
Did you know over 100 million players across India play Teen Patti? Also known as Indian Poker, 3 Patti or Teen Patti is India's most popular card game. It is played with a standard 52-deck card and is known for its simplicity and ease of learning. Teen Patti remains a favorite and one of the most played online card games in 2025. Understanding Teen Patti rules for beginners is essential to grasping the game.
In this article, we'll cover the basic Teen Patti rules and guide you on how to play Teen Patti. If you want to hone your skills, you are at the right place.
Teen Patti Rules Chart - Hand Rankings
It is crucial to start with the basics of the 3 Patti rules for hand rankings to better understand how to play Teen Patti, which features six different sequences of cards.
The highest-ranked hand is named Three of a Kind, while the lowest-ranked is known as the High Card.
The list of 3 Patti hand rankings is as follows:
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Trail/Trio/Three of a Kind:
Trio, Trail, or Three of a Kind comprises three cards of the same rank with different suits.
For example, A♥️ A♦️ A♣️ is the highest-ranking trio, and 2♥️ 2♣️ 2♦️ is the lowest-ranking trio.

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Pure Sequence/Straight Run:
A Pure Sequence combines three consecutive cards in the same suit.
For example, A♥️K♥️Q♥️ is the highest pure sequence hand, followed by A♥️ 2♥️ 3♥️ and 4♥️ 3♥️ 2♥️ is the lowest pure sequence hand.

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Sequence/Normal Run:
A Sequence incorporates three consecutive cards of different suits.
For example, A♦️ K♥️ Q♥️ is the highest sequence hand in 3 patti, followed by A♣️2♦️ 3♥️, and the lowest sequence hand is 4♠️ 3♥️ 2♦️.

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Color/Flush:
A Color consists of three cards of the same suit but not in a sequence.
For example, A♥️ K♥️ J♥️ is the highest flush hand in 3 patti, and the lowest flush hand is 5♥️ 3♥️ 2♥️.

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Pair:
A Pair has two cards of the same rank, regardless of suits.
For example, A♦️ A♣️ K♥️ is the highest-ranking pair, and 2♦️ 2♠️ 3♣️ is the lowest-ranking pair.

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High Card or No Pair:
A High Card or No Pair includes three cards that do not form any combination.
For example, A-K-J of different suits is the highest-ranking No-Pair hand, and 5-3-2 of mixed suits is the lowest.

Teen Patti Game Objective
The objective of the Teen Patti game is to create the best three-card hand and win the pot. Players bet depending on their hand’s strength or bluff to make opponents fold. The player with the strongest hand at the end wins the game.
How to Play Teen Patti Game Online? - 3 Patti Rules for Gameplay
- Number of Players: 3 to 6 players
- Deck: A 52-card deck is used in Teen Patti
- Card Ranking: A (High), K, Q, J, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 (low)
There are three main types of Teen Patti games: best of three, best of five, and best of seven. The game's objective is to have the highest hand at the end of each round. The player with the highest hand at the end of the final round is declared the winner.
- The game begins with each player being dealt three cards face down.
- The dealer then places two community cards face down in the middle of the table.
- Each player examines their cards and decides whether to bet or fold. If a player chooses to bet, they must wager an amount equal to or greater than the current bet into the pot.
- The dealer reveals the first community card after all players have bet or folded.
- Players then have the option to either bet, call, check, or raise.
- This process continues until all players have checked or folded after revealing each community card.
- The final round occurs when all players have either checked or folded after revealing the final community card. At this stage, the player with the highest hand wins the game.
Basic 3 Patti Rules
Here are the Teen Patti gameplay rules to help you understand how it is played:
- In 3 Patti, each player places a bet before receiving their cards.
- All players should agree on the betting amount beforehand.
- Once all bets have been placed, the dealer deals out the cards.
- The player who has placed the highest bet will start the game and proceed clockwise around the table.
- If a player runs out of money at any point during the game, they are automatically out.
- The last player remaining in the game is the winner and will take home all the winnings from the pot.
