How to Play Razz Poker
Razz Poker is a friendly, lowball variant of seven-card stud that rewards the lowest five-card hand. If you want a clear beginner walk-through, this page will help — and you can find more game guides at Playmore.
Razz uses normal seven-card stud structure: players get a mix of face-down and face-up cards across rounds, and the lowest qualifying five-card hand wins.
Quick facts
| Game | Type | Players | Deck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Razz Poker | American low stud poker | 2–8 | 52-card standard deck (normal) |
What you are trying to do
Your goal is to make the lowest possible five-card poker hand from the seven cards you are dealt. In Razz, low hands win the pot. Exact low-hand rankings and qualifying rules can vary by group, so check your house rules or the authoritative regional rules for the exact version you play.
What you need and how to set up
All you need is a normal 52-card deck and chips or a simple way to track bets. Sit 2–8 players around a table. Pick a dealer — in casual play pass the dealer button clockwise each hand. Agree on antes, bring-in rules, and whether you use limit, pot-limit, or no-limit betting before you start.
How to play
- Post antes or a bring-in as agreed. These small forced bets start the action and create a pot.
- The dealer distributes cards over several streets so each player ends up with seven cards total. Some cards are face-down and some are face-up, so you see parts of your opponents' hands.
- After each deal of cards there is a betting round. Players may call, raise, or fold according to the betting structure you chose (limit, no-limit, etc.).
- Continue dealing and betting through the remaining streets until each active player has seven cards. Players who fold are out until the next hand.
- If more than one player remains after the final betting round, there is a showdown. Each player uses their seven cards to make the lowest possible five-card hand. The lowest qualifying hand takes the pot.
How a round or game ends
A single hand ends when either all but one player folds (the last player wins the pot without a showdown) or when a showdown determines the winner. Ties for the lowest hand usually split the pot. The full match can continue as long as players want; many groups play for a set number of hands or until a time limit is reached.
Beginner tips
- Watch the upcards. They give clues about what low hands your opponents can make.
- Don’t commit too many chips if you don’t have a low prospect. Folding early saves you money for better hands.
- Play tight early and looser when you read the table. Razz rewards patience and careful observation.
- Agree on exact low-hand rules before you play. Some groups treat aces as low and ignore straights/flushes for low; others use slightly different rankings.
- Practice shows help. Play a few hands low-stakes to learn the flow of deals and betting rounds.
FAQ
Q: Do aces count high or low in Razz?
A: Most Razz games treat aces as low, but local or house rules can differ. Confirm the ranking with your group before you start.
Q: Are straights or flushes bad for the low?
A: In many Razz variants, straights and flushes do not prevent a hand from being low. However, exact rules vary, so check the official or regional rules your group follows.
Q: How many cards does each player get?
A: Each player ends up with seven cards over the course of the hand, a mix of face-down and face-up cards. The basic loop is deal, bet, deal, bet, and repeat until seven cards are dealt.