Some card players think Badugi may be the game of the future. What is unique about Badugi is that it is unlike any other card game, even though it pulls some elements from a few different games. If you can master Badugi, you can get a real edge in Badugi games.
Understanding Badugi
The most important thing to understand about Badugi is that matching cards and suits kill. Any cards that match another rank or suit in your hand are counterfeited. You start with four cards, but if you have two of the same suit or rank you have a three card hand, if you have only two cards that are unmatched in either suit or rank you have a two card hand and if all your cards match in either rank or suit you have a one card hand. For example if you hold 8s 4s 2h 2c, you have a two card 4-2, because one of your spades and one of your 2s is counterfeited. Your goal is to get the lowest hand possible, with aces being low and straights not counting, so 4 3 2 A would be the best hand, providing they are of mixed suits. All two card hands beat all one card hands, all three card hands beat two and one card hands, and four card hands are the strongest.
