Badugi Poker Rules & Basics – A Beginner’s Guide

Poker is one of the most famous card games in the world. From casinos to house parties and now even online, this game stays a constant in all places. This is exactly what has resulted in the total number of Poker tables used in the world in 2024 being more than 10,000. On top of that, this game is available in a huge variety, so there is no room for being bored of playing this game. 

One such type is Badugi Poker. This one is a little different from traditional Poker which helps in adding some refreshment to the gaming industry. Well, are you planning to learn this game? Then continue reading with us. Here, we will help you understand the basics, rules, and everything else about this Poker variant. From hand rankings to strategies, this poker guide of ours will discuss everything with you. 

What is Badugi Poker?

We will start by discussing the basics before moving on to Badugi rules. 

This Poker variant was first introduced to the world by Korea and brought a new touch to the game. This is why Badugi is extremely famous in Asia and slowly gaining popularity with the introduction of online Poker games. 

Badugi is considered to be a lowball draw Poker game. However, it is very different from Razz and 2-7 Triple Draw. As it differs in points like hand rankings, number of cards, and goal. According to the poker game rules, each player of Badugi gets 4 cards during these games, and they are required to work their way around it to become the winner. The ultimate goal of the game is to be the one who makes the best lowball hand with their cards.

This game deals with creating hands with four of the lowest-value cards from different suits. However, there can be no duplicates in the hand. For instance, there can only be one 2-value card or 3-value card. The best combination of a hand that gets to be a Badugi is A, 2, 3, 4. 

That being said, there can be a few games where there is no chance of a pure Badugi (with the lowest 4 cards). In that case, the Badugi rules state that hands will be evaluated based on the lowest 3 cards and then on the 2 lowest cards, and the sequence follows. This is exactly where the hierarchy in Badugi differs from Traditional Poker. 

How to Play Badugi Poker

Now that we have understood the basics of Badugi Poker, let us move on to the other important factors. We will walk you through the gameplay of this game to simplify everything for you.

The Basics of Gameplay

Badugi is a draw Poker variant as unlike traditional games, the players get the chance to discard their initial cards and get or draw new ones. You are allowed to do this 3 times during a hand, making it easier for you to improve your hand. This gives you the best chance to get rid of the undesirable cards and get better ones instead. This is one of the key features of the game and a helpful poker game rules. Other than that, all players get 4 private cards or hole cards which they are not allowed to show till the end of the round. 

Betting Structure

The betting structure in Badugi Poker is pretty simple. This involves the limit for the first two rounds to be considered as small bets. After that, the limit for the third and fourth betting rounds is considered a big bet and is usually double the value of the small bet. On the other hand, the small blind is generally equal to or just half of the small bet. That being said, the big blind is equal to the full small bet. There are a total of 5 betting rounds in the game. They are called Pre-draw, First draw, Second draw, Third draw, and Final betting rounds.

The Draw Rounds

All players are allowed to exchange their cards during each draw round. They can exchange all 4 cards or none. However, the chances of the latter event are quite slim as most people do not get suitable cards during the game. The choice to keep or draw completely depends on the type of cards that you have. So, there isn’t any fixed rule for these.  

Hand Rankings in Badugi

Understanding the hand rankings of Badugi is a must for anyone who is just beginning to play these games. This is exactly what will help you in understanding if your hand is fit to be the winning hand. Most important of all, these hands are ranked differently from traditional Poker hands, so the same poker game rules do not work for these. 

The best possible hand in Badugi Poker is A, 2, 3, 4 of different suits. This is considered to be a low Badugi. Always remember some rules while creating a valid hand in Poker as that improves your gameplay. For instance, you should not use two cards from different suits but of the same value. This is because duplicate ranks hurt your hand. Other than that, only one card per suit counts. Most important of all, lower hands always beat higher hands and make you the winner. 

This is what the best to worst Badugi hand ranking looks like: 

1. 4-3-2-A of different suits → Strongest Badugi  

2. 6-5-4-2 of different suits → Weaker than the previous hand  

3. 8-7-6-3 of different suits → Still a Badugi, but weaker  

4. 7-6-5-5 of one duplicate rank → only a 3-card hand counts  

5. K-Q-10-10 of one duplicate rank and one suited card → 2-card hand counts only 

Basic Strategy for Beginners

Becoming a master of Badugi Poker starts with using something beyond the Badugi rules and other basic tricks. Rather, this also requires you to use some interesting strategies. Let us make you aware of a few strategies that will help you transform yourself from a beginner to a pro. 

Starting Hands

Well, the starting hand in a game of Poker always plays an important role. This is what helps you build a strong foundation so that you can solidify your win. The best starting hand for this game is four low, unsuited cards. For instance, you can create a hand which looks like A, 2, 3, 4. Other than that, you should also be clear about when you should fold during the game. For instance, if you start with high pairs or have too many suited cards in your hands then it is a good call to fold. 

Drawing Strategy

Drawing is a common part of Badugi gameplay. However, this should not be done mindlessly. Rather, you follow a proper strategy even when you are drawing cards. Most important of all, it is not always a must. For instance, if you already have a Badugi, then it is best to keep it unless it’s weak. On the other hand, if you have only three unique low cards, then you should focus on discarding the duplicate or suited cards. On top of all, you should think about the bluffing considerations in your mind when drawing cards. This is because your opponents can’t see your hand, so it is always important to focus on the timing.  

Reading Opponents

You can check any poker guide out there and all of them will suggest you read your opponent during the game. This is an extremely important part of the game and sometimes your win also depends on it. For instance, if your opponent stands pat or doesn’t draw, then there is a chance that they have a strong Badugi in their hand. On the other hand, if your opponent is constantly drawing during the game, then they may still be trying to get a better hand. 

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Making mistakes is a common part of any game. So, it is important for you as a beginner to understand which mistakes you should stay away from while playing Badugi. This way you get to make your winning path easier than before.

Overvaluing high Badugis

High Badugis take away your winning potential. These can be easily beaten by many hands which is why it is important to avoid these. For instance, you should avoid using hands like 9, 8, 6, and 5.  

Drawing too much

Drawing too many cards while creating hands may seem normal. However, these also bring a few risks along with them. This way you miss out on the 3-card hands that you might have created and take away your winner title from you. 

Not paying attention to opponents’ behaviour

Playing a game of Badugi involves you to notice every little move of your opponent. This way you become aware of their potential hand. However, many people fail to do that, and as a result, they are completely blindsided during the game. So, make sure you pay attention to the drawing pattern and other behaviour of the opponents. 

Conclusion

Playing Badugi Poker can be great as it offers something different from traditional Poker. However, it does involve you to learn all the poker game rules to become a winner. Through this blog, we tried to make you aware of all the things that will help you to transform yourself from a beginner to an expert. We hope this helps you in your journey.