Razz Tournament Strategy

The characteristic low-ball style of Razz poker already puts many players off their game (especially when their game is normally high hand oriented), so a Razz tournament where the competition is tough and the stakes are high can be that much more disorienting. If you’ve been putting in time testing your skills at the Razz cash tables, and you feel ready to compete for the big cash in a Razz tournament, then we’ve got a few important razz tournament strategy tips to help you get to the final table.

Razz Tournaments Tip #1 – Use Your Position

In many other poker games, having the high card is a good thing, but in a Razz tournament turning up the high card is a double-edged sword. The downside is that you’re obligated to make the first bet, but the upside is that it helps you to conceal both good and bad hands while giving you an opportunity to observe your opponents’ bets. Of course the very best betting position to have in a Razz tournament is the last one. Like the bring-in you get a chance to observe your fellow players’ hands, but unlike the bring-in you can bet whatever pleases you. You can often limp through on a weak hand, or try to fold out the field by raising aggressively. The late position becomes especially valuable when you also have the lowest visible hand. You should always bet in this scenario, and if the other players’ bets are weak then you have a good shot at stealing the antes by raising.

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Razz Tournaments Tip #2 -Know the Starting Hands

Most poker players have memorized the hierarchy of possible poker combinations, and almost as many know by heart the best starting hands for their favored games. For high-only games, these hands often contain high pairs or suited kickers. For Hi/Lo games these hands should have draws toward flushes and straights. But in Razz, you’re looking for something totally different. In fact, you’re pretty much looking for nothing. The only card that remains valuable in both high and low style games is the Ace. Remember that you absolutely don’t want pairs, regardless of their individual face value.

Razz Tournaments Tip #3  – Bet Wisely

There are potentially as many as five betting rounds in Razz plus an opening ante. That means that hands can become very expensive if more than one player follows through to the showdown. Unlike games like Omaha and Texas Hold ‘em where you get three cards for the price of one, in Razz you’ll pay for every single card. Remember that when you decide you want to see the second round of dealing. If your initial hand is dreary and you’re assigned to the bring-in position, don’t let that puny bet tie you to the hand. If you’re holding JQK after the first deal and one of your opponents is kind enough to raise, then by all means fold.

Razz Tournaments Tip #4 – Fold Wisely

Speaking of folding…While it’s ideal to start off with a hand of A23, even this beautiful hand can get ruined in the long run. Remember that a lot of evidence is on the table. Even if your down card is an Ace, if you’re showing 239J and an opponent is showing 2456 nothing you bet is going to convince them to fold. At this point, it is you that should be folding.