Badugi is a unique poker variant that’s been gaining popularity in recent years. This four-card lowball game originated in South Korea in the 1960s and has since spread worldwide.
Unlike traditional poker, Badugi aims for the lowest hand possible, with no pairs or cards of the same suit.
It’s similar to triple draw but with a twist – you’re trying to make a “Badugi,” which is four cards of different ranks and suits. The game’s objective is simple: create the best low hand without matching suits or ranks.
Badugi offers a fresh challenge for poker fans, mixing elements of draw poker and lowball in a way that’s both familiar and exciting.
While not as well-known as Texas Hold’em, Badugi is catching on in casinos and online poker rooms, especially in mixed-game tournaments.
Rules and Gameplay of Badugi
Badugi is a unique poker game that’s different from what you might be used to. Now let’s take a look at how it works.
A. Deck and number of players
Badugi uses a standard 52-card deck, just like other poker games. You can play with 2 to 8 players, which makes it great for both small and big groups. The more players at the table, the tougher it gets to make a good hand game.
B. Dealing and betting rounds
When the game starts, each player gets four cards face down. This is different from games like Texas Hold’em where you get two cards. Your cards are your secret, so don’t show them to anyone!
After the cards are dealt, the first betting round begins. It starts with the player to the left of the big blind. Players can call, raise, or fold, just like in other poker games.
There are four betting rounds in total. The first two rounds usually have lower bet limits, while the last two have higher limits. This is called fixed-limit betting, and it’s the most common way to play Badugi.
C. Drawing rounds
Now, here’s where Badugi gets interesting. After each betting round (except the last one), players can discard cards they don’t want and get new ones. This is called drawing. You can choose to get rid of any number of cards – even all four if you wantThe goal is to make the best Badugi hand possible.
A perfect Badugi is four cards of different suits and ranks. There are three drawing rounds in total. Each time, you’re trying to improve your hand. It’s like getting a do-over in a card game!
Here’s a cool fact: If you have a three-card Badugi (like A♣ 2♠ 3♥ 3♦), you have about a 21% chance of making a full Badugi on your first draw. Over all three draws, your chances go up to about 51%. So don’t give up if you don’t get it right away!
D. Showdown
After all the betting and drawing is done, it’s time for the showdown. This is when players show their cards to see who wins. In Badugi, the lowest hand wins. But remember, you want cards of different suits and ranks. The best possible hand is A-2-3-4 of different suits.
If no one has a perfect Badugi, the best three-card hand wins. For example, 6♥-4♦-3♠-A♥ would be read as a “Three Card Four” (4-3-A-x). Here’s how hands are ranked from best to worst:
Four-card Badugi (like 4♠ 3♥ 2♦ A♣)
Three-card hand (like 5♠ 4♥ 2♦ 2♣, read as 5-4-2-x)
Two-card hand (like 7♠ 7♥ 3♦ 3♣, read as 7-3-x-x)
One-card hand (like Q♦ J♦ 8♦ 4♦, read as 4-x-x-x)
Remember, Aces are always low in Badugi. So A♠ 2♥ 3♦ 4♣ beats 2♠ 3♥ 4♦ 5♣.Badugi might seem tricky at first, but it’s a fun game once you get the hang of it.
The mix of drawing new cards and trying to make the lowest hand makes for an exciting poker experience. Give it a try next time you’re at the poker table!
Hand Rankings in Badugi
In Badugi, hands are ranked from lowest to highest, with the goal of making the best low hand. Let’s break it down:
A. Four-card Badugi hands
The cream of the crop in Badugi is a four-card hand with no pairs and no matching suits. The best possible hand is A-2-3-4 of different suits, often called a “wheel” or “bicycle“. For example, A♣ 2♥ 3♦ 4♠ is the nuts in Badugi.
B. Three-card hands
If you can’t make a four-card Badugi, a three-card hand is your next best bet. This happens when you have a pair or two cards of the same suit. For instance, 5♠ 4♥ 3♦ 3♣ is read as a “three-card five” (5-4-3-x).
C. Two-card hands
Two-card hands occur when you have two pairs or three cards of the same suit. An example is 7♦ 7♥ 6♠ 6♣, which is read as a “two-card six” (7-6-x-x).
D. One-card hands
The weakest hands are one-card hands, like Q♦ J♦ 8♦ 4♦. This is read as a “one-card four” (4-x-x-x).
E. Hand comparison and tiebreakers
When comparing hands, remember:
Any four-card Badugi beats any three-card hand
Three-card hands beat two-card hands
Two-card hands beat one-card hands
If two players have the same type of hand, the one with the lowest high card wins. If those are tied, compare the next highest card, and so on.
