Online Poker Forum at Full Tilt Poker

jellico · Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2008 12:55 am Post subject: Learning to play Razz...

I had never played Razz before joining this site, and i've been playing for years now when it comes to other styles such as Limit and No Limit Hold 'Em, Omaha, and Stud. But Razz is definitely taking some getting used to.

I'm currently playing the $100 razz freeroll, and i'm discovering that most people don't have a CLUE what Razz is even about. I can't say I know that much, except for the basic premise...but I am in the last 100...so yay!

I would truly appreciate a crash course in Razz, AKA best starting hands, good positions to play from, how to know when to lay down a great hand when you're beating what two others are showing, etc. I know there are some Razz veterans out there and would gladly accept any advice.

ange_exalte · Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2008 3:10 am Post subject:

There is a great section on Razz in Super System 2

IBangYou · Flush Joined: 10 Feb 2008 Posts: 145

My most basic advice is to play quite solidly, don't play too many hands, particularly on a full ring game. Don't play hands with two very small cards and one big card, such as (A2)Q hoping to catch up on later streets. Of course you could sometimes make a late position blind/ante steal with (Q2)and A showing if it's been folded round to you. Hellmuth recommends for beginners playing only a three card seven or better in a full ring game, and even this ABC style will give you an edge against most of your opponents. I'd advise not to play shorthanded cash games until you have more experience.

The "best" starting hand is obviously A23. But you must remember that the value of starting hands change somewhat depending on what cards your opponents are showing. Say you have A23 and all of your opponents are showing 4's 5's and 6's - your hand is still strong, but now quite a few of the cards you'd want to catch are unavailable. If they are showing 2's 3's etc, now you have a powerhouse, because theres less chance your hand will be killed by pairing up. So be flexible in your thinking.

It's a fantastic game, and if you can become proficient you will have a very solid edge in a huge amount of games. Good luck !

sgspecial · Full House Joined: 19 Jan 2006 Posts: 153

cardplayer52 · Straight Joined: 25 Jan 2008 Posts: 101

In the early rounds don't play unless you got 3 cards less than 8 w/no pairs. Pay attention to cards that are out(notice there are 3 fours out,2 aces...) before they get swept away. If your up cards clearly beat theres you can bluff them out a lot. you got to figure out there best possible hand (they could be drawing to a seven but 4 fours are out so I have them beat). Also if they raise early then they get low cards up theres a good chance they paired them. And I don't really see a point in bringing it for the full amount.

thatslife1969 · High Card Joined: 17 Jun 2007 Posts: 13

with Cardplayer52...also, if you think you are ahead with your starting cards another player raises ahead of you, re-raise. That way, if you miss on 4th street, it pays to look at another card. good luck.

quick98ta · Straight Joined: 19 Nov 2007 Posts: 111 Location: OHIO

The best advice i can give you for razz is pay attention to the up cards if your a stud player you know the importance of this. Tight play starting with 3 cards under 8 an stealing when you have a low up card and its you and the bring in who has a bad up card.

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