Oh NOOOOOOO its RAZZ

As you look through the ring games section, you may have stumbled upon something called "Razz" and decided to sit down for a couple hands, figuring: "Why not?"

To start, you see that the dealer has made a mistake, as everyone has three cards, and for some reason, you can SEE EVERYONE'S CARDS! WOAH!!!

After this, you must be thinking "How can I lose? When I see the flop, I'll know what everyone has!"

Then, you have to pay something called an ante. You see your cards are KKK, and the computer is telling you that you have to bet. So much for the check-raise, huh? So, you bet and notice that the guy who has a "2" raised, and two others call, too! You're thinking "GREAT!" and call your friend over to see that you can see everybody else's cards.

Your friend comes over and says "Moron! That's stud. Everyone sees everyone's cards! But why are they raising if they see your K? They must have a set of 2s. You should try to trap them."

So your next card is another K! You bet out. The guy with a 2 catches an unsuited A and raises. The other two guys fold. You ask your friend "What could he possibly have???" Your friend says "Maybe he had AA in the hole. Call him and trap him on the next street."

Your next card is an A and the other guy gets a 3. Your friend says "WTF? Why are you leading out? OMG! You idiot! This is RAZZ!"

"What do you mean? I know it's Razz." you retort.

"Razz is lowball. WHAT A DONK!" yells your friend as he walks away.

So, after realizing you just threw away some chips, you log off PokerStars and decide to check out SurfersPoker to see if there are any strategy guides related to Razz.

Unfortunately for you, _THIS_ was the first guide that you found.

Well, since you're already reading this, you may as well continue, huh?

Well, for starters, Razz, or "Razzles" as I sometimes call it, is a wonderful game. At an 8-handed table, you get to see 8 cards. That means, you know 8 cards that you WON'T get.

The best starting hand in Razz is A23. Now, some people think that means two of those cards plus something else is a pretty good hand. That's true, but not true. If you have A2J, for example, that's a good bluffing hand (assuming the A or 2 is exposed, and not the J). However, if you start with a 9 or 8 high, maybe you can play it. If you have a 7 or less... DEFINITELY play.

Now that being said, you shouldn't always bet. But maybe you should. Who knows? Who cares!

The reality is that your cards don't matter. Well, they do, but not really.

The main thing that cards tell you is what cards your opponent does not have. And this is VERY important information.

Let's suppose that your opponent has xx5 and bets out. Then the next card off is a 6. You raise back at your opponent, and they return the favour. Assume they have 6-high at this point. If their next card is an A, and they merely call your raise, you're in good shape. They have four cards to the low. If you catch a nice card on sixth street, and they have garbage BET. If they flat call you, bet ANY card lower than the highest card they have showing. You're probably good. If they raise you, fold.

Now, let's suppose the situation is reverse. You have xx632 showing. BET. Even if you have KK, bet. If a good card (7,5,4,A) comes on sixth street, BET. The advantage to this play is you'll get to see the river for free. Your opponent will check the river to you. If you catch something, bet. If you don't, check. You get to see their cards on the cheap. And since you kept betting, they might even fold at some point.

Lastly, if you have a monster (6-low) and pair your window cards on sixth street, check OOP or flat from position. On the river, this should allow you to wrench an extra bet or more from your opponent on the river.

As strategies will be largely dependent upon who you're up against, what time of day it is, etc, this tactical guide should get you to a point were you can start to develop some strategies of your own!