BADUGI

Badugi Poker Interactive Learning Module

🃏 Badugi Poker Mastery

Interactive Learning Module - From Beginner to Pro

Progress: 0/8 modules completed

🎯 What is Badugi?

Welcome to the fascinating world of Badugi poker! This unique draw poker variant combines strategy, psychology, and creativity in ways that will challenge even experienced players.

Key Concept: Badugi is a lowball game where you want the lowest four-card hand with no pairs and all different suits.

🌟 What Makes Badugi Special?

  • Lowball Scoring: Lower cards are better (Ace = 1, King = 13)
  • Rainbow Hands: All four cards must be different suits
  • No Pairs: Duplicate ranks weaken your hand
  • Multiple Draws: Three chances to improve your hand
💡 Quick Tip: The name "Badugi" comes from Korean, referring to a spotted dog - think of your perfect hand as having four different "spots" (suits)!
What is the main goal in Badugi?
A) Get the highest four-card hand with a flush
B) Get pairs and three-of-a-kind combinations
C) Get the lowest four-card hand with all different suits
D) Get a straight from Ace to King

🏆 Hand Rankings & Evaluation

Understanding hand rankings is crucial in Badugi. Let's break down how hands are evaluated:

The Perfect Hand: A♠ 2♥ 3♦ 4♣ - This is the "nuts" (best possible hand)!

🎯 Ranking System

  1. Number of Cards: 4-card beats 3-card, which beats 2-card, etc.
  2. Card Values: Compare highest cards first (lower is better)
  3. Suit Diversity: All cards must be different suits to count

🔍 Hand Evaluator Practice

Click cards to build a hand, then see how it ranks:

Which hand is stronger?
A) A♠ 2♥ 3♦ 5♣ vs A♠ 2♥ 4♦ 6♣
B) A♠ 2♥ 3♦ 4♣ vs A♠ 2♥ 3♦ 5♣
C) 2♠ 3♥ 4♦ vs A♠ 2♥ 3♦ 4♣

🎮 Game Flow & Mechanics

Badugi follows a structured format with multiple betting and drawing rounds:

4 Cards Dealt
3 Drawing Rounds
4 Betting Rounds

📋 Round-by-Round Breakdown

1. Pre-Draw: Initial betting after receiving 4 cards
2. First Draw: Discard & draw new cards, then bet
3. Second Draw: Another draw opportunity and betting round
4. Third Draw: Final draw and betting round
5. Showdown: Best hand wins!
🎯 Key Decision Points:
  • How many cards to discard each round?
  • When to stand pat (draw zero cards)?
  • When to fold a marginal hand?
  • How to size your bets for value or bluffs?
You have A♠ 2♥ 5♦ 5♣. What's your best play on the first draw?
A) Stand pat - it's already a four-card hand
B) Discard one 5 to try for a four-card Badugi
C) Discard both 5s to start over
D) Fold immediately

🚀 Starting Hand Selection

Your starting hand determines your entire strategy for the deal. Let's learn what to look for:

✅ Premium Starting Hands

Excellent: A♠ 2♥ 3♦ (3-card Badugi, one card needed)
Good: A♠ 3♥ 4♦ 5♣ (Weak 4-card, room to improve)
Playable: A♠ 2♥ 7♦ 8♣ (4-card Badugi in position)

❌ Hands to Avoid

Fold These:
• K♠ Q♥ J♦ 10♣ (Too high, hard to improve)
• A♠ A♥ 5♦ 6♣ (Pair kills the hand strength)
• 9♠ 8♥ 7♦ 6♣ (All high cards)

🎯 Starting Hand Quiz

Rate these starting hands from 1 (fold) to 5 (premium):

Hand 1: A♠ 2♥ 4♦ K♣ Rating: 3
Hand 2: A♠ 3♥ 5♦ 7♣ Rating: 3
Hand 3: 2♠ 3♥ 4♦ Q♣ Rating: 3

🎨 Drawing Strategy

The drawing phase is where Badugi strategy truly shines. Each draw decision can make or break your hand:

