How to Play Teen Patti: The Complete Rules Guide
Welcome to the complete Teen Patti rules guide! This exciting Indian game is often called Indian Poker — and for good reason. It combines excitement, strategy, and psychology. By reading this page, you’ll not only learn the basics but also understand all the nuances, so you can confidently sit at any table, whether it’s online or in a friendly setting.
Our goal is to make everything as clear and visual as possible. Let’s begin!
Game Objective and Key Terms
The main goal in Teen Patti is to form the best three-card hand among all players and win the pot.
Key Terms and Meanings
Term | Meaning |
---|---|
Ante / Boot | The minimum amount each player must place into the pot before the cards are dealt |
Pot | The total amount of money in play for a given hand |
Blind | A player who bets without looking at their cards |
Seen / Chaal | A player who looks at their cards before betting |
Chaal | The standard bet during the betting round |
Fold | To give up your hand and forfeit any money already in the pot |
Show | The final phase where remaining players reveal their cards |
Sideshow | A request by a Seen player to privately compare cards with the previous Seen player |
Teen Patti Hand Rankings
This is the heart of the game. Knowing these combinations is essential. Listed from strongest to weakest:
1. Trail (Three of a Kind)
Three cards of the same rank.
Example: A♥ A♠ A♣
Tiebreaker: Three Kings beat three Queens, and so on.
2. Pure Sequence (Straight Flush)
Three consecutive cards of the same suit.
Example: A♠ K♠ Q♠ or 7♥ 6♥ 5♥
Tiebreaker: A-K-Q is the strongest; A-2-3 is valid but lowest.
3. Sequence (Straight)
Three consecutive cards of different suits.
Example: A♠ K♦ Q♣ or 9♥ 8♠ 7♦
Tiebreaker: Same as above — A-K-Q is highest, A-2-3 is lowest.
4. Colour (Flush)
Three non-sequential cards of the same suit.
Example: K♠ 10♠ 2♠
Tiebreaker: Compare highest card, then second, then third.
5. Pair
Two cards of the same rank, plus one unrelated card.
Example: Q♥ Q♠ 5♣
Tiebreaker: Higher pair wins. If tied, compare the kicker.
6. High Card
No matching ranks or sequences — the highest single card wins.
Example: A♥ 10♦ 8♠ beats K♥ J♠ 9♣
Tiebreaker: If high cards match, compare second, then third.
Game Flow: Step-by-Step
Now that you know the terms and combinations, here’s how a typical round plays out:
Step 1: Ante (Boot) Collection
All players place the agreed minimum amount into the pot before the cards are dealt.
Step 2: Dealing the Cards
Each player receives three face-down cards from the dealer.
Step 3: Betting Round
Betting starts with the player to the dealer’s left. Each player may:
- Play Blind: Bet without looking at their cards.
- Play Seen (Chaal): Look at their cards and then either bet or fold.
Important Betting Rule
Seen players must bet at least twice as much as the current Blind bet.
Player | Minimum Bet | Maximum Bet |
---|---|---|
Blind | Equal to current bet | 2x current bet |
Seen | 2x current bet | 4x current bet |
Example:
If the current bet is ₹10 (by a Blind player), the next Blind must bet at least ₹10. A Seen player must bet at least ₹20.
Betting continues clockwise until only one or two players remain.
Step 4: Showdown
Showdown happens in two cases:
- All others fold: One player remains and wins the pot without showing cards.
- Two players remain: One may pay for a Show. Both reveal cards, and the better hand wins the pot.
Special Move: Sideshow
A Seen player may request a Sideshow with the previous Seen player.
- The player pays the current bet and says “Sideshow”.
- The previous player can accept or decline.
- If accepted:
- Cards are compared privately.
- The weaker hand folds immediately.
- If tied, the requester folds.
- If declined:
- The game continues as usual.