Badugi Poker Strategy

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Over the past few years, the game of Badugi poker has really found a foothold in many online (and offline) card rooms and poker rooms. Badugi poker is a form of lowball poker that has a few twists and turns to spice up the game play of the avid poker enthusiast. Let's take a look at the basics of Badugi poker and Badugi poker strategy that you will find useful as you learn this game or hone your skills to be profitable at the tables. Do not confuse Badugi with Baduci poker, this is a mistake many players make.

Basics of Badugi Poker Strategy

• Each player around the Badugi table will receive four cards initially.
• There are four rounds of drawing and three rounds of betting involved in a classic Badugi game.
• The lowest possible hand wins the Badugi pot and is declared the winner of the game.
• No Badugi hand may contain pairs or same suits in order to be considered a Badugi hand.
• Aces are counted as the lowest card in the game of Badugi poker, never as the highest.
• There is no value for straights in Badugi poker.

After the final draw is completed, the Badugi poker player with a pair or same suit removes the highest card in his hand, which results in a three card Badugi hand, which has less value than a four card hand of Badugi as far as hand ranking goes. A genuine Badugi, which is the best hand in the game, will be made up of a combination of cards Ace – Two- Three- and Four. This is called (you guessed it) a "Badugi".

Starting Hands Strategy in Badugi Poker

There are four rounds of betting in Badugi poker, which gives players time to build a better hand (or to decide to get out early). The most optimal starting hands when playing Badugi poker are: two cards with values no greater than four (of different suits) or three cards of different suits that are no higher in value than seven. Most other Badugi poker hands should be folded in general. As you learn more about Badugi poker and play the game more often, you will better understand which hands you should fold and those that could turn out to be profitable. You'll find that Badugi poker strategy, like most games of chance and other poker variants, will take time and dedication in order to become proficient and profitable.

Drawing Phases Strategy of Badugi Poker

Following the first draw in Badugi poker, your hand should have at least three cards that are of differing suits. Pay close attention to your opposition. Are any of your fellow players standing pat by taking no cards during the first draw? If so, then make sure that you have at least three cards in your hand that are lesser than seven; if not, you might want to consider folding following the second drawing round.

By the time that the second Badugi draw rolls around, you should try to have at least three cards of differing suits that are valued less than seven. If there are players standing pat at this time, a good idea may be to simply fold or muck your hand. If you have four cards in your Badugi hand of differing suits no higher than a Jack, you should bet aggressively and stick around for the time being.

The final draw or third draw in Badugi poker is the last chance for you to fold out of the game. Badugi strategy suggests that if you have four cards of differing suits that are no higher in value than eight, or a three card Badugi hand consisting of three-two-and ace, you should bet hard and stay in the game. However, if any of your competitors have are standing pat at this point, fold your hand and save your bankroll for the next time around.

Badugi Poker Bluffing Strategy

Bluffing in Badugi poker can be accomplished and is a solid "temporary" Badugi strategy that will work well if you don't try to pull off a Badugi bluff too often. During the first or second draw of Badugi poker is the best time to pull off a successful Badugi poker bluff. At this time, you can stand pat during the first phase of drawing. You'll find some players will fold to your bluff. During the second drawing phase of Badugi, you should make sure that your hand is pretty decent so that you can go up against your opponents who do not fold out to your bluff – at least going into the bluff with a three card hand on the low or four cards of differing suits. Bluffing is a Badugi poker strategy that most smart Badugi players will catch on to fairly quickly if you play with a regular crowd.