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How To Play Teen Patti

How to play Teen Patti – beginners guide

Teen Patti

What is Teen Patti?

Teen Patti is a classic casino card game that originated in India and is based on the English game three-card brag. While in many ways similar to poker, Teen Patti is far more straightforward and easier to play, as it has a simpler betting structure and you aim to create the highest-ranking hand with three cards instead of five. It’s typically played in groups of three to six players using a 52-card deck.

You can play both RNG-powered and live dealer versions of Teen Patti at online casinos in India. The former uses complex algorithms to ensure fair game outcomes, while the latter is played in real time over HD streams with a professional human dealer.

  • Played with three to six players

  • Uses a standard 52-card deck

  • Cards are dealt in a clockwise direction

  • The game starts with an ante bet

  • Betting continues until all but one player folds or one of the remaining two players pays the show bet

How to play Teen Patti online

To help you understand how to play Teen Patti online, we’ve covered the gameplay step-by-step. Let’s get started:

Step 1 Deal and place an ante bet

Once a dealer is chosen, each player places an ante bet (to form the initial pot) according to the limits specified in the version of Teen Patti being played. Once all ante bets are placed, the dealer deals three cards face down to themselves and each player.

Deal
Step 2 Play seen or blind

After receiving your cards, you can choose to play “seen” or “blind”. If you play seen, you can look at your three cards before continuing, while playing blind means that you continue the game without looking at your cards.

Seen or Blinds
Step 3 First player acts

The player to the left of the dealer acts first. If they’re playing blind, they can fold, call the ante, or raise to double the stake. If they’re playing seen, they can also raise to quadruple the stake.

First player acts.svg
Step 4 Continue betting

The game proceeds clockwise, with the other players having the option to fold, call, or raise. The amount you wager depends on the stake set by the previous player, of which you must bet 1x or 2x when playing blind, and 2x or 4x when playing seen. Those who wish to refrain from playing after checking their cards can fold and exit the round in play.

Continue betting.svg
Step 5 Showdown

The game ends when all but one player folds, or one of the last two remaining players calls for a “show”. This means both players must show their cards, and the player with the stronger hand wins the pot. If both hands tie, the player who called for the show loses. It’s worth noting that you can request a partial showdown if at least three players are left in a game. The acting player can request a showdown with the player who last acted, and if that player accepts, they must secretly reveal their cards to each other. Whoever has the worst-ranking hand is then eliminated.

Showdown

Teen Patti hand rankings

The hand you’re dealt in Teen Patti determines whether you win or lose, unless you’re able to bluff your way to victory. For this reason, it’s vital to understand what cards make a good hand, so you know how to play the game effectively and what strategies to apply.

This is the best hand you can have in a Teen Patti game. It comprises three cards of the same rank, like three of a kind in poker, e.g. 10♣️ 10♦️ 10♥️. The highest-ranking combination is three aces, while three 2s is the lowest. Having a trail almost certainly guarantees you a win, unless an opponent has one with a better value

Also called a “pakki round” and similar to a straight flush in poker, this is the next best hand in Teen Patti. It’s composed of three consecutive cards of the same suit, e.g. 7♣️ 8♣️ 9♣️. An ace, 2 and 3 is the highest value pure sequence you can have.

This comprises three consecutive cards of different suits, e.g. A♠️ 2♥️ 3♠️. It can also be called a normal run and like in a pure sequence, ace, 2 and 3 is the most valuable run, while 4, 3 and 2 is the least valuable.

In Teen Patti, a colour or flush refers to a hand with three cards of the same suit that are not sequential, e.g. A♥️ 9♥️ 5♥️. If two players have a flush, the highest cards from each colour are compared, and whichever is higher wins.

A pair is a hand where two of the three cards are of the same rank. It’s one of the lowest hands in Teen Patti, but can still be enough to win if you’re good at bluffing. The highest pair is two aces and a king, while the lowest is two 2s and a 3.

This hand comprises cards that don’t form any winning combination. It’s the weakest hand in Teen Patti, though can be instances of players winning via high card. The highest-ranking high card hand is an ace, king, and jack of mixed suits.

Teen Patti rules explained

Before you play Teen Patti, it’s important that you understand the rules. When playing an online Teen Patti game, you can revisit the rules at any time by visiting the game’s information menu. We’ve covered the basics that apply to most variations:

Number of players

Between three and six players can play Teen Patti. When playing RNG versions of the game, it’s worth noting that a computer will represent the other players. However, in live dealer Teen Patti games, you play against real players, who you can also engage with via the live chat function for a more social experience.

Set the ante bet before playing

In Teen Patti, players must decide on a minimum stake to pay before the start of the game. This is known as the ante bet and forms the initial pot of funds that is eventually paid out to the winner. All bets placed after the ante must be 1x or 2x for blind players and 2x or 4x for those playing seen.

Deal cards face down

Teen Patti is played with a 52-card deck, and cards are dealt face down in a clockwise direction, starting with the player to the dealer’s left. Due to the nature of the game, the gameplay time is unlimited. However, it’s worth noting that in online Teen Patti games, you will likely have a set time frame to decide whether to call, fold or raise.

