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Ready for some high-stakes excitement? Let's dive into the thrilling world of Badugi poker, a game that's been quietly taking over the poker scene. Whether you find yourself in a sleek casino or settling into an online poker session, Badugi offers an action-packed experience than keeps players on the edge of their seats.
Wanna get in on the action? This guide's got you covered. We'll walk you through the rules, hand rankings, and even some killer strategies to give you an edge at the table. Buckle up, and let's get started!
The Mysterious Origins of Badugi
While we can't pinpoint exactly where Badugi came from, the game shares some resemblance to the Korean word baduk, which means black and white pattern. It's a fitting name considering the distinct nature of Badugi hands. Some believe the game originated in Vegas, thanks to poker pro, Paul Eskimo Clark. He supposedly brought the game back from his military service in Vietnam. Regardless of its roots, one thing's for sure: the world can't get enough of this poker version.
So, What Exactly is Badugi Poker?
Simply put, Badugi is a draw game with elements similar to 2-7 Triple Draw Lowball. The game differs, however, in the way winning hands are evaluated, which goes by the name Badugi. In this poker variant, players strive to build the lowest four-card hand.
After the cards are dealt, each player gets three attempts to discard the cards they don't need and draw new ones, hoping to create the ultimate low-ranking four-card ensemble. Since Badugi is a lowball game, the best hand you can have is A-2-3-4 of various suits.
Hand Rankings in Badugi
Here's the good news: straights don't exist in Badugi, so there's no need to worry about them. Aces are always considered low, and if you have two or more cards of the same suit, only the lowest one matters. If you bag a pair, only one of the cards counts.
The bad news? Check out the hand rankings below:
- Badugi: Four unpaired cards of unique suits, e.g., A♦, 2♥, 3♠, 4♣. If two players have Badugi, the one with the lowest high card claims victory.
- Three-card hand (unsuited cards): For example, 8♥, 6♥, 5♣, 4♦. In cases with two or more hearts, only one heart (the lowest one) is included, making the hand 6♥, 5♣, 4♦. This hand always loses to Badugi.
- Two-card hand: Contains just two playable cards, with the rest being duplicated in some form or another. For example, 3♠️ 5♥ 5♣️ Q♠️ beats A♠️ 4♠️ 6♠️ 6♣️ because the hand 3-5 triumphs over A-6.
- One-card hand: Occurs when no cards are duplicated. For example, 2♣️, 4♣️, 7♣️, 9♣️. In this instance, only the two lowest cards are usable.
Badugi Rules
Since Badugi is a blinds game, the small blind goes to the player sitting left of the dealer, followed by the big blind from the player on their left. After everyone receives their cards, betting starts with the person next to the big blind.
When betting is complete, the first drawing round begins. Players then discard cards and draw new ones, with the dealer overseeing card exchanges. If a player chooses not to replace any cards, they remain as they are—known as a standing pat or rapping pat.
After everyone gets their new cards, the second round of betting commences. The process repeats until either only one player remains or the betting round after the third drawing round ends.
Badugi Strategy
With no community cards or board to read opponents, learning a solid strategy is crucial in Badugi. Take note of your competitors' draws to gain insights. A player who draws one card usually has a strong three-card hand, while someone grabbing two cards is typically working on a two-card hand and needs more improvements.
When observing opponents who need three or four cards, their hand will likely be weak, relying on sheer luck. Standing pat indicates either a strong hand or a bluff attempt.
Position is key in Badugi, with late-position players benefiting from acting after everyone else. However, they draw last, which can be a disadvantage. Use your judgment to balance the benefits and risks.
Now that you have this newfound knowledge, it's time to put yourself to the test on one of our Badugi tables! With our diverse lobbies, rakebacks, promotions, and tournaments, you'll be well on your way to poker mastery.
Download CoinPoker now and start your journey to Badugi stardom today. For even more tips, strategies, and poker wisdom, be sure to browse the rest of the CoinPoker blog. Good luck at the tables!
- Badugi, a poker game similar to 2-7 Triple Draw Lowball, is believed to share origins with the Korean word baduk, meaning black and white pattern.
- In Badugi poker, players aim to construct the lowest four-card hand in three attempts to discard and draw new cards.
- The world has adored Badugi ever since it emerged, with many attributing its birth to poker pro, Paul Eskimo Clark, who returned from his military service in Vietnam.
- Despite its elusive origins, the game's popularity has grown steadily, becoming a staple in both traditional casinos and online casino games.
