Badugi Poker: The Unique Lowball Game You Need to Try
If you’re looking to break away from traditional poker formats like Texas Hold’em or Omaha, Badugi Poker offers a refreshing and exciting twist. This lesser-known but fascinating poker variant challenges players to rethink everything they know about hand rankings and strategy.
In Badugi, the lowest hand wins — but that’s just the beginning. With its unusual draw format and distinctive “four-card lowball” rules, Badugi rewards sharp observation, adaptability, and creativity. Whether you’re an experienced poker player or a 24/7 free poker curious beginner, this guide will teach you how to play Badugi Poker, its rules, and the strategies to help you win.
What Is Badugi Poker?
Badugi is a draw poker variant that originated in Asia and gained popularity in online poker rooms and mixed-game rotations. It’s often called a “triple draw lowball game”, where players aim to make the lowest four-card hand with all different suits and ranks.
Unlike Hold’em or Stud, Badugi uses a unique hand-ranking system — straights and flushes work against you, and pairs are bad news. The goal is to make a “Badugi”, a perfect four-card low hand with no duplicates in rank or suit (for example, 4♠ 3♥ 2♣ A♦).
How to Play Badugi Poker
Badugi is typically played with 2 to 6 players using a standard 52-card deck. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown:
- Blinds: Like in Hold’em, the two players to the dealer’s left post small and big blinds.
- Dealing: Each player receives four face-down cards.
- First Betting Round: Players can check, bet, call, or fold.
- First Draw: Each player can discard and replace 0–4 cards to improve their hand.
- Second Betting Round: Another round of betting occurs.
- Second and Third Draws: Players can draw again twice more, with betting rounds following each draw.
- Showdown: After the final betting round, remaining players reveal their hands. The lowest unique Badugi hand wins.
If no one makes a four-card Badugi, the best three-card or two-card hand takes the pot.
Understanding Badugi Hand Rankings
In Badugi, the best possible hand is A-2-3-4 with all four suits.
The ranking rules are:
- 1. Four-card Badugi: Four unique cards (no repeated suits or ranks). Example: A♣ 2♦ 3♥ 4♠
- 2. Three-card Badugi: One card is duplicated in suit or rank, making only three cards count. Example: A♠ 2♣ 3♥ 3♦ → counts as A-2-3.
- 3. Two-card Badugi: Two duplicates or same suits. Example: A♠ 2♠ 5♦ 7♦ → counts as A-2.
Among hands with the same number of cards, the lowest highest card wins. For example:
- 8♦ 6♣ 4♠ 2♥ beats 9♣ 5♦ 3♠ A♥ because 8 is lower than 9.
Remember: Straights and flushes don’t count in Badugi, but duplicate suits eliminate cards from consideration.
Core Badugi Strategy
1. Start with Strong Hands
Hands with four unique suits and low cards (A–5) are ideal starting points. Fold weak or uncoordinated hands early — especially those with multiple suited cards or high ranks.
2. Pay Attention to Drawing Patterns
Watch how many cards your opponents draw. A player drawing one card repeatedly might be chasing a four-card Badugi, while a player standing pat likely already has a strong hand.
3. Use Position Wisely
Late position offers valuable information about https://247freepoker6.com/ your opponents’ actions. You can draw or bet strategically depending on their moves.
4. Don’t Be Afraid to Stand Pat
If you have a solid three-card Badugi like A-3-5, it’s often better to keep it rather than risk breaking it for a slim improvement.
5. Bluff Selectively
Since most hands end with fewer than four-card Badugis, bluffing can be profitable. Representing a made hand by standing pat can force opponents to fold — but only if used strategically.
Why You Should Try Badugi Poker
Badugi’s appeal lies in its simplicity mixed with deep strategy. Every draw presents new decisions, and the rarity of perfect hands means bluffing and observation are just as important as card strength.
It’s also a great addition to your poker rotation — helping you develop skills like hand reading, table awareness, and adaptability, which translate well into other poker variants such as Razz or Triple Draw.
Final Thoughts
Badugi Poker might not be the most famous poker variant, but it’s one of the most refreshing and intellectually challenging games you can play. Its combination of luck, logic, and deception offers a truly unique experience for players tired of the usual Hold’em grind.
Whether you’re learning for fun or aiming to dominate in mixed-game tournaments, mastering Badugi will expand your poker skill set and give you a competitive edge.
So next time you shuffle the deck, deal four cards, and discover the charm of turning low hands into big wins — Badugi-style.