Indian Card Games List

In India, card games have a legacy that stretches back centuries, intertwining with the country’s rich cultural heritage. These games have been an integral part of social gatherings, festivals, and family get-togethers. The joy of playing card games transcended barriers of age, gender, and social status, fostering a sense of unity among players. This list of Indian card games is sure to keep you glued to your seats till the end. So, let’s begin!

Poker

Indian Poker revolutionizes traditional poker rules, presenting a unique twist for experienced players seeking something fresh and exciting in their next poker match. Learning the rules of Indian poker could be a great option that’s worth considering.

In Indian poker, players attach a card to their head, symbolizing an Indian headdress. The catch is that while you remain unaware of the card on your head, other players can see it.

Similar to classic poker, participants in Indian poker can choose to raise, fold, or call, striving for an opportunity to enter the showdown, where the player with the highest-ranking card will claim the pot.

A significant advantage of Indian poker is its adaptability to accommodate two to eight players.

To play the game, all you need is a standard deck of cards. However, for an added touch of authenticity and excitement, poker chips can be invested in, giving the game a casino-like feel. For a truly impressive experience at home, consider obtaining a poker set that will undoubtedly impress your guests.

Rummy A.K.A. Indian Paplu

In India, this thrilling card game goes by the name “Paplu,” known internationally as rummy. If you have experience playing various rummy versions, you’ll find yourself familiar with its gameplay rules.

Paplu employs multiple decks of cards, adding excitement with surprises in the form of wild cards and special moves.

At the start of the game, each player receives a hand of thirteen cards, and jokers are included, serving as the versatile wild cards that can represent any other card.

Players take turns drawing a card from the discard pile, aiming to create a meld with their hand. Successfully forming a meld allows them to discard one of their cards to the discard pile.

If you are just one card away from forming any of the melds on your last turn, you can declare “rummy.” At this point, the points are tallied as follows:

• Wild Cards: No points
• Numbers: Card value
• Ace, King, Queen, and Jack: 10 points each

Once the scores are calculated, all points go to the player who declared “rummy.”

Teen Patti

Teen Patti is a card game that shares similarities to some extent with poker and involves playing with a 3-card hand. It’s an engaging game that accommodates 3 to 6 players where all participants must place a minimum bet into the central pot.

The objective of the Teen Patti card game as per its rules is to be the last player standing with the highest-ranking hand.

Distinct from poker, Teen Patti introduces a couple of extra moves that can be used strategically to outsmart opponents. One such move is known as a “sideshow,” allowing players to request to see the cards of a previously seen player. Another intriguing aspect is the “showdown,” where all players must reveal their cards once the pot reaches its limit.

Also See: 3 Card Poker Rules

With its unique rules and exciting twists, Teen Patti offers a thrilling experience as players compete to create the winning hand and emerge victorious in this Indian card game. Enjoy the strategic challenges and social dynamics as you try to outwit your fellow players in the quest for success!

Satte Pe Satta

Satte Pe Satta is another game in our list of Indian Card games. It’s a fantastic card game that accommodates 3 to 8 players and only requires a standard deck of 52 cards. This game is so popular in India that it even inspired a Bollywood movie named after it.

The primary goal of the game is to be the first player to get rid of all the cards in your hand. Once the cards are evenly distributed among the players, the person holding the seven of hearts takes the first turn. Subsequently, the next player can either play a 6 or an 8 of hearts. The suit can only be changed by playing a seven of a different suit.

If a player doesn’t possess the desired card, they have the option to pass or “knock,” meaning they skip their turn. However, if they have a playable card, they must take their turn.

The game continues until one player successfully discards all their cards, making them the winner.

Blackjack

Blackjack is one of the most popular card games in the world, widely enjoyed in India too. This game of chance has become famous in casinos and often appears in Hollywood films. It can be played by two to seven players using multiple decks (typically four to six).

The goal of the game is to either get a blackjack or beat the dealer’s total. The dealer’s and each player’s cards should add up to 21, which is known as blackjack. Face cards are worth 10 points, while the Ace can be worth either 1 or 11 points, as decided before the game starts. The value of other cards corresponds to their face value.

Players place their bets before any cards are dealt. The dealer then gives two face-up cards to each player, one by one. The dealer gets one card face-up and another face-down. The player to the dealer’s left starts by choosing whether to stand, hit, double down, or split pairs. Your cards must never go over 21, or you bust.

Andar Bahar

Andar Bahar is a widely known Indian card game that had made its way to our Indian card games list. It’s a game whose popularity has extended to the online realm. At the beginning of the game, each player places a bet on their prediction of how the game will unfold and what the final outcome will be, making it a game of pure guessing and luck.

The dealer initiates the game by placing one card at the centre of the playing area. Subsequently, the dealer alternates cards, placing them to the left and right of the middle card, one by one.

When one of the cards matches the card in the centre, the game’s outcome depends on which side the matching card lands. This results in a 50/50 chance of winning, contingent upon the player’s bet placement.

Andar Bahar may appear to be a straightforward game, and that perception is accurate. However, it is characterized by its fast-paced nature, tension, and competitive spirit, making it an engaging and thrilling experience.

