Teen Patti game: a beginner’s guide

Teen Patti game is a popular card game that started in India and is popular all over South Asia. As the name suggests, each player is dealt three cards. You’ll often find people playing Teen Patti card game during family get-togethers or festive events. It’s fun, easy to follow, and brings a lot of excitement. Some even call it Indian Poker.

Objective and gameplay of Teen Patti

The Teen Patti card game uses a regular deck of 52 cards and is seen as a simpler form of Poker. You need at least 3 players to start, usually, up to 6 players join, though more can play in some versions. The goal is pretty simple, get the best set of three cards and try to beat the others at the table. For example, having a trail (three of a kind) beats a pair.

Teen Patti game: history

Teen Patti isn’t just a card game in India, it’s something a lot of us have grown up watching or playing during festivals. Especially on Diwali, you’ll see people sitting around, laughing, tossing in chips, teasing each other. The Teen Patti game is more about fun and connection than winning money.

It’s said to have come from an old British game called “Three Card Brag”. Over time, it changed, picked up local flavor, and turned into the Teen Patti we all know, fast, simple, and full of drama. For many people, it’s less of a game and more of a tradition.

Terms used in Teen Patti card game

If you really want to understand how Teen Patti game works, it’s important to know some common terms that are often used in the game. The terms are as follows:

Boot

Boot is the first bet placed in Teen Patti card game, also called the entry fee or ante. Every player has to put in this amount before the cards are dealt. It’s a must, and everyone adds the same amount to the pot.

Blind player

A player who plays without looking at their cards is called a blind player. A blind player’s bet must be at least half of what a seen player has bet.

Seen player

A player who looks at their cards in the game is called a seen player. A seen player must bet at least double the amount of a blind player. A seen player has a slight advantage over a blind player because they can decide whether to fold, show their cards, or keep playing.

Post

In Teen Patti, if a player is not at the table when the boot (entry bet) is placed and joins the game later, it means they missed the boot. To rejoin, they have to put the same amount in the pot, this is called posting.

Chaal (Call and raise)

In Teen Patti, Chaal means placing a bet to stay in the game. You can either call (match the previous bet) or raise (increase the bet). The amount you place becomes the new betting level for the next player.

Sideshow / backshow / compromise

In Teen Patti, a sideshow happens when a seen player asks the previous seen player to privately compare cards. The one with the weaker hand folds. If both players have equal hands, the one who asked the sideshow must fold. The request can be accepted or denied, but if it’s asked three times, it must be accepted.

Pack (Fold)

In Teen Patti, if a player doesn’t feel confident about their cards or doesn’t want to bet, they can fold. This means they leave the round and stop playing that hand.

Show

In Teen Patti, a show happens when the last two players reveal their cards to decide the winner. It can only be done when only two players are left in the game.

Trail / Trio / Set

In Teen Patti, this is the strongest hand you can get. It means you have three cards of the same number, like three 6s, 6♠, 6♦ and 6♣

Pure sequence

In Teen Patti, a pure sequence is a strong hand where you have three cards in a row from the same suit. For example, A♠, K♠, and Q♠. It’s the second best hand in the game. This is also called a straight flush.

Colour

In Teen Patti, a colour, also known as a flush, means having three cards of the same suit that are not in sequence. For example, 7♦, 4♦, and 2♦.

Pair

In Teen Patti, a pair means you have two cards of the same rank. If two players both have pairs, the one with the higher pair wins. For example, A♠ A♦ is a pair of Aces.

High card

In Teen Patti, if no player has any special combination like pairs or sequences, the player with the highest card wins the game.
Ante

In Teen Patti card game, the ante is the mandatory bet that every player puts in before the game begins.

Loose vs tight play

In Teen Patti card game, a tight player folds weak hands early, playing only strong ones. A loose player, on the other hand, takes more risks by playing most hands, even weak ones and often stays in the game longer.

Hands in Teen Patti card game

In Teen Patti, hands are grouped into different categories. Any hand from a high category beats hands from a lower one. Here is the ranking of hands from strongest to weakest:

Trio (Three of a Kind)

This hand has three cards of the same rank, like three Kings or three 5s. Three Aces is the highest trio, and three 2s is the lowest.

Pure sequence (Straight Flush)

Also called Shahi or Pure Run, this hand has three consecutive cards all in the same suit. The strongest sequence is A-K-Q, followed by A-2-3, then K-Q-J, and so on. A sequence like K-A-2 is not valid here.

Sequence (Straight or Run)

This hand has three cards in order but not all in the same suit. The ranking is the same as the pure sequence. A-K-Q is highest, then A-2-3, K-Q-J, and so on. K-A-2 is not a valid sequence.

Colour (Flush)

This hand has three cards of the same suit but not in order. If two players both have flushes, the player with the highest card wins. If those cards are equal, the second highest is compared, and then the third if needed. If all cards are equal in rank and suit, the suits rank as Spades > Hearts > Diamonds > Clubs.

Pair (Two of a Kind)

This hand has two cards of the same rank plus one different card. If two players have pairs, the higher pair wins. If the pairs are equal, the third card decides the winner.

High Card (No Pair)

If no player has any of the above hands, the player with the highest single card wins. If there is a tie, the next highest card is compared and so on.

