Rules for Razz Poker

Razz Poker Rules

The objective of Razz poker is to make the lowest possible hand from the seven cards you are dealt. The cards are dealt just like in 7-card stud, except that an Ace is always low and straights and flushes have no effect on the value of your hand. The lowest hand in Razz poker is A-2-3-4-5, and this is called a wheel, a bicycle or a bike.

Razz is played with two to eight players, and is a fixed limit game. In a fixed limit game there is a set amount that can be bet by each player in each round.

The sequence of action in a hand of Razz poker is the following:
1. At the start of each hand, every player must ante a set amount. This is often about 1/5 of the low limit bet size.

2. Each player is dealt three cards; that is, two cards facing down, and one card facing up. This is known as 3rd street. The player with the highest card facing up must start the action, which is called the “bring-in” bet. The bring-in bet is a set amount, and is lower than the low limit bet size. The bring-in bettor has the option to raise the bring-in bet and make a bet that is equal to the low limit bet size. (Note: If two or more players have the highest ranked cards, the bring-in bet is determined by which player has the highest suit of that rank. The suit order is spades, hearts, diamonds, and clubs. Therefore, the King of spades would be the bring-in bet, when tied with another card that has a rank of King.)

3. Action proceeds clock-wise from the bring-in bettor. Each player can fold, call, or raise the bring-in bet. All bets are equal to the low limit bet size.

4. After this first round of betting, the players still in the hand get dealt another card face up. This is called 4th street, as each remaining player has four cards. The player with lowest hand showing acts first, and the action proceeds clock-wise. Each player has the choice to fold, call, or raise. All bets are equal to the low limit bet size.

5. After this round of betting, the players still in the hand get dealt another card face up. This is called 5th street, as each remaining player has five cards. The player with the lowest hand showing acts first, and the action proceeds clock-wise. Each player has the choice to fold, call, or raise. All bets are equal to the highest limit bet size, which is double the low limit bet size.

6. After this round of betting, the players still in the hand get dealt another card face up. This is called 6th street, since each remaining player has six cards. The player with the lowest hand showing acts first, and the action proceeds clock-wise. Each player has the choice to fold, call, or raise. All bets are equal to the highest limit bet size.

7. After this round of betting, the players still in the hand get dealt another card face down. This is called 7th street, since each remaining player has seven cards. The player with the lowest hand showing acts first, and the action proceeds clock-wise. Each player has the choice to fold, call, or raise. All bets are equal to the highest limit bet size.

8. The player with the lowest hand wins the pot.