♠PokerInsider
Poker news first in our Telegram channelSubscribe →
Mastering Razz Poker: A Beginner's Guide to Hand Rankings and Strategies
StrategyMarch 11, 2012·1 min read

Mastering Razz Poker: A Beginner's Guide to Hand Rankings and Strategies


The Nutblocker website, despite its current design issues, offers mathematically rich content and a subscription service for $250 per year. The main driving force behind the website is Tom Chambers, known for his video series on CardRunners. Another notable author on the site is Dan Abrams, known as Dr. Razz, who specializes in Razz poker.

In Razz poker, the best starting hand is the weakest unpaired combination of five cards, with the ace always being stronger than the deuce. However, the value of a starting hand in Razz is not solely determined by its equity, but also by its potential to win more money. This is similar to other poker games like hold'em, where the potential to win more money is also a factor.

Dan Abrams developed a rating system for evaluating the strength of Razz hands, using a scale from 0 to 20. The article categorizes Razz hands into six groups based on their strength, with Group A being the strongest. Group A includes the strongest possible combinations, such as three cards to the 'wheel' (from ace to five). These hands are played aggressively, but players should be cautious if they suspect their opponent has a hand from Group A or B.

Share this article

Argus Riven

By

Argus Riven

I've spent years at the tables — cash and tournaments — and just as long shaping poker copy behind the scenes: room reviews, bonus fine print, tournament notes. At PokerInsider I write the way I wish more sites would: clear structure, honest trade-offs, no hype. Whether you're new or already grinding, I care about what the offer actually costs you — rake, variance, and the fine print — and I treat responsible play as part of the job, not a footnote.

♠More in Strategy

Vitaly Inferno's Secrets: Playing 3-Bet Pots Without Hitting the Board

Vitaly Inferno's Secrets: Playing 3-Bet Pots Without Hitting the Board

1 min read
Maryland Man Turns Lucky Penny into $30,000 Lottery Win

Maryland Man Turns Lucky Penny into $30,000 Lottery Win

1 min read
Poker Pro 'xRekix' Analyzes Strategy Against 2nd Barrel

Poker Pro 'xRekix' Analyzes Strategy Against 2nd Barrel

1 min read
←All Articles♠ PokerInsider