Razz - surflexus

Thanks to Poker Enthusiast for inviting me to contribute to Brickin The Nutz.
A little about me: I've been playing competetive games for 40 years and I've been a winning poker player for the past 4 years. I play about 10-15 live tournaments a year around the country and I enjoy all types of poker. I've been focusing on improving my Razz game for about 3 months now and as I grow and learn to play tournament Razz I will share my victories and defeats with you.
I played a 5 buck sng on Full Tilt today and saved a few hand histories to discuss.
Here's the first one:
Full Tilt Poker Game #4679619587: $5 + $0.50 Sit & Go (35475976), Table 1 - 40/80 Ante 7 - Limit Razz - 17:52:29 ET - 2007/12/30
Seat 1: mcmichael51 (1,668)
Seat 2: JohnEverymann (2,074)
Seat 3: sigurvin666 (498)
Seat 4: TeamGetBig (1,288)
Seat 5: jsmarble (2,728)
Seat 6: naymos (1,448)
Seat 7: Armcomp (828)
Seat 8: surflexus (1,468)
*** 3RD STREET ***
Dealt to mcmichael51 [9d]
Dealt to JohnEverymann [7h]
Dealt to sigurvin666 [8d]
Dealt to TeamGetBig [Ac]
Dealt to jsmarble [6d]
Dealt to naymos [Qh]
Dealt to Armcomp [Tc]
Dealt to surflexus [2c 8s] [Ad]
naymos is high with [Qh]naymos brings in for 10
Armcomp folds
surflexus completes it to 40
mcmichael51 folds
JohnEverymann has 15 seconds left to act
JohnEverymann folds
sigurvin666 has 15 seconds left to act
sigurvin666 raises to 80
TeamGetBig folds
jsmarble calls 80
naymos has 15 seconds left to act
naymos folds
surflexus calls 40

It's early in the game and I have my first decent starting hand. A lot of players have been limping in so I decide to go ahead and complete to thin the field. I get a re-raise with a caller behind me and I make the call.
*** 4TH STREET ***
Dealt to sigurvin666 [8d] [5h]
Dealt to jsmarble [6d] [2s]
Dealt to surflexus [2c 8s Ad] [4h]
surflexus bets 40
sigurvin666 raises to 80
jsmarble calls 80
surflexus calls 40
Again a re-reaise behind.
*** 5TH STREET ***
Dealt to sigurvin666 [8d 5h] [Qs]
Dealt to jsmarble [6d 2s] [Ks]
Dealt to surflexus [2c 8s Ad 4h] [Jc]
surflexus bets 80
sigurvin666 raises to 160
jsmarble calls 160
surflexus raises to 240
sigurvin666 raises to 320
jsmarble calls 160
surflexus calls 80
Here is something I really struggle with that I'm working on improving. I did a terrible job of controlling the size of the pot on this hand and even though I am ahead at this point there is obviously a ton of outs for my opponents.
*** 6TH STREET ***
Dealt to sigurvin666 [8d 5h Qs] [8c]
Dealt to jsmarble [6d 2s Ks] [9h]
Dealt to surflexus [2c 8s Ad 4h Jc] [3h]
surflexus bets 80
sigurvin666 calls 11, and is all in
jsmarble calls 80
My hand gets better here and I'm betting for value.
*** 7TH STREET ***
Dealt to surflexus [2c 8s Ad 4h Jc 3h] [3d]
surflexus bets 80
jsmarble calls 80
*** SHOW DOWN ***
surflexus shows [8s 3d Ad 4h Jc 3h 2c] 8,4,3,2,A
jsmarble shows [7d 5d 6d 2s Ks 9h 4c] 7,6,5,4,2
jsmarble wins the side pot (298) with 7,6,5,4,2
sigurvin666 mucks
jsmarble wins the main pot (1,539) with 7,6,5,4,2
sigurvin666 stands up
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 1,837
Main pot 1,539.
Side pot 298. Rake 0Seat 1: mcmichael51 folded on 3rd St.Seat 2: JohnEverymann folded on 3rd St.Seat 3: sigurvin666 mucked [Jh 6c 8d 5h Qs 8c 2d] - J,8,6,5,2Seat 4: TeamGetBig folded on 3rd St.Seat 5: jsmarble showed [7d 5d 6d 2s Ks 9h 4c] and won (1,837) with 7,6,5,4,2Seat 6: naymos folded on 3rd St.Seat 7: Armcomp folded on 3rd St.Seat 8: surflexus showed [8s 3d Ad 4h Jc 3h 2c] and lost with 8,4,3,2,A
Jsmarble hit his hand and rivered me for a huge pot. This knocked a chunk out of my stack so I'm off to a poor start.
The next hand I got involved in was this one:

