📖 How to Play Teen Patti — Complete Rules Guide
What is Teen Patti?
Teen Patti (meaning "three cards" in Hindi/Urdu) is a traditional South Asian card game similar to 3-Card Poker. Played with a standard 52-card deck (no jokers), it's hugely popular in Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh — especially during Eid, weddings, and family gatherings.
The game supports 3 to 6 players per round. Each player is dealt 3 cards face down, and the objective is to have the best hand or to bluff opponents into folding.
Step-by-Step: How to Play
Place the Boot (Ante)
Before cards are dealt, every player places a minimum agreed-upon stake called the Boot (also called Ante) into the pot. This is mandatory for all players.
Deal the Cards
The dealer distributes 3 cards face down to each player, one card at a time, clockwise. No one sees their cards initially.
Blind or Seen?
Blind: Play without looking at your cards. You bet less but can't request a sideshow.
Seen: Look at your cards first. You must bet double what a blind player bets.
Betting Rounds (Chaal)
Players take turns betting clockwise. Each player can: Chaal (bet and continue), Pack/Fold (forfeit), or request a Sideshow (compare with previous player).
Blind bet: 1x to 2x current stake. Seen bet: 2x to 4x current stake.
Sideshow (Backshow)
A Seen player can request a Sideshow with the previous Seen player. Both privately compare cards — the weaker hand must fold. The previous player can also refuse the sideshow.
Showdown
When only 2 players remain, either can pay for a Show. Both reveal cards and the best hand wins the entire pot. If hands are equal, the player who paid for the show loses.
Key Terminology
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Boot / Ante | Minimum stake placed before dealing |
| Blind | Playing without seeing your cards |
| Seen | Playing after looking at your cards |
| Chaal | Placing a bet to continue playing |
| Pack / Fold | Surrendering your hand and losing your bets |
| Show | Final card comparison between last 2 players |
| Sideshow | Private comparison between two seen players |
| Pot | Total amount of money/chips bet by all players |
Tips for Beginners
🎯 Start with low stakes to learn the game flow without heavy losses.
🎯 Play blind sometimes — it costs less and keeps opponents guessing.
🎯 Watch betting patterns — aggressive betting often indicates a strong hand.
🎯 Don't chase losses — set a budget and stick to it.
🎯 Learn the hand rankings — know which hands beat which.