It may surprise you to learn that cards originated from China, and well before 1000 AD. From China and through the various traders, these playing cards had spread to Egypt and India. Over the millennium, these playing cards have evolved into a series of games, each designed to test the player’s skill and abilities to play it effectively.
While it is only to be expected that each game, would vary but none have proved to be as exciting or as interesting as 3 Patti, a game that had evolved in India and is played throughout Asia today. It needs to be pointed out that each game has its own set of rules, according to which the players are required to play it. And the one thing that they have in common, is the deck of playing cards. It may interest you to learn that 3 Patti is also known as the “Indian poker” and that the digital version of the game or online poker is already available. So here’s more information on 3 Patti and how to play it effectively.
- Playing the game: As mentioned earlier, this game is similar to poker as well as Rummy, hence the term “Indian poker” is often used to refer to it. Primarily it is played with a full deck of cards, with the Joker AWOL. The players would then be dealt with three cards each, with the face down. Each player would be required to place a bet, wherein the money is gathered together in the middle.
It also needs to be pointed out that like poker, you are allowed to call or raise your bet, wherein you can state that you would continue in the game without raising the stakes and hence the "call". And if you opt to raise your stakes, then the others would be required to match it equally, to continue to remain in the game. The betting continues as do the rounds; eventually, a winner is chosen primarily based on his hand. The winner is selected based on his hand and the cards he holds, whether he holds the highest or the best card combination. Do note that the cards are ranked from the lowest to the highest, and naturally, if you should get a good hand, then the chances of you winning the game increase incrementally. And then, there’s always the chance of netting a poker bonus as well.
- Rules: This game is also called ‘flash’ or ‘flush’; it certainly has a lot in common with poker and hence the moniker. But moving on, the rules are quite simple, irrespective of whether there are three players or six - the cards need to be dealt face down. And all the players are required to bet equal amounts, based on which the round progresses. And if one of the players has decided to up the stakes, the other players are required to match his stake. For example, if he had bet two coins in the first round, and upped his stake to four - all the players would be required to match the same with equal contributions. The setup is similar to some of the real money poker games that you may have watched online, with similar rules.
- The cards: When it comes to this game, most players often get confused over the fact that the cards are ranked from the highest to the lowest - the highest being the ace with the lowest, a measly two.
Should you hold a set or three aces, then you have the ‘set’ or the winning hand. Similarly, if you hold sequential cards of the same suit, then that’s called a “flush”, which is also considered to be a good hand. Keep in mind that a combination of aces often tops a straight flush. And then you can always hope to get sequential hands, though not necessarily of the same suit. And then, if you end up with sequential cards but not of the same suit, that’s a plus as well. And then there’s the “high hand”, which is basically where you hold three cards, not all of the same suit. And the other player holds a similar combination to yours, wherein the high card would be used to decide the winner.
Granted that these combinations are bound to make you go, “huh”? But as you play the game, twice or thrice, you should be able to get the hang of it. Good luck!
