Badugi poker is also called paduki, padooki or badougi, and it is a variation of draw poker, but its hands are valued in a similar fashion to lowball. Overall play and betting structure are identical to a standard blind poker game, but unlike those games where five cards are used, players only have four cards in-hand at any time.

During three drawing rounds, players can trade up to four cards from their hand for fresh ones from the deck, trying to make the best possible hand. The game is thought to have come from Korea, but it is now played online and in card rooms all over the world. The game was first played in the United States after Vietnam.

Game play begins with every player getting four face-down cards. The hand begins with a pre-draw bet, starting with the player to the left of the dealer or the blind and continuing in a clockwise fashion. Every player has to call the big blind, fold, or raise the bet. Once everyone has made their decision, the draw is done beginning with the first player to the dealer's left. Cards are dealt before the player decides how many to draw. The old cards aren't returned to the deck, unless the deck is depleted.

The first draw's followed by a second bet. Now, players can check until a bet is made, with betting going on until all the players have put money in or decided to fold. Another draw and betting round follow, then there is a final draw, perhaps a final betting round, then a showdown. If there is only one player left, they win the pot by default. If there is more than one player, the player with the best hand wins.