Razz

Razz is a form of stud poker that is normally played for ace-to-five low (lowball poker). It is played using a standard 52-card deck, without jokers.

In Razz each player gets 3 face down hole cards and 4 face-up cards in 5 deals.

Each deal ends with a betting round.

The goal is to make the lowest five-card possible hand from the seven cards you are dealt. In Razz, straights and flushes do not count against you for low, and the ace plays low.

Game overview

Posting Ante
The Ante is a predefined amount posted by every player before any cards have been dealt. The purpose of Ante is to encourage players to stay in the hand, and to increase pot size. Prior to the game every participating player posts the Ante.

First Round (Bring-In)

Razz starts with all players receives three initial hole cards, two face-down (only visible to receiver) and one face-up (visible to all players).

Bring-In
Razz uses standard poker betting practices. See the section “Standard betting in poker” for details. The player with the highest exposed card pays bring-in. Other players follow clockwise around the table. If two players have exposed cards of the same rank, suits are used to assign the bring-in.

Second Round (Fourth Street)

All players receive a fourth hole card, face-up.

Betting round 2
The player with the lowest exposed hand starts betting. Other players follow clockwise around the table.

Third Round (Fifth Street)

All players receive a fifth hole card, face-up.

Betting round 3
The player with the lowest exposed hand starts betting. Other players follow clockwise around the table.
At this point, the minimum betting increments are doubled.

Fourth Round (Sixth Street)

All players receive a sixth hole card, face-up.

Betting round 4
The player with the lowest exposed hand starts betting. Other players follow clockwise around the table.

Fifth Round (Seventh Street)

All players receive a seventh hole card, face-down.

Betting round 5
The same player that started betting round 4 starts the betting. Other players follow clockwise around the table.

Showdown
Once the fifth betting round is completed, it's time for show down. Player uses the 3 face-down card and the 4 face-up cards to create the lowest ranked hand possible.

In Razz, Ace are always low and and straights and flushes dont count against a hand. There is no "8 or lower" requirement to win the pot.