Learn how to play Badugi

Badugi is a four-card lowball poker variant where players must make the best “badugi” – four cards with no duplicates in rank or suit. Unlike Texas Hold’em where players combine hole cards with community cards, Badugi gives each player exactly four private (hole) cards with no shared community cards. The objective is to win the pot at showdown by having the lowest set of cards with no two cards of the same rank or suit, with aces ranking low.

This fascinating poker variant originated in Asia and has gained significant popularity in mixed games and high-stakes cash games worldwide. More commonly found in cash games, it is on rotation for high-stakes mixed games and is part of other mixed-game variants like Badeucy and Badacy. The game’s unique challenge lies in creating what’s called a “perfect badugi” – a four-card hand where each card has a different rank and suit, making it entirely different from traditional poker hand rankings.

This comprehensive guide will teach you everything needed to learn Badugi, from fundamental rules and hand rankings to basic strategy concepts. You’ll discover how drawing decisions work, and learn about popular variants like Badeucy and Razzdugi. Whether you’re looking to add variety to your home games or compete in mixed game tournaments, learning Badugi will expand your poker skills and provide a refreshing challenge from traditional poker formats.

Badugi Basic Rules

Each player is dealt four cards, face-down, in a Badugi poker hand, and a round of betting begins with the player immediately to the right of the big blind. The game uses a standard 52-card deck and typically employs a small blind and big blind structure similar to Texas Hold’em. Players examine their four private cards and must decide whether to fold, call the big blind, or raise based on their starting hand strength.

After the initial betting round, players enter the first of three drawing rounds. During each of three drawing rounds, players can trade zero to four cards from their hands for new ones from the deck, in an attempt to form the best badugi hand and win the pot. Starting with the player to the left of the dealer button, each active player declares how many cards they want to discard and receives that many replacement cards from the deck.

Following each draw, another betting round occurs with the same structure as the initial round. This pattern continues for three total drawing rounds, each followed by a betting round. After the third and final draw, a fourth betting round takes place, and remaining players proceed to showdown where hands are evaluated according to Badugi rankings.

Aces are considered low in Badugi, therefore the best possible hand is A-2-3-4 with one card of each suit. This hand, known as a “badugi wheel”, represents the absolute nuts in Badugi. Hand strength is determined first by the number of cards that count toward the badugi, then by the rank of the highest card among those counting cards.

When players have hands with the same number of qualifying cards, the player with the lowest high card wins. For example, 6♠ 4♥️ 3♦️ 2♣ beats 7♠ 4♥️ 3♦️ 2♣ because the six is lower than the seven. If high cards are equal, comparison moves to the second-highest card, and so on.

Badugi Hand Rankings Examples Chart

Hand Comparison Rules

• Four-card Badugis always beat three-card Badugis
• Three-card Badugis always beat two-card Badugis
• Two-card Badugis always beat one-card Badugis

Within Same Card Count

• Compare the highest card first
• If tied, compare second highest
• Continue until a winner is determined
• With multiple cards of the same suit, use only the lowest rank (Ace is low)

Examples of Hand Comparisons

Popular Variations

Badeucy

Badeucy uses a split pot system. Half the pot is given to the player with the best Badugi hand while the other half is given to the player with the best hand according to 2-7 Lowball rules. Players are dealt five cards instead of four, and they must use these cards to make both a Badugi hand and a 2-7 lowball hand simultaneously. This creates complex strategic decisions as players balance improvement for both halves of the pot.

In Badeucy, aces are always considered high, so the best Badugi in Badeucy would be 5-4-3-2. The 2-7 lowball side follows standard deuce-to-seven rules where straights and flushes count against the player, and aces are high. Players can win both halves of the pot (called “scooping”) if they have both the best Badugi and the best 2-7 lowball hand, making hands that work well for both sides extremely valuable.

