Teen Patti
‘Teen Patti’ or ‘Teen Pathi’ is an Indian casino card game which is similar in many ways to the UK game known as 3 Card Brag. A standard 52-card deck is used with 2s as the low cards, and Aces as high cards. Typically, 4-7 players participate in games.
Where to Play Teen Patti
Teen Patti is widely regarded as one of the most-loved casino card games in India. The game features multiple variations, such as Joker, Muflis, 999, and even A-K-4-7. These variants of Teen Patti have unique rules which must be understood before play commences. For example, A-K-4-7 designates each of these cards as Jokers which can substitute for other symbols to form winning hand combinations.
Teen Patti features prominently in the gaming arena, and is readily available in Marathi, Gujarati, Hindi, and English. With origins on the Indian subcontinent, this classic casino card game can be played with friends, family, and fellow players at respected online casinos and social gaming portals. The objective of the game is simple: form a ranking 3-card hand before showdown.
Teen Patti Game Rules
Before play commences in Teen Patti, all players at the table must agree to set a minimum bet. At land-based venues, players will physically place the bet minimum in a collection pot and place it in the middle of the table. All the money collected at the beginning of the game will be awarded to the winner at its conclusion. Next, the designated dealer hands out cards to each of the players at the table, one at the time. This continues until all players have 3 cards in their possession. The objective of the game is to form the strongest 3-card hand at the table.
Players can choose to look at their cards before they place a bet, or they can choose to leave them unseen as face-down cards and play blind at the table. Recall that 4-7 players typically play Teen Patti at a time. Known in the UK as ‘Flush’ or ‘Flash’, Teen Patti games begin in earnest once everybody has their cards and the betting commences. Players have the option to call, or raise once they have their cards. These actions are similar to the ones taken in standard poker games. If you decide to call, you will remain in the game, but you won't raise your bet. If you decide to raise, you will increase your stake in the game.
Unlike poker games, all bets must be placed in equal amounts. If Player A bets $5 and Player B bets $10, then Player A will have to up the stakes to match Player B’s $10 bet. As a result, the size of the bets rapidly increases in games of Teen Patti. The winner is determined by the player holding the strongest-ranking hand. The action commences left of the dealer and moves in a clockwise fashion around the table.
- Blind players don't see their cards before they place bets. It is possible for a blind player to ask for a show, also known as a blind show.
- Seen Players are allowed to show, fold, or chaal. After seeing the cards, seen players are required to play chaal. This means that a bet must be placed in the pot and it must be at least double or quadruple the current bet. Other options include playing show or sideshow.
Teen Patti Hand Rankings
The lowest-ranking cards are deuces, otherwise known as 2s, while the highest-ranking cards are the Aces, or Pocket Rockets. Naturally, the worst possible hand in Teen Patti is Trip Deuces (2-2-2) and the strongest possible hand is Trip Aces (A-A-A).
- A Straight Flush or Pure Sequence - any 3 consecutive cards of the same suit (hearts, diamonds, clubs, or spades)
- Regular Sequence of Different Suits - any 3 consecutive cards of different suits, ranked by the value of the cards. 2-3-4 is a weaker sequence than J-Q-K, for example.
- Three Cards of the Same Colour - these are not identical cards, or identically ranked cards – they are simply three cards of the same colour such as 6, 8, King of spades.
- A Standard Pair – a pair of cards and another card. The higher the value of the pair, the stronger this hand ranks against other pairs. If two pairs have the same strength, the third card will determine the winner.
- A High Card – the high card is the strongest-ranking card among the 3 cards. There is always a high card in every player’s hand and the highest high card always wins among high card hands.
