Teen Patti for Beginners: How to Play Teen Patti

Although Teen Patti is among some of the easiest card games to play, it’s considered a niche game as it used to be featured mostly at Asian-oriented casinos. It was only with the expansion of live casino games that Teen Patti got its well-deserved growth and was introduced to the general public.

If you are one of those players looking to understand Teen Patti and learn how to play it without fuss and hassle, you are in the right place.

What’s Teen Patti?

We’ll keep this short and sweet. Teen Patti is a card gambling game originally from India. It is played with 3 cards, and as it has some similarities with poker, it is often considered as the ‘simplified 3-card poker’.

Teen Patti also uses a single card deck without Jokers. The goal of every player at the table is to have the highest hand out of the three cards they’ve been dealt. It’s very easy to learn to play, and players love it because it is very entertaining.

Sadly, it has not enjoyed much attention until a couple of years ago when iGaming powerhouses turned to lesser-known games to add to live dealer portfolios. With the first live casino version of Teen Patti, players and the casinos started appreciating the Indian game more and more. Today, it’s one of the best games you can play at live dealer sites, besides Dragon Tiger, Baccarat, and Sic Bo.

History of Teen Patti in a Few Points

India’s most popular card game of all time is Teen Patti. And how could it not be since it’s so incredibly fun and easy to play?

The original version of the game is actually a variation of the British Three Card Brag, but it can be also found under the name of Flash or Flush in some areas in South Asia.

The game is so deeply ingrained in the culture of India that it’s a family tradition rather than a solitary entertainment. Teen Patti is so widespread in India that it’s almost like a household game (and in some areas, it’s exactly that). It has ties with Janmashtami, the celebration of Krishna’s birth, which makes it very important during the holiday season.

Game Overview

So, let’s sum up things before we head to the actual rounds and hands, okay?

As we said, Teen Patti is:

• A card game of Indian origin
• Played with 1 deck with 52 cards, no Jokers
• Similar to Poker
• Based on Three Card Brag
• Between 3-6 players can join a round

You should also keep in mind that betting typically involves an ante bet, the amount you put into the pot.

Hand Rankings

Before we switch to actual gameplay and rules for Teen Patti, let’s briefly go over hand rankings in the game. For reference, we listed them highest to lowest.

• Trio (also known as trail, three of a kind, or set) is a hand with three cards matching in rank. A trio of Aces is the highest possible hand, while a trio of 2s is the lowest. Odds are 424.00:1.
• Pure sequence (also known as straight flush or run) is a hand with three consecutive cards in matching suit. The highest hand is a pure sequence of A, K, and Q, while the lowest is 4, 3, 2. Odds are 459.42:1.
• Sequence (or straight) is the same as a pure sequence, except the cards are not matching in suit, they can be of any suit (and mix them). Odds are 29.69:1.
• Flush (also known as colour) is a hand with cards of the same suit, except they are not in order, i.e., they are not a run. An example would be 5, 7, and Q of Spades. Odds are 19.16:1.
• Pair (also known as double) hands contain two cards of the same rank and another card that does not complement them in any way. Odds are 4.90:1.
• High card (or no pair) is a hand with three random cards completely unrelated in suit, order, or rank. Instead, they are all separate and the highest card in the hand is the high card. Aces are the best ranking for this hand. Odds are 0.34:1.

And now the main part: how do you play Teen Patti?

How to Play

Game rules are quite simple and easy to understand, but it might require a bit of time to get used to the new rules.

Let’s start with the first phase of the round: the setting up of the roles.

First up: picking the dealer. Players at the table draw from the shoe, and the highest card marks the dealer for the session.

Once the dealer has been selected, it’s time to place the first wager – the ante bet.

Ante wagers are required, so players who want to participate in the round must place ante bets. Once this is done, players move onto the next part of the round: card draws.

When the draw starts, the dealer begins by dealing cards one by one to each player, clockwise and face-down. The draw is done when all participating players have 3 cards in their hands.

After the deal, players begin the round by placing bets on the players they think have the best hands. There are two options how this can be done:

• Blind betting – betting without seeing one’s cards at the table
• Seen betting – betting after players have had a chance to glimpse at their cards

There are sometimes two blind bets per player, while sometimes players use more than two. The amount can also differ (small and big blinds).

Once the ante and blind bets pass, players place regular bets – which can be either call or raise (both are often referred to as Chaal). These bets are often done in even numbers, especially if there is still a blind player in the game (because these players pay half of the normal bet).

End of the Round

Ultimately, the round ends with the show of cards. The highest hand wins, or the player that has not folded. Moreover, if the two players remain in the round, they can continue calling and raising bets until someone requests a show of cards. Players who decide to fold cannot show their cards to anyone until the end of the round.

Is Teen Patti Worth It?

There’s a reason why Teen Patti has had a renaissance of popularity in the last few years. It’s because the game is so refreshing and yet so familiar (because it’s similar to poker in some regards) that players genuinely enjoy learning the rules.

It may sound a bit too much at first, but that’s fine.

The point is to stay true and consistent, play a few rounds in free demo mode (if possible) or with low stakes to get the hang of it, and then you’re golden. It’s a good choice for a game to be played at a minimum deposit casino, for instance.

The game is suitable for novices and beginners who want a foray into card games outside of blackjack and poker. It’s also quite enjoyable for veterans as they appreciate the novelty. Although hardcore fans might not like it that much due to their loyalty to traditional games.

If you want to start playing Teen Patti online, we recommend giving Evolution’s Teen Patti live a go. It’s a classic, just like Ezugi’s Teen Patti live (which is the catalyst for the Teen Patti revival, by the way). Both are excellent ways to practice Teen Patti rules you’ve learned here.