In order to play razz poker and win on a consistent basis, you will need to first learn the basics of the game. Understanding the game of razz poker isn't hard, but if you're switching over from seven-card stud or Hi/lo, you may be in for an awkward transition.

Razz poker is similar to stud and Hi/lo games, but the requirements to win are very different. Razz is played in the same manner as a stud game, except that you're aiming to get the worst possible hand instead of the best.

Razz is most easily compared to the lower part of seven-card stud hi/lo, since the objective is to get a low hand. However, the hand development rules are more relaxed in razz poker. In seven-card stud hi/lo, you have to have a qualifying hand in order to win (meaning that you must have five cards with nothing higher than an eight). Razz has no such requirement, so any player's hand can win.

Another element of razz poker is that there are no blinds, unlike many other modern poker variants. Instead, razz poker uses bring-ins and forced antes. Antes are smaller, percentage-based bets, but every participant has to place an ante before the hand is dealt. Ante is generally between 10-25% of the stakes, and when they are used, every player has a stake, encouraging more to remain in the game.

Bring-ins are comparable to the blind, except that they are placed after the hand is dealt. The player in bring-in position cannot fold once they have their cards; they must place their bet (equal to half the low-end stakes). The bet has to come back around to that player before they have the option to fold.

Razz poker is different from other poker styles, and understanding it will go a long way in minimizing your chip loss and increasing your profits.