5thstreet is the key decision point in Razz poker
since not only does the betting size double from this point forward, but also in most cases, if your hand is good enough to play on 5thstreet, it's good enough to
go all the way to the end. This is where you need to know if it's worth investing more money in your hand. If not, you are chasing without the proper odds. Don't be the azz in Razz.
This introduces a new system to properly evaluate the strength of your hand compared to your opponent's hand. Many headsup simulations were completed to develop this system (see appendix for details). Importantly, if you have a strong read on your opponent, follow your read first.
1. There are two key questions to ask when you get to 5th street. On 5th street, look at your opponent's exposed cards and your hand, and ask yourself the following questions:
A. Who is “in the lead”? Definition of “in the lead”:
Unless you can read your opponent's hand extremely well, assume that his hole cards help and don't hurt his hand. Therefore, the player whose exposed cards are lower than their opponent's exposed cards, are assumed to be “in the lead.”
Action:
The player who is in the lead should bet his hand to try to win the pot on 5th street.
B. Whose “four-card draw” is better?
Definition of a “four-card draw”:
Take away the highest-ranking card from the player with the leading hand, and these four cards are his “four-card draw.” Assume that his hole cards help
and don't hurt his hand. Of course, the player whose hand is behind will use his best four cards to establish his “four-card draw,” or simply his draw.
Action:
If the player in the lead also has the better “four-card draw,” he is a big favorite. He should bet and his opponent should fold. If the player who is behind has the better “four-card draw,” he will either be a small underdog or a small favorite. When he is a dog, he should call and check his hand. When he is a small favorite, he should jam the pot.
Here are some common situations you will face on 5th street and how this system is put into action:
1. You hit a bad card on 5th street:
Example: You have (4-5) 7,9,10 and your opponent has (x-x) 6,8,9.
Situation: You started the hand with three good cards, but fell behind on 4thstreet. On 5th street, both you and your opponent hit bad cards.
Analysis: Your opponent looks to have a made hand with a 9 low, and a better “four-card draw” than you with an 8-6 to your 9-7. This means he is a big favorite.
Action: When he bets, fold. Don't chase. Don't be the azz in Razz.
You have (4-5) 7,8,Q and your opponent has (x-x) 6,8,10. Situation: You started the hand with three good cards. You and your opponent hit the same card on 4thstreet, so you decided to see one more card. Unfortunately, the 5th street card was bad for
you.
Analysis: Your opponent looks to have a 10 low, made hand and a better “four-card draw” with 8-7 to 8-6. It looks close, but it’s not.
Action: When he bets, don't chase. Fold. Don't be the azz in Razz.
You have (A-4) 5,J,Q and your opponent has (x-x) 6,K,7. Situation: Here you started with three cards to a bike. On 4th street, both you and your opponent hit bad. On 5thstreet, you hit bad again, while your
opponent hit a good card.
Analysis: Your opponent has four cards working to a good low, while you only have three cards working. This is an awful situation for you, since it puts you way behind in the hand. Action: Check and if he bets, fold. Don't chase. Don't be the azz in Razz.
You have (4-6) A-9-J and your opponent has (x-x) 8-4-10. Situation: You started with three good cards, but fell behind on 4thstreet. Your opponent bet, and
you called on 4thstreet. On 5th street you both hit bad
cards.
Analysis: Your opponent is in the lead with a 10 low, and has a better “four-card draw.”
Action: If your opponent bets, fold. Don't chase. Don't be the azz in Razz.
2. You hit a good card on 5th street
Example: You have (4-8) 6,2,4 and your opponent has (x-x) A,J,9.
Situation: You started with three good cards, and improved on 4thstreet. When you bet on 4thstreet,
your opponent called your bet since he had a strong draw. On 5thstreet, you hit good and he hit bad. Analysis: This is sweet when it happens. You are in the lead and you have the best draw.
Action: Bet and your opponent should fold.
You have (A-3) 7,2,4 and your opponent has (x-x) A,8,6. Situation: You started with a good low, and you took the lead on 4thstreet. On 5thstreet, both you
and your opponent hit good cards, but you are in the lead.
Analysis: Here you both look to have made hands. You have a 7-4 and your opponent an 8-6. You even have a better “fourcard draw” with your 4-3 to his 6-x. Action: Bet and your opponent should fold. A trickier play is to slow-play the hand, and check it. The check may look like you paired your hole card. If so, your opponent will want to protect his lead and bet. While this play puts you at risk of losing since he can catch up, you'll win a bigger pot than if you simply bet out on 5th street.