Bet with chips

Whether you’re playing Teen Patti at land-based or online casinos in India, you wager chips instead of coins. Each chip has an assigned monetary value, and when betting, you must place your chip(s) at the centre of the table (known as the pot) to raise.

Playing seen vs blind

Players can choose to play seen or blind in Teen Patti. As per the rules, you can’t look at your cards when playing blind, but can check if you’re betting as a seen player. If the first player is playing blind, they must equal or double the ante to continue playing. A seen player must bet double or more than the previous player wagered to stay in the round.

Odds of winning at Teen Patti

Below are the probabilities of the various ranking combinations in Teen Patti. These are based on a 52-card game with the two joker cards removed:

Hand Frequency Probability Odds
Trail or set
52
0.24%
424:00:1
Pure sequence
48
0.24%
459:52
Sequence (run)
720
3.26%
26:69:1
Colour
1096
4.96%
19:16:1
Pair
3744
16.94%
4:90:1
High card
1644
74.39%
0:34:1

Teen Patti game variations

There are several variations of Teen Patti. Some variations impose rules on how many times a player can play blind, while others reverse the hand rankings, meaning traditional low-value cards are higher in value. Here are some of the most popular Teen Patti variations:

Muflis

In Muflis (often compared to lowball in poker), hand rankings are reversed, meaning that traditional low-value cards have the highest value. That means trail becomes the weakest hand, while high card is the strongest hand. As you may have guessed, the aim is to form the lowest-ranking hand to win.

AK47

This Teen Patti variant introduces the addition of jokers as wild cards. Each player bets an initial amount, and gameplay consists of standard rounds of betting. The hand rankings are similar to traditional Teen Patti, but players can use the jokers to complete their hands. The winner is the player with the highest-ranking hand at showdown or the last remaining player after all bets have been placed.

Joker hunt

In this thrilling Teen Patti variation, you hunt down the joker during gameplay. After the initial cards are dealt, twice the number of cards to players plus three are dealt face up. So, if there are three players, a total of nine cards (3 x 2 + 3) are placed face-up. Each player takes turns discarding a card from their hand and picking up another card until three cards are left face up, which represent the jokers each player can use.

Auction

Jokers are also important in this variation and can be used to form strong hands. After each player receives three cards, two piles of three cards are placed on the table with a face-up joker. Players can then bid for the joker piles, and the highest bidder can then choose whether to replace their cards with those in the pile.

Ultimate Teen Patti

Learning how to play Ultimate Teen Patti is not much different from learning how to play the original version. This popular variant uses a standard deck, and players start by placing an ante bet. Each player is dealt three cards, and they can choose to play or fold after viewing their cards. What makes this variant different to the original is the additional side bet option, which allows players to bet on their hand's potential ranking.

Teen Patti tips & strategies

Teen Patti is a thrilling card game that combines skill and luck. Once you’ve mastered the basics, you can employ various strategies, such as those we’ve highlighted below, to improve your gameplay. Even if you’re a pro, brushing up on your skills will help you maintain an edge over your opponents.

  • Play blind. While you won’t be able to see your cards, it reduces your risk as you don’t have to bet as much as when playing seen. It also allows you to raise the stakes for your opponents by calling for a show.

  • For beginner players, start with small bets so you build up your confidence and maintain your bankroll for longer as you familiarise yourself with the game.

  • Play Teen Patti online casino games in demo mode before wagering cash bets at real money casinos to familiarise yourself with the gameplay and try out new variations. After playing free games, start with low-stakes Teen Patti titles until you’re more confident in your skills.

  • Master the art of bluffing to outsmart your opponents and trick them into folding when you have a weak hand.

  • Always gamble responsibly and set a budget to ensure you manage your bankroll, and never bet more than you can afford to lose.

How to Play Poker

Playing Teen Patti at land-based casinos

You can play Teen Patti at online casinos in India and land-based venues in Goa, Sikkim, and Daman. The basic rules and gameplay will be similar wherever you play. However, be aware that some variations may introduce side bets and/or additional rules to make the gameplay more exciting.

Top casinos in India to play Teen Patti online

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Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Yes, it’s legal to play Teen Patti in India. If you want to playing Teen Patti for real money, make sure you do so at a licensed online or land-based casino.

Absolutely. For the chance to win real money playing Teen Patti online, make a deposit at a Teen Patti casino, load the game, and place your bets. You must play the real money version of the game, as demo versions are played with virtual chips and cash.

In traditional Teen Patti, a trail, also called set, trio, or three-of-a-kind, is the highest-ranking hand. The best possible trail is three aces, while the least valuable is three 2s.

Teen Patti is played with a 52-card deck. Each player in the game is dealt three cards in a clockwise rotation.

Teen Patti is typically played in a group of three to six people.

In 3 Patti, a high card is the lowest-ranking hand. A high card is used to classify hands that do not make any other specified combination.



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