration that respects the game's mathematical origins.