You have (A-2) 5,A,3 and your opponent has (x-x) 6,7,10. Situation: This is the example mentioned in the chapter on 4th street. You started with three strong cards, but paired your A in the hole on 4thstreet. You checked on 4thstreet and called when
your opponent bet. On 5thstreet, you have a bike draw, while your opponent has a 10 low. Analysis: You have a draw to the best possible low and your opponent probably has a made hand with a 10 low. You are at least a 58% favorite. Action: Jam the pot.
3. You paired up on 5th street
Example: You have (4-8) 6,2,4 and your opponent has (x-x) A,6, J.
Situation: You started with a good low, and improved on 4th street. However, your opponent also got help
on 4thstreet. When he bet on 4thstreet, you called. On
5thstreet, you paired up one of your hole cards, while
your opponent hit bad. Analysis: Pairs are bad news in Razz poker. However, the pair is hidden, which means you have the “visible” lead. Your opponent, though, has a better draw with his 6-A to your 6-4. Action: Usually when you have the “visible” lead, you
should bet as a bluff. But, since he led with a bet on 4th street, he is not going to fold. In this situation,
your opponent is actually both in the lead and has a better “four-card draw.” Therefore, your best play is to check and your opponent will most likely check behind with his J low. Save your money and see what happens on 6th street.
Example:
You have (A-2) 5,A,2 and your opponent has (x-x) 4,7,8. Situation: You started with three strong cards, but paired your A in the hole on 4thstreet. You bet on
4thstreet and your opponent called. On 5thstreet, you
paired up again, and your opponent hit a good card. Analysis: Bummer. You made two pair. However, you have the “visible” lead and your board looks so strong you may actually have a bike or 6 low. Your opponent is going to fear your board.
Action: You have the “visible” lead, and even a better “visible” “four-card draw.” Plus, your board is so strong it looks like you have a bike. Bet this hand as a semi-bluff. Your opponent is going to fold, unless he has an incredible read on your play.
You have (4-7) A,6,6 and your opponent has (x-x) 4,7,8. Situation: You started with three good cards, and hit a good card on 4thstreet. When you bet on
4thstreet, your opponent called. On 5thstreet you
paired up one of your exposed cards, while your opponent hit good.
Analysis: Your opponent is in the lead with a made low of 8-7. He also may have a better “four-card draw” with a 7-4 to your 7-6. An exposed pair hurts your hand more than a hidden pair, since you have no opportunity to bluff with a bet.
Action: You can get into a lot of trouble in this hand. When he bets, just fold.
Example: You have (6-7) A,6,7 and your opponent has (x-x) 4,7,8.
Situation: You started with three good cards, paired your hole card on 4thstreet. When you bet on 4thstreet, your opponent called. On 5thstreet you
paired up again, while your opponent hit good. Analysis: You are in the “visible” lead with your 7-6 to your opponent's 8-7. You also have a better “visible” “four-card draw.” While your opponent may be weary that you have a made low of 7-6, it is not as scary as
a made bike hand. Action: You can get into a lot of trouble in this hand. If you bet on 5thstreet, it's a bluff.
And, most likely, your opponent is going to call. It looks like you are going to end up losing a lot of money so don't bet your hand. If he bets, just fold. Or, if you read that your opponent is weak, check-raise bluff; this bet will say you have a 7-6 made low hand, and he will only call your bet if he can outdraw you.
2. It is NOT true that any drawing hand is a favorite over a made 9 low hand, and therefore the player with the draw should jam the pot. Here are guidelines as to how a made hand of a 9 low compares to drawing hands:
a) The player with a made low of 9-8, is a slight underdog to a player who has any 7, 6, or 5 low draw, but a big favorite over an opponent with any 8 low draw.
b) The player with a made low of 9-7, is a slight underdog to a player who has any 5 low draw, but a big favorite over an opponent with any 8 low draw. Against a player with a 7 or 6 low, the results vary depending upon the cards each player holds.
c) The player with a made low of 9-6, is a slight favorite over a player who has any 7, 6, or 5 low draw, and a big favorite over an opponent with any 8 low draw.
d) The player with a made low of 9-5, is a slight favorite over a player who has any 5 or 4 low draw, and a big favorite over an opponent with any 8, 7 or 6 low draw.
e) The player with a made low of 9-4, is a big favorite over an opponent with any 8, 7, 6, or 5 low draw, and a slight favorite over an opponent with a 4 low draw.
Here are some common situations with a made 9 low hand:
You have a (A-3) 4,7,Q and your opponent has (x-x) 6,8,9. Situation: You started with a good hand, and both you and your opponent hit good cards on 4thstreet. When you bet on 4thstreet, your opponent called. On 5thstreet, he hit good and you hit bad.
Analysis: Your opponent is in the lead with a 9-8 low hand, but you have a better “four-card draw” with a 7- 4. Based on the strength of your draw, you are the favorite to win the hand. Action: Jam the pot. You are the favorite and want to take advantage of your edge.
