The Importance of Dead Cards in Razz PokerBeginner razz players love the topsy turvy sensation of cheering the appearance of dead cards killing potential pairs before they get a chance to blow a promising hand!
Playing heads up and observant poker is always the key to long term success and earnings, and watching the cards on the table remains an integral part of smart razz play. If you're dealt a promising starting hand of ace, 3, 6; every progressive ace, 3 and 6 appearing on the table is one less card ready to pair up and kill your hand. The more dead cards you see the more aggressively you can bet with what might otherwise be only a marginal hand.
Watching the table gives you a lot of information that you can use to bet aggressively on third and fourth street, and even when playing less than perfect hands you can often knock out a lot of competition for the eventual pot.
If you are dealt an 8 high three card hand, and you can see that every other player shows at least one card greater than 8, then you know that you currently have the best hand in the game, and can bet aggressively accordingly. While an 8 "low" won’t win many hands, opening aggressively, might thin the crowd; and if you maintain your advantage with all others drawing high cards on fourth street, a bit more aggressive play may leave you alone with the pot.
Sometimes all you need to know is sitting right in front of your eyes! Hone your razz poker skills today at StraightFlush.com.
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Byron Badd, Gambling911.com
Originally published September 19, 2007 12:27 am ET
