Baduci scoop hand

[Martini]

Last weekend we played Dealer's Choice and the game Baduci was called. Baduci is a split pot five card triple draw game where you try to make the best 2-7 lowball hand and the best Badugi hand (Nut hand in Badugi is A234 rainbow). We actually play both flavors, Baduci and Badacey where Badacey is A-6 lowball so that allows someone to be holding the double Nuts, a Nut Badugi and any 6.

So I'm in position and make a loose call with three low cards a double suit and a pair. I chuck two cards on the first draw and end up losing my pair but have a smooth 7 Badugi now, not bad and I figure I can draw to try to improve it. Second draw is Yahtzee. I not only improve my Badugi but it fills in to make a virtual double Nuts of 2345 rainbow plus a 7 which is the Nut 2-7 hand plus a fantastic (5th Nut) Badugi hand. I get an extra bet on the second draw and one bet on the end from someone keeping me honest. Scoop! We don't play the game a ton so that was the first time we saw the best scoop hand for Badugi.

If Baduci/Badacey isn't in your lineup for your Dealer's Choice nights you should give it a try.

[KPrather]

Not often you can get a scoop in Baduci. Nice hand.

[Martini]

Not often you can get a scoop in Baduci. Nice hand.

Yeah, when it's my turn to call I prefer Baduci specifically for the fact that you can't hold the double Nuts. A lot of times a player might get a really good Badugi hand but with an Ace in it which basically disqualifies you from winning the other side unless someone tries to draw to a 2-7 hand and pairs up. So they are in there jamming the trying to get people to fold when they are basically playing for a chop which is never the right play. If they get lucky someone might try to draw to a 2-7 hand on last street and miss so A high might back in to a scoop but that's not as good a strategy as locking in a good non-Ace Badugi and trying to pick up a good 2-7 hand to go with, potentially even improving their Badugi hand as well.