Top 10 Popular poker games in India

There are many different ways to play poker games in India, which is your favorite way to play?

Some popular poker games played in different regions of India, along with detailed descriptions of each game:

Teen Patti:

Teen Patti, also known as “Three Cards” or “Flash,” is one of the most popular poker games played in India. It is a simplified version of poker that requires a standard 52-card deck without the jokers. The game can be played by 3 to 6 players.Each player is dealt three cards face-down, and the objective is to have the best hand compared to the other players. The ranking of hands in Teen Patti follows traditional poker hand rankings, such as a trail (three of a kind), pure sequence, sequence, color, pair, and high card. Players can choose to bet or fold based on the strength of their hands and the confidence in winning the round. The player with the best hand at the end of the game wins the pot.Teen Patti is a game that combines skill, strategy, and bluffing, making it an exciting and competitive game enjoyed by players across India.

Rummy:

Rummy is a card-matching game that has gained immense popularity in India. It is played with a standard deck of 52 cards and can be played by 2 to 6 players. The objective of the game is to arrange and meld the cards in hand into valid sets and sequences.At the beginning of the game, each player is dealt a certain number of cards, depending on the variation being played. Players take turns to draw a card from the stockpile or discard pile and then discard one card to maintain the hand size. The goal is to form sets (three or four cards of the same rank) and sequences (three or more consecutive cards of the same suit).The game continues until one player declares “Rummy” by forming valid sets and sequences. The other players then have to count the points in their hands, with the face cards carrying 10 points each and the numbered cards carrying their face value. The player with the lowest points wins the game.Rummy requires strategic thinking, observation, and decision-making skills, making it a popular choice for social gatherings and online platforms.

Indian Poker (Patti):

Indian Poker, also known as Patti or sometimes Andar Bahar, is a simple and fast-paced poker game that is commonly played in India. It is played with a standard deck of 52 cards without jokers and can accommodate any number of players.In Indian Poker, the dealer places a single card face-up in the center of the table. Each player, in turn, places a bet on whether the next card drawn from the deck will be of the same rank as the center card (Andar) or of a different rank (Bahar). The dealer then draws cards alternately from the deck, placing them in the corresponding Andar or Bahar piles.The game continues until a card is drawn that matches the rank of the center card. The players who bet on the corresponding pile (Andar or Bahar) win the round and receive the bets placed on the opposite pile. The game is played in multiple rounds, and the player with the most chips or highest earnings at the end of the game wins.Indian Poker is a game of chance and quick decision-making, making it popular among casual players and at festive occasions.

Mangatha:

Mangatha, also known as Cut Patta or Chaar Patti, is a popular gambling game played in the state of Maharashtra, India. It is similar to the Western game of Blackjack and is usually played by 2 to 8 players using a standard deck of 52 cards.The objective of Mangatha is to have a hand value that is closer to 21 than the dealer’s hand, without exceeding 21. Each card carries its face value, with face cards counting as 10 points and the Ace as either 1 or 11 points, depending on the player’s choice.The game begins with each player receiving two cards face-down. Players can then choose to hit (take another card) or stand (stop receiving cards) based on their current hand value and their prediction of the dealer’s hand. The dealer, who represents the house, follows specific rules for drawing additional cards.After all the players have made their decisions, the dealer reveals their hand, and the players compare their hand values to the dealer’s hand. The player with a hand value closer to 21, without exceeding it, wins the round.Mangatha requires a combination of luck, skill in card counting, and strategic decision-making, making it an exciting and engaging game for players in Maharashtra.

Satte Pe Satta:

Satte Pe Satta, also known as 7 on 7, is a popular poker game played mainly in Northern India. It is a variation of the standard poker game played with a deck of 52 cards. The game is typically played by a group of friends or family members.In Satte Pe Satta, each player is dealt seven cards face-down. The goal is to form the best combination of cards, such as pairs, three of a kind, or straight flush, by exchanging cards with other players. The game involves a series of rounds, and players have the option to stay in the game or fold, depending on their confidence in their hand.The player with the best combination of cards at the end of the game wins the pot. Satte Pe Satta is a social and interactive game that brings people together for a fun-filled poker experience.

