The rules
Each player gets four cards. Like Triple Draw, there are three draws and four betting rounds. The goal is the lowest hand in which every card has a different suit and different rank.
- A four-card badugi like beats any three-card hand.
- If you have duplicate suits or ranks, you must discard cards until what is left is all different. plays as the three-card hand 7-3-A.
- Between badugis, compare the highest card first. 7-5-3-A beats 8-3-2-A.
Strategy
- Value a strong three-card start with low cards over a rough four-card badugi with a king.
- When you make a badugi with an 8 or lower, betting for value is usually right.
- Watch draws closely: an opponent drawing one card is close to a badugi; one drawing two is far from it.
Frequently asked questions
What is a badugi?
A four-card hand with four different suits and four different ranks. Any badugi beats any three-card hand.
What is the best Badugi hand?
A-2-3-4 with all four cards in different suits. Aces are low.
Where does Badugi come from?
It is generally believed to come from Korea, where the word refers to a dog with patchy markings.