Do Pairs Count in Razz Poker?

Razz Poker is one of the most popular variations of poker, and it’s played in many casinos around the world. One question that frequently comes up when playing Razz is whether or not pairs count in the game. In this article, we’ll explore this question in detail and provide you with all the information you need to know about pairs in Razz Poker.

What is Razz Poker?

Before we get into the topic of pairs in Razz Poker, let’s first explain what Razz Poker is. Razz is a lowball poker game where the objective is to make the lowest possible hand.

In this game, straights and flushes do not count against your hand, and Aces are always considered low cards. The best possible hand in Razz is A-2-3-4-5.

Do Pairs Count in Razz Poker?

Now let’s answer the question at hand – do pairs count in Razz Poker? The simple answer is no, pairs do not count in Razz Poker. This means that if you have a pair of cards, they will not help you make a winning hand.

In Razz Poker, having a pair can actually hurt your chances of winning because it takes away from your low hand value. For example, if you have a pair of Kings (K-K) and your opponent has 7-6-5-4-A, your opponent would win because they have a better low hand (7-6-5-4-A) than you do (K-K-A).

What Hands Are Good in Razz?

Now that we know that pairs don’t count in Razz Poker, let’s discuss what hands are good. As mentioned earlier, the best possible hand in Razz is A-2-3-4-5 (also known as a “wheel”). However, any hand that has five cards with a value of 8 or lower is considered a good hand.

PRO TIP:Razz Poker is a game where the lowest 5-card hand wins. When counting hands, pairs do not count as they are considered high cards, so you should always try to get 3 unconnected low cards with no pairs in order to have the best chance of winning.

How to Play Razz Poker

If you’re new to Razz Poker, here’s a quick rundown of how the game is played:

1. Each player is dealt two cards face down (hole cards) and one card face up (door card).

2. The player with the highest door card starts the betting round.

3. After the first round of betting, each player is dealt another face-up card (fourth street).

4. Another round of betting takes place, starting with the player who has the lowest hand showing.

5. This process repeats itself for fifth and sixth streets until each player has seven cards (four face up, three face down).

6. The final round of betting takes place, and if there are still two or more players in the game, there’s a showdown where players reveal their hands.

Conclusion

In conclusion, pairs do not count in Razz Poker. While having a pair may seem like an advantage in other poker games, it’s actually a disadvantage in Razz because it takes away from your low hand value. If you’re new to Razz Poker, remember that the best possible hand is A-2-3-4-5 and any hand with five cards valued at 8 or lower is considered good.