Some Bad Plays during Razz Rounds in H.O.R.S.E. Games
A poker game called H.O.R.S.E, which is basically a game of five rotating poker variants of Holdem, Omaha 8 or Better, Razz, Stud, and Stud 8 or Better, has been growing in popularity since 2006. While most poker players can play most games, they have the least experience and exposure to Razz. So when faced with it, they end up making many bad plays. Here are a few things you can look for during the Razz round.
When playing razz, it’s important that you start with 3 little cards and not play any card bigger than an eight in your hand. There are only two exceptions. One is if you have a nine showing when the hand is dealt, everyone else’s up card is bigger than a nine, and you have two low cards in the hole. Two is if you are in steal position with a baby showing, and the remaining player (or even the remaining two players) has a big card showing. You can raise in this spot to steal the antes despite what your hole cards are. If an opponent calls, hope that they catch a big card. If he ends up with a baby and you have a big card, just fold.
Depending on how the Poker game is structured, a lot of your opponents may opt to sit out a number of hands in the Razz round. This is more common in cash games than in tournaments. Thus, players end up playing only a hand that is really strong. There will be times when one may choose to play a marginal hand against these players, hoping they may catch bad and then fold. It is not that you should call down this player if you have a King and he has an ace. But if you are showing a 9 or 10 and he has a card from 5 to 8, then you can come in and see 4th street. At this point, they will fold to a bet if they catch paint and your hand improves.
If a player calls a completion bet on third that was a bring-in or has a card 10 or higher, they may be holding a couple of really strong low cards. What you need to do is pay close attention to how they improve and if you are improving. Bet your hand strong. If by 6th street you feel that they indeed may have a better hand than you, slow down or fold if you can’t outdraw them.
If someone hits a pair on their board and they call a bet from you, you can bet that their hole cards are strong if not perfect. Push your advantage unless they improve or you fall behind.
Don’t ever try and bluff a calling station. Some players will not fold their hand even if you are showing A-2-3-4 and they are showing K-7-8-9. Remember that most players that play H.O.R.S.E. tend to specialize in some games but are average in some Poker Games.
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Tags:
Holdem, Omaha, Poker, Razz
