Card Player Magazine , available in print and online, covers poker strategy, poker news, online and casino poker, and poker legislation. Sign up today for a digital subscription to access more than 800 magazine issues and get 26 new issues per year! The game of Razz has long been a staple of mixed games, most frequently as a part of H.O.R.S.E. rotations. That version of Razz has typically been a form of Stud Lowball where the aces are considered low and straights and flushes don’t count against you. Thus the best hand is A-2-3-4-5 and we will refer to this more traditional game as A-5 Razz.
Deuce to Seven (2-7) Razz has been around awhile in mixed games where the game choices are more exotic, but has recently become more prevalent in all games.
In 2-7 Razz aces are considered high and straights and flushes cannot be a part of your best five-card holding. Therefore, the nut holding in the game is 2-3-4-5-7 without a flush.
For example, if you get to showdown with (7 3) 4 6 10 J (5) your final best five card hand would 3 4 5 6 10. You have a ten low, not a seven because that would make a straight.
Why play 2-7 Razz as opposed to A-5 Razz? I guess the easiest answer to that question is, why not? After all, it is truly what Seven Card Stud Lowball is supposed to be if making the worst possible high hand is the goal.
Another reason is that mixed game players are always trying to keep their opponents on their toes by continually coming up with new games. A new game is always fun, and experienced players always adapt faster than their competition thus their edges get a little bit bigger.
2-7 Razz isn’t tremendously different than A-5 Razz. But there are a few nuances that call for some adjustments in hand selection and play on the later streets that skilled players are more apt to make.
Differences Between A-5 Razz And 2-7 Razz
The biggest difference is that aces are high in 2-7 Razz. It seems comical […]
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