The Dealing :

Each player is dealt 4 cards at the start of each roundin a clockwise direction starting from the player on the Small Blind. Cards are given to each player one card at a time until they have their four cards. Once everyone has their 4 cards the game begins with the player at the left of the Big Blind and continues around the table in a clockwise direction.

The Betting :

Badugi can be played in three different ways.This could be as either a Limit game, a Pot Limit game or even a Half Pot Limit game. No matter what way you play it there is always one game that is suited for you.

Limit Badugi: All bets are made in incremental units. On Rounds 1 and 2 a player can bet the lower level bet (e.g. in a $2/$4 game the bet for Rounds 1 and 2 would be $2). On Rounds 3 and 4 players can bet the higher level bet (e.g. in a $2/$4 game the bet for rounds 3 and 4 would be $4). Betting is capped at 4 bets per round as is standard in all limit games.

Pot Limit Badugi: In Pot Limit Badugi players can raise any amount at any stage, ranging from the minimum bet (i.e. the big blind amount) up to how much is already in the pot. E.g. if the pot is comprised of the small blind($2), the big blind ($4), and one caller ($4), then the next active player can bet any amount from $4 up to the total value of the current pot (on top of his initial call), in this case the maximum bet would be $18. ($2 + $4 + $4 + $4) All bettors can raise the pot by the total value of the current pot as it stands when it is their turn to act. So in Pot Limit Badugi there is no limit to the amount of betting allowed on any particular round, as opposed to it being capped in the Limit version

Half Pot Limit Badugi: The same rules apply to Half Pot Limit Badugi as they do to Pot Limit Badugi. The only exception is that the maximum a player can raise is the value of half the current pot. E.g. if the pot is comprised of the small blind ($2), the big blind ($4), one caller ($4), the next player to act can bet any amount from $4 up to a maximum of $11. ($2 + $4 + $4 + $4 /2) = 7. So it would be a call of $4 and a raise of $7, making a total bet of $11. So in this case the player can bet any amount from $4 to $11.

How to Play

Each player is dealt 4 cards, after which the first betting round ensues, based on the strength of each player?s initial 4 cards. The amounts of cash that will be betted for will depend which variation of Badugi you are playing.

1st bet round: In this round the first player to act is the first participating player clockwise from the big blind. The player may do one of three things either fold, call, or raise. Each player in clockwise order is asked to bet, (call, raise, fold or check). Once everyone has had their turn and all bets are matched you move on to the First Draw.

1st draw round: Players are offered the opportunity to draw zero to four cards, clockwise from the first participating seat to the left of the dealer button. Players select which cards to keep and which to replace through a draw. Drawing zero cards is known as ?Standing Pat?.

2nd bet round: Once players have completed their first draws, the second betting round is held. Again, the bet increment uses the low stakes.

2nd draw round: Same as 1st draw round.

3rd bet round: Same as 2nd bet round, only exception is that on this round the high stake is used for the betting increment.

3rd draw round: Same as 2nd draw round, applying reshuffle of discards as is necessary.

Final bet round: The final betting round follows the same rules, using the high stake and leads to a showdown if more than one player remains standing.

Showdown: This is when you show your hand to see who has won. The winning player takes the pot! The showdown rules follow those of Hold?em. In brief, the player whose last bet is called, if there is one, shows cards first. If there is no last aggressor, showdown begins from the first participant holding cards, clockwise from the dealer button. As hands are shown, players with losing hands may muck or show, similar to Hold?em options

Winner: Once the showdown is complete the winner is announced and awarded the pot.

Other Points to note: Side pots are accumulated and awarded just as they are in all other games. Also remember that in this game the lowest hand wins!!