Poker Razz Rules

Razz poker is the name given to a variation of 7 Card Stud in which the lowest ranking hand wins. It follows a very similar format to regular 7 Card Stud, with certain exceptions which are covered in the rules below.

• The rules of 7 Card Stud apply to Razz with the following exceptions.
• The player with the lowest hand wins.
• Aces are always low.
• Straights and flushes do not change the value of a hand.
• The best possible hand is a wheel - 5-4-3-2-A.
• The forced bet in the first round will be made by the player with the highest card by suit.
• In subsequent rounds, the player with the low hand acts first.
• Further to the previous rule, if two or more players are tied for the low hand, the player closest to the dealer (in a clockwise direction) will act first.
• In a fixed limit game, the lower limit should be used on the third and fourth streets and the higher limit on following streets.
• The limit will not be affected by an open pair.
• The first time a pair occurs, the dealer will announce the fact. The only exception to this is when pairs of face cards are dealt, since these are not announced at any time.