The drawing strategy in Badeucy requires careful consideration of which cards help both sides of the pot. For example, holding 7♣ 5♥️ 4♦️ 3♠ 2♠ gives a player a decent Badugi draw and a strong 2-7 lowball hand, but they must decide whether to break the potential straight by discarding the 3♠ to improve the Badugi portion.

Badacy

Badacy combines Badugi with Ace-to-Five lowball instead of 2-7 lowball, creating a more beginner-friendly split pot variant. In Badacy, the five-card low is evaluated using A-5 lowball rules, and for the Badugi, an ace plays as the lowest card, as in standard Badugi. This creates more synergy between the two halves since aces are low in both games, and straights and flushes don’t count against the A-5 lowball side.

Players receive five cards and attempt to make the best possible Badugi hand while simultaneously creating the lowest possible A-5 lowball hand. The wheel (A-2-3-4-5) becomes extremely powerful in Badacy since it often wins both halves of the pot – the A-2-3-4 portion makes an excellent Badugi if the suits are different, while the full five cards create the best possible A-5 lowball hand.

Strategic considerations in Badacy differ significantly from Badeucy because players don’t need to avoid straights and flushes on the A-5 side. This makes drawing decisions somewhat easier, as more cards help both halves of the pot. However, players must still balance improving their Badugi versus strengthening their A-5 lowball hand when drawing cards.

Razzdugi

The object of Razzdugi is to make the lowest five-card hand (the “razz” hand), and the lowest four-card hand that contains four cards of different rank and of different suits (the “badugi” hand). This variant combines the stud poker format of Razz with Badugi hand evaluation, creating a unique split pot game with both exposed and hidden cards.

Each player is initially dealt two cards face down and one card face up. The game proceeds through multiple betting rounds and additional card deals following standard seven-card stud structure, but with split pot evaluation where half goes to the best Razz hand and half to the best Badugi hand made from any four of the seven cards.

The stud format adds complexity as players must read opponents’ exposed cards while building hands for both Razz and Badugi evaluation. Door cards (the first exposed card) that are low and different suits become particularly valuable since they contribute to both halves of the pot. Players must track which cards are dead for both their Razz draws and potential Badugi improvements.

Badugi Basic Strategy

Successful Badugi strategy begins with understanding starting hand values and the mathematics of drawing. Aces count as low, so the lowest possible hand you can make is A-2-3-4, all of different suits. Premium starting hands include any smooth four-card badugis (those with low cards), three-card badugis with very low cards, and strong drawing hands that need only one card to complete a competitive badugi.

A general rule to follow is if you have a four-card badugi, stand pat. Even relatively weak four-card badugis like K-Q-J-T (rainbow suits) beat any three-card holding, making them automatic pats in most situations. If you have a three-card badugi going into the last drawing round but your opponents have to draw any cards, you can stand pat, too.

Drawing strategy forms the core of Badugi tactics, as players must balance the mathematical odds of improvement against the information they reveal about their hand strength. Drawing one card usually indicates a strong three-card badugi or a made four-card hand with a duplicate. Drawing two cards typically suggests a decent two-card badugi foundation, while drawing three or four cards indicates either a very weak holding or sophisticated deception.

Position plays a crucial role in Badugi strategy, particularly regarding drawing decisions. Late position players can observe opponents’ drawing patterns before making their own choices, gaining valuable information about hand ranges. This advantage allows for more sophisticated strategies like snow (standing pat with a weak hand to represent strength) or varying drawing patterns to disguise hand strength.

Bluffing in Badugi takes unique forms compared to traditional poker. Standing pat with a weak three-card hand can sometimes force opponents with drawing hands to fold, while drawing aggressively can represent weakness and induce bluffs from opponents. However, the showdown nature of the game means that bluffs must be carefully timed and situation-specific.

Tournament vs Cash Game Strategy

Tournament Badugi requires significant adjustments from cash game play due to changing stack sizes and blind levels. Short-stacked tournament play demands more aggressive strategies with marginal hands, as players cannot afford to wait for premium holdings when blinds are consuming their chips. The concept of survival becomes paramount, making hands that can win without improvement more valuable than speculative drawing hands.

