Badugi Strategy: How to Beat Three Common Types of Players

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Arved Klöhn Pokerlistings Author
  • Fact Checked by: PokerListings
  • Last updated on: January 14, 2025

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In the latest instalment of the PokerListings/CardRunners Strategy project coach Mike “predator006” Six schools us on how to win at Badugi!

Mike “Predator006” Six is a PLO8 specialist ranging in stakes from 200-2000. He’s been playing since mid-2005 and advocates game selection and proper bankroll management. He also enjoys obscure games like badugi, baduci and Chinese poker.

He found that players online were generally awful at badugi, so he started taking notes on different lines that the few winning players were taking and taught himself.

If you’re not familiar with the game click through and get started with our Badugi Rules and Game-Play tutorial.

Take it away Mike.

Contrary to popular belief, the word ‘badugi’ is not Korean for ‘bad poker player,’ although most who play it fall into that category.

Because there isn’t a whole lot of public information about these games competent players have a huge edge!

Badugi can be played online on both Full Tilt Poker and PokerStars. Although it has not yet been included as a WSOP event, there was a recent $1,000 tournament at the Commerce, and there was also a SCOOP event on PokerStars that generated a $28,000 first prize.

With the game’s increasing popularity, some well-known players have tried it successfully, including Shaun Deeb and Jean-Robert Bellande. The game, along with its close cousins baduci and badacey, is now found in many mid- and high-stakes mixed games in Las Vegas.

(Bellande claims to have invented baduci, but the claim has not been verified.)

How to Beat Badugi: 3 Player Types

I have found that most online poker badugi players fall into the following categories:

First, there are players that have don’t have a clue how to play the game. These players will do things like drawing to a three-card Jack and choose to keep the Jack pre-draw because it gives them three different suits.

These players also don’t understand the value of position and how to use it, nor could they tell you the difference between a smooth and a rough hand. They also rarely if ever three-bet a strong three-card hand pre-draw. Other characteristics of these players include:

  • They will believe you have a badugi when you pat, whether you have it or are snowing.
  • They will never make bluff-raises to try to break weak badugis.
  • They will rarely fold bad badugis even when it is obvious that they are beat. These players often think they get sucked out on when their A5TQ badugi loses a big pot.

Secondly, there are the bad decision makers. Online, these players often click on their decision without seeing what the other players’ actions are before them.

They do baffling things like calling a raise and reraise pre-draw and then folding to a small bet after the first draw, when they are getting 7-1 odds or better. Sometimes, these players will open-raise pre-draw and fold to a three-bet. If you find this kind of player, stick around and hope they rebuy when they bust.

Thirdly, there are players who are entirely too straightforward. These players do not adapt and are typically tight ABC players.

In heads-up pots, they will rarely continue to a big bet after the second draw because they don’t include the implied odds of future raises or the chance that the opponent is bluffing. Another example of this player’s tendencies can be found in a three-handed raised pot pre-draw. If the player that is first to act bets after the first draw, I will typically raise with a good part of my range, including decent three-card hands.

This ABC player behind you will fold for the extra bet into a large pot. One of the most important patterns of these players is that they are either very consistent on calling with all three-card hands or they never do.

If they ever snow, make a note, because they will take a similar line when they snow again. Once you notice their patterns, figure out a good counter strategy and run them over.

Lastly, there are players that adapt their style to their opponents. They are typically tricky to play against. These players often incorporate snowing techniques and calling with three-card hands into their strategy.

They raise often in position and value this position more than their hand strength. Good tri hands are three-bet pre-draw. They sometimes bluff-raise to try to get weak badugis to break or fold. These players are obviously the toughest to play against.

Example:

You’re facing a tricky opponent who just raised pre-draw from the button. You call from the big blind with 7 5 3 . You both draw one. After the draw, you check, and your opponent bets. You suspect they might be representing a pat badugi, but there’s a strong chance they haven’t completed it yet. You decide to check-raise, turning your decent three-card draw into a semi-bluff. Against a straightforward opponent, this line might be too risky, but against someone who knows how to adapt, it forces them to question whether you truly have a made badugi or are snowing. This is the kind of tricky, adaptive approach that puts pressure on your opponent’s decision-making.

Stick to One Badugi Table!

One of the drawbacks to online badugi play is for players used to multitable grinding. This is much harder in badugi. I feel comfortable playing 12 tables of other games simultaneously, and have maintained up to 24.

