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Razz Poker Rules

Razz Rules

Razz is a game that requires a full 52 card deck. Once players have paid the antes they are dealt two down-cards and one up-card before the first betting round. There are then three more betting rounds with players being dealt one up-card. The seventh card is a down-card and a final round of betting follows. Razzis a fixed limit game and the smaller bet is wagered on the first and second betting rounds, and the larger bet is wagered after the betting rounds on the last three betting rounds.

Ante

Razz is normally played with an ante. This is a predetermined amount that is around 1/5 of the low limit bet. The ante is paid before the cards are dealt and if the ante isn’t paid the player won’t receive any cards. The ante does not count towards any future betting.

Bring-in

The first round of betting starts with a forced bet known as the “bring-in”. This is decided by the highest upcard by suit. The highest rated suit is spades, followed by hearts, diamonds and clubs. Therefore the highest possible card is the {Ks}. The player with the highest upcard decides to either bring-in (half of the low bet) or complete the bet (put in the full low bet).

The bring-in counts towards your bet. If nobody raises, you will not have to contribute further to the pot. If a player raises, that bet will count towards calling the raise if you chose to call.

Betting Rounds

There are five rounds of betting. As discussed earlier, the first two rounds of betting are small bets and the final three betting rounds are big bets. The most common rule is that a bet and three raises are all that is allowed per round of betting.

Betting Round One (3rd Street)

Before 3rd street begins, every player is dealt three cards, two down and one up. As mentioned earlier, the player with the highest upcard will commence betting with a forced bet known as the bring-in. The bring-in determines if he wants to put in a half bet or a low limit bet. Once the bring-in occurs all players determine if they want to fold, call or raise in a clockwise direction. If the bring-input in the half bet, then the first raise can only "complete" the bet. However, if the bring-in completes the bet, then a standard raise of the low bet is required. If a player folds, then they will turn the up card face down, and throw the hand into the middle of the table. Once betting is completed the players are dealt another upcard and 4th Street begins.

Betting Round Two (4th Street)

At this point, the lowest hand showing is first to act. The player decides if he wants to bet or check. If he bets, the bet must be the full low bet. If he checks, the action will then move clockwise to the next person. If a player is showing a pair at this point, then he and all the other players have the option to bet the larger bet. Otherwise, all bets and raises must be equal to the low bet.

Once betting concludes another upcard is dealt to the remaining players and 5th street commences.

Betting Round Three (5th Street)

5th street is the same as 4th street. However all bets and raises are the high bet size.

When betting concludes another upcard is dealt to the remaining players and 6th street commences.

Betting Round Four (6th Street)

Play on 6th street is identical to the play on 5th street.

When betting concludes the remaining players are dealt their last card. This card is the third downcard. Play then moves onto 7th street.

Betting Round Five (7th Street)

The player who has the lowest visible hand acts first. Like 5th and 6th street, all bets and raises must be equal to the high limit bet size. When betting concludes the remaining players expose or muck their hands and the winning player is awarded the pot.

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