Badugi Poker Rules, Strategy, and Winning Hand Rankings

Introduction to Badugi

Badugi is a game I have played often, and have had great success in. Let’s dive in and find out what exactly is this distinct variant of poker called Badugi.

Badugi is a unique and strategic variant of poker that originated in Asia, gaining popularity for its distinct hand ranking system and challenging gameplay. Unlike traditional poker games, Badugi emphasizes creating the lowest possible hand with four cards, with different ranks and suits. The primary objective is to form a Badugi hand, which is the lowest possible hand

A♠2♣3♥4♦ is the best possible hand, as it has the four lowest ranks, Ace, Two, three, Four, and has four unique suits.

Game Setup

• Deck: Badugi is played with a standard 52-card deck.
• Players: The game can accommodate 2 to 8 players.
• Betting Structure: Commonly played with fixed limit betting, but variations like pot limit or half pot limit can also be used.

Basic Badugi Poker Rules

1. Blinds

• Badugi begins with forced bets known as blinds. The player to the left of the dealer posts the small blind, and the player to their left posts the big blind. The small blind is typically half the size of the big blind. Just like in No Limit Holdem and Omaha, the game can have antes too.

2. Dealing

• Each player is dealt four cards face down.
• The game proceeds with a round of betting starting from the player to the left of the big blind. Players can call, raise, or fold based on their hand strength.

3. Drawing Rounds

• After the first betting round, players have the option to discard any number of cards from their hand and draw new ones. The goal is to improve their hand to achieve a Badugi.
• There are three drawing rounds in total, each followed by a betting round where players can bet, fold, or check if no bets have been made.

4. Showdown

• After the final round of betting, if more than one player remains, a showdown occurs to determine the winner.
• The player with the lowest Badugi hand wins the pot. A Badugi hand consists of four cards of different ranks and suits, with no pairs or duplicates. For instance, A♠2♣3♥4♦ is the best possible Badugi hand.

Hand Rankings

• Badugi hands are ranked based on the number of cards and their ranks. The lowest possible hand is A♠2♣3♥4♦, followed by hands like A♠2♣3♦5♥ (an Ace-Five Badugi).
• If no player has a Badugi at showdown, the player with the lowest three-card or two-card hand wins.
• Hand strengths count from the highest card down to the lowest. For Example, 7-6-4-3 Badugi would beat 7-6-5-A.

Strategy Tips

• Starting Hands: Aim for low cards of at least three different suits, try and join hands when you have three low cards below a Five, this way if you miss your Badugi, you still have the chance to win from the best three-card hand.
• Drawing Strategy: Discard high cards and pairs, Standing pat (keeping your current cards) can be advantageous if you already have a Badugi, the more players in the hand the greater your hand strength will need to be. however, two or three-handed if you make any Badugi you can stand pat it and bet for Value. like most poker variants, if your opponent raises back, assess your hand strength, and work out what type of hand they would re-raise with, could it be a bluff?
• Observation: Pay attention to how many cards opponents draw; this can provide clues about their hand strength and will give you an indication of how loose or tight they are. For instance some players will never enter a hand if they need to discard two cards.

History and Popularity

• Badugi gained popularity in Asia and was introduced to North America in the late 20th century. It’s known by various names like padooki or off-suit lowball in different regions.
• The game’s strategic depth and unique hand rankings have made it a favorite among poker enthusiasts seeking a fresh challenge.

Badugi at the WSOP

Badugi has also found its place as a prestigious event at the World Series of Poker (WSOP). In early june 2024, the $1,500 Badugi drew 478 entrants at the Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas. This marked the second year of the event, which featured a substantial prize pool of $650,145.

David Prociak went on to become the eventual champion taking home the WSOP bracelet and $129,676 in prize money.

Conclusion

Badugi offers a refreshing twist to traditional poker games with its focus on creating the lowest possible hand of four cards. Mastering Badugi requires strategic thinking and careful observation of opponents’ moves. Whether you’re a seasoned poker player or new to card games, Badugi provides an exciting and strategic alternative worth exploring.

Curious about other variants similar to Badugi? check out my other Game Rules.