I've been playing around on the ps HORSE tables recently and I fell like my razz game blows. What type of hand requirements should I be looking for (in what positions or vs raises etc.)

Im obviously a fan of A23 and really any 3 non paired cards under 5or 6. But what shit like facing a raise and 2 callers with A28? If anyone plays this often, some input would be helpful.

I am probably wrong, but this is how I play starting hands at a full table...

3 card 8 -- I look around at all the door cards. If there are more than 3 wheel cards showing, I will usually throw this one out if it's something like 876, 875, 874, etc. I might play if I have an 8 and 2 wheels to go with it. Facing a raise, I usually muck it.

3 card 7 -- I'll play a rough 7 about the same way I'd play an 8. With 753 and better, I might raise. Once again, it depends on the door cards.

3 card 6 -- I'll play this one for 2 or 3 bets. If it is 62A, 63A, 632, I might even cap it on 3rd street.

3 card wheel -- I'm capping on 3rd. If I hit the 4th wheel card on 4th street, I'm capping all the way to 6th where I need to reevaluate.

other hands -- If the board on 3rd is favorable (no more than 2 other low cards out there), I'll play a 954 or better and raise most of the hands above. If every else has folded and it's just myself and the bring-in, I'm raising every time.

In my opinion, Razz is the easiest game to play, but it also relies more on luck than skill.

Nice post, triple-t.

Read Phil Hellmuth's book. I learned the basics and have done ok. Not as hard of a game as I thought. Full Tilt has freerolls late at night. Those are fun. Chris Ferguson plays in it almost every night.

I love Razz its awesome. I don't agree that it is more luck than skill. Many people play Razz really badly.

The trick is to pay more attention to your opponents hands. Always know what you are drawing to and what they are. You should be able to tell what they are drawing to on 5th and 6th (Their best theoretical hand anyways). 2s and 3s up make this difficult of course. Alwyas bet 4th and 5th when you are in front.

Make people with pairs up and high cards showing pay for their draws.

Don't make things too expensive too early with hands like A23 and 234. they can go real sour, real fast.

Once you get good enough you will be able to puit your opponents on hands and move them off with semi bluffs etc.

I played the Razz $3/$6 cash ring on stars today, sat down with $120 and was up to $319 in less than 2 hours. Easy money. One of the most skilled poker games if you can read your opponents hands and cards and know how to play draws.

Originally Posted by Fishodeath

I've been playing around on the ps HORSE tables recently and I fell like my razz game blows. What type of hand requirements should I be looking for (in what positions or vs raises etc.)

Im obviously a fan of A23 and really any 3 non paired cards under 5or 6. But what shit like facing a raise and 2 callers with A28? If anyone plays this often, some input would be helpful.

I would wait until 4th or 5th to define a hand like A28. If your against 1 or more opponents and they hit paint or pair up on 4th or 5th you may have the best hand.

This obviously depends on the level you are at and what chip stack. I'd get some p[ractice in on the cash tables or the Razz only tournaments.

I blow at H/L omaha and i'm not that proficient at stud so i usually do bad in HORSE.

Originally Posted by DaFish

Both Razz and Stud seem to be hell difficult games.

For instance Razz: What if my opponent cards show A234 and I have the same hand. Under what circumstances do I call/raise bets here on 6th street, what other sidecards do I need etc. (provided I have no 5 of course). I guess I have to factor in

- pot odds
- other opponents cards, who may have folded already
- the general probability he has better extra card (how to compute that!?)

I don't really compute in Razz tbh. But i'm new to the game. If your both showing A234 up then have you got a made low like a 7 or 6. If yes then its worth a value bet if your last to act or a check if your first. Save the raise if you hit the 5.

Sometimes it wise to chase a draw if you suspect several cards will make a better low than your opponent. This is determined by reads and knowing your opponents starting cards. You can generally tell what your opponent is drawing to and then you can factor in for bluffs when your opponent pairs up one of his door cards.