Badugi Poker

One of the more exotic poker variants to be popular in online casinos is a game known as Badugi Poker, which developed in the Asian country of Korea. A four card poker game, Badugi poker uses different hand rankings than commonly one would associate with poker.

The highest ranking hands featured in Badugi poker are actually the opposite of what you might think they would be. In traditional poker, the highest hand is a royal flush consisting of an ace king, queen, jack and ten all of the same suit. However, in Badugi poker the highest ranking hand would consist of a 4, 3, 2 and an ace. The suit or color do not matter, just the sequence is crucial. Having a hand of four cards is what is known as a Badugi. Four high cards would of course beat the player's hand that is comprised of only three.

With this ranking not depending upon same suits or colours, this would of course create some situations where ties may occur. If this happens, you would look at the cards making up the hand. Whichever player is holding the lowest card in their hand is declared the winner. In Badugi poker, aces are considered the lowest cards in the deck. Again another marked difference between traditional poker rankings. On occasion, both players will possess the same lowest card, resulting in further deadlock. Next, you would look at the second lowest card and so forth until one player has the lower card.

When a game of Badugi poker commences, four cards are dealt to each player. The cards are placed faced down on the table so no one can view them, even the receiving player. Betting then ensues as each player makes a wager. Next, every player takes a card from the deck. Bets are again made by the players. Two more times this process continues until all players have seven cards. Once the hands are built to seven and betting has concluded, the hands are shown. Using the hand ranking of Badugi poker, the player with the best hand would win the hand. Give badugi poker a try when playing online poker. Perhaps even redeem some of those free poker games you might have earned.

Badugi poker sounds quite exotic doesn't it? For more regular games of online poker, go to www.skypoker.com. Badugi players may need to look elsewhere!