Over its years-long existence, the game of poker has developed multiple variations. One such popular variation is called Razz. To be more accurate, Razz is a variation of 7 Card Stud. All of the rules of the Stud game apply in Razz with some alterations included. Below is a comprehensive look at how to play Razz Poker from the initial deal to the showdown. Keep in mind that if you haven't played before it is worth trying some free hands at an online casino before diving in with real money.

Starting Razz Poker Plays

According to Razz poker rules, the game is played with up to eight participants. Just as with 7 Card Stud, every player receives a total of seven cards, three of them are dealt face down and the remaining four face up. However, in Razz Poker, the lowest hand, A-2-3-4-5, nabs the jackpot. Aces are considered low, and straights and flushes have no influence on hand strength. Every active participant is required to place an ante before any betting action kicks off.

Razz features five betting rounds. In fixed limit game of Razz, all bets and raises must be equal to either the low limit or high limit bet size, depending on what game round it is. In the first two betting rounds, all bets and raises are equal to the low limit bet size. In the third, fourth, and fifth betting rounds, all bets are equal to the high limit bet size. Players are allowed to make up to 3 raises per round of betting.

Razz Poker Deal

Each Razz Poker player receives two face down cards followed by one exposed card. After the first up card is dealt, the player holding the highest exposed card must 'bring-in,' namely put the low limit bet size in the jackpot. Should it happen that two players have a high card of the same value, the player seated closest to the dealer's left is the one to place the bring-in. Unlike the ante, the bring-in actually does count as the player's first round bet.

Generally Razz Poker Rules state the game proceeds in a clockwise direction. Each active player must either fold, raise, call or fold. A fourth card is dealt face up. The player with the lowest hand showing is the one to open the betting round. His options are either to bet, check or fold. Just like in the previous betting round, play proceeds clockwise around the poker table. Remember, in Razz, an open pair has no influence on the betting limit. This is a big difference from 7 Card Stud.

A fifth card is then dealt exposed to all players. The lowest hand opens the round of betting. A sixth exposed card follows. Play proceeds as in the previous round.

The Razz Poker Showdown

The final, Seventh card is the last card given to each player. Similar to 7 Card stud, although rare, if there are no cards left for all players to receive a seventh card, one single card is placed face up for all players to share. Now comes showdown time. The player who happened to bet last is the first to uncover their hand. The showdown action proceeds clockwise from there, with each remaining player exposing their hand. Players not wishing to reveal their hand can choose to muck it. As we've already mentioned before, the lowest hand wins so don't sit on that Royal Flush hoping for a big Razz payday!