Australia’s Top Razz Poker Sites
Razz is a decades-old version of 7-card Stud poker, with one important exception: instead of the highest hand, you need to aim for the lowest hand possible.
Razz is growing in popularity due to lots of small-stakes cash games and tournaments available to play online. Razz also forms the 'R' round in HORSE (together with Hold'em, Omaha, Stud and Stud Eight-or-Better).
While not as popular as Texas Hold'em, with a grasp of the basics you can earn some easy money at some of our recommend poker sites such as .
With Razz, our expert reviewers will help you to:
- Find popular Razz online poker rooms
- Discover a huge variety of games and deposit methods
- Bag yourself even better bonuses and cash prizes
Razz in 60 Seconds
- The object is to get the lowest hand possible, with the best hand 5-4-3-2-A (straights don't count against players.)
- There are no blinds. Instead, antes are paid by every player, with the player showing the highest up card "bringing in" the betting.
- The best starting hand in Razz is A-2-3. Good hands are hands which have three low cards that could potentially make a 6-low, like 6-3-2, 6-2-A and 6-3-A.
How to Play Razz Poker
The game starts when each player posts their ante (there are no blinds like in Texas Hold'em). The ante is a small forced bet that gets the action going. Antes are typically one-fifth to one-tenth the size of a small bet.
Once all antes have been posted, the dealer deals out three cards to each player. Every player receives one card at a time, in a clockwise motion, starting with the player to the dealer's left. Each player receives their first two cards face down, and the third card face up.
How To Play Razz Online
Razz is known as a "lowball" version of poker. That is, the aim of the game is to get the lowest hand possible.
Each player begins with three cards dealt out: two face down and one face up, the 'up card'. After each player pays an ante, the highest showing card "brings in" the action and begins the betting.
After a round of betting, each player receives a fourth card, again face up. Another round of betting follows, and another up card is dealt to each player. A sixth up card and round of betting is followed by a final, seventh card which is dealt face down. After a final round of bets, the player with the best low hand at showdown wins the pot.
Razz is a game typically played with Limit betting. That means there are fixed betting levels that happen between each drawn card.
Understanding Razz Starting Hands
Like Texas Hold'em, solid hand selection is essential when learning Razz. The best hand in Razz is the "wheel", a straight made up of A-2-3-4-5. Ideally, then, you need to aim for three cards ranging from A-5. To disguise your ace, it's good to have the ace in your down cards.
Good starting hands, therefore, might look like this:
- (A-2)3
- (A-3)4
- (3-2)A
- (3-4)A
- (A-2)4
- (A-2)5
Moving up the starting hand quality, hands that can potentially make a 6-low are good:
- (6-3)2
- (6-2)A
- (6-3)A
- (A-3)6
- (A-5)6
- (A-4)6
If you missed your wheel cards, look to 7s and 8s that have the potential of making a 7- or 8-low. A good idea if you're new to the game is to print out a list of solid Razz starting hands and keep it by your keyboard when you play.
Starting with pairs in your down cards is a no-no and those hands should be folded. Pairs put you on the back foot from the off and are hard to improve.
Paying Attention During Play
Unlike Hold'em, where visible cards are shared by all players, Razz is played with one's own up-cards. That means you need to be mindful about your opponents' potential draws and re-draws.
If a player has an ace showing and you don't have an ace you know they're in a better position than you. But can you use your up-cards to convey strength and bluff another player off a pot?
Also pay attention to up-cards that have been folded. With so many cards showing during a hand (up to 32 potentially) you'll know what's come out and what's still in the deck.
Playing Razz At Online Poker Sites
Razz isn't as common online as its more popular Texas Hold'em cousin. However, it doesn't mean you can't find great games. Bigger poker sites will spread Razz cash games starting from $0.02/$0.04, and you may even find a few MTTs running throughout the week. Major online poker series will generally feature a Razz tournament with a guaranteed prizepool.
The beauty of Razz is that it's still relatively unknown. Often, online players will sit down out of curiosity with no idea of how to play. That's why, armed with some basic strategy, you can take down a few pots and make some fast bucks.
At PokerSites.com.au we have a selection of the best poker rooms featuring Razz games. You can load up with real money and play games at a range of stakes. And once you've improved your game you can take on a live Razz tournament at the Aussie Millions or World Series of Poker in Las Vegas.
7-Card Razz FAQ
What Is Razz Poker?
Razz is a version of 7-card Stud played between up to eight players. Instead of the highest hand, however, players need to aim for the lowest 5-card hand possible.
Where Can I Play It Online?
Most of the bigger online poker sites run Razz cash games at a range of stakes. Games are played in the Limit betting format.
How Does It Compare To Other Variations?
Razz is a "lowball" game, similar to Omaha Hi-Lo or 2-7 Triple Draw. However, the betting patterns and limits are identical to 7-card Stud.
How Long Do The Games Last?
Cash games can continue for hours, with players coming and going. Razz tournaments tend not to be too over-crowded and can be over within a couple of hours.
How Much Can Be Won?
Because of Razz's Limit betting structure, cash game pots tend not to be too big unless you're playing at the biggest stakes. However, guaranteed tournaments can usually dish out a share of a $50,000 prizepools and upwards.
Is It Recommended For Beginner Players?
There's no reason why beginners shouldn't be put off playing Razz. As long as you have a grasp of the starting hands and betting patterns, Razz is a great game to try out at the lower stakes.
Is There A Tournament Option?
Yes. You won't find Razz Sit 'n Gos but MTTs (Multi-Table Tournaments) run regularly online. Bigger online series and festivals will feature at least one Razz tournament in the schedule.
