Razz? I'd Rather Have a Kick to the Junk: WCOOP #11

Filed in archive Internet Poker on September 26, 2007

Of all the poker games and variations, Razz by far gets the worse reception from those who are familiar with the Stud lowball game. "Only grumpy old men and those who wish to turn their hair grey" should be playing Razz, but nonetheless it's popular enough for the WCOOP to have Razz as its Event #11.

The $215 entry managed to attract over 1,200 sadist and people who nothing better to do then whine about how their hand started A234 and managed to brick up faster then a father of a daughter you're trying to date when you explained to him that the date will be in the back of your car.

Yes, the best loser is a winner in Razz as you receive seven cards (2 down, 4 up, and the last one down) and the best hand is A2345 regardless of suits. With a screen name that fit the game, "OnlyPlayRagz", took down the WCOOP Razz event and pocketed $41K for his troubles.

For a better perspective on Razz, the PokerStarsBlog provides once again:

Razz is just ugly name for a game. It's pejorative. It's ugly. The name aside, though, there is something beautiful about the game. Though it's reputation is perpetuated by the media and misunderstanding of the nature of the contest, Razz is a downright beautiful game.

You think I protest too much? Perhaps I'm on the board of the Razz Preservation Society? Well, maybe, but before you call me a shill, consider this.

On its face, Razz is simple. Make the lowest hand and win. The cards tell you what to do. The decisions seem easy. The bricks are disgusting. On another level, though, there is a complicated beauty to the game.