Teen Patti, also known as Indian Poker or 3 Patti, is a popular card game that thrives on luck, strategy, and knowledge of card rankings. Whether you play casually with friends or competitively online, understanding the hand rankings and probabilities is essential to maximize your chances of winning. This guide will provide you with a comprehensive explanation of the Teen Patti hand hierarchy, illustrated with examples, and help you grasp the likelihood of getting each hand.
Overview of Teen Patti
Teen Patti is played with a standard 52-card deck with no jokers, typically involving 3 to 6 players. Each player receives 3 cards face down, and the objective is to assemble the best possible 3-card hand according to the game’s ranking system. After placing bets through multiple rounds, players reveal their cards in a showdown, where the highest-ranked hand wins the pot.
Card Rankings in Teen Patti
Before diving into hand rankings, it’s important to note the order of card values from high to low:
Ace (A) > King (K) > Queen (Q) > Jack (J) > 10 > 9 > 8 > 7 > 6 > 5 > 4 > 3 > 2
Ace can function as both high and low, depending on the hand (e.g., in sequences).
Teen Patti Hand Rankings
From highest to lowest, Teen Patti hand rankings follow a clear hierarchy that determines the winner during showdown:
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Trail (Three of a Kind / Trio / Set)
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Pure Sequence (Straight Flush)
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Sequence (Straight)
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Colour (Flush)
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Pair
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High Card
Let’s examine each hand with explanations and examples.
1. Trail (Three of a Kind / Trio / Set)
The highest-ranking hand in Teen Patti is the Trail, which consists of three cards of the same rank.
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Example: A♠ A♦ A♣ (Three Aces – highest possible trail)
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Lowest trail: 2♠ 2♦ 2♣ (Three Twos)
Probability: The chance of getting a Trail is very low — roughly 0.24% — because all three cards must be identical in rank.
2. Pure Sequence (Straight Flush)
A Pure Sequence is three consecutive cards of the same suit. It outranks all sequences and colours but falls below Trail.
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Highest Pure Sequence: A♥ K♥ Q♥
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Lowest Pure Sequence: A♣ 2♣ 3♣ (Note: wrap-around K-A-2 is not considered a sequence)
Example: 9♦ 10♦ J♦ (Nine, Ten, Jack of Diamonds)
Probability: Slightly higher than Trail but still rare, around 0.23%.
3. Sequence (Straight)
A Sequence is three consecutive cards not of the same suit. It ranks below Pure Sequence but above colour.
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Highest Sequence: A K Q (e.g., A♠ K♦ Q♣)
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Lowest Sequence: A 2 3 (e.g., A♥ 2♣ 3♦)
Example: 4♠ 5♦ 6♥
Probability: Approximately 3.25%. More common than Pure Sequence but still uncommon.
4. Colour (Flush)
Also called a Flush, this hand contains three cards of the same suit but not in sequence.
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Example: A♠ 7♠ 3♠
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Players compare the highest card to determine the winner if both have colours.
Probability: Around 4.96%. More frequent than sequences.
5. Pair
A Pair is two cards of the same rank plus one unrelated card.
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Highest Pair: A♣ A♦ 10♠
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If two players share the same pair rank, the higher unmatched card (kicker) decides the winner.
Probability: Roughly 16.94%. A relatively common hand.
6. High Card
If none of the above hands are made, the High Card hand applies. The player with the highest-ranking single card wins.
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Example: A♦ 9♣ 5♠
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If tied, subsequent high cards compare.
Probability: This is the most frequent outcome—approximately 74%.
Visual Summary of Teen Patti Hand Rankings
| Rank | Hand Type | Example | Approximate Probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 (Highest) | Trail (Three of a Kind) | A♠ A♦ A♣ | 0.24% |
| 2 | Pure Sequence (Straight Flush) | K♥ Q♥ J♥ | 0.23% |
| 3 | Sequence (Straight) | 9♠ 10♦ J♣ | 3.25% |
| 4 | Colour (Flush) | A♠ 7♠ 3♠ | 4.96% |
| 5 | Pair | A♣ A♦ 10♠ | 16.94% |
| 6 (Lowest) | High Card | A♦ 9♣ 5♠ | 74% |
Detailed Examples and Comparisons
Why Trail Beats All
A Trail beats everything else because three cards of the same rank are rare and powerful. For example, three Aces outrank three Kings or any Straight Flush.
Pure Sequence vs. Sequence
A Pure Sequence contains consecutive cards of the same suit and beats a Sequence, which has consecutive cards but mixed suits. For instance:
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Pure Sequence: 5♦ 6♦ 7♦
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Sequence: 5♣ 6♦ 7♥
The Pure Sequence hand wins.
Colour vs. Pair
A Flush (Colour) beats a Pair. Even if a player holds a Pair of Aces, a Colour with lower cards still wins. For example:
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Colour: K♠ 10♠ 5♠
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Pair: A♦ A♠ 7♥
Here, the Colour wins.
Probabilities and Their Impact on Strategy
Understanding hand probabilities helps players make informed decisions:
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Trail (0.24%): Extremely rare but unbeatable; if you have a trail, bet aggressively.
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Pure Sequence (0.23%): Also rare but very strong; can bluff opponents out.
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Sequence (3.25%) & Colour (4.96%): Mid-tier rarity; good hands but be cautious of higher rankings.
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Pair (16.94%): Common; useful but often beaten by sequences or higher.
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High Card (74%): Most hands fall here; bluffing and betting skill matters most.
Tie-Breaking Rules in Teen Patti
When two players have the same hand type, certain rules break ties:
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Trail: Compare the rank; three Aces beat three Kings.
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Pure Sequence & Sequence: Highest card in the sequence decides winner (e.g., A K Q beats K Q J).
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Colour: Compare highest card, then second, then third if needed.
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Pair: Higher pair wins; if same, compare the third card.
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High Card: Compare highest card, then next highest if tie persists.
Conclusion
Mastering Teen Patti plus hand rankings is fundamental for any player looking to improve their game. Recognizing the strength of your cards, estimating their probability, and understanding how hand types compare can aid in strategic betting and raising decisions.
With this knowledge:
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You know when to bet confidently (e.g., with a Trail or Pure Sequence).
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You can decide when to fold weaker hands like high card or low pairs.
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You can read opponents’ likely hands based on how they bet.
Practice these rankings visually and through play to internalize their power hierarchy and probabilities. The better your grasp, the greater your skill and enjoyment of Teen Patti.
