Teen Patti (3 Patti) Rules Explained Step by Step
From dealing the cards to calling a show — everything you need to play your first hand with confidence, plus the full hand-ranking order.
How to Play a Round of Teen Patti
Set the boot & deal
Every player puts a fixed “boot” amount of chips into the pot. The dealer then deals 3 cards, face-down, to each player (3–6 players is standard).
Choose blind or seen
- Blind: keep your cards face-down and bet the minimum (boot) amount without looking.
- Seen (chaal): look at your cards, but your bet must be at least double the current blind bet.
Betting goes clockwise
Each player, in turn, matches the current bet, raises it, or folds (“packs”). Blind players always bet less than seen players — this gap is where the bluffing strategy lives.
Call for a “Show”
Once only two players remain, either can pay extra to request a show and compare cards. Blind vs. blind or seen vs. seen compare directly; if it’s blind vs. seen, only the blind player can force the show.
Best hand wins the pot
Whoever holds the higher-ranked hand (see the table below) takes everything in the pot. If every other player folds before a show, the last remaining player wins without revealing their cards.
Hand Rankings, Highest to Lowest
| Rank | Hand | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Trail / Trio | Three cards of the same rank | 3♠ 3♥ 3♦ |
| 2 | Pure Sequence | Three consecutive cards, same suit | 4♠ 5♠ 6♠ |
| 3 | Sequence (Run) | Three consecutive cards, mixed suits | 7♠ 8♥ 9♦ |
| 4 | Color (Flush) | Same suit, not in sequence | 2♣ 7♣ J♣ |
| 5 | Pair | Two cards of the same rank | 9♦ 9♣ 4♠ |
| 6 | High Card | None of the above — highest single card decides | K♠ 7♥ 2♦ |
Key Concepts Before You Play
Boot Amount
The fixed chip amount every player contributes before cards are dealt — it starts the pot.
Blind vs. Seen
Blind players bet less but play riskier; seen players bet more with full information.
Packing (Folding)
Any player can exit a hand at their turn by “packing,” forfeiting their bet but avoiding bigger losses.
Side Show
A seen player can privately ask the previous seen player to compare hands — the weaker hand is eliminated, but play continues.
FAQ
What beats what in Teen Patti?
What’s the difference between blind and seen play?
Can a blind player beat a seen player?
What happens if two players tie?
Is Teen Patti the same as Poker?
Conclusion
Teen Patti is easy to learn but full of depth once betting and bluffing come into play. Master the boot, blind vs. seen, and the hand rankings above, and you’re ready to sit at any table — for fun, with chips only.
What’s next: once you’re comfortable with the basics, explore side shows, table variants like Muflis and AK47, and tournament play — all still free-chip and risk-free.