3 Patti Rules for Shuffling and Dealing
Here are some of Teen Patti's rules for shuffling and dealing:
- To play, a standard 52-deck is used without a joker. The dealer shuffled the cards to avoid any biases before dealing them.
- The dealer then deals three cards to all the participants clockwise.
- All the dealt cards are kept face-down until you flip them to check.
Sequence Ranking
Understanding the Teen Patti sequence ranking is important and your first step towards learning the game. Here’s a 3 Patti rules chart for the sequences:
Teen Patti Sequence | 3 Patti Rules for sequence |
---|---|
Trio or Trail |
Three cards with the same rank and number. |
Pure Sequence |
Three cards of the same colour/suit in consecutive order. |
Sequence (Straight run) |
Three cards in a consecutive sequence but in different colours/suits. |
Colour or Flush |
Three cards are of the same colour/suit but are not in sequence. |
Pair/Double |
Two cards of the same rank, regardless of colour or suit. |
High Card or No Pair |
The highest-ranking card that you hold. |
Playing Blind/Seen
- You get two options while playing the Teen Patti game, I.e., playing blind or seen. Playing blind means you will not see your cards, whereas playing seen allows you to see your cards.
- Once an initial sum has been received, you can start the game.
- Based on the type of game you choose, you will start betting.
Betting rules for 3 Patti
- The betting rules differ based on the type of game you choose. A seen player bets twice the amount of a blind player.
- The game begins with the ante, which is the mandatory amount paid by the player.
- A seen player will either bet an amount equal to the current stake or not more than 4x the current amount.
- A blind player cannot bet more than the 2x of a seen player. A blind player can become a seen player at any time in the game.
Teen Patti Rules for Sideshow
A slideshow lets you compare your cards with opponents at any time. It is also known as a compromise. Remember these three rules before opting for a slideshow:
- You have to request a slideshow.
- A slideshow is only possible when both players agree on it. However, if a player has requested twice and is by the other party two times, the third request for a slideshow is automatically decided upon.
- A blind can never request a compromise.
Two scenarios arise when a player rejects the slideshow twice:
- If the player agrees to the third request, both players secretly compare the cards. The player with weaker hands must fold right away, and if there is a tie, the player requesting the slideshow must fold immediately.
- If the player denies the compromise for the third time, the player who requested the compromise must repeat the last bet.
3 Patti Rules for Showdown
The Teen Patti Rules for Showdown are as follows:
- A showdown occurs when it's down to two participants and the rest of the players have folded.
- A seen player cannot challenge a blind participant for a showdown.
- Blind players should contribute an equal amount to the ongoing bet into the pot, regardless of whether the other player is a blind or a seen player.
- When both participants are seen as players, either can initiate a showdown by placing a bet double the current bet.
- In the showdown, the player with the higher-ranking hand emerges as the pot winner. If there is no clear winner due to a tie, the winner is the player who did not initiate the showdown.
Teen Patti Terms & Glossary
Here are the key Teen Patti terms explained to help you understand the game rules better and play confidently:
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Call: When a player matches the current bet to continue in the game
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Raise: When a player increases the current bet amount
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Blind: Playing without seeing your cards
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Seen: Playing after seeing your cards
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Boot: The minimum amount of money each player places before the beginning of the game to form the starting pot
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Post: It is a forced bet that a player must place to join the game late or re-enter after missing a few hands
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Pot: The total number of chips or money accumulated from the players’ bets placed at the center of the table
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Stake Amount: The stake amount is the total amount of money bet in the game
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Sideshow: When a seen player requests to compare their cards privately with another seen player.
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Showdown: At the end of the game, there is a showdown in which the remaining players reveal their cards, and the winner is determined.
How do we implement the rules of 3 Patti?
Here's how you can implement the 3 Patti rules:
- The game begins by dealing three cards facing down to each player clockwise. After dealing, everyone puts an ante.
- The following important rule is hand ranking. Cards are ranked from high to low, starting from A-2-3. If two players have the same rank, the player with the highest rank wins.
- As mentioned above, there are two types of games. Bind and Seen. You can choose which kind of game you want to play.
