Seven-card stud · ace-to-five lowball
Razz rules and beginner guide.
Razz is seven-card stud played for low only. Each player receives a mixture of hidden and exposed cards, then uses the best five-card ace-to-five low from their seven cards. There is no eight-or-better qualifier: the best low at showdown wins the whole pot.
How to play
The objective, deal, and showdown
Winning objective
Make the lowest five-card ace-to-five hand. Aces are low, straights and flushes are ignored, and A-2-3-4-5 is the best possible hand.
Deal and drawing
After the ante, each player receives two cards down and one up. The highest exposed card posts the bring-in. Fourth, fifth, and sixth streets are dealt face up, seventh street is dealt face down, and betting follows every street.
Key comparison
An unpaired low is compared from its highest card downward. A 7-5-4-3-A beats 7-6-4-3-A, and there is no requirement that the winning hand be eight-low or better.
Strategy foundation
What to notice before playing
Watch the exposed cards
Every upcard and every folded board changes how many useful cards remain live. A strong-looking draw loses value when several of its needed ranks are already visible.
Start with three low cards
Three different low ranks give the cleanest foundation. Pairs and high cards make it harder to finish with five distinct low ranks.
Read the board, not only your hand
A smooth low board can apply pressure even when the hidden cards are weak, while a board that pairs or catches high cards often signals trouble.
Common mistakes
Avoid these beginner leaks
- Applying an eight-or-better qualifier even though Razz has no low qualifier.
- Forgetting that aces are low and straights and flushes do not count against the hand.
- Ignoring exposed dead cards when judging the chance of improvement.
- Continuing after repeated high cards or pairs without considering an opponent’s smoother board.
FAQ
Quick answers
Does a nine-low qualify in Razz?
Yes. Razz has no eight-or-better requirement, so a nine-low can win if it is the best five-card low at showdown.
Who posts the bring-in?
The player showing the highest door card on third street posts the bring-in. Ties are broken by the cardroom’s suit-order rule.