What Is Teen Patti? Rules, Setup and Dealing
Teen Patti, also known as 3 Patti or Indian Flush, is a popular South Asian three-card game related to three-card poker. The objective is to win the pot with the best valid three-card hand, or remain as the last active player after the others Pack.
Use this page as a rules reference: it explains hand categories, table actions and comparison conditions. For a turn-by-turn beginner walkthrough, follow How to Play Teen Patti.
Teen Patti Setup
- Players
- Usually 3 to 6 players
- Deck
- Standard 52-card deck without Jokers in Classic Teen Patti
- Ante (Boot)
- Every player contributes the agreed minimum opening amount to create the initial pot.
- Deal
- Each player receives three cards face down, one card at a time.
Teen Patti Hand Rankings — Highest to Lowest
Teen Patti has six standard hand rankings. A higher-ranked hand beats a hand below it, so learning this order is the first step to understanding Teen Patti rules. From the strongest Trail to the simplest High Card, this is the complete Teen Patti cards ranking from highest to lowest.
-
01
A♠ A♥ A♦
Trail / Trio
Highest handThree cards of the same rank. A-A-A is the strongest possible Teen Patti hand.
-
02
A♠ K♠ Q♠
Pure Sequence
Same suit · consecutiveThree consecutive cards of the same suit. A Pure Sequence beats a normal Sequence and a Color.
-
03
9♠ 8♥ 7♦
Sequence / Run
Mixed suits · consecutiveThree consecutive cards in different suits. It is also commonly called a Run.
-
04
A♥ 10♥ 6♥
Color / Flush
Same suit · not consecutiveThree cards of the same suit that do not form a Sequence.
-
05
K♠ K♥ 5♦
Pair
Two matching ranksTwo cards of the same rank. When two players have Pairs, compare the Pair first and then the remaining card where the table rule allows.
-
06
A♠ J♥ 8♣
High Card
No ranked combinationA hand without a Pair, Sequence or Color. The highest card is compared first.
Easy order: Trail → Pure Sequence → Sequence → Color → Pair → High Card.
Beginner note: A Pure Sequence ranks above a Color even though both can contain cards from one suit.
Teen Patti Round Flow: Boot, Chaal, Pack and Show
Teen Patti is commonly played with a standard 52-card deck by three to six players. Each player receives three face-down cards. The objective is to win the pot with the strongest hand or remain as the last active player after the others Pack.
- Players
- Usually 3–6
- Cards
- 3 per player
- Deck
- Standard 52 cards
- Jokers
- None in Classic play
- Direction
- Clockwise
- Objective
- Best hand or last active
- 1
Place the Boot
Before the cards are dealt, every player contributes the agreed opening amount called the Boot. These chips create the starting pot.
- 2
Deal Three Cards
The dealer gives each player three cards face down. Players keep their cards hidden from the rest of the table.
- 3
Choose Blind or Seen
Continue without looking at the cards as a Blind player, or view the cards and continue as a Seen player. Contribution ranges can differ.
- 4
Bet, Raise or Pack
On each clockwise turn, make the required Chaal, raise within the table limit, request an eligible Sideshow or Pack to leave the round.
- 5
Continue Until Two Remain
Betting continues until most players Pack or only two active players remain. A player can win without showing cards if every opponent Packs.
- 6
Request a Show
When the table conditions allow a Show, the remaining hands are revealed and compared using the Teen Patti hand rankings. The stronger valid hand wins the pot.
Blind vs Seen in Teen Patti: Show and Sideshow Rules
In Teen Patti, players can participate Blind or Seen. This choice affects the information available, the contribution range commonly shown by the table, and whether actions such as a Sideshow may be requested.
What Is Blind Play?
A Blind player continues without looking at the three cards. Common Teen Patti blind rules may keep the required contribution lower, but the player does not know whether the hand is a Trail, Sequence, Pair or High Card.
What Is Seen Play?
A Seen player has viewed the cards before acting. This makes it easier to evaluate whether to continue or Pack, although Teen Patti seen rules commonly require a higher contribution range.
| Comparison | Blind Player | Seen Player |
|---|---|---|
| Card status | Has not viewed the cards | Has viewed the cards |
| Contribution | Usually a lower range | Usually a higher range |
| Information | Does not know hand strength | Knows the three-card hand |
| Sideshow | Usually cannot request one | May request one when eligible |
| Main risk | May continue with a weak hand | May commit more to a promising hand |
Teen Patti Show Rules: What Is a Show?
A Show is the final hand comparison under the table's stated conditions. The eligible players reveal their cards, the standard Teen Patti hand ranking is applied and the stronger valid hand wins the pot.
- Two players remain
- Show is requested
- Hands are revealed
- Rankings are compared
Teen Patti Sideshow Rules: What Is a Sideshow?
A Sideshow, sometimes called a compromise, is a private comparison that may be available between eligible Seen players.
- A Seen player requests a Sideshow.
- The eligible previous player accepts or rejects it.
- If accepted, the two hands are compared privately.
- The weaker hand Packs; normal betting continues.
| Rule | Show | Sideshow |
|---|---|---|
| Timing | Usually at the end | During normal betting |
| Players | Final eligible players | Two eligible Seen players |
| Comparison | Final and normally revealed | Private |
| Result | Determines the round winner | Weaker player Packs |
| Round ends? | Yes | Not unless one player remains |
Teen Patti Rules FAQ
What is the highest hand in Teen Patti?+
Trail or Trio is normally the highest standard category. A-A-A is the strongest Trail.
Does a Sequence beat a Color?+
Yes. Under standard Teen Patti hand rankings, Sequence is above Color, while Pure Sequence is above both.
What is the difference between Blind and Seen?+
Blind means the player has not viewed the three cards. Seen means the cards have been viewed. The table may apply different contribution ranges and action eligibility.
Can Teen Patti be played without real money?+
Yes. Points, tokens or play chips can be used to learn the rules without risking money.