Unlike most forms of poker where the best 5-card hand wins, in razz the point is to form the worst possible hand, straights and flushes not counting.  It is because of this backwards logic that most poker players find the transition to razz difficult.  In reality, the concept of razz (and basic ideas to remember) are quite simple.

The basic rules of razz are as follows:

• Each hand, players are forced to post an ante, a forced bet which is relatively small compared to the stakes.  In a $5/$10 game of razz, the ante might be $1 - maybe even less.
• Play begins with each player being dealt 2 cards face down, and one card face up.  Whoever has the highest card showing, is forced to "bring in" - a bet which is usually 1/3 to 1/2 a small bet.  In case of a tie, suits are used.  If he/she wishes, a player may choose to begin with a "complete" bet - or one small bet.
• After the first bet is made, play goes around the table clock-wise.  Players may choose to fold their hand, call, or raise (or check, if no bet is made).  A raise on the bring in amounts to one small bet.
• After every player still in the hand has placed the same amount of money into the pot, one card face-up is dealt to each player.  Play begins with whichever player is showing the best hand (two lowest non-paired cards).
• "5th street" is dealt, again face up to each player.  Again, whoever is showing the best hand begins the betting.  From this round on, only big bets are used.  In a $5/$10 game of razz, bets are made $10 at a time.
• "6th street" is dealt, again face up to each player.  Whoever is showing the best hand begins the betting.
• "7th street" is dealt, face down to each player.  Whoever is showing the best hand begins the betting.
• After 7th street, players left in the hand reveal their cards.  Whoever is showing the best low hand wins the pot.
  

Okay, so here are some suggestions for first-timers:

• TIGHT IS RIGHT.  As you get to learn the game more and more (and get reads on your table), you can play more hands.  To start, though, begin by playing only 3-card hands of 8-lo or better.
• IF YOU SEE 4TH STREET, YOU MIGHT AS WELL SEE 5TH.  Because you are playing with 3 low cards to begin with, a single high card won't hurt you.  If it costs a single bet to see 5th street, go ahead and call with a Queen showing - you still have a decent draw, and your opponent hasn't made his/her hand yet.  Of course, if you are going to be in the middle of a raising war, get out of the hand.
• KEEP TRACK OF YOUR OUTS.  This holds true for all stud games.  If a lot of low cards (which wouldn't pair you) are dealt out, that means there's more high-cards to be dealt to you.  Don't chase for cards you won't be dealt.
• USE THE UP CARDS TO YOUR ADVANTAGE.  You could have K-high, and still hold the advantage in the hand.  Let's say you are dealt KQ7 (7 face-up), and are forced to bring in.  No one raises, and you are dealt a 2.  At this point, take a look at everyone's cards which have been dealt up.  If they are all high cards - Tens or higher, it might be worth making a bet.  As far as everyone else knows, you could have 7-high.  Now, while it is unlikely you will get everyone to fold here (after all, if you are going to see 4th, you might as well see 5th), you are setting yourself up in the hand as a position of strength.  If they continue to be dealt mediocre cards, and you manage to avoid high cards yourself, you could easily take the pot down with another bet.  If not, that's okay, too, as the bluff did not cost you much.