Full Tilt Poker Game #4679706568: $5 + $0.50 Sit & Go (35475976), Table 1 - 50/100 Ante 10 - Limit Razz - 18:00:28 ET - 2007/12/30
Seat 1: mcmichael51 (1,828)
Seat 2: JohnEverymann (1,653)
Seat 4: TeamGetBig (1,767)
Seat 5: jsmarble (3,794)
Seat 6: naymos (1,338)
Seat 7: Armcomp (482)
Seat 8: surflexus (1,138)
mcmichael51 antes 10JohnEverymann antes 10TeamGetBig antes 10jsmarble antes 10naymos antes 10Armcomp antes 10surflexus antes 10
*** 3RD STREET ***
Dealt to mcmichael51 [Qd]
Dealt to JohnEverymann [Ks]
Dealt to TeamGetBig [6c]
Dealt to jsmarble [2c]
Dealt to naymos [7s]
Dealt to Armcomp [Jd]
Dealt to surflexus [Ah 5s] [Kc]
JohnEverymann is high with [Ks]JohnEverymann brings in for 15
TeamGetBig folds
jsmarble calls 15
naymos calls 15
Armcomp folds
surflexus calls 15
mcmichael51 has 15 seconds left to act
mcmichael51 folds
This is a pretty loose call and probably not a consistent winner but it was cheap so I got on in with everyone else.
*** 4TH STREET ***
Dealt to JohnEverymann [Ks] [Kh]
Dealt to jsmarble [2c] [4d]
Dealt to naymos [7s] [9c]
Dealt to surflexus [Ah 5s Kc] [8s]
jsmarble bets 50
naymos has 15 seconds left to act
naymos folds
surflexus calls 50
JohnEverymann folds
My opponent has a good hand showing but I decide to see one more card.

*** 5TH STREET ***
Dealt to jsmarble [2c 4d] [9h]
Dealt to surflexus [Ah 5s Kc 8s] [7d]
jsmarble bets 100
surflexus calls 100
I could still be behind but I've come this far so I call again.
*** 6TH STREET ***
Dealt to jsmarble [2c 4d 9h] [6s]
Dealt to surflexus [Ah 5s Kc 8s 7d] [Js]
jsmarble bets 100
surflexus calls 100
This is a bad call. How did I even get in this hand? :)
*** 7TH STREET ***
Dealt to surflexus [Ah 5s Kc 8s 7d Js] [Jh]
jsmarble checks
surflexus checks
*** SHOW DOWN ***
jsmarble shows [4s 2h 2c 4d 9h 6s 2d] a pair of Twos
surflexus shows [Jh 5s Kc 8s 7d Js Ah] J,8,7,5,Asurflexus wins the pot (630) with J,8,7,5,A
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 630 Rake 0
Seat 1: mcmichael51 folded on 3rd St.
Seat 2: JohnEverymann folded on 4th St.
Seat 4: TeamGetBig folded on 3rd St.
Seat 5: jsmarble showed [4s 2h 2c 4d 9h 6s 2d] and lost with a pair of Twos
Seat 6: naymos folded on 4th St.
Seat 7: Armcomp folded on 3rd St.
Seat 8: surflexus showed [Jh 5s Kc 8s 7d Js Ah] and won (630) with J,8,7,5,A