Cash game Badugi allows for more patient, mathematically sound play since players can reload their stacks and aren’t under time pressure. This format rewards tight-aggressive strategies that focus on maximizing profit from premium hands while minimizing losses with marginal holdings. Cash games also permit more sophisticated bluffing and hand reading strategies since players have consistent stack depths and longer playing sessions.

The tournament structure affects drawing decisions significantly, as players must consider their chip stack relative to the blinds when deciding whether to continue with drawing hands. A short stack might need to gamble with a weak three-card badugi, while a large stack can afford to wait for stronger holdings and apply pressure to medium stacks through aggressive betting.

Badeucy Strategy

Badeucy strategy revolves around finding hands that work well for both halves of the pot, maximizing the chances of scooping. The player with the best 2-7 lowball hand wins half the pot and the player with the best Badugi hand wins the other half. In the event the same player wins both hands, he or she scoops the pot. Starting hands like 7-5-4-3-2 with mixed suits offer excellent potential for both sides, as they create strong 2-7 lowball hands while providing good Badugi drawing opportunities.

Drawing strategy in Badeucy requires balancing improvement for both pot halves. Players often face decisions between keeping a marginal 2-7 lowball hand intact or breaking it to improve their Badugi potential. For example, holding 8-6-5-4-3 with mixed suits creates tension between maintaining the decent eight-low and drawing to improve the Badugi component.

Position becomes even more critical in Badeucy since players must read opponents’ intentions for both halves of the pot. Late position allows for better assessment of whether opponents are drawing primarily for Badugi or 2-7 lowball, enabling more informed drawing decisions and betting strategies.

Badacy Strategy

Badacy offers more synergy between pot halves since aces are low in both Badugi and A-5 lowball evaluation. The wheel (A-2-3-4-5) becomes the ultimate scooping hand, winning both sides in most situations. Starting hands with multiple aces and low cards gain significant value due to their flexibility and scooping potential.

Drawing decisions in Badacy are generally easier than in Badeucy because straights and flushes don’t hurt the A-5 lowball side. This means more cards help both halves of the pot, making drawing hands more profitable overall. Players can pursue straight and flush draws more aggressively since they only help (or remain neutral for) both pot halves.

The increased synergy in Badacy creates more scooping opportunities, making position and aggression more important. Players with strong holdings for both sides should bet and raise aggressively to build pots they’re likely to win entirely, while those drawing for only one side should play more cautiously.

Razzdugi Strategy

Razzdugi strategy combines stud poker reading skills with split pot hand development. The object of Razzdugi is to make the lowest five-card hand (the “razz” hand), and the lowest four-card hand that contains four cards of different rank and of different suits (the “badugi” hand). Players must track exposed cards to calculate drawing odds for both halves while reading opponents’ likely holdings based on their visible cards.

Door card selection becomes crucial in Razzdugi, as the first exposed card influences both halves of the pot evaluation. Low cards of different suits from opponents create ideal starting points, while high cards or those matching opponents’ suits become problematic. Players must also consider which cards are “dead” for their draws based on opponents’ exposed holdings.

The stud format allows for more sophisticated bluffing based on board texture. Players showing coordinated low cards can represent strength for both halves, while those with high or paired door cards face more challenging strategic decisions. Reading opponents’ likely four-card badugi holdings based on their exposed cards becomes a key skill for success.

Badugi Position-based Strategy

Early position in Badugi requires conservative play and strong starting hand requirements. Players acting first have minimal information about opponents’ holdings and drawing intentions, making marginal hands unprofitable. Early position works best with premium four-card badugis or very strong three-card holdings that can withstand betting pressure from multiple opponents.

