Razz Ring Game Strategy

January 14, 2009 - by admin · Filed Under Razz Poker Strategy Leave a Comment 

First and foremost it is important to note that ring game and tournament strategies are and should remain two very different things. While tournaments have a clear stopping point, ring games can go on as long as your bankroll, the casino, or your competitors’ bankrolls will allow. In any poker game, your basic strategy is obviously to win more than you lose, not on a hand-by-hand basis per se but on a pots won vs. investment basis. To do that requires a good understanding of the game and the willingness to fold when necessary.

Unlike razz tournament strategy where you have a strategy that encompasses all hands, in razz ring games each hand should be considered individually. Bet conservatively with a middle hand when waiting on the draw and bet aggressively to protect your hand when it is the best going into the draw. Most poker games have a basic strategy, and in razz poker the foundation of your strategy should be to never play a starting hand with a card higher than eight. The best possible starting hand is A23, but any three cards from Ace to five (excluding pairs) is a strong hand and should be played as such.

A very low pair like 2’s is still playable because ultimately you will only be using five of your seven cards, but double pairs are nearly impossible to overcome and are often reason enough to fold unless you are already on seventh street (the seventh card dealt) and your remaining opponents also have visible pairs or bricks (high cards). Which brings us to another important factor in Razz strategy.

The fact that so many cards are visible in Razz makes playing it strategically pretty straightforward. To the end, you have a pretty good idea of where you stand in regards to your opponents just by comparing the face up cards on the table. This makes bluffing nearly impossible as most of your hand is visible, but semi-bluffing is still a common and advantageous strategy in Razz going into fourth street. For example, if you have an A, 2, or 3 as your door card and your opponents are all in the range of 7’s and up, then just going by the basic play strategy of eights and under you may be able to push them to fold thereby stealing the antes and bring-in.

Another thing to keep in mind when playing Razz is that the betting gets more serious by fifth street, so if you get a brick or a pair early on, it’s better to start backing away from your hand early. As with any poker game, a good razz strategy requires you to not only play smart but to bet smart too.

Tips For Playing Razz Poker

January 13, 2009 - by admin · Filed Under Razz Poker Strategy Leave a Comment 

Rules

If you are familiar with playing 7 card stud poker then you already have a jump start towards playing Razz. Razz poker is very similar to 7 card stud and is in fact a stud type of game. You get 7 cards just like 7 card stud, but instead of the highest ranking hand winning, the lowest overall hand wins. Make sure you have a good understanding of razz rules before advancing in into razz strategy.

Knowing the Best Starting Hands

The top starting hands in Razz are really easy to remember. The lowest hand in razz is A2345. Remember that Ace counts as low, so the lowest initial starting hand is A23. Essentially, Ace through 6 are great starting hands for your first three cards. Being dealt these three cards will allow you to play more aggressive to begin with.

Pay Attention to Other Players’ Hands

As cards are being dealt face up in Razz, make sure you pay attention to what each player is being dealt. If another play is showing and ace and another low card after 4 cards then they most likely have a good hand or are trying to represent a good hand with there other face down cards. Players who continue to chase cards with a few high cards face up, most likely have 2 good down cards and are hoping to hit a few more low cards. Also you would like to see opponent cards that are the same as yours to eliminate the chance you get a pair.

Making Other Players Pay

If you are dealt a good starting hand, then there is no need to slow play your cards. Most players will continue you keep chasing and hoping to catch lower cards on 6th and 7th street. You might as well make them pay up to see a few more cards. Be sure to look at what the other players are dealt as you bet. You do not want to be betting into a lower hand than you have.

Be Patient and Know When to Fold

You do not have to chase all the time in Razz. If you are dealt 3 marginal cards to being with, just go ahead and fold. There is no need to keep playing, hoping to see some lower cards. Getting dealt a pair in your first 4 cards is a sign that you should also fold. This card really has no value.

Razz Poker Terms

January 12, 2009 - by admin · Filed Under Razz Poker Leave a Comment 

Ante:

Antes in Razz are  a small forced bet placed by every player before the hand begins, the purpose is to “build a pot” and forces players in the action without holding a made hand, without antes all players would just fold all but premium deals. Normally, the Ante  is equal to 10%-25% of the small bet, but this can change between casinos, home games, and online poker sites offering Razz.

Bring-In:

The Bring-In Bet is always 50% of the small bet just like in any Stud game, after the first deal each player should be holding three cards, consisting of two Hole Cards (face-down) and 1 Door Card (face-up). This Door Card is sometimes referred to as the Open Card, because it determines which players will Bring In. That player with the lowest Door Card must place the Bring-n Bet, but if two or more players share the same door care then the value of the suit serves as a tie breaker.  The suits are valued as follow from high to low – Spades, Hearts, Diamonds, then Clubs.

Check:

If no player has Bet yet, a player can Check or simply choose not to bet. Note that Checking is not an option in the first betting round because the Bring In has already been wagered, and must be Called to remain in the hand.

Bet:

The first to make a wager on the current betting round places a wager in the form of a bet, all players who wish to remain in the hand must either call or raise the action to stay in the pot.

Call:

After a Bet is made in front of you, choosing to match that bet and stay in the hand is a Call.  After calling, you may not raise.

Raise:

After a Bet has been made, you can Raise by wagering one more unit of the current streets bet amount over the amount of the original Bettor, players wishing to remain in action must either call or re-raise.

Fold:

Folding is the act of forfeiting your hand and any claim to the pot by throwing your cards into the muck.

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