🎯 Drawing Guidelines

One-Card Draws: You have a 3-card Badugi (e.g., A♠ 2♥ 3♦ 7♦)
• Discard the duplicate suit card
• ~25-30% chance to complete a 4-card Badugi
• Usually profitable in multi-way pots
Two-Card Draws: You have a 2-card hand (e.g., A♠ 2♥ 7♦ 7♣)
• Discard both paired/suited cards
• Lower success rate, need good pot odds
• Consider folding in tight games
Standing Pat: You have a 4-card Badugi
• Strong hands (A-2-3-4 to A-2-4-8): Usually stand pat
• Weak hands (9-high or worse): Consider drawing if opponents are weak
• Can be used as a bluff ("snow") with terrible hands
You have A♠ 2♥ 3♦ 9♠ against two opponents who each drew 2 cards. What's your best play?
A) Stand pat - you have a 4-card Badugi
B) Discard the 9♠ to improve your 3-card Badugi
C) Discard the A♠ to avoid the suit duplication
D) Fold - the hand is too weak

🎭 Bluffing & Reading Opponents

Badugi offers unique bluffing opportunities through "snowing" and reading opponents' drawing patterns:

❄️ The Art of Snowing

Snowing: Standing pat with a weak hand to represent strength
Example: You have A♠ A♥ 7♦ 8♣ (one-card hand) but stand pat and bet aggressively

🔍 Reading Opponents

1 Card Draw = Strong 3-card hand
2+ Card Draw = Weak hand
0 Cards (Pat) = Strong or bluff
🎯 When to Snow:
✅ Against tight, cautious players
✅ In position after seeing opponents draw
✅ When opponents draw multiple cards
❌ In multi-way pots
❌ Against calling stations
❌ Too frequently (you'll get caught!)
Opponent raises pre-draw, then stands pat and bets. You have 2♠ 3♥ 4♦ 6♣. What should you consider?
A) Fold immediately - they obviously have a monster
B) Consider their history - are they a frequent bluffer?
C) Call with any 4-card Badugi
D) Raise to test their strength

🧠 Advanced Concepts

Take your game to the next level with these pro-level concepts:

📊 Hand Range Construction

Opponent Analysis:
• Raise + Stand Pat = Likely 4-card Badugi or strong 3-card
• Call + 2 Cards = Probably 2-card hand like A♠ 2♥ 7♦ 7♣
• Limp + 3 Cards = Fishing with one decent card

🎯 Table Dynamics

Loose Tables: Many players drawing multiple cards
→ Play tighter, value bet strong hands heavily

Tight Tables: Players folding frequently
→ Steal more pots, bluff more often

💰 Bankroll Management

50+ Buy-ins for Limit
25+ Buy-ins for Pot Limit
High Variance Game
In a loose game, you have A♠ 2♥ 4♦ 7♣. Three opponents each draw 2+ cards. What's your best approach?
A) Draw one card to improve to a better 4-card hand
B) Stand pat and bet for value - your hand is likely best
C) Check and see what develops
D) Fold - too many opponents

🏅 Final Challenge & Summary

Congratulations! You've completed the Badugi masterclass. Let's test your overall knowledge:

🎯 Key Takeaways

Remember:
✓ Badugi = Low, Rainbow, No Pairs
✓ A♠ 2♥ 3♦ 4♣ is the nuts
✓ Position matters enormously
✓ Drawing decisions define your success
✓ Reading opponents is crucial
✓ Bankroll management prevents ruin
🏆 Final Boss Question: You're in a $2/$4 Badugi game. You have A♠ 2♥ 3♦ on the button. Opponent in early position raises, draws 1 card, then bets. You draw a 4♣, making A♠ 2♥ 3♦ 4♣. Opponent draws 0 cards and bets again. Pot is $40, bet is $4. What's your play?
A) Fold - opponent must have you beat
B) Call - you have a decent hand
C) Raise - you have the nuts, get maximum value!
D) Check - play it safe
🚀 Next Steps:
• Start with micro-stakes online or home games
• Practice hand evaluation daily
• Study your session results
• Join Badugi communities and forums
• Build your bankroll gradually
• Always focus on making correct decisions over results