Table Games
How to play Teen Patti

How to play Teen Patti

Teen Patti is a beloved card game in India and a favorite among players. This guide will teach you how to play Teen Patti by covering the rules, strategies, and more. Read on to get the basics of Teen Patti and start playing. With the right understanding and experience, you have the potential to master the game and earn genuine rewards.

Teen Patti Game Rules

Teen Patti is a simple game similar to various poker variants. For new players who want to know how to play 3 patti, here’s the basic information you need to know to get started;
  • Typically, 3-7 players participate, and the motive is to secure the best hand or be the last player standing
  • Before starting, each player must place a starting bet called the boot into the pot
  • The betting amount depends on the boot. Blind players bet either 1x or 2x the current stake, while players who have seen their cards bet 2x or 4x
  • Contrary to poker, the play continues until only two players remain or a showdown is called
  • When only 2 players are left, one can request a show to compare hands. The player holding the superior hand claims the pot. If everyone else folds, the last remaining player wins the pot.

How To Play Teen Patti: Step By Step

Ready to play and win at the game of Teen Patti? Here's a beginner's guide to begin your gameplay;

Players draw cards to determine the dealer. The individual with the highest card takes on the role of dealer. The dealer role moves clockwise after each round.

Each player contributes an initial bet called the ante to form the starting pot. This pot sets the stakes for the game. The maximum pot size can be up to 1024 times the ante, unless the game is played without any limits.

The dealer distributes three cards face-down to each player, beginning from the left and proceeding clockwise.

The player on the dealer's left initiates the action. They have the option to play blind (without viewing their cards) or seen (after examining their cards). A blind player can fold, call the ante, or raise it by doubling. A seen player can fold, call twice the ante, or raise it by quadrupling. This initial bet is known as the stake.

Players take turns acting clockwise. Players proceed to take turns in a clockwise manner. They can fold, call, or raise, depending on the current stake and whether they are playing blind or seen. A blind player bets either 1x or 2x the stake, while a seen player bets either 2x or 4x. If the preceding player is seen, the stake is reduced by half for the subsequent blind player.

A seen player can request a side-show from the previous seen player if at least three players are still in the game. Should the request be approved, both players clandestinely compare their hands. The player with the inferior-ranking hand is ousted. Hand rankings are outlined as below:

Hand: Set/Trio/Trail
Three identical cards (e.g., A-A-A or 9-9-9)
Second Best: Straight Flush/Pure Sequence
Three consecutive cards of the same suit (e.g., A-2-3 of hearts).
Third Best: Straight/Run/Sequence
Three consecutive cards of different suits (e.g., A-2-3).
Fourth Best: Color/Flush
A trio of cards of identical suits but lacking sequential order (e.g., A-K-K of hearts)
Fifth Best: Pair
A duo of cards sharing the same value (e.g., A-A-9)
Worst Hand: High Card
Three cards devoid of sequential order, identical suits, or equal values (e.g., A-9-4).

When only two players remain, one can demand a showdown. The other player must fold or call. If they opt to call, both participants expose their cards, with victory going to the player holding the superior hand.

In a pot-limited game, if the pot reaches the limit (e.g., 1024 times the ante), all players must reveal their cards, and the highest hand wins the pot.

How To Deal In Teen Patti?

Teen Patti, also known as 3 Patti, is a poker game played with 3 cards and 3 to 6 players. The goal is to secure the best hand and place bets before the final showdown. 
Each player is dealt three cards face-down. Before distributing the cards, a predetermined boot amount is collected from each player, establishing the minimum wager contributed to the central pot on the table. As the game goes on, the pot increases and is won by the player with the best hand who stays in the game until the end.

Teen Patti Sequences

Before knowing how to play 3 patti, it's important to understand the different Teen Patti sequences, also famously called as hands. Below is the ranking of all Teen Patti hands, listed from highest to lowest value;

Trail (Three of a Set/Kind/Trio)


This comprises three cards of identical rank. Aces rank highest, while twos hold the lowest value.

Pure Sequence (Run/Straight Flush)


This encompasses three consecutive cards of the same suit, like A-K-Q of diamonds.

Sequence (Normal Run/Straight)


This includes three consecutive cards that are not of the same suit.

Color (Colous/Flush)


This entails three cards of the same suit that are not in sequence. When comparing two flushes, the highest card is the primary determinant. If those are equal, the next highest card is compared, and so forth. The most favorable color is A-K-J, while the least favorable is 5-3-2.

