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Teen Patti rules and hand rankings
How to play, every hand ranked from strongest to weakest, and the exact chance of being dealt each one.
The goal
Teen Patti ("three cards") is played by 3 to 6 players with a standard 52-card deck, no jokers. Each player is dealt three cards face down. The aim is to hold the highest-ranking three-card hand at showdown, or to make everyone else fold before then.
Hand rankings, strongest to weakest
There are 22,100 possible three-card hands. Each row below shows how often that hand comes up — calculated directly from the deck, not estimated.
| # | Hand | What it is | Chance | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Trail / Set (three of a kind) | Three cards of the same rank, e.g. A-A-A. | 0.24% | 1 in 425 |
| 2 | Pure Sequence (straight flush) | Three consecutive cards, same suit, e.g. 9-10-J of hearts. | 0.22% | 1 in 460 |
| 3 | Sequence (straight / run) | Three consecutive cards, mixed suits. | 3.26% | 1 in 31 |
| 4 | Colour (flush) | Three cards of the same suit, not in sequence. | 4.96% | 1 in 20 |
| 5 | Pair | Two cards of the same rank, e.g. K-K-7. | 16.94% | 1 in 6 |
| 6 | High Card | None of the above; the highest card decides. | 74.39% | 1 in 1 |
How a round plays out
Before the deal, everyone puts a fixed stake (the boot) into the pot. Players then take turns, choosing to play seen (after looking at their cards) or blind (without looking). On your turn you either bet to stay in, or fold. When only two players remain, either can call for a show, and the higher hand takes the pot.
Common questions
Does a Trail beat a Pure Sequence?
Yes. A Trail (three of a kind) is the highest hand in Teen Patti, above a Pure Sequence — even though a Pure Sequence is slightly rarer.
Is A-2-3 a valid sequence?
Yes. A-2-3 is a valid run, and in most house rules it is the second-highest run after A-K-Q.
Which is higher between two flushes?
Compare the highest card; if tied, the next, then the last.
All probabilities computed from C(52,3) = 22,100 hands.