Badugi
Also known as: Badougi, Padooki
A unique four-card draw game of Korean origin. The goal is to make the lowest four-card hand with all four cards of different suits and different ranks. Any badugi (four cards with no paired ranks and no shared suits) beats any three-card hand, which beats any two-card hand. Three draw rounds and four betting rounds.
Quick Rules
- Each player is dealt 4 cards face down.
- 4 betting rounds with 3 draw rounds between them.
- Goal: lowest 4-card hand with all 4 cards of different suits and different ranks.
- Paired or suited cards are discounted — only the best non-duplicating combination counts.
- Best hand: A-2-3-4 with all four suits (a badugi).
- A 4-card badugi always beats a 3-card hand, which beats a 2-card hand.
Strategy Notes
Starting with three cards to a badugi (three different suits, three different low ranks) plus one draw card is playable. Four-card badugis are rare and very strong. Drawing to a badugi while opponents are pat is a common decision point.
Home Game Tips
The most unfamiliar game for most players, so explain the hand evaluation system clearly and use examples. A-2-3-4 of four different suits is the nuts. K-K-3-4 with four different suits is only a three-card hand: one king is discarded, and K-4-3 plays. Allow extra time for hand evaluation at first.
Use Other game type. Unique hand ranking system.
Create a Badugi Tournament