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Razz Beginner Strategy

April 26, 2009

Razz Poker has developed an immense following over the past few years, and the number of Razz Poker fans just keeps growing. If you would like to join the steadily growing community of winning Razz Poker players, the application of a solid Razz Poker Strategy is the first key to success.

There are many aspects to a winning Razz Poker Strategy, some more in-depth and experience related than others. For this reason, we have put together a complete, 3-part Razz Poker Strategy Guide. The three sections are divided as follows:

Razz Beginner Strategy
Razz Intermediate Strategy
Razz Advanced Strategy

In this first installment, the Razz Beginner Strategy, we will be discussing the foundation of a Razz Poker Strategy; the most important concepts a novice player needs to understand and integrate into his or her poker game. These include the importance of strict starting hand selection, the value of the Door Card, and how patience and discipline can keep your chip stack from disappearing before your eyes.

Razz Beginner Strategy – Starting Hands

We wrote a previous article entitle ‘Razz Poker Rules & Starting Hands’ that we highly recommend to those who have not read it. This article details all of the Razz Starting Hands that a novice player should move on with. If your starting hand does not include these combinations, it is best to fold and wait for a better opportunity. The only exception to this rule falls into the category of our next Razz Beginner Strategy section… the Door Card

Razz Beginner Strategy – The Door Card

A player’s Door Card can make or break their entire hand. Sometimes it doesn’t even matter what your hole Cards are. The Door Card alone can be enough to scare other players away from the pot, or convince them you are a weak player. For instance, if your Door Card is an Ace, this is a very powerful card. If all other players are showing 9s and above, try posting a decent size bet and more often than not, everyone else will fold out and give you the Antes. If you happen to be playing at a loose table, this might not work, so be sure your Hole Cards are good enough to back up the bet.

In the same token, having a high Door Card can work to your advantage, IF you have two excellent Hole Cards, such as A-2, A-3, or even 2-3. An opponent may underestimate your strength, adding value to the pot as you move forward.

Razz Beginner Strategy – Patience & Discipline

Every good poker player understands the importance of patience and discipline at the table (with the exception of Phil Hellmuth, perhaps). A player must have the patience to wait for a good starting hand, while maintaining the discipline to stay calm and unblased during these times. When a player becomes bored or disconcerted, they tend to make costly mistakes. Through practice and experience a player can learn to stay cool and composed, even through an hour of repeatedly folded hands. As dull as this may sound, if you want to be a serious, winning Razz Poker player, patience and discipline is a must.

Upgrading Strategies

Once you have applied these Razz Beginner Strategies with consistent success, only then should you move on to an intermediate Razz Strategy. When you are ready, please refer to the following pages:

Razz Intermediate Strategy
Razz Advanced Strategy

Written by Rob · Filed Under HORSE Poker Strategy 

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