How to play Badugi poker

Rules of Badugi

Badugi is a triple draw four card low-hand wins game. The best low hand is comprised of four cards, with none of the same suit and none of the same rank. That means ace, two, three, four, all of different suits, is the best possible hand.

When you find yourself holding four cards of different ranks and different suits you have a Badugi.

Dealing Badugi hands

Each player is dealt 4 cards face down in a clockwise direction starting from the player on the small blind. Cards are dealt to each player one card at a time. Once everyone has their 4 cards, the action begins with the player to the left of the big blind and continues around the table in a clockwise direction. Players must keep their dealt cards hidden.

Pic of 4 face down cards.

How to play a hand of Badugi

Each player is dealt 4 face down cards. The first betting round then starts with players deciding how to play based on the strength of their initial 4 cards. The betting amounts will depend on which variation of Badugi you are playing, Limit, Pot Limit, or Half Pot Limit. (More info on Badugi poker betting)

First bet round: In this round, the first player to act is the first participating player clockwise from the big blind. The player may fold, call, or raise. Each player in clockwise order is asked to bet (call, raise, fold, or check). Once everyone has had their turn and all bets are matched, the game moves on to the first draw round.

First draw round: Each player is offered in turn the opportunity to draw zero to four cards. Players are asked clockwise from the first participating seat to the left of the dealer button. Players select which cards to keep and which to replace through a draw. Drawing no cards is known as Standing Pat. Players Standing Pat usually have a "made" hand already, or are inferring they have one. With the first draw round complete the game moves on to the second bet round.

Second bet round: Once players have completed their first draws, the second betting round is held. This is exactly the same as the first bet round and again the bet increment uses the low stakes from the blind levels.

Second draw round: This is exactly the same as first draw round.

Third bet round:  Same as second bet round with the only exception being that on this round the high stake is used for the betting increment.

Third draw round:  Same as second draw round, applying reshuffle of discarded cards as is necessary.

Final bet round:  The final betting round follows the same rules, using the high stake and leads to a showdown if more than one player remains standing.

Badugi Showdown

With all the cards dealt and betting completed it's s time to show your hand and see who won. The winning player scoops the pot!
The showdown rules follow those of Hold’em.  In brief, the player whose last bet is called, if there is one, shows cards first.  If there is no last aggressor, showdown begins from the first participant holding cards, clockwise from the dealer button.  As hands are shown, players with losing hands may muck or show, similar to Hold’em options

Hand Winner

Once the showdown is complete the winner is announced and awarded the pot.

Other Points to note:

* Side pots are accumulated and awarded just as they are in all other forms of poker.

* Don't forget that in Badugi the lowest hand wins!

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