BetConstruct Launches Poker-Style Badugi Game

BetConstruct partner operators are excited with the release of Badugi – a unique poker-style game. BetConstruct Poker features prominently across a global network of partners, with significant growth potential in the market.

Badugi is particularly appealing to operators looking to position themselves better, especially in the Asian gaming market. This poker variant shares many similarities with Lowball, but it's unique in the way hands are ranked.

BetConstruct’s Badugi is fully customizable to operator expectations, with multi-language functionality available. It features flexible tournaments for Knockouts, SNGs (Sit & Go’s), and Spin&Go tourneys too. This game is easy to understand, and ideally suited to newbies and experienced poker players alike. Badugi Poker is available for players on PC, Mac, and mobile.

How to Play Badugi?

Badugi is played with 4 cards. As a Lowball Poker game, players are tasked with making the best Badugi hand. Use 4 cards with none of them matching in suit or rank. Casino aficionados have traced the game's history back to Canada during the 1980s. Then, it was known as Off Suit Lowball. A derivation of the Korean words ‘Badug’ or ‘Baduk’, Badugi references a black & white pattern.

The game features a Button, Small Blind (SB), and Big Blind (BB). This fixed-limit poker game typically features a betting round before the first row of cards. Players can discard anywhere from 0 – 4 cards. Next, an additional round of play follows, coupled with a draw. There is a third betting round before the final draw. Once the final draw takes place, the fourth & final round of betting commences. Next is the showdown.

Best Strategy for Playing Badugi Poker

One of the most important strategies in any poker variant is position. With a good position, players can see how many cards other players at the table are drawing, how much they are betting, and whether they wish to stand or draw. It's important not to draw too many cards in Badugi, especially from an Early Position (EP). This strategy disadvantages players from the get-go.

Badugi Professionals Recommend the following 3-Card Starting Hands:

Any 3 cards of different suits valued less than 5 will position you well in Badugi. The following can be played from any position when you draw one after the first round of betting.

• Ace of clubs, 2 of hearts, 3 of hearts
• Ace of diamonds, 2 of clubs, 4 of diamonds
• 2 of diamonds, 4 of spades, 5 of hearts
• 2 of hearts, 3 of diamonds, 5 of clubs
• 2 of spades, 4 of clubs, 5 of diamonds

The following 2-card starting hands are recommended in Badugi games.

• Ace of clubs, 2 of spades
• 2 of hearts, 3 of diamonds
• Ace of hearts, 3 of spades
• 2 of clubs, 4 of hearts
• Ace of clubs, 4 of diamonds

Examples of Hand rankings in Badugi

• The Wheel – Ace, 2, 3, 4 of different suits
• Five Perfect – Ace, 2, 3, 5 of different suits
• Ace, 2, 4, 5
• Ace, 3, 4, 5
• 2, 3, 4, 5
• Six Perfect – Ace, 2, 3, 6
• Ace, 2, 4, 6
• Ace, 3, 4, 6
• 2, 3, 4, 6
• Ace, 2, 5, 6