Razz poker has been gaining in popularity over the years. This is partly due to its inclusion as a World Series of Poker event and partly due to it being the “R” in the popular mixed game “H.O.R.S.E.”. It has also gained more publicity due to Phil Hellmuth having won his 12th World Series bracelet at the 2012 Razz event.
Differences from seven-card stud
Razz is played exactly the same as seven-card stud with three notable exceptions:
1. In seven-card stud, the player with the lowest-ranking up-facing card is responsible for the ‘bring’. However in razz poker, the player with the highest-ranking up-facing card is responsible for the ‘bring’. Also, in the case of a tie for the highest ranking card, instead of deciding by suit, (as in seven-card stud) the player nearest to the dealer is responsible for the bring.
2. The player who starts the betting round in seven-card stud is the player with the highest-ranking up-facing cards. In razz, this is reversed and the player with the lowest-ranking up-facing cards begins the round of betting.
3. Although in seven-card stud either the player with the best high hand (seven-card stud high) or the players with the best high and qualifying low hands (seven-card stud hi-lo) wins the pot at showdown, in razz it is only the player with the best low hand that wins the pot at showdown.