Badugi Poker: Guide to Rules, How to Play, and Strategy

Badugi is a unique, fast-paced poker variant that flips everything you know about poker hands on its head. In this guide, we’ll explain what Badugi is, how it’s played, the rules and rankings, and the Badugi strategies that help players win consistently.

What is Badugi Poker?

Badugi is a lowball draw poker game played with four private cards. The objective is to make the lowest possible hand using cards of different suits and no duplicate ranks. Unlike Texas Hold’em or Omaha, Badugi does not use community cards; each player works entirely with their own hand.

The perfect Badugi hand is A-2-3-4 of all different suits. It’s a rare hand, but it’s the gold standard that beats everything else at showdown.

How is Badugi Different from Traditional Poker Games?

• Four-card hands instead of five or seven
• Aces are always low
• Pairs, suited cards, straights, and flushes are bad
• There are no community cards
• Best hand is the lowest unique combo (no repeats)
• It’s almost always played as Limit or Pot-Limit

In games like Texas Hold’em or Stud, players chase high-value hands. In Badugi, that logic is reversed. A strong Hold’em hand like K-K-Q-J would be awful in Badugi. This reversal is what makes the game such a fun challenge.

Is Badugi Poker Popular in the Poker Community?

Badugi has carved out a niche in the professional poker world, particularly in mixed game rotations like H.O.R.S.E., 8-Game, and Dealer’s Choice tournaments. It’s beloved by experienced players who enjoy the subtle betting strategies and drawing decisions. You’ll find it played both online and in private cash games where poker enthusiasts gather.

Where Did Badugi Poker Come From?

Badugi’s origins are not fully confirmed, but it likely originated in Korea, spreading through local card clubs before gaining international exposure. The name “Badugi” is derived from a Korean word describing a multi-colored or patchy pattern, which is fitting since a valid Badugi requires four cards of different suits.

As online poker gained popularity, Badugi emerged on major sites that offered mixed game formats. It earned a loyal following among poker pros, eventually making its way to the World Series of Poker (WSOP) and high-stakes private games across North America and Europe.

Badugi Rules You Need to Know

While Badugi is easy to learn, its hand evaluation takes practice. Here’s a breakdown of the key Badugi rules every player needs to know:

• Objective: Make the lowest four-card hand with no matching suits or pairs (a “Badugi”).
• Cards: Each player receives 4 private cards.
• Betting Rounds: Four betting rounds between the draws. 
• Drawing: On each draw round, players may replace 0 to 4 cards.
• Showdown: The lowest Badugi hand wins the pot. If no one has a 4-card Badugi, the best 3-card hand wins.
• Game Format: Common formats include Limit Badugi and Pot-Limit (PL Badugi).

Badugi Hand Rankings

Poker hand rankings in Badugi are significantly different from other games. Here is how the different poker hands look like in this particular game:

Important: Even among Badugis of the same size, the hand with the lowest high card wins. For example, a 6-high Badugi beats an 8-high Badugi. If both hands have the same high card, move to the next lowest.

How to Play Badugi: Step-by-Step

Wondering how to play Badugi from start to finish? Here are a few useful steps that will guide you through every Badugi hand you ever play:

• Step 1: The Hand Begins
  The game uses a small blind and big blind to build the pot, similar to Hold’em. Each player is dealt four cards, face down.
• Step 2: First Betting Round
  Starting with the player to the left of the big blind, players can fold, call, or raise.
• Step 3: First Draw
  Players discard 0 to 4 cards and receive new ones from the dealer. Drawing fewer cards may signal strength.
• Step 4: Second Betting Round
  Another round of betting takes place. Players evaluate hand strength and opponent tendencies.
• Step 5: Second and Third Draws + Betting
  Players have two more opportunities to improve their hand. After each draw, there’s a betting round.
• Step 6: Final Showdown
  If multiple players remain, they reveal their hands. The player with the best Badugi wins. If no one has a 4-card Badugi, the best 3-card (or 2-card) hand takes the pot.

In most versions of Badugi poker online, this format follows a Fixed Limit structure with structured betting limits.

Badugi Strategy Tips for Better Results

To win at Badugi, you need more than good cards. A solid Badugi poker strategy helps you avoid common traps and outplay your opponents.

• Tip #1: Don’t Chase with Weak Draws
  If your starting hand contains three high cards or too many repeats, it’s best to fold early. Chasing marginal draws wastes chips and rarely pays off in the long run. Also keep in mind that your implied odds in Badugi are nowhere nearly as good in other games like NLH or PLO.
• Tip #2: Leverage Your Table Position
  Acting last by being in position gives you extra information. The number of cards each opponent draws tells you about their hand. If everyone draws two or more and you’re already holding a 6-high Badugi, it’s a great spot to bet for value or apply pressure.
• Tip #3: Mix Up Your Play When Pat
  Don’t always play aggressively with your pat hands! Sometimes, just calling can disguise strength and trap opponents. Other times, betting aggressively with a strong Badugi can push others out, even when they’re on a draw.

Have You Tried Omaha and Texas Hold’em?

While Badugi is a clever twist on traditional poker, it’s not as widely available or active as Hold’em and Omaha. At CoinPoker, we specialize in real-money crypto poker with the formats players love most.

Join CoinPoker today and enjoy Texas Hold’em and Pot Limit Omaha cash games and tournaments at any stakes you choose. Try our freeroll tournaments to get started, claim your welcome bonus, and make fast crypto transactions directly from your crypto wallet. 

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