Often synonymous with thrill and excitement, high-stakes games are where risk meets reward. They typically rely on skill and not just luck because there’s much to win or lose. Yes, the potential gains can be substantial, but they require you to aggressively bet insane amounts of money.
The aim is to win massively big. Needless to say, high-stakes cash games warrant greater risk tolerance and substantial financial means to weather potential losses. If you’re the conservative, risk-averse player with a limited bankroll, these games aren’t your cup of tea.
Nonetheless, it is the heightened tension and potential gains in games with high stakes that make them so fascinating. We’ve seen a great many examples of such games that are popular worldwide: poker, blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and craps.
But what about high-stakes gambling in India? Which are the ones that appeal to big spenders seeking both fortune and a test of their skills and luck? Let’s take a look at the top local favorites in the country:
- Teen Patti
- Andar Bahar
- Rummy
- Matka
- Poker
Teen Patti
Often referred to as the Indian version of poker or three-card poker, Teen Patti is a beloved Indian card game that requires skill, strategy, and a bit of luck. In the literal sense, it translates to ‘three cards’ in Hindi.
The rules are simple: you bet on the value of a three-card hand dealt to you face-down. Bets may be placed before (blind player) and after (seen player) seeing cards. The aim is to win the pot with the highest-ranking hand or by bluffing to convince others that you have it.
This exciting and fast-paced game is akin to poker and is played with a standard deck of 52 cards. Variations like Muflis, Kiss-Miss-Bliss, and AK47 add layers of complexity and excitement.
Overall, Teen Patti is among the top contenders for high-stakes games in India. If you want to play it for real money, try it out at a new casino with bonuses.
Andar Bahar
Andar Bahar is traditionally played in India with a single deck of cards. It is simple, fast-paced, and purely chance-based. Its literal Hindi translation means ‘inside outside.’ The rules are pretty easy, too.
Firstly, a card is shown face-up in the middle. This is the Andar card. The dealer then deals cards alternately to two sides (Andar and Bahar) of the table. You can bet on Andar (inside) or Bahar (outside) piles of cards.
The goal is to accurately predict which side will match the Andar card's rank first. You win if the matching card appears in your chosen pile. It's a simple game of chance with exciting high-stakes potential.
Rummy
Another classic card game enjoyed across India, Rummy demands sharp observation and tactical thinking. Firstly, you must aim to discard all your cards by forming sets (3 or 4 of the same rank) and runs or sequences (3+ consecutive cards of the same suit OR with a joker).
Upon each turn, you must then draw a card from the deck or discard pile and discard one of your own. The game ends when you ‘go out’ by forming all your cards into valid sets and runs.
By doing this, you declare your hand first (Rummy) and win the pot. Remember, at least one ‘pure run’ with no jokers is required to win.
Matka
Originating as a form of lottery in Mumbai, Matka has evolved into a high-stakes numbers game online. Matka translates to ‘pot’ in Hindi, and was originally a form of gambling based on guessing the opening and closing digits of random numbers drawn from matka pots.
Traditionally, matka slips with numbers were collected and placed in the pot, but modern versions use random number generation. The rules are not too simple, but still easy to understand.
You are required to bet on numbers chosen from 0 to 9. The winning number is determined by drawing three numbers from a deck of playing cards at random – once for the opening and then the closing round.
These numbers are then added together, and the last digit of the sum becomes the winning number. For instance, if the drawn numbers are 5, 3, and 9, the sum would be 17, and the winning number would be 7.
Payouts vary depending on your guess and the difficulty (e.g., single-digit vs. two-digit match). Note that Matka is illegal nationwide when played offline, but you can legally play it for real money at foreign online casinos accepting Indian players.
Poker
While not native to India, poker has gained immense popularity in recent years, especially with the advent of online platforms. Poker tournaments and cash games attract the country’s high-stake punters who intend to showcase their skills in this game of strategy, psychology, and calculated risk-taking.
In this game, you bet on the strength of the card hand dealt to you – just like in Teen Patti. Typically you receive a set of five cards and aim to beat your opponents by building the best hand with them.
The game typically involves multiple rounds of betting, where you can either check (call no bets), raise (increase the bet), fold (give up), or call (match the current bet). The highest remaining hand at the end wins the pot that consists of all the bets made during the game.
The most common variants of Poker include Texas Hold'em, where you combine your own cards with shared community cards, and five-card draw, where you can exchange cards from the deck.
Overall, these high-stakes games not only entertain but also serve as a reflection of India's vibrant gaming culture, where tradition intertwines with modernity, and the pursuit of fortune continues to captivate players nationwide.