- You can Fold if your cards are weak. However, you cannot show your cards.
- Lastly, betting starts from the player sitting to the dealer's left. You can either place a new bet or fold it.
Teen Patti Rules Variations
Here are different Teen Patti variations:
In-Out
In this variant, players can stay in the game or move out during the rounds. If a player has a weak hand, he can leave the game early to avoid losing chips.
Joker Hunter
In the Joker Hunter variant, jokers are not given at the beginning of the game. Players must hunt for joker cards from the face-down joker pool. The objective is to make the best possible three-card hand by finding and using a joker card from the joker pool.
Rotating Jokers
In this variant, each player receives three cards. One of their cards is considered a joker for that round, and the player can use it to complete the hand. After every round, the joker card rotates to the next player. The rotation continues throughout the game. The objective is to make the best possible hand using the joker card.
Folding Jokers
Each player receives more than three cards, typically 5 to 7. The twist in this variant is that each player must discard (fold) their extra cards until they are left with only three cards. The catch is that the discarded cards become jokers, and players can use them along with their three remaining cards to create their best possible hand.
Lowest Joker
The lowest card in each player’s hand becomes a joker and can be used to replace any other card to complete a hand in the Lowest Joker variant. Every player’s Joker card differs depending on the lowest card in their hand. The goal is to create the best hand possible using the Joker card and win the pot.
Joker
In this variant, a certain number of cards, typically one or two, are chosen as jokers after the cards are dealt to all the players. These selected Joker cards can be used as wild cards to substitute for any missing card to make the strongest hand possible.
Pairs are Jokers
In this variant of 3 patti, if a player is dealt with a pair, those cards become jokers, which can be used to replace any other missing cards to create the best possible hand.
AK47
In this 3 Patti variant, A, K, 4, and 7 of all the suits are considered wild cards. They can replace any missing card to complete a hand.
Auction
In the auction variant, as the name suggests, all players bid chips on their turn to get the face-down cards placed at the centre of the table. Once the bidding is completed, the player with the highest bid gets to pick a card from the table and use it to create a better hand. The objective is to win the best cards through bidding to make the strongest possible hand and win.
Teen Patti 4x Boot
In the Teen Patti 4x Boot variant, every player must contribute a boot amount four times greater than the usual amount before the cards are distributed to all the players. The higher boot creates a bigger starting point, making the game more challenging and strategic. The goal is to create the strongest hand possible.
999
The game's objective is to reach close to the 999 value. The value of an ace is one, and the value of K, Q, J and 10 is zero.
Muflis
Also known as Lowball, it is a variation of 3 Patti in which the hand rankings are reversed. The objective of lowball is to make the lowest hand possible.
Probability of Hands in Teen Patti
Here's a table illustrating the probability of various hands in Teen Patti:
Hand | Probability |
---|---|
Three of a kind |
0.24% |
Straight Flush or Pure Sequence |
0.22% |
Sequence/Straight |
3.26% |
Flush or Colour |
4.96% |
Pair |
16.94% |
High Card/No Pair |
74.39% |
Betting Options
Teen Patti has two main betting options: the Main and the Side bet. The main bet is the core bet of the game, requiring all players to participate and continue playing. Two main bet options are available: the Ante and the Blind.
The Ante is obligatory and demanded of all players before dealing with any cards. On the other hand, the Blind is a voluntary bet that only the two players to the left of the dealer must place.
Additionally, Teen Patti offers Side bets, which can be made alongside the Ante and Blind. Side bets involve higher stakes than the Ante and Blind, and any player can make them, irrespective of their position.
Both bets sound similar, so what is the difference between them? The main bets are placed on the hand's outcome, while side bets are placed on other potential outcomes, such as whether there will be a flush or straight.
Main bets typically yield higher payouts, whereas side bets provide more opportunities to win.
The Betting Procedure in 3 Patti Game
The betting procedure in Teen Patti is quite simple and easy to follow. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to bet in Teen Patti:
- The first step is to choose the amount you want to bet. You can either bet a fixed amount or go for the pot limit.
