If there’s one thing that has transcended generations and stood the test of time, it’s Indian card games. What might seem like a relatively unassuming pastime is, in fact, deeply rooted in the country’s culture, captivating players across all age groups and regions. From Rummy to Teen Patti, these games have provided endless entertainment and often serve as the perfect excuse for friends and families to connect, bringing them together for hours of fun.
The rise of digital platforms has breathed new life into these old-school games, making them more accessible than ever before. This shift has sparked interest among players, ensuring that these games are not just nostalgic pastimes but also a popular form of modern entertainment, often offering opportunities for lucrative payouts.
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Discover our picks for the seven most popular Indian card games you can play at online casinos.
#1. Andar Bahar
Andar Bahar has quickly become the top online card game in India, accounting for nearly 3% (2.97%) of casino operator revenue during the first ten months of 2022. Its popularity is easy to understand—this game is super straightforward, yet it delivers an intense, fast-paced thrill that keeps players on the edge of their seats!
The game kicks off with each player placing a bet on where they think the match will land, making it all about instinct and luck—no skills required! The dealer starts by placing a single card at the center, then alternates cards to the left and right of the middle card one by one.
When a card finally matches the center card, the winner is determined by which side the match appears on. This gives players a 50/50 shot at winning based on where they placed their bets. It’s this simplicity, combined with a high-energy vibe, that makes Andar Bahar a go-to choice for both newbies and seasoned players alike.
#2. Rummy
Next up on our list is Rummy, a classic card game whose popularity has inspired many variations, including Deals Rummy, Pool Rummy, and Points Rummy. Yes, there’s a version of Rummy for everyone! The rules are simple to grasp, but don’t be fooled—securing a victory isn’t easy.
The game is played with a standard deck of 52 cards, and the goal is to form sets and sequences by drawing from the stockpile and discarding onto the open pile. The first player to complete their hand wins. Although the rules are fairly straightforward, winning requires a good amount of strategy and brainpower to come out on top.
#3. Satte Pe Satta
While the previous two games are undeniably crowd-pleasers, they don’t have a Bollywood movie named after them. That honor belongs solely to Satte Pe Satta. Using a standard deck of cards, the goal of the game is simple: be the first to ditch all your cards! Once everyone has their cards, the player with the 7 of Hearts gets things rolling. The next player has to follow up with either a 6 or an 8 of Hearts, and the only way to switch suits is by playing a 7 from a different suit.
If you don’t have a playable card, no problem—you can pass or “knock” to skip your turn. But if you do have a playable card, you’ve got to play it! The game continues until one player successfully discards every last card in their hand, claiming victory as the winner.
#4. Teen Patti
Teen Patti is a super fun card game with a bit of a poker vibe, but with its own twist—and it’s all about playing with a 3-card hand. Great for groups of 3 to 6 players, Teen Patti starts off with everyone tossing a minimum bet into the pot to get the game going. The main goal? Be the last one standing with the highest-ranking hand!
Unlike poker, Teen Patti has a few extra moves to keep things interesting and give players a chance to bluff or outwit each other. One of these is the “sideshow,” where you can ask to peek at another player’s cards (but only if they agree!). Then there’s the “showdown”—once the pot is full, everyone has to flip their cards and reveal their hand. With its simple rules and exciting twists, Teen Patti is a crowd favorite for good reason!
#5. Teen Do Paanch
If you’re looking for a game that’s perfect for three players, then Teen Do Paanch is for you. While its name might sound intimidating, it actually translates to “Three, Two, Five,” giving you a hint of how the game works.
In Teen Do Paanch, players need to win a specific number of tricks: three for one player, two for another, and five for the last. The game is played with a deck of 30 cards, using suits like spades, hearts, clubs, and diamonds, all ranging from 8 to Ace.
It’s a trick-based game, so each player plays one card per turn, and the highest card of the led suit wins the trick. The player aiming to win five tricks becomes the “main player,” while the other two are working to win their required tricks. It’s a mix of teamwork and rivalry, where strategy is key—win the right tricks, but don’t overdo it! If you miss your target, penalties could follow. Teen Do Paanch is loved for its simple rules and clever tactics, making it perfect for both beginners and seasoned players!
#6. Dehla Pakad
Dehla Pakad is not for the faint of heart, but if you’re up for the challenge, it brings together a mix of teamwork, memory, and strategy. Also known as “Collect the Tens,” it’s an exciting and strategic Indian card game typically played by four players in two teams. The goal? Capture as many tens as you can, since they’re the highest-value cards in the game. The game is trick-based, meaning players take turns playing cards, and whoever wins the round collects the cards from that trick.
Players sit across from their teammate, and the game begins with one player leading with a card. The others follow by playing a card from the same suit if they have one. If not, they can play any card from another suit. The highest card of the leading suit wins the trick, and that player collects the cards. Winning tricks with tens is the key to success—getting all four tens (one from each suit) pretty much guarantees a win for your team.
<H2> #7. Mendikot </H2>
When it comes to the western states of India, Mendikot is one of the most popular and in-demand card games. The game is played with four players, split into two teams, using a standard 52-card deck. The card ranks, from low to high, are 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, Jack, Queen, King, and Ace.
The main goal is to collect as many 10-value cards as possible. To begin, the dealer deals five cards to each player then places the remaining deck face down, dealing four cards at a time. The player to the dealer’s right draws a card from the shuffled deck to determine the trump suit. This player leads the first trick by playing a card, and the other players must play a higher card to win the trick. If a player doesn’t have a card in the required suit, they can play any card, including a trump card. The player who plays the highest trump wins the trick and collects the cards.