I got lucky on that hand for sure. Let's see if I can play a little smarter the rest of the way:

Full Tilt Poker Game #4680066608: $5 + $0.50 Sit & Go (35475976), Table 1 - 200/400 Ante 30 - Limit Razz - 18:32:41 ET - 2007/12/30
Seat 2: JohnEverymann (2,873)
Seat 4: TeamGetBig (1,371)
Seat 5: jsmarble (4,542)
Seat 6: naymos (2,016)
Seat 8: surflexus (1,198)
JohnEverymann antes 30
TeamGetBig antes 30
jsmarble antes 30
naymos antes 30
surflexus antes 30
*** 3RD STREET ***
Dealt to JohnEverymann [7h]
Dealt to TeamGetBig [6h]
Dealt to jsmarble [Qh]
Dealt to naymos [9s]
Dealt to surflexus [7d 8h] [5s]
jsmarble is high with [Qh]jsmarble brings in for 50
naymos folds
surflexus calls 50
JohnEverymann has 15 seconds left to act
JohnEverymann folds
TeamGetBig calls 50
*** 4TH STREET ***
Dealt to TeamGetBig [6h] [Kh]
Dealt to jsmarble [Qh] [5d]
Dealt to surflexus [7d 8h 5s] [Ts]
surflexus checks
TeamGetBig checks
jsmarble checks
Notice I'm being a little bit tighter than I was. The bets are much larger now and one mistake can end your tournament.
*** 5TH STREET ***
Dealt to TeamGetBig [6h Kh] [6d]
Dealt to jsmarble [Qh 5d] [8d]
Dealt to surflexus [7d 8h 5s Ts] [Ac]
My hand is looking pretty good now so I decide to bet.
surflexus bets 400
TeamGetBig folds
jsmarble calls 400
*** 6TH STREET ***
Dealt to jsmarble [Qh 5d 8d] [5h]
Dealt to surflexus [7d 8h 5s Ts Ac] [3d]
No reason to stop now:
surflexus bets 400
jsmarble calls 400
*** 7TH STREET ***
Dealt to surflexus [7d 8h 5s Ts Ac 3d] [4d]
surflexus bets 318, and is all in
jsmarble has 15 seconds left to act
jsmarble calls 318
*** SHOW DOWN ***
surflexus shows [8h 7d 5s Ts Ac 3d 4d] 7,5,4,3,A
jsmarble mucks
surflexus wins the pot (2,536) with 7,5,4,3,A
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 2,536 Rake 0Seat 2: JohnEverymann folded on 3rd St.Seat 4: TeamGetBig folded on 5th St.Seat 5: jsmarble mucked [Js 9d Qh 5d 8d 5h 7s] - J,9,8,7,5Seat 6: naymos folded on 3rd St.Seat 8: surflexus showed [8h 7d 5s Ts Ac 3d 4d] and won (2,536) with 7,5,4,3,A
That was a nice pot. The bets are getting large and we are nearing the money bubble so play gets very tight. I pick up several critical pots here with low cards showing. You can pretty much pick off the pots at this point of the game.

I mostly stay back out of the way for a while and the bubble bursts and we're down to 3 players :

