Indian Poker

Objective of Indian Poker:  Have either the highest or the lowest card to win the pot

Number of Players: 3-7 players

Number of Cards: standard 52-card deck

Rank of Cards: A, K, Q, J, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2

Type of Game: Poker

Audience: Adults

Indian Poker, also known as Blind Man's Bluff, is a unique variation of traditional poker. Unlike conventional poker games, where players hold their cards secretly, in Indian poker, participants hold their cards facing outwards, allowing everyone to see the other player's hands. The players must deduce the strength of their hand rankings and betting patterns. With its simple yet engaging gameplay, Indian Poker offers an exciting and unpredictable experience for players of all skill levels.

What is Indian Poker?

Indian Poker, also known by several other names like Blind Man's Bluff, Squaw Poker, Oklahoma Forehead, and Indian Head, is a distinct card game played with a standard 52-card deck. Despite the name, it is not connected to India. Two to eight players can participate, and strategic thinking is key as betting progresses. Since everyone except you can see your card, your strategy relies heavily on your opponents' cards.

Like other card games, Indian Poker uses a standard deck of 52 cards. The cards rank from Ace to 2, with no Jokers involved. The dealer is chosen through a mutual decision, as the position has no inherent advantages or disadvantages.

Once a dealer is selected, they thoroughly shuffle the deck and deal one card to each player. Players begin by placing an initial bet or ante. Players then place their card on their forehead, visible to others but not to themselves, adding to the excitement. Each player places their bets or chips into the center of the table, initiating the game. Learn how to play Indian poker online from the rules given below:

Indian Poker Rules

Players must always put in some money, even if they plan to quit immediately. Anyone who wants to join the game has to pay their share every round.

In Indian poker, you use a regular set of 52 cards.

The game begins when the dealer gives each player one card.

Each player places their card on their forehead so that everyone except that player can see the card.

First, a small bet and then a big bet is placed.

Then, players bet on who has the highest card.

They try to guess if their card is the highest based on what they see from other players' cards and bets.

The player with the best hand wins all the bets in the pot.

If everyone except one player quits before showing their cards, that player wins the pot.

Hand Ranking in Indian Poker

The hand rankings in the Indian poker game are in the position of high to low. They are as follows:

Royal Flush: A straight flush with the highest cards, 10 through Ace, of the same suit. For example, 10, Jack, Queen, King, Ace of Hearts.

Straight Flush: Five cards in a row of the same suit, such as 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8 of Diamonds.

Four-of-a-Kind: Four cards with the same number or face value. For example, Four 4s, like 4 of Hearts, 4 of Diamonds, 4 of Clubs, and 4 of Spades.

Full House: A combination of three-of-a-kind and a pair in the same hand. For example, Three 6s and two 3s.

Flush: Five cards of the same suit in any order, such as 8, 3, King, 9, or 2 of Spades.

Straight: Five cards in a row in any order. For example, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 of any suit.

Three-of-a-Kind: Three cards with the same number or face value. For example, Three 3s, like 3 of Hearts, 3 of Diamonds, and 3 of Clubs.

Two Pair: Two sets of pairs in one hand. For example, Two 4s and two 6s in a hand with four cards.

Pair: Two cards of the same number or face value, like two 2s or two Kings. For example, 2 of Hearts, 2 of Diamonds.

High Card: If no player has any of the above hands, the hand with the highest card(s) wins. If multiple players have the same high card, the second-highest card is compared, and so on. If all cards are of the same rank, the pot is split between players (a tie).

How to Play Indian Poker?

In Indian Poker, each player gets one card from the dealer but can't see it. Similar to regular poker, players can choose to call (match the bet), raise (increase the bet), or fold (quit the round) during betting. According to Indian Poker rules, everyone must initially put in some money. This is called an ante. Once everyone puts their money in, the betting begins, and players can make their moves. They can call, raise, check (pass the turn without betting), or fold if they don't want to play anymore.

Objective

In Indian poker, the main goal is to win the pot by having the highest card. The game is special because players can see each other's cards but not their own. Winning often depends on outsmarting opponents with strategic thinking.