- Once you have decided on the amount, the next step is to select the number of cards you want to play with. The minimum number of cards is three, and the maximum is five.
- After selecting the number of cards, the next step is to choose the suit you want to play with. The four suits in Teen Patti are Spades, Hearts, Diamonds, and Clubs.
- Once you have selected the suit, the next step is to choose the Joker card. The Joker card can be any card from the deck.
- After you have selected the Joker card, the next and final step is to choose the trump card. The trump card can be any card from the deck except for the Joker card.
Online Teen Patti vs. Traditional Teen Patti
Parameters | Online Teen Patti | Traditional Teen Patti |
---|---|---|
Convenience |
You can play from home or even on your mobile phone. |
It is less flexible as you have to present at the said location. |
Player Limitations |
You don’t have to wait for players to join. You can play with whoever is available online. |
You have to wait for other players to come and join the table to start the game. |
Skill Level Competition |
The game becomes competitive as the opponents come with various skill levels. |
The game’s difficulty depends on the player’s availability. |
Winning Opportunities |
The online platforms come with various offers and rewards. It increases the chance of winning opportunities. |
The game comes with a Standard Prize Pool or Cash Reward. |
3 Patti Tips to Master the Game
Here are some teen patti tips to master the game:
- Start by learning and understanding the game and its rules. Then, learn hand rankings and how to form a hand.
- If you are a beginner, play with your friend first. Practice can help you understand the game better.
- Learn and understand each card in a standard deck of 52 cards.
- Be smart with your betting techniques. Understand your cards and bet accordingly.
- Always pay attention to your opponent’s gameplay. Notice which cards they are discarding and how they are betting.
- If you think your cards are weak, Fold. It will help you in avoiding losses.
- Learn from your past mistakes, and always remember to control your emotions.
- Set a budget to control your losses. It can help you avoid huge losses.
- Learn variants of the game and practice them.
- Always be patient, as the game might get tricky. Wait for the right moment to bet aggressively.
- You can bluff, but do it wisely. Please don’t overdo it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the rules of Teen Patti?
In Teen Patti, the game's goal is to have the best three-card hand and increase the pot before the game ends. Betting proceeds clockwise, and the player with the highest hand or the last to remain without folding wins the pot.
What is a high card in 3 Patti?
The highest card is three aces in 3 Patti.
Which colour is highest in 3 Patti?
In 3 Patti, the order of the colours (suits) doesn't affect the ranking of the hands. All suits are considered equal in value, so no suit is higher than another. The game focuses more on the sequence and combination of the cards rather than the colours or suits.
What is the best possible hand in Teen Patti?
Trio or three of a kind is the best possible hand. It consists of three cards of the same rank.
Can I request a sideshow from any player playing the hand?
You can request a sideshow from any player playing the hand, provided they are not playing Blind.
What is the best combination in 3 Patti?
Trial or Three Aces is the best combination in 3 patti.
What is the difference between Ante Bets and Play bets in the teen patti game?
Ante is the mandatory bet made by every player, whereas Play bets are an additional wager placed after you see your cards.
How do you play 3 Patti at home?
You can call your friends or family members, deal three cards to each of them, and they will bet based on their card's strength.
How many players can play Teen Patti?
Teen Patti can be played with 3 to 6 players.
Can we choose a Joker in Teen Patti?
Yes, you can choose a Joker. It can be any card that serves as a wild card.
Is Teen Patti legal in India?
Yes, Teen Patti is legal in India. Few states may have legal restrictions. Hence, it is advisable to check your state’s regulations before playing.
Conclusion
You must have understood the rules of Teen Patti by now. As mentioned above, the game is deeply rooted in Indian culture and has been a favourite pastime for people of all ages. The game is approachable only because of its simple rules and easy learning. It is for everyone, whether a beginner, expert, or player playing online or attending tournaments. Mastery of teen Patti rules comes from understanding the hand rankings.
Now that you know how Teen Patti works, test your knowledge and skills by playing on reliable Teen Patti apps and win real cash!