Full Tilt Poker Game #4680295665: $5 + $0.50 Sit & Go (35475976), Table 1 - 400/800 Ante 75 - Limit Razz - 18:52:53 ET - 2007/12/30
Seat 5: jsmarble (4,904)
Seat 6: naymos (2,175)
Seat 8: surflexus (4,921)
jsmarble antes 75
naymos antes 75
surflexus antes 75
Notice JS and I have a good lead on the third player so I don't think he will want to mix it up with me right now.
*** 3RD STREET ***
Dealt to jsmarble [Ac]
Dealt to naymos [Qc]
Dealt to surflexus [4c 9h] [3s]
naymos is high with [Qc]naymos brings in for 100
surflexus calls 100
jsmarble completes it to 400
naymos folds
surflexus calls 300
I come in to this hand ahead of him expecting he will complete and I don't want to have to call a re-raise. He completes as I thought he would and I make the call.
*** 4TH STREET ***
Dealt to jsmarble [Ac] [Ah]
Dealt to surflexus [4c 9h 3s] [2d]
His hand went bad here and mine got better so I take the lead in the betting:
surflexus bets 400
jsmarble calls 400
*** 5TH STREET ***
Dealt to jsmarble [Ac Ah] [4s]
Dealt to surflexus [4c 9h 3s 2d] [3h]
jsmarble bets 800
surflexus has 15 seconds left to act
I really want to make this call and I feel I have a good chance to draw a nice hand but I have to let it go:
surflexus folds
Uncalled bet of 800 returned to jsmarble
jsmarble mucks
jsmarble wins the pot (1,925)
*** SUMMARY ***Total pot 1,925 Rake 0Seat 5: jsmarble collected (1,925), muckedSeat 6: naymos folded on 3rd St.Seat 8: surflexus folded on 5th St.
This is where I get my payback:
Full Tilt Poker Game #4680336127: $5 + $0.50 Sit & Go (35475976), Table 1 - 400/800 Ante 75 - Limit Razz - 18:56:27 ET - 2007/12/30
Seat 5: jsmarble (3,504)
Seat 6: naymos (2,750)
Seat 8: surflexus (5,746)
jsmarble antes 75
naymos antes 75
surflexus antes 75
*** 3RD STREET ***
Dealt to jsmarble [3c]
Dealt to naymos [9h]
Dealt to surflexus [4c Ah] [8d]
naymos is high with [9h]naymos brings in for 100
surflexus calls 100
I call again but I have a little surprise for js this time:
jsmarble completes it to 400
naymos folds
surflexus raises to 800 (Boom!!!) This should send a warning bell to him but he makes the call.
jsmarble calls 400
*** 4TH STREET ***
Dealt to jsmarble [3c] [9s]
Dealt to surflexus [4c Ah 8d] [2c]
surflexus bets 400
jsmarble calls 400
I'm feeling pretty good here.
*** 5TH STREET ***
Dealt to jsmarble [3c 9s] [Js]
Dealt to surflexus [4c Ah 8d 2c] [Th]
surflexus bets 800
jsmarble calls 800
*** 6TH STREET ***
Dealt to jsmarble [3c 9s Js] [Tc]
Dealt to surflexus [4c Ah 8d 2c Th] [8s]
jsmarble checks
surflexus has 15 seconds left to act (hehe)
surflexus bets 800
jsmarble calls 800
I took my time betting here because I want him to call.
*** 7TH STREET ***
Dealt to surflexus [4c Ah 8d 2c Th 8s] [Ac]
jsmarble bets 629, and is all in
surflexus calls 629
He could have caught up here...let's see:
*** SHOW DOWN ***
jsmarble shows [9d 7h 3c 9s Js Tc 2s] T,9,7,3,2
surflexus shows [4c Ah 8d 2c Th 8s Ac] T,8,4,2,A
surflexus wins the pot (7,183) with T,8,4,2,A
jsmarble stands up
The limits are now 500/1,000 with an ante of 100
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 7,183 Rake 0Seat 5: jsmarble showed [9d 7h 3c 9s Js Tc 2s] and lost with T,9,7,3,2Seat 6: naymos folded on 3rd St.Seat 8: surflexus showed [4c Ah 8d 2c Th 8s Ac] and won (7,183) with T,8,4,2,A
Wheeeeeeeeeeeee!!!
That left naymos and I. I had him outchipped about 5 to 1 and just played a solid game until I could get him all in with a great chance to beat him. It took two attempts but I closed it out and got the win.

So as you can see I've still got plenty of leaks to plug in my game. I'll keep trying to improve my Razz game and I'll post more hands here to talk about soon.