Fun fact: In a typical Badugi game, you’ll see a four-card Badugi about 6.3% of the time, while three-card hands show up in 57% of hands.
Betting Structure in Badugi
Badugi uses a unique betting structure that sets it apart from other poker games. Let’s break it down:
A. Blinds and limits
Just like in Texas Hold’em, Badugi uses blinds to get the action going. The player to the left of the dealer posts the small blind, and the next player posts the big blind.
These forced bets kick off the hand and ensure there’s always money in the pot. In limit Badugi, there are typically two bet sizes:
Small bet: Used in the first two rounds
Big bet: Used in the last two rounds, usually double the small bet
For example, in a $2/$4 game, the small bet is $2 and the big bet is $4.
B. Fixed limit vs. pot limit variations
Badugi is most commonly played as a fixed limit game. This means there’s a cap on how much you can bet or raise. It keeps the game more predictable and less swingy.
Some casinos and online poker rooms offer pot limit Badugi. In this version, the maximum bet is the size of the pot. This can lead to bigger pots and more aggressive play.
Fun fact: In fixed limit Badugi, skilled players can often play for hours without risking their whole stack, making it a great game for beginners and pros alike.
Basic Winning Strategies for Badugi Poker
As of now, you have received all the necessary information to play Badugi Poker. Is it really going to be so easy for you to crush all the other players immediately?
Obviously, the answer is no. Therefore, let’s talk about some strategies to help you crush other players in Badugi!
A. Starting hand selection
Picking the right starting hands is super important in Badugi. You want to look for low cards that aren’t the same suit. Here are some hands you should definitely play:
- Any hand with three cards 7 or lower that aren’t the same suit
- Any four-card Badugi (all different suits and ranks)
- Two cards 4 or lower that aren’t the same suit
For example, a hand like 3♠ 5♣ 7♥ 9♦ is pretty good to start with. But 10♠ J♠ Q♥ K♦ is a hand you should probably fold. Remember, Aces are always low in Badugi, so they’re great cards to have!
B. Drawing strategy
After the first betting round, you get to swap out cards you don’t want. This is called drawing. Your goal is to make the best four-card Badugi possible. Here’s a cool tip: If you start with three good cards, only draw one. This gives you a better chance of making a Badugi.
For example, if you have 2♠ 4♣ 6♥ K♦, you should keep the first three cards and only swap out the King. Sometimes, you might want to “stand pat” (keep all your cards). This can be a good move if you already have a Badugi or if you want to bluff.
C. Bluffing and semi-bluffing
Bluffing is when you pretend to have a better hand than you actually do. In Badugi, one way to bluff is to “stand pat” even if you don’t have a perfect Badugi.
For example, let’s say you have 3♠ 5♣ 7♥ 7♦. You could stand pat and act like you have a seven-high Badugi. Your opponents might think you have a great hand and fold!
Semi-bluffing is when you have a decent hand that could get better. Maybe you have 2♠ 4♣ 6♥ 6♦. You could stand pat and hope to scare off opponents, but you also have a chance to draw a better card if they call.
D. Position play
In Badugi, like in other poker games, your position at the table matters a lot. Being in a “late position” (acting after most other players) gives you an edge.
When you’re in a late position, you get to see what other players do before you decide. If everyone before you draws cards, you might guess they don’t have strong hands.
This could be a good time to bluff! On the flip side, if you’re in an “early position” (acting before most other players), you should be more careful. You don’t know what your opponents will do, so it’s harder to bluff or make tricky plays.
Here’s a cool stat: Players in late position win about 60% more pots than those in early position. That’s a big difference!
Remember, Badugi is all about making the lowest possible hand with four different suits. The best hand you can have is A♠ 2♣ 3♥ 4♦. This is called a “wheel” or a “bicycle”.
As you play more Badugi, you’ll get better at reading your opponents and making smart decisions. Don’t be afraid to try out different strategies and see what works best for you. Good luck at the tables!
Advanced Concepts
It’s time to get into some tricky stuff that’ll make you a Badugi pro!
A. Odds and probabilities
Knowing the odds in Badugi is super important. Here are some cool facts:
You’ll get a four-card Badugi about 6.3% of the time when you’re first dealt cards.
If you have a three-card hand, you’ve got about a 21% chance of making a Badugi on your first draw.
Over three draws, your odds of making a Badugi from a three-card hand go up to about 51%.