Mendicot/Mendikot (Mindi) Card Game

Mendicot, also known as Mindi or Mindi game, is a popular card game in India. In English, it’s often called “collecting tens.” This game is similar to other trick-taking card games like Bridge and Spades, where players aim to win tricks by playing the highest card in each round.

In Mendikot, before the game begins, players select a trump suit by drawing a card from the deck. The suit of this card becomes the trump suit for that round.

In Mindi or Mendikot, players must follow suit, just like in Mendicot. However, if a player can’t follow suit, they may play any card, including a trump card. Winning a trick with a trump card allows the player to lead the next trick with any card they choose.

Bluff

Bluff, a globally played game, is also popular in India, typically involving four players, though you can opt to play with more or fewer players if you prefer. The game employs a complete deck of 52 cards, which are evenly distributed among the participants. If the number of players exceeds five, two decks of cards are required.

To begin with, a player lays down several cards facing down on the table, declaring their rank, but the intriguing part is that one does not have to tell the truth about the cards played.

The other players must then find out if the player is bluffing or not. If the player is genuine and someone challenges them, the challenger can claim the cards laid down. However, if the player’s bluff is caught, they must take their cards back, and it becomes the challenger’s turn.

The objective of the bluff card game is to get rid of all the cards before the other players, and the first person to achieve this wins the game.

3-2-5 Card Game

Teen Do Paanch or 3-2-5 is a fascinating card game that’s designed to be played by three players, each having their distinct roles: one player makes 5 hands, the second player makes 3 and the dealer forms 2.

To begin, a deck of 52 cards is reduced to 30 cards, removing the Ace to 7 of spades and hearts, as well as the Ace to 8 of clubs and diamonds.

The game commences by randomly selecting one player to be the dealer through a shuffled set of three cards: 2, 3, and 5. Whoever receives the 2 becomes the dealer and forms 2 hands. The player on the dealer’s right is tasked with creating 5 hands, and the third player is responsible for forming 3 hands, resulting in a total of 10 hands.

Following this, each player is dealt 10 cards, distributed in two rounds, ensuring everyone receives an equal share. The player in charge of 5 hands then declares the trump suit from the 5 cards received. However, if they are uncomfortable with the available options, they have the choice to reveal a random card from the next set of 5 cards, making the suit of that card the trump for the particular game.

The player with 5 hands initiates the game, aiming to secure as many hands as possible.

At the end of the game, if a player manages to create more hands than required, they have the privilege to take an equal number of cards from the other two players.

Donkey

The Donkey game follows the classic Old Maid format but with a twist. Instead of matching images, participants match words and read them aloud whenever they find a pair. All cards are shuffled & dealt face down to the players. The objective of the donkey game is to avoid being stuck with the Donkey card when the game ends.

Also known as Spoons or Pig, it is a fast-paced card game that requires quick thinking, keen observation, and swift responses. The goal is to avoid being the last player to grab a spoon when a matching set of cards is obtained.

To play Donkey, you need a minimum of 3 players. The game becomes more exciting and chaotic as the number of participants increases.

Playing Card Deck: Use a standard 52-card deck. For three players, remove one card from the deck; for four players, remove two cards, and so on.

Setup: Place spoons in the centre of the playing area, one less than the total number of players. For example, if there are six players, place five spoons in the middle.

The dealer then shuffles the deck & deals 4 cards to each and every player. The remaining deck is placed face down before the players.

Starting from the dealer’s left, each player selects one card from their hand and gives it to the player on their left. This process continues clockwise until someone collects four cards of the same rank (e.g., four Aces, four Kings, etc.).

Taking a Spoon: When a player obtains four matching cards, they discreetly take a spoon from the centre of the table. Once other players notice, they may also attempt to grab a spoon.

The Donkey: In the first round, the losing player receives the letter “D” for failing to grab a spoon. With each subsequent loss, they are given an additional letter (“O,” “N,” “K,” “E,” or “Y”). When a player spells “DONKEY,” they are eliminated from the game.

Winning the Game: After each round, remove one spoon and continue playing until only one person remains — the winner.

28 Card Game

Among the most popular Indian card games list is the Twenty-Eight card game. This enthralling game is designed for four players which uses the standard 52-card deck, but with only 32 cards in play. The card ranking deviates from the usual order, with the hierarchy being J-9-A-10-K-Q-8-7, and the cards 2 to 6 are removed from the deck.

At the beginning of the game, each player is dealt 4 cards and participates in individual bidding. The highest bidder becomes the declarer and selects the trump suit. Subsequently, each player receives an additional 4 cards. The declarer, who won the bidding, chooses the trump suit and places one card from this suit face down to indicate their selection.

Call Break Card Game

Next on our Indian card games list is the captivating Call Break card game. Engaging in the Call Break game offers a delightful way to pass the time and even earn some money by playing it online. While it may appear challenging initially, rest assured that numerous strategies exist to enhance your gameplay. This trick-taking strategy-based card game is similar to Spades and is played in a multiplayer format with four players across 13 rounds.

The primary objective of the Call Break card game is to win an equal or greater number of hands than the number declared at the game’s outset.

Since the game can extend for hours, it’s essential to allocate an ample amount of time for uninterrupted play.