In checking my Razz stats in Pokertracker (BTW - I have lost over $50 on Full Tilt playing at the $0.25/0.50 tables, which hopefully doesn't sway any advice, but it needs to be said, as I may be completely mis-understanding this game), my largest losing starting hand is 8 6 4.

Here are 3 of them for your consideration:

FullTiltPoker $0.25/$0.50 Ante $0.05 - Limit Razz - 16:02:07 ET - 2006/04/28
Seat 1: Seat 1 ($20.50)
Seat 2: Seat 2 ($3.25)
Seat 3: Seat 3 ($7.30)
Seat 4: Seat 4 ($8.80)
Seat 5: Seat 5 ($10.90)
Seat 6: Seat 6 ($18.50)
Seat 7: Seat 7 ($4.80)
Seat 8: Unluckiest man in the world ($8.55)

Everyone antees. Note: Some terrible players in this game. Not sure they know how to play (ie. meaning maybe they think it is Stud)

*** 3RD STREET ***
Dealt to Seat 1 [9c] Folds
Dealt to Seat 2 [2s] Calls, Calls
Dealt to Seat 3 [7s] Folds
Dealt to Seat 4 [Ah] Folds
Dealt to Seat 5 [2d] Raises
Dealt to Seat 6 [9s] Brings-in, Folds
Dealt to Seat 7 [5h] Completes, Calls
Dealt to Unluckiest man in the world [8s 6s] [4s] Calls, Calls

Rough 8 worth a call here on third, against mostly bad players? Have to call the raise, but the first one I am unsure of.

*** 4TH STREET ***
Dealt to Seat 2 [2s] [Ad] Bets
Dealt to Seat 5 [2d] [Qs] Calls
Dealt to Seat 7 [5h] [Jh] Calls
Dealt to Unluckiest man in the world [8s 6s 4s] [Kd] Folds

I will show the remainder of the hand, so you get an idea of the horrible play of my opponents. I can’t believe I am a losing player at Razz against these clowns.

*** 5TH STREET ***
Dealt to Seat 2 [2s Ad] [6h] Bets
Dealt to Seat 5 [2d Qs] [5d] Calls
Dealt to Seat 7 [5h Jh] [Tc] Calls

*** 6TH STREET ***
Dealt to Seat 2 [2s Ad 6h] [5c] Bets
Dealt to Seat 5 [2d Qs 5d] [3s] Calls
Dealt to Seat 7 [5h Jh Tc] [Ts] Folds

*** 7TH STREET ***
Seat 2 checks
Seat 7 checks
*** SHOW DOWN ***
Seat 2 [Jc Td 2s Ad 6h 5c 5s] (T,6,5,2,A)
Seat 5 shows [Qh 7h 2d Qs 5d 3s 4c] (7,5,4,3,2)

Look at that. OMG. I honestly do not believe that Seat 2 was making a play, I believe he was just playing the hand. Seat 5 I just can’t believe.

FullTiltPoker $0.25/$0.50 Ante $0.05 - Limit Razz - 16:20:12 ET - 2006/04/27
Seat 1: SEAT 1 ($7.35)
Seat 2: Seat 2 ($11.50)
Seat 3: Seat 3 ($11.90)
Seat 4: Seat 4 ($6.60)
Seat 5: Seat 5 ($4.20)
Seat 6: Seat 6 ($5)
Seat 7: Seat 7 ($4.85)
Seat 8: Unluckiest man in the world ($13.50)

Everyone antees. Skill level of table has not improved (different players).

*** 3RD STREET ***
Dealt to SEAT 1 [9h] Folds
Dealt to Seat 2 [Ts] Folds
Dealt to Seat 3 [6h] Folds
Dealt to Seat 4 [Ks] Brings-in
Dealt to Seat 5 [8d] Calls
Dealt to Seat 6 [Th] Calls
Dealt to Seat 7 [5s] Calls
Dealt to Unluckiest man in the world [4c 8s] [6d] Calls

I only called on third, as a raise would not have eliminated any players, and would only have fattened the pot, enticing people to chase. If I catch bad, I can leave this hand with minimal investment.

*** 4TH STREET ***
Dealt to Seat 4 [Ks] [3c] Folds
Dealt to Seat 5 [8d] [As] Calls
Dealt to Seat 6 [Th] [Qd] Calls
Dealt to Seat 7 [5s] [8c] Calls
Dealt to Unluckiest man in the world [4c 8s 6d] [7s] Bets

I caught good, so did some of my opponents. Clear bet here IMO. If I checked and it was bet, I would just call. What is Seat 6 doing?