Indian Flush:

Indian Flush, also known as Indian Poker, is a thrilling poker game played primarily in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. It is played with a standard deck of 52 cards, and the objective is to have the highest-ranking hand compared to the other players.In Indian Flush, each player is dealt three cards face-down, and a community card is placed in the center of the table. The game involves a series of betting rounds where players have the option to check, bet, call, raise, or fold. The goal is to make the best possible hand using the player’s own cards and the community card.The hand rankings in Indian Flush follow traditional poker hand rankings, such as royal flush, straight flush, four of a kind, full house, flush, straight, three of a kind, two pairs, one pair, and high card. The player with the highest-ranking hand at the end of the game wins the pot.Indian Flush requires a combination of skill, strategy, and bluffing to outwit opponents and secure a winning hand.

Katti:

Katti, also known as Kitty, is a popular poker game played in the state of Gujarat, India. It is a simple and fast-paced game played with a deck of 40 cards, excluding the 8s and 9s.In Katti, each player is dealt three cards face-down, and the remaining cards are placed in the center of the table as the draw pile. The objective is to have the highest-ranking hand by making combinations such as a trail (three of a kind), pure sequence, impure sequence, color, pair, or high card.The game involves a series of rounds where players have the option to draw a card from the draw pile or discard pile and then discard one card from their hand. The round ends when a player declares a valid hand. Other players then have the opportunity to challenge the declaration or fold. If the declaration is challenged and proven to be invalid, the challenger wins the round.Katti is a game of skill, observation, and strategic decision-making, making it a favorite among players in Gujarat.

Chokdi:

Chokdi is a popular poker game played in the state of Gujarat, particularly in the Gujarati community. It is a variation of Teen Patti and is typically played with 3 to 8 players using a standard deck of 52 cards without the jokers.In Chokdi, each player is dealt three cards face-down. The game involves a series of betting rounds where players have the option to check, bet, call, raise, or fold. The goal is to have the best hand compared to the other players and win the pot.Chokdi introduces unique gameplay elements, such as the concept of “Joker” cards. The Ace of Hearts and the King of Clubs are designated as the Jokers, and they can be used to complete sets or sequences. The Jokers can replace any other card to form a valid hand.Chokdi combines elements of strategy, skill, and bluffing, making it an exciting and strategic poker game enjoyed by players in Gujarat.

Mendikot:

Mendikot, also known as Mindikot or Mindi, is a popular poker game played in the state of Karnataka, particularly in the Kannada-speaking regions. It is a trick-taking game that requires a standard deck of 52 cards.Mendikot is typically played by 2 to 6 players, divided into two teams. The game consists of multiple rounds, and the objective is to score the highest number of points by winning tricks. Players bid for the number of tricks they think they can win in a round.The game follows a hierarchical order of card rankings, with the highest-ranking card being the Ace, followed by the King, Queen, Jack, and so on. The player who wins a trick leads the next trick.Mendikot involves strategic gameplay, where players need to assess their hands, predict opponents’ moves, and play their cards strategically to win tricks and score points for their team.

Kalla Patti:

Kalla Patti, also known as 10-Pathi, is a popular poker game played in the state of Andhra Pradesh. It is a variation of Teen Patti and is typically played by 3 to 8 players using a standard deck of 52 cards. In Kalla Patti, each player is dealt three cards face-down. The game involves a series of betting rounds where players have the option to check, bet, call, raise, or fold. The objective is to have the highest-ranking hand compared to the other players and win the pot.Kalla Patti introduces a unique element called “Blind” betting. Before the cards are dealt, the player to the left of the dealer must place a mandatory blind bet. The blind bet amount is usually predetermined.Kalla Patti combines elements of luck, strategy, and bluffing, providing an engaging and competitive poker experience for players in Andhra Pradesh.

These are a few more examples of popular poker games played in different regions of India. Each game has its own rules, strategies, and cultural significance, adding to the rich tapestry of poker variations enjoyed across the country.