Razz Poker Tips
Razz poker is one of the most boring games in a mixed poker variant like horse poker for most players. Action is usually limited to stealing pots early. Playing Razz Poker can be a very exciting experience, but only when you win. In order to make your Razz Poker experience as thrilling and lucrative as possible, we’ve compiled three very important Razz Poker tips. These are common mistakes often made by novice poker players.
Razz Poker Tip #1: Patience and Discipline
These are two most important factors a player needs to maintain while playing Razz Poker, or any poker game for that matter. If you wish to win consistently, you’ll need to have the patience to wait for the right Starting Hands, and the discipline to remain calm and relaxed during long intervals of bad Starting Hands.
Every poker player experiences down swings. By learning how to manage these periods without becoming bored, you can avoid the bad decisions that cause inexperienced players to filter their chips around the table.
Razz Poker Tip #2: Betting on Second Best
Many times, players will look at their own hand and believe it to be very strong, when in fact it is Second Best. By keenly observing the face up cards on the table, you will often be able to determine whether or not you have the Nuts. For example, if you have A-2-4-7-8-J-K (actual 5-card hand A-2-4-7-8), and your opponent is showing 6-3-5-A, it may be safe to assume he has you beaten.
Think back to the opening bet. What did this opponent do when only his 6 was showing? Did he Bet, Call, Raise, or Check? How confident was he then? If he was willing to toss extra chips in the pot, you can be sure he has something good in the Hole, and probably has you beaten.
By observing your opponents, you can tune in on their behavior. This can give you strong insight as to the strength of that player’s hand. Always be sure you are paying attention to the board so you don’t siphon chips into a losing pot. Consider the odds of your hand actually winning, and if you feel the need to cross your fingers and say a prayer to go into the Showdown, maintain your discipline, Fold your hand, take the loss and be happy knowing you didn’t lose even more on a Second Best hand.
Razz Poker Tip #3: Bankroll Management
This is another common mistake made by beginner poker players. You must manage your bankroll properly. This means several things. First, don’t bring more money to the felt that you can afford to lose. Keep a separate fund aside for your poker play. Don’t scrape from the bill, grocery or gas money.
Second, make sure your bankroll corresponds with the stakes of the game. Unless you’re phenomenally lucky, bringing $20 to a $2/$4 Razz Poker game is not going to last long enough to make a profit. You should always bring at least 100x the big bet in Fixed Limit, 400x in No Limit. If you have $50 to play with, join a FL Razz Poker game with no more than $.25/$50 stakes, or a NL Razz Poker game of $.05/$10 at best.
By following these Razz Poker Tips and avoiding the common mistakes and pitfalls of less experienced Razz Poker players, you can increase your profits and enjoyment of the game by leaps and bounds.