How to Play Razz
Seven-card stud played for the lowest ace-to-five hand, with no eight-or-better qualifier.
Learn the rules ↓What is Razz?
Make the best five-card low hand from seven cards. A-2-3-4-5 is best; straights and flushes do not hurt the low.
Razz is the low-only member of the seven-card stud family and appears in mixed-game rotations.
Dealer, forced bets & starting cards
The deal follows stud streets. On third street, the highest exposed card brings in at the cited room; later low exposed boards act first.
Forced bets: Ante and bring-in. Deck: Standard 52-card deck.
Betting rounds & legal actions
Betting schedule: 5 streets of betting. When action reaches you, fold, check if no bet is pending, bet, call, or raise within the table's betting limits. An all-in wager is possible when your remaining stack is smaller than a full bet; side pots can result.
Betting limits: Usually fixed-limit. Always confirm the posted stake and raise rules before play.
Showdown & pot award
Compare the best five-card ace-to-five lows from each remaining player's seven cards. There is no eight-or-better requirement.
See the rule at the table.
A♠ 2♦ 3♣ 4♥ 5♠ K♦ Q♣ gives the best possible five-card low, 5-4-3-2-A, despite the king and queen among the seven cards.
The mistake to avoid
Applying 2-7 rules. In Razz aces are low and straights and flushes are ignored.
A sound starting approach
Begin with low, unpaired starting cards and note exposed duplicates that make your draw weaker. A made eight-low may still lose to a seven-low.
Venue and format variations
Bring-in tie breaking and betting increments are house details. Tournament procedures can differ from cash-game operations.
Game mechanics, tournament procedures, and local house rules are different layers. Poker TDA publishes tournament procedures; the table operator's posted game rules decide the exact version you play.
Follow one hand, step by step.
All players ante.
This fixed sequence teaches the deal and betting order. It does not simulate an actual hand.
Check your understanding.
QUESTION 1 / 2What is the best Razz hand?
Read the correct chart.
Aces are low. Straights and flushes do not count against the low. Compare the highest low card first.
- 5♠4♦3♣2♥A♠Best: wheelThe best five-card ace-to-five low.
- 6♠4♦3♣2♥A♠Six-lowLoses to a wheel but beats seven-low.
- 5♠5♦3♣2♥A♠Paired handA pair is worse than an unpaired five-card low.
Frequently asked questions
What cards and deck does Razz use?
Standard 52-card deck. Cards received over the hand: 7 over the hand: 3 down, 4 up; community cards: 0 normally.
How is the pot awarded?
Compare the best five-card ace-to-five lows from each remaining player's seven cards. There is no eight-or-better requirement.
Which rules should I check at a real table?
Bring-in tie breaking and betting increments are house details. Tournament procedures can differ from cash-game operations. Confirm the venue's betting limits, forced bets, and tournament or cash-game procedures.
Related poker terms
Continue exploring
Playing this game in a tournament? Explore tournament formats and rules ↗
Source documents
These original explanations were reviewed 2026-10-15. The linked organizations publish the underlying rules; Flawless Poker is an educational guide, not an official ruling body.
- PokerStars Razz rules ↗Published room game rules
- Poker TDA 2026 Rules v1.1 (Sept. 21, 2026) ↗Tournament procedures; not a universal rulebook for every game