*** 5TH STREET ***
Dealt to Seat 5 [8d As] [7d] Folds
Dealt to Seat 6 [Th Qd] [2d] Calls
Dealt to Seat 7 [5s 8c] [Js] Calls
Dealt to Unluckiest man in the world [4c 8s 6d 7s] [Ad] Bets

The opponent I was worried about folded, so it looks like I have this in the bag. Keep pounding the pot. Seat 6 is hilarious

*** 6TH STREET ***
Dealt to Seat 6 [Th Qd 2d] [2h] Calls
Dealt to Seat 7 [5s 8c Js] [7h] Calls
Dealt to Unluckiest man in the world [4c 8s 6d 7s Ad] [Jd] Bets

Bad card for me, good card for Seat 7. He may have me, but I’m not going to let him get me for free. Seat 6 still thinks he’s playing Stud.

*** 7TH STREET ***
Dealt to Unluckiest man in the world [4c 8s 6d 7s Ad Jd] [Kc]
Unluckiest man in the world checks
Seat 6 bets $0.50
Seat 7 calls $0.50
Unluckiest man in the world calls $0.50

I check, to induce a bluff from a worse hand. I will call if bet. The bet came from Seat 6, which is hilarious. Seat 7 calls, I call. I am curious about this street, in that had I bet, Seat 6 (thinking it was Stud) would have raised, which MAY have gotten Seat 7 to fold. Ignoring the fact that Seat 6 is playing the wrong game, should I have bet here?

*** SHOW DOWN ***
Seat 6 shows [Kd Tc Th Qd 2d 2h 3d] (K,Q,T,3,2)
Seat 7 shows [Qc 3h 5s 8c Js 7h 2s] (8,7,5,3,2)
Unluckiest man in the world shows [Kc 8s 6d 7s Ad Jd 4c] (8,7,6,4,A)

FullTiltPoker $0.50/$1 Ante $0.10 - Limit Razz - 11:20:22 ET - 2006/04/27
Seat 1: Seat 1 ($10)
Seat 2: SEAT 2 ($10)
Seat 3: SEAT 3 ($16.35)
Seat 4: Seat 4 ($40.70)
Seat 5: Seat 5 ($31.80)
Seat 6: Unluckiest man in the world ($12.05)
Seat 7: Seat 6 ($23.70)
Seat 8: Seat 8 ($14.65)

Everyone antees. New players, but still terrible opponents.

*** 3RD STREET ***
Dealt to Seat 1 [7c] Calls
Dealt to SEAT 2 [2s] Calls
Dealt to SEAT 3 [Qd] Brings-in
Dealt to Seat 4 [Ah] Folds
Dealt to Seat 5 [5s] Folds
Dealt to Unluckiest man in the world [4h 6h] [8h] Calls
Dealt to Seat 6 [Js] Folds
Dealt to Seat 8 [9d] Calls

Rough 8 (with the 8 showing), in bad position, so I just limp. Still playable against bad opponents?

*** 4TH STREET ***
Dealt to Seat 1 [7c] [2c] Bets
Dealt to SEAT 2 [2s] [Tc] Folds
Dealt to SEAT 3 [Qd] [Ks] Folds
Dealt to Unluckiest man in the world [4h 6h 8h] [5d] Calls
Dealt to Seat 8 [9d] [Jh] Folds

I caught good, but will be playing an 8 low unless I get good runner-runner cards. Let it go on fourth, or an okay call?

*** 5TH STREET ***
Dealt to Seat 1 [7c 2c] [4d]
Dealt to Unluckiest man in the world [4h 6h 8h 5d] [Kc]
Seat 1 bets $1
Unluckiest man in the world folds

Easy fold. My opponent thinks he’s funny/smart/brilliant/the man and decides to show -

Seat 1 shows [Qs 5h 7c 2c 4d]

I know it is only a small sample size, but looking at these three hands in particular, was I just unlucky, or was I making a mistake in playing them in teh first place and/or how I played them?

Generally, I think you need to be paying more attention to how many of your outs are being held by other players. Other than that, every once in a while razz just kicks you in the nuts.

hand 1: he can't be 6-high, and probably thinks seat 2 is waiting for a c/r. stupid, but plausable

hand 2: check 4th. A8 and 58 are not going anywhere, and there's no point in padding the pot right here to give them better odds on 5th street.

hand 3: against bad opponents, yes. 4th, you're drawing very rough. even against bad opponents, it's probably worth it to fold, instead of making a rough made hand, getting heavy action, and having to make tough decisions later.

Last time I've heard Razz is the most boring game which requires tons of discipline, and it's suitable for players who don't whine.

So I've never tried this game.

If that description is accurate, I need to stop playing it immediately...