Badugi Online Poker
Badugi online poker is an old Korean card game that at one time was unknown to the rest of the world. In recent years, however, Badugi online poker has spread to countries around the world and its popularity has grown tremendously. Today, Badugi online poker can be found at large online poker sites and also in many live card rooms.
Interestingly, the name “Badugi” comes from a Korean word that is used to describe multi-colored or spotted dogs. Apparently the name was chosen because the goal of Badugi online poker is to get hands that consist of cards of different ranks and suits.
The game is played with a similar betting structure to triple draw lowball, with four betting rounds and three drawing phases. The biggest difference between Badugi and other poker games is that Badugi online poker is only played with four cards.
The object of Badugi online poker is to end up with the four lowest cards possible, preferably of different suits and ranks. The best possible hand, therefore, is A-2-3-4 with no two cards of the same suit. Any hand that is composed of four different suits is called a “Badugi” and is ranked better than any hand in which two or more of the cards share a suit.
If a player ends up with a hand that contains a pair or two cards of the same suit, one of those cards is removed and the hand is played as a 3 card hand. If there are three cards of the same suit or rank, two of the cards are removed and the hand is played as a 2 card hand. Any Badugi beats any 3 card hand and any 3 card hand beats any 2 card hand.
After years of playing poker games with high cards, new Badugi poker players sometimes find it difficult to get used to looking for low cards and unsuited cards. Just rest assured that after you get a little experience under your belt, looking for low cards will feel completely natural. After just a few hours of playing Badugi online poker you will get the hang of it and it will become your favorite poker game!
How To Play Badugi Online Poker
The game can be played by up to six (6) people. Before the actual game, the players agree on the big blind and the betting variation, whether it will be Limit, Pot Limit, or Half-Pot Limit.
To start the game, each player gets four cards, face down. Each player should always keep the real cards combination, or hand, a secret from the other players.
Betting Rounds
There are four betting rounds. The first round follows the initial dealing of four cards to each player. The second, third and the fourth or final rounds follow the first, second and third card drawing rounds respectively.
The betting rounds start with the player to the left of the big blind, going clockwise. Depending on the nature of their respective hands, the players may call, raise, fold or check. The survivors of each betting round then proceed to the next step, the card drawing round until the four betting rounds are completed. The bets increase with each betting round.
Card Drawing Rounds
Badugi online poker is also called a triple draw poker because the players have three rounds or opportunities to change or draw cards. To achieve or maintain a winning hand, the players may choose not to draw any card or draw from one to four cards. In drawing cards, the players take turns from the one at the left of the dealer going clockwise. After a card drawing round is completed, the play proceeds to the next betting staring round.
Showdown
If there are more than one players remaining after the last or fourth betting round, a showdown follows to determine the winner(s). The cards are placed on the table face up for evaluation and the winning hand is declared based on the Badugi online poker evaluation system.
Any hand wins over another hand with less number of cards. So, a Badugi online poker, with 4 cards, wins over the 3, 2 and 1-card hands. Between hands with the same number of cards, the one with the lower value wins.
As you can see, Badugi online poker is not a complicated game. You just need to practice.
