Teen Patti (3 Patti) Cards Game: Rules, Rankings & How to Play

3 Patti and Teen Patti are two names for the very same game — "teen patti" is simply Hindi for "three cards." It's the classic three-card Indian card game (sometimes called flush or flash) that comes out at every Diwali table, and it's hugely popular because it's so easy to learn: get the best three-card hand, or be the last player who hasn't folded. This guide teaches you the rules, the hand rankings and how a round actually plays out — then shows you where to play, free or for real.

What you need — the basics

3 Patti strips poker down to its simplest form. There's almost nothing to set up, which is why a new player can join a table and follow along within a hand or two. Here's everything that makes up a game:

• One standard 52-card deck — no jokers. Aces are high.
• 3 to 6 players around the table (online apps often seat up to six).
• Three cards dealt face down to each player, one at a time, clockwise.
• A boot amount — a fixed minimum stake everyone posts before the deal to create the starting pot.
• The aim: make the strongest three-card hand and win the pot at showdown — or bet cleverly so everyone else folds and you win it before any cards are even shown.

Hand rankings (strongest to weakest)

Everything in 3 Patti hinges on these six hand types. Memorise this order and you already understand most of the game — the rest is just betting around it. The chart below shows each hand with example cards; the table underneath spells out exactly what beats what.

When two players hold the same type of hand, the higher cards win — so a pair of kings beats a pair of nines, and an ace-high colour beats a king-high colour. For the full breakdown of run order, including how A-2-3 ranks, see our guide to the Teen Patti sequence.

How a round is played, step by step

A single round flows the same way every time. Once you've seen it once, it clicks. Here's the order of play:

1. Post the boot. Every player puts the same boot amount in the middle. That's the starting pot before any cards are looked at.
2. Cards are dealt. Three cards go to each player, face down. Now you decide whether to look or play blind.
3. Look or play blind. A blind player bets without seeing their cards; a seen player looks first. You can stay blind for several turns and look later.
4. Betting goes clockwise. Starting from the player after the dealer, each person acts in turn — matching, raising or folding.
5. Blind vs seen stakes. A blind player stakes the current amount; a seen player must put in double the current stake. This keeps blind play cheap but risky.
6. Call or raise (chaal). To stay in, you either call (match the current stake) or raise it. This bet is called your chaal.
7. Pack (fold). If your hand looks weak, you pack — throw in your cards and drop out, losing only what you've already put in.
8. Sideshow. A seen player can ask for a sideshow to privately compare hands with the previous seen player. The weaker hand must pack; if they refuse, play continues.
9. Showdown. When only two players remain, one pays the showdown amount to "see." Both reveal their cards, and the best three-card hand wins the whole pot.

Blind vs seen — the key choice

The single biggest decision each turn is whether to stay blind or look at your cards. It changes how much you pay and how much information you have.

Beginner tips

• Play tight early. Fold weak hands quickly instead of paying to chase them — most of your profit comes from the hands you don't lose.
• Use your position. Acting later in the betting order lets you see what others do before you commit chips.
• Don't chase weak hands. A high card or low pair rarely improves — packing early is a winning move, not a defeat.
• Bluff sparingly. The odd well-timed raise wins pots, but bluffing every hand just bleeds chips to observant players.
• Set a limit before you sit. Decide your buy-in and stop point in advance, and walk away when you hit it.

Want to win more often? Our full guide to Teen Patti tips and tricks goes deeper on reading opponents, pot control and when a bluff actually pays. You can also see how the game compares to its skill-based cousin in Rummy vs Teen Patti, or explore the popular Teen Patti variations like AK47 and Muflis once you've got the basics down.

Where to play the 3 Patti cards game

There are two ways to play, depending on whether you want a relaxed practice game or real stakes.

1. Free, no money — our browser games

The easiest place to start is right here. If you just want to enjoy the cards and sharpen your skill with no download, no signup and no stakes, play our free browser card game. It's the safest way to practise the betting flow before you ever risk a rupee.

2. Real-money apps via APK

If you're an adult in a state where real-money play is legal and you want cash tables, most 3 Patti apps in India are distributed as direct APK downloads rather than on the Play Store. These are among the most popular — tap any to jump to the safe download steps below.

Teen Patti MasterGet APK ↓ Teen Patti GoldGet APK ↓ Teen Patti 3PattiGet APK ↓ Teen Patti VIPGet APK ↓

App logos are the property of their respective owners and are shown for identification only. RummyFun is not affiliated with these apps.

Installing the APK safely

Sideloading is normal for this category, but it skips Google Play's malware screening — so follow these four steps every time, whether it's a fresh install or an update.

1. Download from the official source. Use the app's genuine website so the build is current and untampered — not a "mod" promising free chips.
2. Scan the file. Run the downloaded .apk through a mobile antivirus or an online scanner before you open it.
3. Allow install for your browser only. Android asks whether to allow installation from unknown sources for the app you downloaded with. Grant it, install, then switch it back off.
4. Check the permissions. A card game does not need your SMS, contacts, call logs or accessibility access. If it asks, decline — or uninstall.

Is the 3 Patti cards game legal in India?

Unlike rummy — which Indian courts treat as a game of skill — Teen Patti is largely a game of chance, which puts real-money play on shakier legal ground. It's restricted or banned in several states, and the position keeps shifting with new laws and court rulings. Read our explainer on whether card games are legal in India and check your own state first. Remember the 30% TDS on net winnings and 28% GST on deposits.

Play responsibly

Real-money Teen Patti is entertainment, not income. Set a budget before you start, use deposit and time limits, and stop when you reach your limit. If play stops being fun or starts affecting your finances, take a break — India's free, confidential helpline Tele-MANAS (14416) can help.

Frequently Asked Questions