Casino 3 Patti: A Guide to the Indian Card Game
By [Your Name]
Introduction
Casino 3 Patti (also known as Pattlipat or Pattience) is a traditional Indian card game that originated during the British colonial era. It is a social game played among 3 players, combining elements of strategy, probability, and luck. The name "3 Patti" refers to the three-card hands each player holds. This guide explains the rules, scoring, and variations of the game.
Game Setup
Deck: Use a standard 32-card deck (removing all face cards: Jack, Queen, King).
Remaining cards: Ace (A), 2–10, and the Jack of Hearts (often called the Big J or Joker) and Jack of Spades (often called the Little J or Counter).
Note: Some regions retain the Jacks as wild cards.
Players: 3 participants.
Shuffle & Deal:
The deck is shuffled.
Each player is dealt 10 cards (3 Patti hands of 3 cards each, totaling 9 cards, plus 1 "body" card).
The remaining 23 cards form the "bank" or "pile."
Gameplay Rules
Objective:
Collect as many cards as possible by discarding unwanted cards.
The player with the fewest cards left at the end wins.
Turn Structure:
Step 1: Draw 1 card from the bank to replace the discarded card.
Step 2: Discard 1 card from your hand.
Step 3: If you have 3 cards of the same rank (e.g., three 5s), "set" them aside. These do not count toward your final hand.
Wild Cards:
The Big J (Jack of Hearts) beats all other cards.
The Little J (Jack of Spades) acts as a neutral wild card and can only be discarded.
Ending the Game:
The game ends when the bank runs out of cards. Players continue discarding until they cannot.
Scoring
Base Rule: Points are awarded for remaining cards:
1 point per card (e.g., 5 cards left = 5 points).
Big J = 10 points.
Little J = 0 points.
Winning: The player with fewest points wins.
Example:
Player A: 2 cards left (A + 2) → 2 points.
Player B: 4 cards left (3 + 4 + 5 + 7) → 4 points.
Player C: 5 cards left (including Big J) → 5 + 10 = 15 points.
Winner: Player A.
Common Variations
Double Patti:
Play with 6 players, dealing 5 cards each.
Players set aside pairs (2 of the same rank) instead of triples.
High-Value Suits:
Assign higher values to specific suits (e.g., Hearts = 1 point, Diamonds = 2, etc.).
Blind Patti:
A silent version where players guess opponents’ cards based on discarded cards.
Strategies
Prioritize Wild Cards: Hold the Big J to discard high-value cards.
Discard Low-Value Cards: Focus on reducing your hand size.
Track Opponents’ Hands: Use discarded cards to predict their remaining cards.
FAQ
Q: Can I set aside a pair instead of a triple?
A: No—only triples (3 of the same rank) can be set aside.
Q: What if the bank runs out mid-game?
A: Players continue discarding until all hands are reduced.
Q: Is the Little J ever useful?
A: It can only be discarded; it has no strategic value.
Conclusion
Casino 3 Patti is a simple yet engaging game that rewards patience and observation. Its flexibility allows for regional adaptations, making it a lasting favorite in Indian and British gaming culture.
For more details, refer to local rules or online communities like Patti Game Forums.
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