The 30-second rule reference
Three cards per hand. Trail > pure sequence > sequence > colour > pair > high card. Check ace order and equal-hand settlement separately.
Agree these rules before the deal
- Use one 52-card deck unless a named variation explicitly changes it.
- Agree the ace sequence order, equal-hand outcome and maximum round length.
- Decide when a sideshow is allowed and which player may request it.
- Use valueless counters for practice. Do not link them to deposits, prizes or transfers.
Blind and seen: what changes?
A blind player has not looked at their cards. A seen player has looked. Under a commonly documented traditional rule, the seen contribution is twice the blind contribution at the same current stake. Apps may impose different caps or buttons, so read their help screen rather than assuming every table matches this example.
| Current stake | Blind option | Seen option |
|---|---|---|
| 1 counter | 1–2 counters | 2–4 counters |
| 2 counters | 2–4 counters | 4–8 counters |
When a seen player contributes 4 counters under this convention, the next current stake is 2. The current stake and the number just contributed are therefore not always the same number.
A worked turn with imaginary counters
- Four learners place one valueless counter each in a practice pot.
- The first learner stays blind and adds one counter. The current stake remains one.
- The next learner looks and continues seen with two counters. The current stake remains one.
- A third learner packs. That learner takes no more turns in this deal.
- When two remain, check the agreed show rule before revealing cards.
Pack, show and sideshow
Pack means fold: leave the current hand. A show compares the final two hands when a player is eligible to request it. In the traditional rule documented by Pagat, a seen player cannot demand a show against a blind opponent; two seen players can compare after the specified show contribution. Equal hands can be decided against the requester rather than split. These are table rules, not universal app promises.
A sideshow is a private comparison with an eligible neighbouring seen player before the final show. Some games require all remaining players to be seen; others use different eligibility. The request may be refused. Avoid a rules dispute by checking the table help first.
The hierarchy comes before the highest card
Trail beats pure sequence, which beats sequence, then colour, pair and high card. A straight is above a flush in this three-card game. Do not use five-card poker order. See the ranking chart and practise comparisons before trying variations.
Show versus sideshow: a worked distinction
| Situation | Check | Learning point |
|---|---|---|
| Three players remain, two want to compare | Is a sideshow eligible under the table rule? | A final show and a private comparison are different actions. |
| Two players remain, both seen | Read the show contribution and tie rule | The requester can lose an equal-hand comparison under traditional rules. |
| One player remains after others pack | The deal can end without a card comparison | Remaining in the deal is different from holding the strongest cards. |
To rehearse the rule, place three labelled paper hands on a table. Remove one when it packs, then identify which comparison action remains available. Use valueless counters and make the current stake visible.
Check your understanding in two minutes
- Name the six categories without using five-card poker order.
- Explain why a seen contribution of four may leave a current stake of two.
- Say which table rule decides A23 versus AKQ.
- Describe what happens when a show compares equal-ranked hands.
From table rules to an Android screen
When a rule screen uses unfamiliar words, the Teen Patti glossary explains pack, chaal and sideshow in context. Once the rules are clear, the Master Android reference helps with the separate installation question.
Questions, answered
Does a colour beat a sequence?
No. Under standard Teen Patti category order, a sequence beats a colour.
Does every app use the same sideshow rule?
No. Eligibility, refusal rules and tie outcomes can differ. Check the exact table rules.
Sources & scope
Reviewed 28 October 2026. Rules and service details may vary. Source records and calculation methods are explained in Sources & methods. See our editorial policy.