Teen Patti, meaning ‘Three Cards’ is one of the most popular card games enjoyed by millions of players across the globe. Also known as Flush, it is an Indian gambling game played with a deck of 52 cards, cards ranking in the usual order from ace (high) down to two (low).
The game begins with placing the minimum stake in a pot. The pot comprises a collection of money in the centre of the table, which will be won by one of the players. The dealer deals out the cards one at a time until everyone gets three cards each. The players then bet on who has the best three card hand. Each has the option to look at their three-card hand before betting (playing seen) or to leave their cards face down on the table (playing blind).
If you are a beginner and keen on exploring Teen Patti, then, this guide will help you enhance your gameplay to a great extent. Continue to read on!
Is Teen Patti legal in India?
Although the gambling laws in India is pretty confusing, there is however, nothing that states online gaming is prohibited. The Teen Patti gambling laws stated by casinomarket in one of their articles does not state anything particular about online gaming to be illegal. Hence, there are some states in India that offer exciting online Teen Patti games online like in Sikkim, Delhi, Maharashtra, Nagaland, Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka. The Seventh Schedule Entry 34 List II of the Indian constitution gives the power to the State government to decide the laws regarding gambling. It can prohibit or permit gambling in their state. Due to this liberal law, it is to be noted that various states have a different policy regarding various gambling games. Therefore, it is advised to check the legal status of the state you reside in before you decide to explore Teen Patti.
The ranking of hands in Teen Patti
Below is the ranking of hands from high to low.
- Trio or Trail – Three cards of the same rank. Three aces are the best trio and three twos are the lowest.
- Straight run – Three consecutive cards of the same suit. Ace can be used in the run A-2-3, which is the highest straight run. Next comes A-K-Q, K-Q-J and so on down to 4-3-2, which is the lowest. 2-A-K is not a valid run.
- Normal run – Three consecutive cards, not all of the same suit. A-2-3 is the best normal run, then A-K-Q, K-Q-J and so on down to 4-3-2. 2-A-K is not valid.
- Colour – The highest colour is A-K-J and the lowest is 5-3-2.
- Pair – Two cards of the same rank. Between two such hands, compare the pair first, then the odd card if these are equal. The highest pair hand is therefore A-A-K and the lowest is 2-2-3.
- High card – Three cards that do not belong to any of the above types. Compare the highest card first, then the second highest, then the lowest. The best hand of this type is A-K-J of mixed suits, and the worst is 5-3-2.
Note: Any hand of a higher type beats any hand of a lower type. For example, the lowest run 4-3-2 beats the best colour A-K-J.
Betting process: A glimpse
The betting process in Teen Patti begins with the player to the left of the dealer, and continues with players taking turns in clockwise order around the table. Do bear in mind that each player in turn can either put an additional bet into the pot to stay in, or pay nothing further and fold.
The amount that you have to put in at your turn in order to stay in the game depends on the ‘current stake’, and whether you are playing ‘blind’ or ‘seen’ (a seen player is known in Hindi as ‘chaal’). Seen players have to bet twice as much as blind players to stay in. At the start of the betting process, the current stake is one unit (i.e. the amount that each player put in the pot as an ante).
- If you are a ‘blind; player (you have not looked at your cards), you must put in at least the current stake and not more than twice the current stake. The current stake for the next player is then the amount that you put in.
- If you are a ‘seen’ player, you must bet at least twice the current stake and not more than four times the current stake. The current stake for the next player becomes half the amount that you bet.
Note: If you are a blind player, you may choose to look at your cards when your turn comes to bet. You then become a seen player and from that turn onwards you must bet at least twice the current stake (or fold).
Well, that is not all! The betting continues until one of the below happens:
- All except one player have folded. In that case, the last surviving player wins all the money in the pot, irrespective of the cards held.
- All except two players have folded and one of these players at their turn pays for a show. In that case the cards of both players are exposed and compared.
Concluding thoughts
Teen Patti is undoubtedly an interesting card game provided you are well-versed with its rules and have rigorous practise. It is an Indian version of Poker, best-loved by millions of avid gamblers. It is a game of pure logic and skill. Therefore, understanding and interpreting the rules of the game thoroughly stands extremely important. This beginners guide will certainly help you optimize your gameplay efficiently. Happy gaming there!