Just starting out...

Yes Virginia,

I am a RAZZ donk. I admit it. I know loose basics. If I have 3 cards under 7 I'm completing. But I am still learning the intricacies of the play of RAZZ, how sometimes, like in hold em, you have to throw away your 7 because you know he made he 6.

I am a still learning and I invite you to joing me and the rest of the Nutz as we discover and learn through our own trials and tribulations this game that we are discovering to love so much

Instant Tragedy

My Advice for Beginner Bankrolls (Jude)

Since I've had the weekend off, which is very rare, I was able to play some poker. Yay! It's been a fairly profitable weekend, too, giving me some writing material for this blog. Double yay!

So, the Poker Enthusiast wanted my take on learning a new game on a limited bankroll (less than $30 when I started!) and I'll be sharing my thoughts on that today.

When I first started playing Razz, in October I believe it was, I chose to try the nightly freerolls on Full Tilt. Someone asked me why in the world I would play freerolls when I had money in my account. The obvious answer was that since I didn't know what the heck I was doing really, I wasn't going to waste any money until I was good and ready.

I think a lot of players make that mistake. They become bored with NLH (and who doesn't, eventually) and decide to try a new game, thinking poker is poker and that they can pick it up easily as they go along. Just play the nightly $5.50 Razz MTT and you too will see many players who don't have a clue how to play the game and yet, there they are, having dropped 5 bucks on a tournament they have absolutely no business playing. I'm not saying this is a bad thing, because I love to see these players, but I am saying, don't let that be you! Know what you're getting into before you spend a dime of your hard earned money, gain some experience in the freerolls first. If you do well in them, then you can move on to the $1.25 sngs.

You may feel a bit like a kindergartener at first, especially if you've been playing fairly medium/high buyin NLH tournaments, but if your ego can take it, I highly recommend this approach. Your bankroll will still be there, waiting for you, too!

After I had some success in the $1 sngs, then I moved to the $2 ones. It was a gradual progression, a slowly-but-surely kind of thing. Now, I play the $5 when I can or the $2 if there are a few people on the list. Today I logged in to find 5 others on the list for a $5 sng, so I signed up for it. It's rare to see a list for these, so I was really happy to see one. Especially, since I ended up winning it!

So, my advice for beginning Razz players is simple and straightforward:

1. Use the freerolls for some experience.
2. Be patient, move up only when you're showing consistent profits.
3. Discuss hands with others who know the game and listen to what they have to say. (The Poker Enthusiast is always willing to talk Razz and offer his advice, which helped me greatly)

That's it. Easy Peasy.

Next time, I'll go over some hand histories and my thoughts behind them.

Good luck at the tables! :)

Playing Aggressive Razz (PE)

Lst night I played in two Razz events on Full Tilt with my buddy IT. We were only going to play the $5 event but he talked me into playing the freeroll. Anyway, I started well in the $5 event until I lost a hand to a chaser...he did have the better draw and it hit but it was frustrating. I then lost a hand to a short stack when I was drawing to the nut with a made 9 to his J after 5th street and ended with the 9 and he caught an 8. I stayed tight and chipped back up only to slid back down with bad flops and bring-ins. I eventually pushed when I was the 4th player in having the chance to quadruple up. I lost the 4 player race when my A74 only made a 7. I beat 2/3 of the field but that doesn't get me anything. It went out a little later after having 6 straight bring-ins.

In the freeroll, I chipped up hroughout the tourney. The play is so bad that you will get paid off very well as you go along. Here is an example of some of the questionable play I saw.

