Badugi poker is a new game that is taking the poker world by storm. The game is the opposite of everything that Texas Hold'em is. The lowest hand wins and high hands are the worst thing that can happen to you. The only thing this game has in common with other poker games is the sheer level of fun that is had by every player. Below you will find detail badugi poker rules and game setup info. Currely badugi poker is not included in any mixed poker games but its only a matter of time. With the inclusion of the equally uncommon but extremely fun 2-7 Triple Draw into Pokerstar's new 8-Game Mix Poker it won't be long until I'm writing an article about 9-Game poker. If you want to give badugi a try please read our 2014 Pokerstars review and take advantage of the special incentives we are offering new signups.
Badugi Hand Rankings
Badugi poker is a low hand poker game. Each hand is made up of up to 4 cards, none of them the same suit or rank(no pairs or better). Aces are always counted as low. For example: A, 2, 3, 4 is the best possible Badugi hand as long as not two cards are of the same suit. Any 4 card hand with one card of each suit is known as a " Badugi " hand. The lowest badugi hand beats a higher hand, so 2, 3, 4, 5 would beat 2, 4, 6, 7. The suits do not have any value or rank over each other in this game. If you are holding a pair, then one of the pair doesn't count.
1st Round of Betting and Drawing
Badugi is played the same way other poker games are played onlinet: this is with a button. The players to the right of the button are the small and big blinds. The first step is the dealer will deal each player 4 cards. You can not show other players your hands. . During the inital betting the minimum bets will be lower than what can be bet later, just like in Texas Holdem. You can draw as many cards as you like or none at all. If you don't want to draw you will be "standing pat". You can still exchange cards in the next 2 draws if you stand pat during the first.
2nd Round of Betting and Drawing
Another round of betting which begins to the person to the left of the player dealing the cards.. Still using the lower stake. Then there is a 2nd draw.. The 3rd and 4th rounds of betting and drawing are the same as this only the minimum bet is higher.
The Showdown
The player with the lowest hand wins with 1 exception. A 4 card hand which includes all four suits, also called a rainbow, will always beat a hand with only 3 different suits regardless of how low the hand is. . The order from best to worst is a 4 card Badugi, 3 cards, 2 cards, 1 card. if you don't have a low 3 card hand by the 3rd round you should just fold. Unless of course you are a millionaire and do not care to throw your money away.
Although this game is new to the poker world at large, it is one of the of the fastest playing games you can imagine. The number of betting rounds coupled with the fact that there is only one winner can make for some really nice pots to scoop. Every level of poker player will enjoy a good round of Badugi poker. There is a variation of Badugi called Baduci poker, visit the link for more info.