Badugi is one of the most unique and entertaining variants in the world of poker. Unlike Texas Hold’em or Omaha, it’s a triple draw lowball game that uses a completely different hand-ranking system, rewarding players who can make the lowest four-card hand with no pairs and no cards of the same suit. Its unusual structure and creative strategies make Badugi a fresh and exciting challenge for any poker enthusiast.

The Basics of Badugi

Badugi is usually played with 2 to 8 players. Each player is dealt four cards face down, and the goal is to make the lowest possible hand with four different suits and no paired ranks — called a “Badugi.” The best possible Badugi hand is A-2-3-4 of four different suits.

How the Betting and Drawing Work

Badugi features three drawing rounds, each followed by a betting round. After Master Poker Malaysia the first deal and betting, players can choose to discard any number of cards and draw new ones. This process repeats two more times, giving players three chances to improve their hands. After the final drawing and betting round, there’s a showdown if two or more players remain.

Understanding Hand Rankings

Badugi hand rankings differ significantly from standard poker games:

• The fewer cards you have of unique suits and ranks, the worse your hand.

• The best hand, A-2-3-4 (all different suits), beats any other Badugi.

• If no player has a four-card Badugi, the best three-card hand wins, and so on.

For example:

• A♠ 2♣ 3♦ 4♥ (Badugi, perfect hand) beats

• A♠ 2♣ 3♦ 5♣ (three-card hand because of two clubs).

Unique Strategies in Badugi

Since hand strength changes dramatically based on your draws and your opponents’ draws, observing how many cards opponents take is critical. A player who stands pat (doesn’t draw) early likely has a strong hand, while someone drawing multiple cards may be chasing a Badugi. Bluffing can also be powerful, especially when you represent a strong hand by standing pat or betting aggressively after fewer draws.

Why Badugi Is So Fun

Badugi’s distinct hand rankings and drawing mechanic create dynamic pots and interesting decisions you don’t find in most other poker variants. Its blend of patience, observation, and aggression provides a refreshing twist, making it a favorite side game among experienced players looking for something different.