Full Tilt Poker Game #4658694418: $100 Freeroll (35248747), Table 120 - 50/100 Ante 10 - Limit Razz - 22:10:06 ET - 2007/12/28
Seat 1: pokerenthusiast (2,220)
Seat 2: coachshizzle (1,037)
Seat 3: foldem57 (1,935)
Seat 4: stone789 (756)
Seat 5: crianza2007 (1,025)
Seat 6: Tay Dan2 (1,413)
Seat 7: astuce 21 (2,169)
Seat 8: hvc0405 (1,445)
pokerenthusiast antes 10
coachshizzle antes 10
foldem57 antes 10
stone789 antes 10
crianza2007 antes 10
Tay Dan2 antes 10
astuce 21 antes 10
hvc0405 antes 10
*** 3RD STREET ***
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [2c 4c] [3s]
Dealt to coachshizzle [3d]
Dealt to foldem57 [Kh]
Dealt to stone789 [3c]
Dealt to crianza2007 [6c]
Dealt to Tay Dan2 [Ts]
Dealt to astuce 21 [Ks]
Dealt to hvc0405 [Jd]
astuce 21 is high with [Ks]
astuce 21 brings in for 15
hvc0405 folds
pokerenthusiast completes it to 50
coachshizzle folds
foldem57 folds
stone789 folds
crianza2007 folds
Tay Dan2 calls 50
astuce 21 folds

We are 1/2 an hour into this and I get a grat starting hand. Many of the players at the table are passive so you know when they are ahead because they raise like crazy.

*** 4TH STREET ***
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [2c 4c 3s] [9c]
Dealt to Tay Dan2 [Ts] [9d]
pokerenthusiast bets 50
Tay Dan2 calls 50

Not the greatest flop but I have to think I'm way ahead. calling with a T up is questionable at all time because I can put you on your hand.

*** 5TH STREET ***
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [2c 4c 3s 9c] [3h]
Dealt to Tay Dan2 [Ts 9d] [8c]
Tay Dan2 checks
pokerenthusiast bets 100
Tay Dan2 calls 100

The 3 sucks but I'm still drawing better than he is is saw I make the bet.

*** 6TH STREET ***
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [2c 4c 3s 9c 3h] [2s]
Dealt to Tay Dan2 [Ts 9d 8c] [7h]
Tay Dan2 has 15 seconds left to act
Tay Dan2 checks
pokerenthusiast bets 100
Tay Dan2 calls 100

The 2 really sucks but it does appear that I have the better hand. At this point I think I have to bet to win this hand. I still have a draw that beats him if he bricks.

*** 7TH STREET ***
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [2c 4c 3s 9c 3h 2s] [2d]

I have now bricked and can only win if I bet and he folds.

Tay Dan2 checks
pokerenthusiast bets 100
Tay Dan2 folds
Uncalled bet of 100 returned to pokerenthusiast
pokerenthusiast shows [4c 2d 3s 9c 3h 2s 2c] a pair of Twos
pokerenthusiast wins the pot (695)

I showed the full boat that had to be behind what he held. I think that if you are calling 6th street here the you have to call 7th. The next hand I got him to fold the same way when I had 2 pair.

Eventually I got bored of the freeroll. I had outlasted 2000 players but was deep in a PLO tourney so I founf a hand looking for a double up and I get this.

*** 3RD STREET ***
Dealt to SamArye [Qh]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [6d 4d] [7h]
Dealt to Cardrack Jim [7s]
Dealt to SQRLY [Ac]
Dealt to cadillackev89 [5d]
Dealt to HermannMunster [Ah]
Dealt to Sage62 [5c]
Dealt to hyenaboy [9c]
SamArye is high with [Qh]
SamArye brings in for 100
pokerenthusiast completes it to 400
Cardrack Jim folds
SQRLY folds
cadillackev89 folds
HermannMunster raises to 800
Sage62 folds
hyenaboy folds
SamArye folds
pokerenthusiast calls 400

I might be a little behind but with no made hands we are virtually 50/50.

*** 4TH STREET ***
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [6d 4d 7h] [2d]
Dealt to HermannMunster [Ah] [Qd]
pokerenthusiast bets 400
HermannMunster calls 400

Great card for me. With his call I think he has three cards under a seven.

