Badugi, which is sometimes referred to as Padooki, is believed to have come from Asia. Badugi consist of each player having 4 cards who are trying to make the lowest possible hand, also known as lowball. In that way it is comparable to Razz but that is where the similarities stop with a different hand layout and playing style of Badugi.

Badugi is commonly played pot limit or limit game and in most casinos and online sites will have a max of 6 players per table. This is a fairly easy game to play but can be a little confusing when figuring out hand ranking and betting amounts. Hopefully How to Play Badugi will help get you started.

Step 1 will be covering the basic layout of game and best possible Badugi hand. Step 2 will talk about the hands and their ranking. Step 3 will cover basic game strategy.

If you like playing lowball games like Razz or Omaha Hi/low, then Badugi may be another poker game you might want to consider trying. With a little work you could be mastering the game and stealing the pots in this exciting game.

Badugi generally has a maximum of 6 players per table with each player receiving a total of 4 cards. Like in Texas Hold 'Em and other games, the first two players to the left of button (dealer button) post the small and big blind. Once blinds are posted each player is dealt 4 cards face down.

Once each player is dealt 4 cards a round of betting takes place. Starting with player left of the big blind that player can fold, call or raise (the big blind). Once this round of betting is complete each player then chooses what cards to keep and which ones to discard. Any player can discard between 0 – 4 of their cards. Once all players receive replacements another round of betting follows.

The second round of betting must be equal to the small blind amount. If the small blind was $10 then any player wishing to bet must do so with no less then $10. Once all players have bet cards again are discarded and replacements dealt to each player. At this point a round of betting equal to the big blind follows. If the big blind is $20 then each player bet must be equal or greater then that amount. After this round of betting, players remaining in game move into the final draw and betting round.

All remaining players left in the final round now must show their cards and a winner is determined. The best possible Badugi hand is 4 cards with no matching suits or ranks with ace being low. Example: 4c, 3h, 2s, Ad being one example of the best possible Badugi hand.

What is a Badugi? A Badugi is any 4 cards made up of no matching numbers or suits. So the best possible hand in Badugi poker is 4, 3, 2, A (Ace is always low).

If at showdown you are holding 8d, 6s, 3c, 2h you would lose to an opponent holding 4d, 5c, 3h, 2s since they would have the lower hand. Unlike other poker games suits in Badugi don’t hold any value or rank.

Pairs in Badugi are also not counted since one of the paired cards isn’t counted. It is possible to win a hand with a 3 card Badugi over a 4 card hand. Example: Ac, 5h, Jc, Js would become Ac, 5h, Jc this is a three card hand and is lower than any 4 card Badugi hand.

Like paired cards suited cards are also not counted. The higher ranking cards of same suit will be dropped from hand leaving you with a 3 card hand. Example: As, 4c, 5h, Kh would become As, 4c, 5h.

Badugi basic game strategy comes down to not over playing your hands. Because of the number of draws per round it is possible, as with Razz, to end up with garbage where you started off in good shape.

Badugi is not considered a bluffing game but mainly a game where the lowest possible hand wins. When betting your hand keep it tight and take limited and sure bets. Over betting a hand early will many times cost you more chips then had you waited a betting round or two.

Before playing for cash in Badugi, it is recommended that you become familiarized with hand ranking and game play. Knowing what to keep or discard or when to stand pat (no discard) can be the difference between winning the pot or paying into the pot.