Learn how to play Razzdugi

Razzdugi is a split-pot, fixed-limit game where the goal is to make the best possible Razz hand and the best possible Badugi hand using the seven cards you’re dealt.

From a technical standpoint, the game is dealt and played exactly like Razz. However, at the showdown, the best Razz hand only wins half the pot, while the other half goes to the best Badugi hand.

Razzdugi is an interesting mixed game variation that you won’t encounter that much in casinos and live poker rooms, but it certainly has its place among poker mix enthusiasts.

Razzdugi: The Basics

Razzdugi follows the usual structure of low stud games. A round begins with all players posting antes and receiving three cards (two face down and one face up). Then, the highest card showing posts the bring-in.

If two or more players have the same highest card, the one with the highest suit is the bring-in. The order of suits, from highest to lowest, is spades, hearts, diamonds, and clubs.

After this, the first betting round follows. Then, one more card is dealt face up to each player, followed by another round of betting. The first two betting rounds use the small bet.

The fifth card is dealt face up, and this is when the big bet comes into play. The sixth card is dealt face up; there is another round of betting, and then, finally, all players left in the hand receive the final card face down, followed by the last round of betting.

When all the betting is done, if there are two or more players still left in the pot, the showdown ensues, and, in Razzdugi, the pot will always be split between the best low (Razz) hand and the best Badugi hand.

Razzdugi Hand Rankings

Like in all split pot games, there are two types of hand rankings you need to pay attention to in Razzdugi.

One half of the pot is awarded to the best Razz hand, i.e., the lowest five-card low hand. Aces are low in this game, so the best possible hand is A-2-3-4-5. Just like in Razz, straights and flushes don’t count against the player in Razzdugi.

When comparing hands, the one with the lowest card at the top wins, i.e., 2-3-4-6-8 beats A-2-3-4-9.

The other half of the pot goes to the best Badugi hand. A Badugi contains four cards of different suits and ranks; for example, 3d-6s-7c-9h is a 9-high Badugi. When comparing hands, the lowest Badugi wins, and Aces are also counted as low.

So, the absolute nuts in Razzdugi would be a hand like As-2h-3d-4c-5h, giving you the nut low (wheel) and the best possible Badugi (A-2-3-4 of different suits).

Razzdugi Starting Hand Guidelines

Unlike some of the more popular poker variations, Razzdugi doesn’t have elaborate strategy guides out there. So, when it comes to the starting hand selection, you need to use logic and fall back on some of the basic principles of the game.

Your primary focus should be on making a strong Razz hand, as Badugi hands are much easier to come by in this variation since you get to pick from seven cards.

Good starting hands are the ones containing three low cards, like A-2-3, A-2-4, 2-3-4, and similar. It is perfect if these cards are also in three different suits, but if you have two cards of the same suit, that’s not an issue.

Starting with three cards of the same suit is not ideal, as it lowers your chances of creating a strong Badugi hand, so you should fold these unless they are extremely strong Razz hands.

The main point is that you should focus way more on the Razz side of things. You’d much rather start with a hand like 2c-3c-5s than something like 7s-8h-9d. While the latter hand is just one card away from a Badugi, you’re drawing to a mediocre Badugi and have very little chance of winning the Razz half of the pot.

Hands containing a pair are already bad in Razz, but they are especially bad in Razzdugi as you’re starting from a bad position on both sides. Low pairs (like aces and deuces) can still be played because of their blocking properties, but you need a pretty in-depth understanding of the game to be able to take advantage of these properties.

Common Razzdugi Mistakes

One of the biggest mistakes beginners make when they first start playing Razzdugi is worrying too much about their Badugi hand. The focus should always be on the Razz hand, and you should let your Badugi hand build around it.

With seven cards and no discards, making a solid Badugi is much easier than in the original game.

A second common mistake, which is not unique to Razzdugi, is not paying enough attention to face-up cards that are dealt out and folded during the hand. By staying focused and keeping track of what cards hit the muck, you’ll have a much better idea of how many actual outs you (and your opponents) have to make a hand.

It’s not uncommon for beginners to chase draws where they think they have three or four outs, when, in reality, they have one or none, but they forgot about the cards that were discarded during earlier betting rounds.

