I played my first (and second, and third, and 209th) ever Razz hand last night. Got into a $1 tourney on FTP at the last minute, hoping to get a few hands in to prepare for the BTP HORSE tourney on Monday.

This game is pretty freakin cool! I played it using my normal 7 stud hi/lo guidelines, minus the high stuff. Raised every time I had 3 cards below a 5, always kicked the bringin up to a full bet when I had either 3 below a 7 or a scary door card with big cards behind me. From there I pretty much just winged it.

Caught a somewhat disguised wheel on 6th with a guy betting into me about 45 minutes in, he paid me off after we capped it on 6th and 7th (he had 6432A, ouch). Went card dead for most of the 2nd hour, but got hot towards the end of it and was in 9th with about 50 to go (181 entered, paid 16). Stayed in the top 20 from there on out but could have easily done better if not for 2 big hands that I got boned on:

Hand 1 - I have (53)A, raise a 6 door card, raise 4th street when I get a 6 and he gets an 8. I figured I was golden until I got KKT and he took me with 9 high. That put me into survival mode near the bubble (paid top 16). I had about 4k with a 150 ante and I think the bets were 600/1200. Once I hit the cash I get this gem:

(43)2 for me, I raise the bring in who showed a 9. He is the only caller. I got a 5 on 4th to his 8. He actually bet into me, I raised it which put me all in. He shows (24)98 and I feel pretty good. Pretty good until I got JTQ, he hit a 7 and I lost to another weak 9.

I got rolled up aces (my first time ever getting that in Stud, figures it happens during a Razz tourney) but actually stole the antes with it when everyone's doorcard was painted. I showed too, hehe.

While my 2 1/2 hours of time was rewarded with a whopping .77 profit, I really dig this game and need to play it more. Bring on the H.O.R.S.E.s!

Well, the play on the ring games is equally bad - but you have to keep your wits about you. Razz is really a good game to build a thick skin with. Nothing like starting with A234 and hitting JJJ against two others with a 9 and K low respectively...

The 3/6 table (I don't remember which pro it is) is quite nice when its running - but tread carefully...