Badugi: rules and beginner strategy

Badugi is a draw lowball game. Each player gets four cards, there are three draws, and the goal is the lowest hand with all four cards of different suits and different ranks — a “badugi”. Aces are low. It’s usually played with blinds and fixed-limit betting.

Hand rankings

Any four-card badugi (four different suits and ranks) beats any three-card hand.
A three-card hand beats any two-card hand, and so on.
Between hands with the same number of cards, compare the highest card first, then the next: the lowest wins.

Example: A♠ 2♥ 3♦ 4♣ is the best possible hand. K♠ Q♥ J♦ 10♣ is still a badugi and beats any three-card hand.

If you have two cards of the same suit or rank, only one counts. A♠ 2♠ 3♦ 4♣ is a three-card hand (A-3-4 or 2-3-4; the best is A-3-4).

How a hand runs

Blinds, four cards each, betting round.
First draw: discard any number of cards and get new ones. Betting.
Second draw, betting.
Third draw, final betting, showdown.

Beginner strategy

Start with good three-card hands: three low cards of different suits, e.g. A-2-4 rainbow, and draw one.
A made badugi before the draw is very strong; even a rough one like 9-high can be good.
Position matters: acting last, you see how many cards others draw. A player drawing three is weak; a player who stands pat (draws none) is likely strong.
Don’t chase with bad draws to a 10 or higher badugi against players who are already pat.

See also five card draw and 2-7 triple draw.

FAQ

What is a badugi?

A four-card hand with all different suits and ranks; the lowest one wins.

Are aces high or low in Badugi?

Low. A-2-3-4 of four different suits is the best hand.

How many draws are there in Badugi?

Three draws, with a betting round after each.

Does a three-card hand ever beat a badugi?

No. Any four-card badugi beats any three-card hand.