Razz uses the card structure of seven-card stud but aims for a low final hand. It is not a high/low split game. Simply reversing standard high rankings misses important rules about aces, straights and flushes.
In this guide
Ace-to-five without an eight qualifier
Use the best low five-card hand from seven cards. Aces are low; straights and flushes are ignored. A–2–3–4–5 is best. There is no eight qualifier, so a higher low can still win. The highest opening upcard posts the bring-in; later, the lowest exposed hand opens the action.
Further reading: PokerStars: Razz
Compare from the top down
Original puzzle: 8–6–4–2–A versus 8–7–3–2–A. Both are eight-low, so compare the next card: six is lower than seven. The first hand wins. Rank sums are irrelevant; a low ace cannot compensate for a worse highest card.
Answer and explanation
Sort each valid five-card selection from highest to lowest, treating the ace as one. Compare the largest rank first, then continue on ties. The second rank settles this puzzle.
A pair can damage a promising start
Starting with A–2–3 and receiving another two does not automatically improve your low simply because the new card is small. A final unpaired five-card hand still needs enough distinct ranks. Ask whether a card is not only low but also new.
Switching from stud eight to razz
Before each study round, ask whether the pot is split, whether a qualifier applies and which upcard starts. This prevents waiting for a high half that does not exist in razz. Razz is covered as a guide topic; our playable poker edition has no razz mode.