Badacey Poker

Badacey is a lowball draw game similar to Razz and Badugi. Players are dealt 5 cards, then may draw replacement cards 3 times, with the goal of making both the best a-5 low hand and the best Badugi hand.

Badacey Poker Gameplay

A hand begins with the first players clockwise from the dealer placing forced bets, known as blinds. Each player is dealt 5 hole cards.

A round of betting occurs. Starting with the first player clockwise from the blinds, each player has an opportunity to call (match) or raise (increase) the current bet, or fold and exit the hand. When this betting round is complete, a draw takes place.

Starting clockwise from the button, players choose one or more cards to discard. A player may also discard no cards and “stand pat”. Players are dealt replacement cards for any discards.

Another round of betting occurs, starting with the first player clockwise from the dealer. A second draw takes place, followed by another round of betting.

A third and final draw takes place, followed by a final round of betting. If two or more players remain in the hand, a showdown is held and the players’ hole cards are compared.

Half of the pot is awarded to the best A-5 low hand, and half of the pot is awarded to the best Badugi hand (with Aces playing low).

If multiple players tie for either half of the pot, that half is further split between the winners. The hand now complete, the dealer button moves clockwise and the next hand begins.

Players in Badacey play all 5 hole cards as their A-5 low hand, and may play any 4 of their hole cards towards the badugi hand.

The name Badacey refers to the lowest card in the game, the ‘ace’. Badacey can be played with Pot Limit, No Limit, or Fixed Limit betting.