Badugi Poker
Badugi is a new online poker craze. This poker form originated in Korea and is now rapidly becoming popular in North America.
The game 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: i.e. ace, two, three, four all of different suits is the best possible hand. When you find yourself holding 4 cards of different rank and suit then you are holding a Badugi!
The Dealing
Each player gets 4 cards in a clockwise direction starting from the player on the Small Blind. The cards are dealt to each player one card at a time. When 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.
The Betting
Badugi can be played as Limit, Pot Limit or even a Half Pot Limit game. Whatever level of action mixed with skill that suits you there is a Badugi game for you.
How to Play Badugi Poker
First, players are dealt 4 cards each, clockwise. Afterwhich, the first round of betting begins.
In the first betting round, the first player to act is the first participating player clockwise from the big blind. The player may fold, call, or raise. Then succeeding players shoul call bet, raise, fold or check. Once everyone has had their turn and all bets are matched you move on to the First Draw.
In the First Draw round, players are offered the opportunity to draw zero to four cards, again clockwise from the first player to the left of the dealer button. Players will select which cards to keep and which to replace through a draw. Drawing zero cards is called 'Standing Pat'.
Once players have completed their first draws, the second betting round takes place. Again, the bet increment uses the low stakes.
Second draw round: Same as first draw round.
Third bet round: Same as second bet round, only exception is that on this round the high stake is used for the betting increment.
Third draw round: Same as second draw round, applying reshuffle of discards 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.
The Showdown
After the final betting, remaining players will show their hand to see who won. The winning player will scoop the pot.
The showdown rules follow that of Texas Hold'em, 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 Texas Hold'em options.