You have a (5-A) 4,7,Q and your opponent shows (x-x) 4,7,9. Situation: You started with a good hand, and both you and your opponent hit good cards on 4thstreet. On 5thstreet, your opponent hit good and
you hit bad.
Analysis: Your opponent has the leading hand with a 9-7 low made hand. You both have the same “four- card draw” with a 7-4. It is not clear who is the favorite, so you need to be cautious.
Action: Just call his bet, and see what develops on 6th street.
You have a (A-3) 2,5,Q and your opponent has (x-x) 5,6,9. Situation: You started with a strong hand, and hit a good card on 4thstreet. Your opponent called your bet on 4thstreet. On 5th street, your
opponent hit a better card than you.
Analysis: Your opponent is in the lead with a 9-6 low made hand, but you have a better “four-card draw.” Action: When he bets, just call. He is a slight favorite despite your bike draw.
You have a (A-3) 2,6,Q and your opponent has (x-x) 4,5,9. Situation: You started with a strong hand, and hit a good card on 4thstreet. Your opponent a
good card on 4thstreet, and you called his bet. On
5thstreet, your opponent hit a better card than you.
Analysis: Your opponent is in the lead with a 9-5 low made hand, and he has a better low “four-card draw” than you with a 5-4 against your 6-3.
Action: It depends. A fold is a play that will keep you out of trouble. You need a good read on your opponent, because he could have a worse “four-card draw” than you. Given the pot odds, a call in this situation is an acceptable play to see what happens on 6th street.
You have a (A-3) 2,5,J and your opponent has (x- x) 3,4,9. Situation: You started with a strong hand, and hit a good card on 4thstreet. Your opponent hit a
better card. He bet and you called his bet on 4thstreet. On 5thstreet, your opponent hit a better
card than you.
Analysis: Your opponent is in the lead with a 9-4 low made hand, and he may also have a better “four- card draw.” Action: With a bike draw, and the good pot odds, you should call his bet. See what develops on 6th street.
3. The player with a made 8 low is a favorite to any drawing hand. Therefore, the player who has the drawing hand should never jam the pot on 5th street.
You have a (A-3) 2,5,J and your opponent has (x- x) 3,8,6. Situation: You started with a strong hand, and hit a good card on 4thstreet. Your opponent
called your bet on 4thstreet. On 5th street, your
opponent hit a better card than you.
Analysis: Your opponent is in the lead with an 8-6 low made hand. But, you have the better “four-card draw” with a 5-2 to your opponent's 6-3. Action: When your opponent bets, you should call.
You have a (A-3) 2,7,J and your opponent has (x- x) 3,8,6. Situation: You started with a strong hand, and hit a good card on 4thstreet. Your opponent
called your bet on 4thstreet. On 5th street, your
opponent hit a better card than you.
Analysis: Your opponent is in the lead with an 8-6 low made Analysis: Your opponent is in the lead with an 8-6 low made 3 to your 7-3.
Action: It depends. A fold is a play that will keep you out of trouble. You need a good read on your opponent, because he could have a worse “four-card draw” than you. Given the pot odds, a call in this situation is an acceptable play to see what happens on 6thstreet. But, you should make your decision on
what happens on 6th street.
4. The player with a made 10 low is an underdog to a drawing hand to a 7 low.
You have a (4-6) 7,3,J and your opponent has (x- x) 3,8,10. Situation: You started with a strong hand, and hit a good card on 4thstreet. Your opponent called your bet on 4thstreet. On 5th street, your
opponent hit a better card than you.
Analysis: Your opponent is in the lead with a 10-8 low made hand. But, you have the better “four-card draw” with a 7-6 to your opponent's 8-3. Action: When your opponent bets, you should jam the pot as you are a slight favorite to win the pot.
5. When you are in the lead on 5th street, consider a check-raise when your opponent is aggressive. Example:
You have a (A-3) 2,6,7 and your opponent has (x- x) 3,8,6. Situation: You started with a strong hand, and hit a good card on 4thstreet. Your opponent called your bet on 4thstreet. On 5th street, your
opponent hit a better card than you.
Analysis: You are in the lead, and your opponent may have a made hand with an 8 low. You can bet or try to make it look like you paired up by checking. When your opponent bets, you check-raise signaling that you are in the lead.
Action: If your opponent is aggressive, try to use it against him by checking and then raising his bet.
6. A raise on 5th street when you have a draw against what looks like a made 9 hand can be advantageous.
First, your opponent may not have made a 9 low. Second, if you hit a good card on 6thstreet, your opponent may fold to your bet. Third, it may get you a free card on 6th street.