Middle position offers some improvement over early position but still requires caution with speculative hands. Players can gain information from early position actions while considering late position players yet to act. This position works well with solid drawing hands that don’t require complex decision-making based on opponents’ actions.

Late position provides maximum strategic flexibility in Badugi, allowing players to observe all opponents’ actions before making decisions. Late position players can expand their starting hand ranges, exercise more sophisticated bluffing strategies, and make optimal drawing decisions based on opponents’ patterns. The ability to act last in all betting rounds provides significant advantages in hand reading and pot control.

The button position offers unique advantages in draw poker formats, as the player acts last in all betting rounds and observes all drawing decisions before making their own. This information advantage enables better mathematical calculations for drawing odds and more accurate opponent hand reading. Button players should take advantage of this position by playing more hands and applying strategic pressure when holding strong draws or made hands.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes a good starting hand in Badugi?

The best starting hands in Badugi are smooth four-card badugis with low cards, such as A-2-3-4 or A-2-3-5 with different suits. Three-card badugis with very low cards like A-2-3 also make strong starting hands since they need only one card to complete a competitive four-card hand. Any hand with multiple pairs or suited cards should generally be folded.

How many cards should you draw in Badugi?

The number of cards to draw depends on your starting hand strength and position. With a four-card badugi, always stand pat (draw zero cards). With a strong three-card badugi, draw one card. With a decent two-card foundation, draw two cards. Drawing three or four cards is rarely profitable unless you’re in late position with specific strategic reasons.

What is the best possible hand in Badugi?

The best possible hand in Badugi is A-2-3-4 with each card of a different suit, called a “badugi wheel”. This hand cannot be beaten and represents the absolute nuts. Any four-card badugi beats any three-card hand, making even weak four-card badugis like K-Q-J-T valuable holdings.

Should you always stand pat with a four-card Badugi?

Yes, you should almost always stand pat with any four-card badugi, even relatively weak ones like K-Q-J-T. Since any four-card badugi beats any three-card hand, there’s no mathematical justification for breaking a made four-card hand to draw for improvement. The rare exceptions involve extremely specific tournament situations with severe chip constraints.

How does Badugi differ from regular poker?

Badugi differs significantly from traditional poker in several ways: it uses four cards instead of five, aims for the lowest hand rather than the highest, requires all cards to be different ranks and suits, includes multiple drawing rounds, and uses completely different hand rankings. Unlike Texas Hold’em with community cards, each Badugi player has private cards only.

What does it mean to snow in Badugi?

Snowing in Badugi means standing pat (drawing zero cards) with a weak hand to represent strength and force opponents to fold. This bluffing technique can be effective against opponents drawing multiple cards, as they may fold marginal three-card hands rather than compete against what appears to be a made four-card badugi.

Is Badugi harder to learn than Texas Hold’em?

Badugi requires learning different concepts than Texas Hold’em, including unique hand rankings, drawing strategies, and mathematical calculations for improvement odds. While the basic rules are straightforward, mastering optimal drawing decisions and reading opponents’ hand strength through their drawing patterns requires significant practice and study.

What is the difference between Badeucy and Badacy?

The main difference is the lowball evaluation system used for the non-Badugi half. Badeucy uses 2-7 lowball rules where aces are high and straights/flushes count against you, while Badacy uses A-5 lowball rules where aces are low and straights/flushes don’t matter. This makes Badacy more beginner-friendly with more synergy between the two pot halves.

Can you play Badugi online?

Yes, Badugi is available on several major online poker sites, primarily in mixed game formats and specialized draw poker tournaments. The game is more commonly found in live cash games and mixed game tournaments, but online options exist for players wanting to learn and practice the format.

What are the most common Badugi mistakes beginners make?

Common beginner mistakes include playing too many starting hands, failing to stand pat with four-card badugis, drawing to poor three-card hands, ignoring position when making drawing decisions, and not adjusting strategy based on opponents’ drawing patterns. Many beginners also struggle with proper hand reading and bet sizing in this unique format.