Razz

Razz mixed poker rules

Razz mixed poker games rules are lowball rules: the lowest five-card hand wins, aces are low, and straights or flushes do not hurt you. Exposed cards matter because every dead low card changes how often your draw improves.

• Each player receives seven cards across the hand, with some exposed.
• The lowest five-card hand wins.
• Straights and flushes do not count against you in standard razz.

Rule tips

• Begin with three unpaired low cards, ideally five or lower.
• Compare your board to opponents' upcards before calling on later streets.
• Track dead cards so you know whether your smooth low draw is still live.

Common rule mistakes

• Continuing with a rough eight when an opponent shows a much smoother board.
• Treating paired hidden cards as harmless; pairs reduce the five-card low you can make.
• Ignoring door-card pressure from players who can represent stronger lows than you.

Hand values

• A-2-3-4-5 is the best possible hand.
• Pairs are bad because paired cards do not help the low.
• Rough lows like 8-7 are vulnerable against smoother boards.

Starting hand advice

• Three unpaired cards five or lower are excellent.
• Three-card sevens are playable when live and position is favorable.
• Avoid hands with duplicated ranks or dead low cards.

Common beginner mistakes

• Chasing when opponents show much smoother boards.
• Ignoring dead low cards.
• Treating any made eight as automatically strong.