
No one really knows where Badugi was born. It depends on who you ask. Some say Badugi originated in China. Others say Badugi was based on a Korean card game. While its origins are still wrapped in a mystery, one thing is certain, Badugi has been growing in popularity over the last few years, especially among lowball fetishists and high-stakes regulars.
How to play Badugi
The goal of Badugi is to make the best four-card low hand with one card from each suit. An unpaired hand containing a heart, diamond, club, and spade, is called a "Badugi". Hands containing pairs or multiple suits are considered 3-card hands. Badugi is also a triple draw game, so you have three chances to make the best Badugi. The Ace is considered the lowest card and the King is the highest card.
The best possible Badugi is 4-3-2-A rainbow. For example:
SAMPLE HAND: Limit Badugi with $400/$800 stakes. Badugi is played with blinds and a dealer button. Action progresses clockwise. The small blind is $200 and the big blind is $400.
DEAL: Each player is dealt four cards face-down.
YOUR HAND: You hold two spades so your best hand is a 3-card 5-2-A.
Your hand
1st round of betting
The initial bet is $400. The player to the immediate left of the big blind, aka Under the Gun, is the first to act and has the option to call $400, raise to $800, or fold. If a player is facing a raise, they must call, fold, or re-raise. The big blind is last to act.
If the pot has not been raised and other opponents have only called the $400 big blind, the big blind has the option to check or raise to $800. If the big blind checks, the betting round is complete and the players move on to the first draw. If the big blind raises, betting continues until the action makes its way back around the table. If a raise goes uncalled, the raiser wins the pot without revealing their hole cards.
Once all remaining bets and raises have been called, it is time for players to draw cards.
FIRST DRAW: Each player may discard zero to four cards. If a player does not draw any cards, they are "standing pat". You discard the , but you pick up the
for a pair of fives. Your best hand is still a 3-card 5-2-A.
2nd round of betting
On this betting round and all subsequent betting rounds, action begins with the small blind. On the first draw, players may check or bet $400.
If a bet is made, players must call, fold, or raise. The button is last to act. If no one has bet, the button has the option to check or bet. If the button checks, the betting round is complete and the players proceed to the second draw. If the button raises, betting continues until the action makes its way back around the table. If no one calls a bet or raise, the bettor wins the pot without revealing their hole cards.
Once all remaining bets and raises have been called, it is time for players to draw cards for a second time.
SECOND DRAW: You discard the . You pick up a
but still need a club to make a Badugi. However, you have improved to a 3-card 4-2-A.
3rd round of betting
The betting limit is now $800 from here on out. Action starts with the small blind and players may check or bet $800.
If a bet is made, players must call, fold, or raise. The button is last to act. If no one has bet, the button has the option to check or bet. If the button checks, the betting round is complete and the players proceed to the third draw. If the button bets, betting continues until the action makes its way back around the table. If no one calls a bet or raise, the bettor wins the pot without revealing their hole cards.
Once all remaining bets and raises have been called, it is time for players to draw cards for the third and final time.
THIRD DRAW: You discard the and draw the
. You have made a 6-4-2-A Badugi.
4th round of betting
The betting limit is $800. Action starts with the small blind. Players may check or bet $800.
If a bet is made, players must call, fold, or raise. The button is last to act. If no one has bet, the button has the option to check or bet. If the button checks, the betting round is complete and the players show down their hands. If the button bets, betting continues until the action makes its way back around the table. If no one calls a bet or raise, the bettor wins the pot without revealing their hole cards.
Once all remaining bets and raises have been called, it is time for players to reveal their cards.
Badugi ties
If two players have the same hand, they split the pot. There is no way to determine a tie-breaker.
Badugi tip
Don't forget that straights do not count, but you must have four different suits to make a Badugi.

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