*** 5TH STREET ***
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [6d 4d 7h 2d] [Kd]
Dealt to HermannMunster [Ah Qd] [7d]
HermannMunster bets 800
pokerenthusiast calls 800

I could fold here but I have a great chance to double. I'll see one more card.

*** 6TH STREET ***
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [6d 4d 7h 2d Kd] [Kh]
Dealt to HermannMunster [Ah Qd 7d] [Qs]
HermannMunster bets 800
pokerenthusiast has 15 seconds left to act
pokerenthusiast raises to 1,600
HermannMunster raises to 2,400
pokerenthusiast raises to 3,104, and is all in
HermannMunster calls 704
pokerenthusiast shows [6d 4d 7h 2d Kd Kh]
HermannMunster shows [3c 6c Ah Qd 7d Qs]

He is a little ahead but I have outs. I'm ready to take a chance. I could have just called and probably should have.

*** 7TH STREET ***
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [6d 4d 7h 2d Kd Kh] [3s]
Dealt to HermannMunster [3c 6c Ah Qd 7d Qs] [4s]
pokerenthusiast shows [6d 4d 7h 2d Kd Kh 3s] 7,6,4,3,2
HermannMunster shows [3c 6c Ah Qd 7d Qs 4s] 7,6,4,3,A
HermannMunster wins the pot (10,908) with 7,6,4,3,A
pokerenthusiast stands up

I hit the 3 for the made 7 but he hits a better 7.

I actually played well up until this hand and after catching the 7 on 7th street, there is no way I'm getting away.

An Introduction (JudeSalem)

As I'm fairly new to Razz, only beginning to study the game a few short months ago, I'm not sure how beneficial my posts will be to anyone reading, but I will try my best to throw some ideas around here. Maybe by posting my thoughts on specific hands, I'll be able to learn along with any fellow newbies who may be reading.

So, let's see. I'm a 30-something female who's been playing poker casually for 3 years, semi-seriously for 2. I started online at Party Poker and then gained the courage to play live in the casinos in Tunica. (Funny how I never played cards when I worked there; go figure) I prefer LHE cash and NLH tournaments.

After being introduced to Razz through HORSE tournaments, I immediately hated the game, but was intrigued by the concept of playing the up cards of the other players and not so much my own cards. Something clicked and I went from dreading the Razz round to actually looking forward to it. Then I began watching Poker Enthusiast and chatting with him about the game and now I'm hooked. Starting in the Razz freerolls on Full Tilt, I moved up through the $1, $2 and $5 sng/mtt levels and my goal is to take a shot at the $2K in the near future. I don't get to play as often as I'd like, but I try to learn something new each time I play and I'll try to pass that along here. Most of the time it will probably be about what NOT to do, but hey, that can be helpful too. ;)

Razz Poker Blog

Welcome to Brickin The Nutz...A Razz Poker Blog. This is an idea I came up with a while ago and decided to start in an attempt to improve my Razz game as well as the game of my readers. And because there is no one way to play the game, I have for the help of a few other players to make additions to this site. First a little about me.

I have been playing online for about two years. I started playing at Noble Poker after filling out a survey about online poker and having $5 deposited into my account there. About a year ago I played my first Razz tourney and made it to the final table. I only had a rudimentary understanding of the game but I realized that that there was money to be made playing the game. During the last year I have played a ton of tourneys and have made numerous final tables in the process.

Surflexus is a long time player who just started playing Razz MTTs during the last year on a regular basis. He has a ton of experience so I think his insight will be valuable as he explains his decision making process.

JudeSalem is new to the game having started playing Razz in October. A fresh prospective from someone learning to control their bankroll and also improve their game.

Waffles will be dropping his head in from time to time to give his unique perspective on the game. He is a long time internet player who can dish out some harsh reality from his point of view.

So here you go...an attempt at something to kill productivity in the work place. We will be giving hand examples, talking about results, looking at the decision making process and other things that pop up along the way.

Enjoy.