Here’s a neat trick: If you have A♠ 2♣, you’ve got about a 20% chance of getting a five-high tri hand or better on your first draw. That’s pretty good!
B. Reading opponents and tells
Reading opponents is like being a detective. Look for these clues:
If a player stands pat (keeps all their cards) but bets small, they might be bluffing.
Players who draw a lot of cards usually have weak hands.
Watch how fast people bet. Quick bets often mean strong hands.
Remember, online tells are different from live tells. Online, pay attention to betting patterns and timing. In live games, watch for physical signs like shaky hands or avoiding eye contact.
C. Adjusting to different table dynamics
Table dynamics change all the time in Badugi. Here’s how to handle different situations:
Aggressive tables: Play tighter and wait for strong hands. Let others do the betting for you.
Passive tables: Be more aggressive. Raise more often to steal pots.
Tight tables: Loosen up your starting hand requirements. Try more bluffs.
Loose tables: Tighten up and play for value. Don’t bluff as much.
A cool stat: Players in late position win about 60% more pots than those in early position. So, play more hands when you’re near the dealer button! Remember, Badugi is all about adapting.
If you notice the table changing, change your style too. Maybe everyone’s playing tight after a big hand. That’s your chance to steal some pots!
Lastly, always keep an eye on stack sizes. If someone’s running low on chips, they might get desperate and play recklessly. Use that to your advantage!
Badugi Variants
Badugi is a fun poker game, but did you know there are other games that mix it up? Let’s check out some cool Badugi variants that add new twists to the game!
A. Badugi 2-7 Triple Draw
Badugi 2-7 Triple Draw is like mixing two games in one. It’s part Badugi and part 2-7 Triple Draw. Here’s how it works:
You get five cards instead of four
You want to make the lowest hand possible
Aces are high, and straights and flushes count against you
The best hand is 7-5-4-3-2 of different suits
In this game, you get three chances to swap out cards, just like in a regular Triple Draw. It’s a bit trickier than regular Badugi because you have to think about more cards.
Fun fact: In Badugi 2-7 Triple Draw, you have about a 2.5% chance of making a perfect 7-low hand after all three draws. That’s pretty rare!
B. Baducey
Baducey is another mix-up game. It combines Badugi and Deuce-to-Seven Triple Draw. Here’s the scoop:
- You play with five cards
- Half the pot goes to the best Badugi hand
- The other half goes to the best 2-7 lowball hand
This game is super fun because you’re trying to make two different hands at once. You might have a great Badugi hand but a not-so-great 2-7 hand, or the other way around.
In Baducey, the best possible result is to win both halves of the pot. This happens if you have A-2-3-4 of different suits. It’s the best Badugi hand and also makes a strong 2-7 lowball hand.
Badacey is like Baducey’s cousin. It mixes Badugi with Ace-to-Five Triple Draw. Here’s how it goes:
- You get five cards
- Half the pot is for the best Badugi hand
- The other half is for the best A-5 lowball hand
The cool thing about Badacey is that straights and flushes don’t count against you in the A-5 part. So, a hand like A-2-3-4-5 is perfect for both halves of the pot!
Pro tip: In Badacey, try to keep low cards of different suits. This gives you a shot at both halves of the pot.
D. Razzdugi
Last but not least, we have Razzdugi. This game combines Badugi with Razz. Here’s the deal:
- You start with seven cards
- Half the pot goes to the best Badugi hand
- The other half goes to the best Razz hand (lowest five-card hand)
Razzdugi is played like Razz, with cards dealt face-up and face-down. But you’re trying to make two different hands at the same time.
The best possible Razzdugi hand would be A-2-3-4 of different suits for Badugi, and A-2-3-4-5 for Razz. If you get this hand, you’re pretty much guaranteed to win both halves of the pot!
Cool stat: In Razzdugi, you have about a 1 in 2,598,960 chance of being dealt a perfect A-2-3-4 Badugi in your first four cards. That’s super rare!
All these Badugi variants add new layers of strategy to the game. They’re great for players who want to mix things up and try something new. Each game has its own quirks and challenges, so it’s worth giving them all a shot!
Remember, in all these games, position is super important. Being last to act gives you more information about what your opponents might have. Use this to your advantage! Also, pay attention to how many cards your opponents are drawing.
If someone isn’t drawing any cards (called “standing pat”), they probably have a strong hand. These games might seem complicated at first, but don’t worry! The more you play, the more you’ll get the hang of it. And who knows? You might find your new favorite poker game!
