Badugi

Badugi is a draw poker variant that originated in Asia. Players aim to make the lowest possible four-card hand with all cards of different suits. Unlike traditional lowball games, pairs and suited cards count against your hand, making it unique among poker variants.

Key Rules

• Four-card hands only
• All cards must be different suits
• Lower hands are better
• Aces are low
• Multiple draw rounds

Hand Rankings

• Best possible hand: A-2-3-4 of different suits
• Pairs count as one card
• Suited cards count as one card
• Complete badugi beats incomplete hands

Strategy Tips

• Focus on making complete four-card hands
• Keep low cards over high cards
• Position is crucial for drawing decisions
• Pay attention to discarded suits

While less common than Hold'em or Omaha, Badugi is growing in popularity, especially in mixed games. Its unique rules and strategy make it an interesting addition to any poker player's repertoire.