Teen Patti game rules

• The game is played with a standard 52-card deck without jokers.
• Typically, 3 to 6 players participate in each round.
• Players agree or draw cards to select the dealer before starting.
• Everyone contributes a fixed boot (ante) to start the pot.
• Each player receives three cards dealt face down.
• Players bet in clockwise order, choosing to play blind (without seeing cards) or seen (after viewing cards).
• The minimum bet must at least match the previous bet to continue.
• A player can fold (pack) to leave the current round and lose their bet.
• Seen players may request a sideshow with the previous seen player; the weaker hand folds if accepted.
• When two players remain, either can request a showdown where cards are revealed, and the best hand wins the pot.
• Hand rankings from highest to lowest are: Trio, Pure Sequence, Sequence, Colour, Pair, High Card.

How to play 3 patti card game?

1. Before the game kicks off, you need to pick who’s going to deal the cards. Sometimes everyone just agrees on it, or you can make it a bit fun, like everyone picks a card from the deck, and whoever gets the highest card becomes the dealer.
2. Once the dealer is decided, everyone puts in the boot (ante). Think of it like the entry fee, a set amount everyone adds in to build the pot before any cards are even dealt.
3. After the boot is in, the dealer shuffles the deck. Then, starting with the player to their left, they deal three cards face down to each person, one card at a time, going around the table clockwise.
4. Once everyone has their cards, players begin placing their bets based on how strong or weak they think their hands are. The betting starts with the person sitting to the left of the dealer and moves around the table in a clockwise direction. Each player can choose to play blind (bet without looking at their cards) or seen (look at their cards before betting). After choosing your style, you have three options: call, match the previous bet, raise the current bet to increase the stakes, or pack (fold) if you don’t want to continue.
5. If you’re a seen player, and the player before you is also seen, you can ask for a sideshow, which is a private card comparison. If they accept, both of you reveal your cards, and the player with the weaker hand must pack. If they decline, the game continues as normal. It’s a bold move, use it strategically.
6. When it comes down to just two players, one of them can call for a showdown. That’s when both reveal their cards, and whoever has the better hand takes the pot.

How rare is your Teen Patti hand?

Ever wondered just how lucky you were when you got that trio or pure sequence? Well, here’s the real deal, not all Teen Patti hands are created equal, and some are way harder to get than others.

Let’s break it down.

In a standard Teen Patti card game (using a 52-card deck with no jokers), there are 22,100 possible three-card combinations. That’s a lot of hands. And out of those, only a few are the kind you really want.

Here’s how often each hand shows up:

Variations of Teen Patti game 

Teen Patti game offers several exciting variations, each adding unique twists and new challenges to the classic gameplay.

Best-of-four

You get four cards, but pick the best three to play, like having an extra chance to get a better hand.

Lowball (Mufliss)

The lowest hand wins here. For example, A-3-5 beats A-K-2 because low is good in this variation.

Wild draw

After dealing, the dealer picks a random card rank, like all 7s, and those become wild cards for everyone.

Low wild

Your lowest card and all cards like it are wild. So if your lowest card is 4, every 4 is wild just for you.

High wild

The opposite of low wild. Your highest card, say a King, and all Kings are wild in your hand only.

AK47

In this version, Aces, Kings, 4s, and 7s are wild cards. These cards can act as anything to complete a hand.

Two-lowest wild

You get four cards, and your two lowest together act like a wild card. If those two are a pair, it’s even better.

Bust card draw

The dealer picks a card rank that ‘busts’ players. Anyone holding that card, like a 9, must fold right away.

Joker

Random jokers are picked that can act like any card.

999

Your hand should be as close as possible to 9-9-9.

Stud

You get some cards face-down and some face-up. It’s like a mix of secret and open cards, making the game more interesting.

Community

There are shared cards on the table everyone can use, mixed with your own hidden cards. Think of it like Texas hold ’em but with three cards.

Draw

You can replace unwanted cards by drawing new ones from the deck, improving your hand as the game goes on.

High-low split

The pot is shared, half goes to the highest hand, half to the lowest. It’s fun because two players can win.

Cobra

Each player places a card on their forehead so all players can see it except themselves.

Blind (Kaana) King and Jack

Kings or jacks showing only one eye are wild cards. This usually kicks in after someone gets three of a kind.

Teen Patti tips & strategies

Want to win more than just beginner’s luck? Try these:

1. Start Conservative

Don’t go all-in on your first hand. Test the table, observe how others bet.

2. Play Blind (Early On)

It’s a cheaper way to stay in the game, and it keeps you mysterious. Plus, it throws people off.

3. Bluff Occasionally, Not Always

A good bluff can win you the pot. But bluffing every hand? People will catch on fast.

4. Read the Room

Teen Patti is a social game. Watch facial expressions, betting habits, and sudden hesitations.

5. Side Show with Caution

Don’t request a side show against someone who’s playing confidently. They’re probably holding something strong.

Final thoughts

Teen Patti game is more than just a game, it’s about fun, laughter, and spending time with others. Once you learn the basics, it’s easy to get into and hard to stop playing. Just play smart, enjoy the moment, and have a great time at the table.

Also explore

• Skill games vs. luck-based games
• 21 card rummy vs 13 card rummy

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