Badugi in Tournament Play
1. WSOP Badugi events
While there’s no standaloneBadugibracelet event at the World Series of Poker (WSOP), the game is part of some mixed events. You’ll find Badugi in the $1,500 Dealer’s Choice,$10,000 Dealer’s Choice, and Mixed Triple Draw Lowball tournaments.
These events are a big deal forBadugifans!In the 2019 WSOP Mixed Triple Draw Lowball event, Dan Zack took home a cool $160,447 after beating 295 other players. That’s some serious cash for mixing it up with Badugi and other lowball games!
2. Online tournament strategies
When playing Badugi tournaments online, it’s all about adapting. Start tight and loosen up as the blinds increase. Remember, in online play, you can’t see your opponents’ faces, so pay close attention to betting patterns and timing tells.
A neat trick is to use aHUD (Heads-Up Display)if it’s allowed. This tool can give you quick stats on your opponents, helping you make better decisions on the fly.
3. Mixed game tournaments featuring Badugi
Mixed game tournaments are where Badugi really shines. In events like H.O.R.S.E. or 8-Game, Badugi adds a unique twist. These tourneys test your all-around poker skills, so being aBadugiace can give you a leg up.
For example, in the RecPoker Mixed Game Championship Series, Badugi is featured alongside games like Razz and Stud Hi-Lo. The 2023 winner, GopherBoyTJM (Taylor), showed that masteringBadugiand other mixed games can lead to big wins.
Remember, in mixed games, being able to switch gears between different variants is key. Don’t get stuck in Badugi mode when the game changes!
Tips for Improving Your Badugi Game
- Practice and study resources
To get better at Badugi, you’ve gotta put in the work! Here are some cool ways to level up your game:
Online poker sites: Websites like PokerStars and 888poker offer Badugi games where you can practice for free or with real money.
Poker books: Check out “Badugi by Alan Sass” or “Mastering Poker’s Niche Games” by Max Stern for some deep dives into Badugi’s strategy.
Poker forums: Hop on TwoPlusTwo or PokerStrategy to chat with other Badugi fans and share tips.
Training videos: Websites like Run It Once have Badugi tutorials from pro players.
Hand analyzers: Use tools like PokerStove to study different Badugi scenarios and improve your decision-making.
Remember, practice makes perfect! Try to play a little bit every day, even if it’s just for fun.
2. Common mistakes to avoid in Badugi
Even the pros mess up sometimes. Here are some Badugi blunders to watch out for:
Overvaluing hands: Don’t get too attached to a weak four-card Badugi. Sometimes, a strong three-card hand is better.
Ignoring position: Just like in other poker games, where you sit matters in Badugi. The late position is gold!
Drawing too many cards: If you’re always drawing three or four cards, you’re probably playing too loose.
Misreading opponents: Pay attention to how many cards your opponents are drawing. It tells you a lot about their hand strength.
Bluffing too much: Badugi isn’t a bluff-heavy game. Don’t try to be a hero all the time!
Pro tip: Keep a poker journal to track your mistakes and learn from them. You’ll be surprised how quickly you improve!
3. Bankroll management for Badugi
Managing your money is super important in Badugi. Here’s how to keep your bankroll healthy:
Set a budget: Decide how much you can afford to play with and stick to it. Never play with money you can’t lose!
Follow the 5% rule: Don’t risk more than 5% of your bankroll in any single game. For example, if you have $1000, don’t play games with buy-ins over $50.
Move up slowly: Don’t jump to higher stakes just because you had a good run. Wait until your bankroll is 20 times the buy-in of the next level up.
Take breaks: If you’re on a losing streak, it’s okay to step away. Your bankroll (and your mind) will thank you!
Track your results: Use a poker tracking app to keep an eye on your wins and losses. This helps you make smart decisions about when to move up or down in stakes.
Remember, even the best Badugi players have ups and downs. A solid bankroll management plan helps you weather the storms and come out on top in the long run.
Conclusion
Badugi is a unique and exciting poker variant that’s gaining popularity among players looking for a fresh challenge.
With its lowball format and focus on making the lowest possible hand, Badugi offers a different kind of thrill compared to traditional poker games.
From its mysterious origins in South Korea to its current status as a staple in mixed-game tournaments, Badugi has come a long way.
The game’s strategic depth, with its drawing rounds and unique hand rankings, makes it appealing to both casual players and poker pros.
Whether you’re playing in a live casino or trying your luck online, Badugi offers a fun and engaging experience.
As more players discover this four-card lowball game, it’s likely to become an even bigger part of the poker world. So why not give Badugi a shot? You might just find your new favorite way to play cards!
