Teen Patti Rules
Teen Patti (“three cards”) is a quick, chatty game that many Indian families bring out at festivals and get-togethers. Each player gets three cards, and the best hand wins the round. This guide explains it for friendly play with points, chips or counters only.
On this page 7 sections
No money, ever. Silk Rummy does not support playing Teen Patti or any card game for money. Use matchsticks, buttons, plastic chips or numbers on a score sheet. Real-money online card games are banned in India, and playing for cash at home can cause real harm to people and relationships. Points keep it fun.
What you need
- 3 to 7 players (4 to 6 is most comfortable).
- One standard 52-card deck, no jokers.
- The same number of counters for everyone, for example 100 points each, written on paper or on our score sheet.
Cards rank A (high), K, Q, J, 10 down to 2. Suits have no rank in the standard game.
Hand rankings
From strongest to weakest:
| # | Hand | What it is | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Trail (Trio / Set) | Three cards of the same rank. Three aces is the best hand in the game, three 2s the lowest trail. | A♠A♥A♦ |
| 2 | Pure sequence | Three cards in a row, all of the same suit. | 5♥6♥7♥ |
| 3 | Sequence (Run) | Three cards in a row, mixed suits. | 4♣5♦6♠ |
| 4 | Colour (Flush) | Three cards of the same suit, not in a row. | 2♠9♠K♠ |
| 5 | Pair | Two cards of the same rank and one other card. | Q♦Q♣4♥ |
| 6 | High card | None of the above. The highest card decides. | A♥9♣6♦ |
Sequences and ties
- The highest sequence is A-K-Q. In most games A-2-3 is the second highest, followed by K-Q-J, Q-J-10 and so on down to 4-3-2. A few groups treat A-2-3 as the lowest sequence instead.
- Sequences do not wrap round: K♠A♦2♣ is not a sequence.
- Colour and high card: compare the highest card, then the second, then the third.
- Pair: the higher pair wins. If the pairs match, the odd card decides.
- Exactly equal hands: a common house rule says the player who asked for the show loses. Some groups split the pot instead.
Notice that a sequence beats a colour in Teen Patti. That surprises people who know poker, where it is the other way round. With only three cards, a sequence is harder to get than a colour.
How a round works
1. Boot and deal
Everyone puts a small fixed number of points into the middle to start the pot. This starting amount is called the boot, say 1 point each. The dealer then deals three cards face down to each player, one at a time. The dealer’s job moves one seat round after every round.
2. Blind or seen
You do not have to look at your cards straight away. A player who has not looked is playing blind. A player who has looked is seen (also called playing chaal).
- The current stake starts at the boot amount.
- A blind player who wants to stay in puts in the current stake (or doubles it, which raises the stake).
- A seen player must put in twice the current stake to stay in (or four times, to raise it).
Playing blind is cheaper but riskier, because you are deciding without information. Once you look, you cannot go back to blind.
3. Your options on each turn
- Chaal: stay in by putting in your amount.
- Pack: fold. You give up your cards and anything you have already put in. You are out until the next round.
- Sideshow: a seen player can ask the seen player who just played to compare cards privately. That player may accept or refuse. If they accept, the weaker hand packs. If the hands are equal, the player who asked packs.
- Show: when only two players are left, either can ask for a show by putting in their amount. Both hands are turned face up and the better hand takes the pot. Some groups do not let a seen player ask a blind player for a show.
4. Winning the round
The round ends when everyone else has packed, or when a show is called between the last two players. The winner takes all the points in the pot.
Friendly limits help. Agree a pot limit before you start (for example, the round ends with a show once the pot reaches 50 points) and a fixed number of rounds or a finishing time. Whoever has the most points at the end is the winner for the evening. Then everyone resets to 100 next time.
A short example
Four players start with a boot of 1 each, so the pot is 4. Priya plays blind and puts in 1. Sameer looks at his cards, sees a pair of 8s, and puts in 2 (double, because he is seen). Leela looks, has nothing useful, and packs. Arjun looks, has a colour in hearts, and puts in 2. Play continues until Priya finally looks, finds high card only, and packs. Sameer and Arjun are left. Sameer asks for a show. Arjun’s colour beats Sameer’s pair, so Arjun takes the pot.
Popular variations
Home groups love to change the rules. A few you may meet:
- Muflis (lowball): the rankings are reversed, so the lowest hand wins.
- Joker: one card is turned up after the deal, and every card of that rank is wild.
- AK47: all aces, kings, 4s and 7s are wild.
- Four cards: each player gets four cards and uses the best three.
Pick one variation per round and announce it before dealing, so nobody is confused.
Keeping it fun
Teen Patti is at its best as a light, social game. Keep rounds short, keep the points small, and stop while everyone is still enjoying it. Our play responsibly page has more ideas for healthy game nights. If you want a game with more skill and planning, try Callbreak or a free game of rummy.
FAQ
What is the highest hand in Teen Patti?
A trail of three aces is the strongest hand. After trails come the pure sequence, the sequence, colour, pair and high card.
Which is higher in Teen Patti, a colour or a sequence?
A sequence is higher than a colour. A pure sequence (all one suit) is higher still, second only to a trail.
Is A-2-3 a sequence in Teen Patti?
Yes. In most games A-2-3 is the second-highest sequence after A-K-Q. Some groups rank it lowest, so agree before you play. K-A-2 is not a sequence.
What does playing blind mean?
Playing blind means staying in the round without looking at your cards. A blind player puts in half as much as a seen player, but decides without knowing their hand.
Can I play Teen Patti on Silk Rummy?
No. Silk Rummy offers a free Indian rummy game only. This page is a rules guide for friendly games at home with points, never money.