Badeucy Rules

Overview

Badeucy is a hybrid poker game that combines Badugi and deuce-to-seven triple draw (2-7 TD). It is typically played as a limit game with blinds and a button. Each player receives five cards, and the pot is split equally between the best Badugi hand and the best 2-7 lowball hand. If only one player has the best hand in both halves, they win the entire pot (scoop).

Hand Rankings

Badugi Half

A Badugi hand consists of four cards of different suits and different ranks. Aces are low. The best possible Badugi is A-2-3-4 of four different suits. If a player cannot make a four-card Badugi, a three-card or two-card Badugi counts, with lower cards ranking better. Hands are compared by the highest card (lowest high card wins); if equal, the next highest, etc. For example, 4-3-2-A beats 5-4-3-2.

Deuce-to-Seven Half

This uses standard 2-7 lowball rules: aces are high, and straights and flushes count against the hand. The best hand is 2-3-4-5-7 (a seven-high, no straight or flush). A-2-3-4-5 is not a straight because ace is high, but it contains an ace which is high, so it is a poor hand. Hands are ranked from highest card downward; the lowest hand wins.

Gameplay

Badeucy is played with three drawing rounds (like triple draw). The betting structure is often fixed limit (e.g., small bet on first round, big bet on later rounds).

1. Deal: Each player gets five cards. There is a round of betting starting from the player to the left of the big blind.
2. First Draw: Players may discard any number of cards (0 to 5) and receive replacements. Then another betting round.
3. Second Draw: Same as first draw, followed by betting.
4. Third Draw: Final draw and betting round.
5. Showdown: Players reveal their hands. The best Badugi half and best 2-7 half each win half the pot. If one player has both best hands, they scoop.

Strategy Notes

• Players aim to draw to strong hands in both directions, but often specialize. A hand like A-2-3-4 of four suits is ideal for Badugi but poor for 2-7 (ace high). Balancing is key.
• It is common to keep a drawing hand that can improve in both halves. For example, holding four low suited cards might be kept for Badugi while also having low cards for 2-7.
• Position and pot odds matter; drawing multiple cards can give away hand strength.

Variants

Some games use a qualifier (e.g., a hand must be at least a certain rank to win half the pot). No qualifier is standard.