Razzdugi Poker Terms

• Scoop — win both halves of the pot (Razz and Badugi)
• Wheel — the best possible Razz hand (A-2-3-4-5 straight)
• Discarded Cards — face-up cards that were folded by other players during the hand

Razzdugi Tips for Beginners

• Start with strong Razz hands. Prioritize low, unpaired starting cards that give you a good foundation for the Razz half of the pot.

• Pay attention to every card you see. Track exposed and discarded cards to determine which ranks and suits are still live.

• Study your opponents’ face-up cards. Look for signs that an opponent may be drawing primarily to only the Razz or Badugi half of the pot.

• Avoid starting with a pair. Paired starting hands are even more troublesome in Razzdugi than in regular Razz because duplicate ranks can hurt your chances on both sides of the pot.

• Understand that you are playing for two halves of the pot. Razzdugi is a split-pot game combining Razz and Badugi. Your goal is to make the best five-card Razz hand and the best four-card Badugi hand.

• Prioritize starting hands that work both ways. Low cards of different suits are especially valuable because they can contribute to both a strong Razz hand and a four-card Badugi.

• Aces are extremely valuable. Aces are low in both Razz and Badugi, making them among the best cards to have in your starting hand.

• Avoid duplicated suits when possible. Suit diversity is crucial for the Badugi half. Three low cards may look attractive, but their value drops if two or more share a suit.

• Avoid paired cards. Pairs hurt your Razz hand and duplicate ranks cannot both be used in your Badugi, so starting with three different low ranks is much stronger.

• Play to scoop, not just to split. The most profitable hands have realistic chances of winning both halves. Frequently chasing only the Razz or Badugi half can leave you fighting for half the pot.

• Pay close attention to exposed cards. Like Razz, Razzdugi gives you valuable information through opponents’ upcards. Track which ranks and suits are visible to estimate how live your draws are.

• Don’t automatically fold high upcards. A high card showing on your board hurts your apparent Razz hand, but your hidden cards may still give you an excellent Badugi. Evaluate both sides before giving up.

• Know when a three-card Badugi is strong. You won’t always make a four-card Badugi. A strong three-card Badugi can sometimes win that half of the pot, particularly when opponents’ boards suggest they are struggling with suits or ranks.

• Don’t overvalue a made Badugi. Making four different suits isn’t enough by itself. A rough Badugi containing high cards can be vulnerable to a smoother four-card Badugi.

• Smooth hands are much stronger than rough hands. A hand such as A-2-4-6 has considerably more Badugi value than a four-suit hand containing several high cards. The same general principle applies to your Razz hand.

• Watch opponents’ boards for freeroll situations. If you appear to have one half of the pot locked up while still drawing to beat your opponent for the other half, you may be freerolling them. These are excellent spots to bet aggressively.

• Be cautious when you’re getting freerolled. The reverse situation is dangerous. If an opponent is likely to have you beaten for one half while drawing strongly against you for the other, continuing can become expensive.

• Don’t chase weak draws on later streets. Split-pot games can tempt you to continue because you have “something” going for one side. By fifth and sixth street, you should have a realistic path to winning at least half—and preferably both halves—of the pot.

• Start with tighter hand selection while learning. Razzdugi creates complicated decisions on later streets. Playing strong, coordinated starting hands with low ranks, different suits, and no pairs makes those decisions much easier.

FAQ

How does a hand of Razzdugi play out?

A hand of Razzdugi plays out just like a hand of regular Razz; the only difference comes at the showdown.

How is the pot split in Razzdugi?

The pot is split between the best low (Razz) hand and the best Badugi hand.

Do flushes and straights count against the player in Razzdugi?

No, flushes and straights don’t count against the player for the Razz half of the pot.

Do I get to discard or exchange any cards in Razzdugi?

No, you don’t get to exchange any cards in Razzdugi. By the end of the round, all players receive seven cards, three face down and four face up, and they use these seven to make the best possible five-card Razz hand and the best possible four-card Badugi hand.

Can I win both halves of the pot in Razzdugi?

Yes, of course. This is known as scooping, and it happens when you have the best Razz and the best Badugi hand at the showdown.

What happens when two players have the same best Razz hand and a third player has the best Badugi hand?

In this case, two players with the best (identical) Razz hand will split their half of the pot, while the third player will get the entire second half of the pot.