Bluffing
August 22 2008
The game of Razz is straightforward for the most part. Like other Stud games, much of the information is visible to the players. So play is usually dictated by the cards that are showing, more so than the hidden cards. Therefore it’s possible to bluff and win hands just based on what you’re showing.
Stealing the bring-in and antes is the most common form of bluffing in Razz. If everyone has folded to you, and you’re to the right of the bring-in player, you should always raise. The higher the betting level, the higher percentage play this will be. You don’t have to be successful every time for it to be profitable. Putting in a raise with a small card showing when your opponents all have big cards up is another good situation to steal the bring-in and antes.
The other times you will be bluffing will be in situations where you’re drawing to a good hand. This is a semi-bluff because you can draw to win the pot, but you’re betting out just in case it’s possible to pick up the pot right there. As long as you continue to get low cards, even if they pair one of your hole cards, you can continue the bluff because opponents will give you credit for a made hand.
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