Pair (2 of a Kind)


This hand consists of two cards of equivalent rank. When comparing pairs, the pair itself is compared first. If the pairs are equal, the highest odd card determines the winner. The top pair is A-A-K, while the least favourable is 2-2-3.

High Card


When the three cards fail to match any of the aforementioned categories, the highest individual card is evaluated first. The premier high card hand is A-K-J with assorted suits, whereas the least favorable is 5-3-2.

Playing/Betting Process

The game of Teen Patti begins to the left of the dealer and proceeds clockwise. Upon receiving their cards, players wager on the individual possessing the superior hand. Bets can be made blind, without seeing the cards, or after looking at them. Blind players bet without seeing their cards, while seen players look before betting. Bets continue around the table. Players can choose to fold if they don't want to bet, losing their chance to win and forfeiting the money already in the pot.
Players opting to play blind refrain from viewing their cards prior to placing a wager. To play blind, contribute a bet to the pot that is equivalent to, but not exceeding, twice the current pot total. As the initial player, your bet must meet or exceed the boot amount. The bet placed by a blind player establishes the stake for the subsequent player. However, seen players need only match half of this amount.  A blind player can request a show if conditions allow, called a blind show, where both players reveal their cards and the winner takes the pot.
For a show to happen;
Only two players must remain in the game
The blind player pays the stake amount for the show, regardless of the other player's status
Seen participants are prohibited from initiating a show; their options are limited to betting or folding
In the event that both players are seen, the show requires a wager twice the current stake, and either player can make the request
Should the hands be equal following a show, the player who did not initiate the show emerges victorious
Seen players have the option to bet, fold, show, or request a sideshow. Upon examining their cards, they must place a bet to remain in the game. This bet should range between twice and four times the current stake, or the boot amount if they are the initial player. If the preceding player was blind, their bet establishes the stake; if they were seen, half of their bet becomes the stake.
Seen players can call for a show under the rules mentioned earlier or request a sideshow. A sideshow involves comparing cards with the previous player, provided they are seen and there are still other players in the game. To request a sideshow, place a bet double the current stake. The preceding player has the option to either accept or decline under the following circumstances;
If the sideshow is accepted and the preceding player possesses superior cards, you are required to fold
If your cards outrank those of the preceding player, they must fold
If the sideshow is declined, play continues without comparing cards

Teen Patti Variations you can play

While the traditional version of Teen Patti is widely recognized, several interesting variations are available. These versions often come from different cultural practices or creative twists by casinos. They mostly follow the standard rules but add unique elements. Some players might even prefer these variations over the original game. Here are the most popular ones;

Capa_1

Muflis

Muflis is similar to lowball poker. The hand rankings remain consistent, but the sequence is reversed. The objective is to attain the lowest-ranking hand. During a showdown, the player with the lowest-ranked hand emerges victorious. For example, A-A-A is the worst hand, while low-ranked hands like 2-4-9 are highly valuable.
Capa_1

AK47

AK47 introduces jokers or wild cards to the game. In this variant, Aces, Kings, 4s, and 7s serve as wild cards. These cards can be substituted for any other card or suit in your hand. Apart from this alteration, the game adheres to the standard Teen Patti rules.
Capa_1

2-3-5

In this variation, a sequence of 2-3-5 of the same suit is deemed a pure sequence. This increases the probability of forming a pure sequence to 0.24%, matching the likelihood of getting a trail. This rule aligns with the rationale that in classic Teen Patti, a trail holds the highest ranking among sequences despite being statistically more common than a pure sequence.
Group

Joker

After dealing the cards, the dealer reveals one additional card face-up. The remaining three cards of that rank function as jokers or wild cards, capable of substituting for any other card in the deck. For instance, if the dealer reveals the 9♥️, then the 9♣️, 9♦️, and 9♠️ become jokers.
Capa_1

Best of Four

In this game, each player gets four cards instead of three. The hand rankings and combinations mirror those of traditional Teen Patti, and gameplay proceeds as usual.

Frequently Asked Questions

Many online casinos offer the chance to play 3 Patti, but it's crucial to choose a legal and authentic site or application. At Lucky Raja, we list reputable gaming websites and apps for playing Teen Patti safely.

The highest color in 3 Patti is A-K-J.

Yes, you can earn money playing Teen Patti, especially at international casinos that allow real money play. However, engaging in real-money gameplay is unlawful in most of the states in India.

New players often receive special bonuses from casinos, allowing them to play Teen Patti with bonus cash. Some sites also offer free play in demo mode, but you can't win real money this way.

Securing victory in Teen Patti on every occasion is not assured, but you can enhance your odds by employing strategic gameplay. Check out our tips for strategies that might help you win more often.