Poker Draw Variations: Badugi
On the surface, “Badugi” sounds something like a mobster-type word you would want to avoid when it comes to gambling (“Did you hear about Dave?? He was Badugi’d by Big Tony last night!!”) In reality, however, it’s a poker game that is actually very similar to triple draw, but with hand values that are different from traditional draw poker.
Budugi (which is also known as “Badougi” or “Padooki”) is a draw poker variant that is commonly believed to have originated in Asia, and has been currently growing in popularity throughout the United States. The variant has a betting structure and overall gameplay which is similar to a traditional draw poker game, but player hands only hold four cards at any one time (instead of the standard minimum of five.)
During each of the three drawing rounds, players can switch out anywhere from zero to four cards from their hands for replacement cards from the deck. This is done to form the best Badugi hand and (obviously) win the pot during that final showdown.
The general rule / hand value of Budagi is similar to California Lowball in that the lower hand wins. Also, the basic idea is to get 4 low cards of different ranks, and of different suits as well. In fact, if suits / values are copied, it reduces your hand – a four card hand has four different values and suits. A three card hand has one card canceled out due to it being the same value / suit as another. A two card hand has two of the four canceled out, and so-on.
Similar to other games with a fixed order of play, a player’s position becomes an important part of Budagi strategy. The players who act last during play will often have an opportunity to make bluff plays as they are able to take notice of the actions of other players before they act. Also, players in late position are able to better determine the strength of their hand through the actions of others.
Yet another Badugi strategy to take note of involves the number of people present at the table. The more people that are at the table, the higher probability there is of a 4 card Badugi (the best hand – 4 individual low cards of different suits.) An important part of one’s strategy, however, is that attempting to bluff with a two or three card hand is usually not advisable when playing at a six player table, as the chances to successfully pulling off a bluff decreases with every additional player. Just keep this simple fact in mind: When playing with fewer than four people, a solid three card hand can lead to victory with a well-place bluff.
