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Razz Starting Hands

Like any other form of poker, starting hand selection in Razz is critical.  People think of Razz as a game of luck.  Just as is in Holdem, any starting hand can win, but if you only play premium starting hands, you will significantly increase your chances of success.  In general, you want three cards to an 8 or better.  Three cards to a 9 can be playable in the right situation (in an unraised pot, in late position, and with twolow cards like A-2 or 4-2).

A second factor you must recognize when deciding whether to play a hand is the number of your needed cards that have been exposed.  For example, if you start with

which is technically 3 cards to an 8, but your opponents all have Aces, twos, threes, and fours showing, your chances of improving to an 8 are difficult.  This hand should be folded.

Your hand strength increases with number of exposed duplicate cards on the board.  For example, if you start with:

And there are several sixes, threes, and aces exposed, your hand becomes stronger.  You should aggressively raise these types of hands.

You should fold any starting hand with any ten or facecard.