When I have tried to play more than one badugi table, however, I have always lost my edge and started to spew. For the recreational player looking to have fun and make a good win rate, badugi is a great change from your typical grind.

Example:

You’re juggling two badugi tables alongside a few hold’em tables. At one badugi table, you pick up a strong three-card 8 draw. You decide to reraise pre-draw, but at the exact same time, you need to take a quick action on the other badugi table. Distracted, you forget to notice that your opponent on the first table also pat-called the reraise. Now you enter the post-draw streets without realizing you’re up against a likely made hand. By the time you catch on, you’ve already committed chips and lost valuable equity you could have preserved with more focus.

Advanced Strategies for Evolving Badugi Games

Badugi continues to gain popularity, and with more experienced players entering the field, your strategy has to evolve. While fundamental ABC approaches can crush weaker opponents, higher-stakes games now demand deeper tactical awareness. Building a flexible pre-draw game plan and understanding how your opponent adapts to certain bets or raises can give you the edge in tougher lineups.

Leveraging Mixed Draw Frequencies

When opponents know you’re capable of both smooth and rough draws, you can capitalize on their uncertainty. Sometimes you should stand pat with slightly weaker holdings to project strength, and at other times you should stay aggressive with strong three-card draws. This balance compels opponents to make difficult decisions. Against weaker players who rarely adapt, you might continue snowing, but don’t overuse it against trickier types who quickly notice patterns. A balanced mix of drawing frequencies ensures you don’t become too predictable.

In higher-stakes games, you may also consider more sophisticated lines that incorporate partial information from previous streets. If an opponent has shown signs of aggression in earlier draws, you can turn a subpar three-card hand into a bluff by patting early and representing a made badugi. The key is reading your specific opponent’s tolerance for folding or calling down lighter in big pots.

Expanding Your Pre-Draw Aggression

Aggressive pre-draw play can yield higher rewards, especially in positions where you act last after each draw. If you notice your opponent consistently calling with marginal three-card draws, don’t hesitate to reraise them with your stronger three-card holdings. This not only builds larger pots when you have the advantage but can also push your opponent into making costly mistakes with inferior draws.

In games populated by cautious or predictable players, proactive aggression can shift the burden of decision-making back onto them. Remember that your opponent will often base their decision on the range you represent, rather than the actual cards you hold. By identifying and exploiting that gap, you can maintain a strong edge even when your hand isn’t perfect.

FAQ

What is Badugi?

Badugi is a draw poker variant where players aim to make the lowest possible four-card hand with no paired ranks and no repeated suits. After each draw, you can discard any of your cards to try and improve your hand, or stand pat if you believe you already have the best holding.

Why is position so crucial in Badugi?

Position influences every decision you make. Acting last lets you see how many cards your opponents draw and how they bet, giving you valuable information to shape your strategy. This edge is especially impactful when deciding whether to pat or continue drawing.

How do I recognize which category my opponent falls into?

Pay close attention to the lines they take pre-draw and after each draw. A clueless player often keeps mediocre draws for the sake of “different suits,” while a straightforward ABC player rarely deviates from standard lines. More advanced players adapt frequently and may employ tricky snowing tactics or aggressive raises in position.

What does it mean to “snow” in Badugi?

Snowing is when you represent a made badugi even though you haven’t actually completed one. By patting early and betting or raising aggressively, you try to force opponents to fold better draws. This technique can be powerful against overly cautious or predictable players but should be used sparingly against observant opponents.

What is the significance of implied odds in this game?

Implied odds refer to the additional profit you can potentially earn on later betting rounds if you hit your draw. In Badugi, a strong three-card hand might warrant seeing extra draws because if you make a low badugi, you often collect bigger bets on subsequent streets, especially against opponents who struggle to fold.

Should I play multiple Badugi tables simultaneously?

Badugi is far more dynamic than many other poker variants, so playing multiple tables can lead to suboptimal decisions. The game demands close attention to your opponent’s drawing patterns, and multitabling may cause you to miss key details, ultimately reducing your win rate.

How does pre-draw aggression factor into advanced Badugi play?

Skilled players mix aggressive moves with calculated calls or pats to keep opponents off balance. Three-betting with strong three-card hands forces looser players to either commit extra chips or fold prematurely. By pressuring them early, you can take control of the pot and often secure additional value from marginal callers.

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