There are many poker variants that have been invented by players across the world, but some of these games likely only exist today due to online poker. This is because the internet allows poker fans to find games for specific variants with players across the country where they probably would have struggled to find a game in person. One of these niche variants with a growing online presence is baduci poker.

In this blog, you’ll learn more about this variant, including what it is, its rules, and how to play it.

What Is Baduci Poker?

Baduci poker, also known as badeucy or badeucey poker, is a five-card draw poker variant (not to be confused with stud or community card games) that combines 2-7 triple draw and badugi to create a new and exciting poker game for players to enjoy. 

The poker variant 2-7 triple draw is a version of draw poker that flips the standard hand rankings in poker on its head. To claim the pot, players must now try to make what is considered the weakest hands in other poker games.

The badugi card game is also a poker variant that requires players to make hands that would be weak in other poker variants, but badugi has one other difference that helps it stand out even further: players’ hands only consist of four cards. It’s also a draw poker game. 

What baduci does to stand out from other more popular poker variants is two things. Firstly, the pot is divided in two. Secondly, each half of the pot has different criteria to win. A player can win one half of the pot if they have the best badugi hand (only four cards from your hand count), while the other half of the pot is won by the player with the best 2-7 triple-draw hand (all five cards from your hand count).

Baduci/Badeucy Poker Rules

In baduci or badeucy, the rules state that a player’s hand must consist of five cards. By the end of the game, players will have completed three drawing rounds. During each drawing round, players can decide which cards they want to keep and which they want to get rid of in favor of new ones. A maximum of three cards can be discarded from each player’s hands during each round, which are removed from play until the next game.

During the showdown, any remaining players must reveal their hands. The player with the best 2-7 triple-draw hand will win half of the pot, while the player with the best badugi hand will win the other half of the pot. 

If only one player remains in the game, that player automatically wins both halves of the pot. 

Baduci Poker Hand Rankings

The best four-card badugi hand in baduci actually differs slightly from the standard variant in that aces are counted as high-value cards in baduci. As a result, the highest-ranking hand in baduci is actually 2, 3, 4, and 5, with each card being a different suit. 

Players should be aware of the following key criteria when building this hand:

• Pairs only count as one card.
• Cards of the same suit also count as one card.

With this in mind, here are the four most valuable hands that players should aim for:

1. Badugi: 2, 3, 4, 5, each being a different suit.
2. Three-card hand: 3, 4, 5, and one extra card. This extra card makes either a pair or a matching suit.
3. Two-card hand: 3, 4, 5, and one extra card. The extra card creates a pair, and one of the four cards has a matching suit.
4. One-card hand: 2, 3, 5, 7 of the same suit.

The best five card 2-7 triple-draw hand had a different set of rules. You must avoid straights and flushes to build the highest ranking 2-7 triple-draw hand. The four best-ranked hands for this half of the pot are:

1. Wheel or Number 1: 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, no flush.
2. Number 2: 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, no flush.
3. Number 3: 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, no flush.
4. Number 4: 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, no flush.

How To Play Baduci Poker

Now that you know which hands to aim for to get both halves of the pot, here’s how a typical game of baduci poker will play out.

The game starts with the small blind and big blind placing their bets. Each player is then dealt five cards face-down. Before the first draw round, players must decide to fold, call, or raise. All players’ wagers must match in value to remain in the game.

Once all players have completed their actions, the first draw round begins, starting with the player on the left of the big blind. Players can discard three cards and draw three new cards. Before the second draw round, players must decide to fold, call, or raise again. Again, all bet totals must be equal for players to continue playing.

Once betting is complete, the second draw round begins, with players discarding three cards and drawing three new cards again. Players must choose to fold, call, or raise again, and all players’ bets must be of the same value to remain in the action.

Once betting is complete, the third and final draw round begins. Again, three cards can be discarded, and three new cards chosen. Players have one last opportunity to fold, call, or raise. As with the previous two rounds, wagers must be of equal value for each player to stay in the game.

The last round is the showdown. Any players who remain in the game must reveal their hands. The player with the winning badugi hand wins half the pot, while the player with the winning 2-7 triple-draw hand wins the other half of the pot. If only one player remains in the game, they win both halves of the pot automatically.

The Best Tips for Baduci Poker

While there are individual strategies to help you win the game, here are the most important tips to remember in this twist on the poker formula:

• Remember that you’re aiming for low-value cards.
• Decide whether you’re going for half of the pot or the whole pot once you’ve seen your first hand.
• Aces are high-value cards in baduci and 2-7 triple draw, even though they are low-value cards in badugi.
• Aim to avoid straights and flushes.
• The hand that will give you the best shot at claiming both the badugi and 2-7 triple-draw pot is 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, which covers the badugi and the wheel or number 1 hand.

Play Other Exciting Poker Variations at Borgata Online

Interested in other popular poker variants, like Texas hold’em or pot-limit Omaha? At Borgata Online, you can enjoy these in cash games, available all day, and regular poker tournaments, held daily or weekly. 

Explore many other exciting online casino games, including online slots, roulette, blackjack, and thrilling sports-betting options where you can wager on your favorite athletes or sports teams.
Whether you want to play poker online or try your luck with any other games of chance, all you need to do is register to join in the fun.