How to Play Teen Patti | Rules, Strategies, and Tips

Saakshi Baheti
3 min read
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Teen Patti, also known as Indian Poker or Flash (Flush, Falash) or Chali Flash in Nepal, is a popular card game in South Asia. This exciting and easy-to-learn game is often played during festivals and family gatherings.  Play Teen Patti with friends and family in offline or online mode now. 

Let’s walk through the rules, strategies, and tips to master TeenPatti.

What is Teen Patti?

Teen Patti means "three cards" in Hindi, is a game that requires skill, strategy, and a bit of luck. The game is usually played with a standard 52-card deck without jokers. It is very easy to play, all you need to do is understand the hand rankings.

Objective 

The goal is to have the best three-card hand and to maximize the win before the reveal. 

Basic Terms

  • Number of Players: Teen Patti can be played with 3 to 6 players.
  • Deck of Cards: A standard 52-card deck is used without jokers.
  • Chips: Each player starts with an equal number of chips.
  • Pot: It is a total amount of chips that players bet in a round of game.

Hand Card Rankings

Understanding hand rankings is crucial for playing Teen Patti. Here are the rankings from highest to lowest:

Hand Rankings
Hand Rankings

Gameplay

Players bet based on their cards' strength, and the player with the highest-ranking hand wins.

Dealing

The dealer deals three cards face down to each player. It is upto the players if they want to see their cards or bet without seeing their cards.

How to bet in Teen Patti?

Initially, each player contributes a minimum amount to the pot (100 chips in our case), known as the boot or ante.

There are two types of bets, such as:

Blind Play

You bet without looking at the cards. In such case, you must bet at least the current stake. As a blind player, you may look at your cards when your turn comes.

*stake: meaning the minimum amount that has already been bet by other players.

Seen Play

You bet after looking at the cards. The bet amount must be at least double the current stake.

Blind and Seen Play
Blind and Seen Play

In each turn a player can,

  • Fold: Give up your hand.
  • Bet: match the current stake.
  • 2x Bet: Double the bet. Most people increase their bets so that other people would fold.
  • Show: Reveal the cards. (happens only after two players are left)

The betting continues until only two players are left or all players have folded their cards.

Rules to show

  • If you are a blind player, the cost of a show is the current stake only. You do not look at your own cards until after you have paid for the show.
  • If you are a seen player and the other player is blind, you are not allowed to demand a show. The seen player can only continue betting or fold.
  • If both players are seen, a player must bet twice the current stake for a show.

For example: Five players are playing, where 2 are playing blind, and 3 have seen their cards, the betting continues, until 2 players are left. 

What is Sideshow in Teen Patti?

If everyone has seen their cards, you can ask the player who bet right before you for a "sideshow" after you bet the minimum amount (twice the current stake). They can either accept or refuse your request.

  • If accepted, you both secretly compare cards. The player with the lower cards must fold right away. If your cards are equal, the one who asked for the sideshow must fold.
  • If refused, betting continues as usual with the next player.

Winning

If there are two players left, they can both reveal their cards, and the player with the better hand wins the round.

For example: If a player has a high card (K, 3, 4), and another has a run (3,4,5), the one with the run wins.  

Tips and Strategies for Winning Teen Patti

  • Understand the game rules and hand rankings.
  • Begin with small bets to understand other players’ strategies.
  • Pay attention to opponents' betting patterns and body language.
  • Do not be afraid to fold if you have a weak hand.

Teen Patti is a fun and engaging game that brings people together. Play now!