If regular poker feels too straightforward for you, let us introduce Badacey. It is a mashup of two niche favourites: Badugi and Ace-to-Five Lowball. That is right! Two games that already twist poker rules got stitched together to create something even stranger. Players who enjoy mental gymnastics will love it. Everyone else will just sit there wondering who thought this was a good idea.
So, let us cover the basics of Badacey poker first. Chiefly, this one is a draw poker variant. The pot is split between two different winning hands:
- The best Badugi hand (a four-card low hand with no pairs, no suited cards, no repeats in rank).
- The best Ace-to-Five low hand (five cards where aces are low and straights/flushes do not count against you).
So in every round, you are essentially chasing two different targets. You want to build a proper Badugi, and you also want to make a strong A-to-5 hand. Easy, right? Not quite.
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How the Game is Played
Here is how you play the game:
- Blinds: Like Texas Hold’em, Badacey starts with small and big blinds.
- Deal: Each player gets five cards face down.
- Betting Rounds: There are multiple betting rounds, just like other draw poker games.
- Draws: Players can discard and replace cards up to three times, hoping to fix their hands.
- Showdown: At the end, the pot is split. Half goes to the best Badugi, half to the best A-to-5 low hand.
It is split-pot madness. Sometimes one player scoops both halves (the dream). Sometimes it is chopped between different players.
Now, obviously, the next question is what makes a good hand in Badacey.
- For the Badugi side: You need four unique suits and four different ranks, with the lowest cards being best. Think A♠ 2♥ 3♣ 4♦.
- For the A-to-5 low side: Best hand is A-2-3-4-5. Straights and flushes do not hurt you here.
The trick? You are working with the same five cards to hit both targets. Sometimes you will crush one side but have trash on the other. That is where strategy and luck duke it out.
Playing Badacey Poker
Playing Badacey Poker
Badacey is not a mainstay in casinos. You are more likely to see it in mixed-game rotations, particularly at high-stakes tables in Las Vegas or online poker rooms that cater to niche variants. It is a favourite among players who get bored easily and want to flex every brain cell.
That being said, some of the best poker sites do have it. Check out our recommendations and find the best one as per your preferences!
The game scratches an itch. You see, poker players love to feel clever. And nothing makes you feel cleverer than scooping a pot in a game most people have never heard of.
Badacey rewards creativity, card awareness, and a taste for chaos. It is not a game for everyone, sure, but if you are bored of Hold’em, it is a refreshing (and slightly sadistic) change of pace.
With that out of the way, what about some strategy tips?
- Aim for scoop potential. Do not settle for just one side of the pot. Look for hands that play well in both formats.
- Low is king. Always chase the lowest possible cards in both suits and ranks.
- Discard wisely. Do not cling to a decent A-to-5 if it ruins your Badugi chances. The whole game is about balancing both. This is where you will need to break your habits developed from other card games.
- Know when to fold. This is super important. If your hand has zero scoop potential after two draws, you are probably burning chips.
If nothing else, then Badacy poker can at least be a much-needed change of pace for many players. It is interesting and might tickle your brain cells the right way. There is really no concrete recommendation here on whether you will love it or not. Like many hybrid crosses and regional variants of standard card games, it can either be a big hit or a major disappointment.
Guess you will find out!
FAQs on Badacey Poker
All right, let us conclude by answering some important questions about this format of poker.
Is Badacey Poker the same as Badeucey?
No. Badacey splits between Badugi and A-to-5 low. Badeucey splits between Badugi and Deuce-to-Seven lowball. Subtle difference, big impact.
What’s the best possible hand in Badacey?
An A-2-3-4 Badugi combined with an A-2-3-4-5 A-to-5 hand. Basically the perfect low.
Is Badacey popular?
Not really. It is a niche variant mostly enjoyed in mixed-game formats or among hardcore poker fans.
Can I play Badacey online?
Yes, but only on sites that specialise in mixed poker variants. You will not find it in mainstream lobbies like Texas Hold’em or Omaha.