The Deal

In Indian poker game, each player is dealt one card, which they show to everyone in one round of dealing.

Betting Actions

Call

In poker, a call happens when you match the bet made by the player before you. A call means you're still in the game and match the bet amount. You can either check and call or just call, which means the same thing. Another word for call in poker is "float."

After someone calls a bet, others can also call it. If nobody calls, the bettor wins. In the final round, if someone calls a bet or raise, others fold, and the best hand wins. If nobody calls, the player who didn't bet wins the hand. In the final round, called the river, if someone bets and another player calls, there's a showdown, and the best hand wins.

‍Check

In poker, "check" is a betting action a player can take when it's their turn to act and no one else has placed a bet. When players check, they choose not to bet any money at that time, effectively passing their turn to the next player without putting any chips into the pot. Checking is a neutral action that indicates a player's decision to stay in the hand without adding to the current bet. If all players check in a round of betting, the next card is dealt without any additional money being added to the pot. Checking can be advantageous for a player if they have a weak hand and want to see the next card without risking any more chips or if they're trying to disguise the strength of their hand by not betting when they have a strong hand.

Raise

A player can decide to raise the bet, which means they put in more money. Other players must put in the same amount to keep playing, making the bet bigger. If a player raises again after someone else has raised, it's called a 're-raise.' When a player raises after first choosing not to bet, it's called a 'check-raise.'

‍Fold

Deciding to fold requires considering probabilities and guessing. They can fold if a player feels like they probably won't win or can't match the bet. They give up the money or chips they put in and stop playing.

Each player decides to fold by themselves. So, even if one player folds, the game keeps going. When there are only two players left, and they both fold, no other steps remain.

When only two players are left, and they both fold, they have to show their cards. The player with the highest card wins the pot, all the money or chips. The card with the highest number wins.

Showdown

After the betting rounds are over, there is a showdown. The player with the highest card wins. If there is a tie, the pot is split, and suits are not ranked. In some versions, players may play low cards, take the pot, or split the pot between the highest-ranking and lowest-ranking card holders.

How to Determine the Winner in Indian Poker?

As mentioned above, players show their cards during the showdown. In other poker variations, the best five-card combination determines the winner. Whereas in Indian Poker, the highest card wins. These are the order in which the ranking and winners are decided:

Ranking of Cards: In Indian Poker, the Ace is considered the highest card, followed by King, Queen, Jack, and so on, down to 2 being the lowest.

Ties: In the event of a tie (e.g., two players both have a King), the tiebreaker is typically determined by suit. The suits are ranked in the following order, from highest to lowest: Spades, Hearts, Diamonds, Clubs.

No Pair: If no player has a pair or better, the highest single card wins.

Indian Poker Possible Variations

The main goal of Indian Poker stays the same, but players can tweak the rules to fit their needs. For example, while most card games use a standard 52-card deck without jokers, in Indian Poker, players can include them. If jokers are used, they often become the most important cards. Players can also decide which suit is the most powerful and adjust the number of bets and rules they like. However, there might be slight variations in Indian Online poker according to their specific platform.

Tips to Win Indian Poker

Observation: Pay close attention to the cards other players are showing. Use this information to assess the strength of your hand relative to theirs. Look for any tells or patterns in their betting behavior that might give away the strength of their hand.

Starting Hand Selection: Since you can't see your own card, it's essential to understand the relative strength of different starting hands. Generally, higher cards (such as Aces, Kings, and Queens) are stronger, but be cautious with low cards (2s and 3s) as they can easily be beaten.

Bet Wisely: Make strategic bets based on the strength of your hand and the perceived strength of your opponents' hands. Be mindful of the betting patterns of other players and adjust your strategy accordingly.

Bluffing: While bluffing in Indian Poker can be challenging since your opponents can see your card, it can still be effective in certain situations, especially if you can convince others that you have a stronger hand than you do.

Reading Opponents: Gauge your opponents' confidence level based on their actions and reactions. Look for signs of hesitation or nervousness, indicating a weaker hand.

Position: When making decisions, consider your position relative to other players. Being in a later position allows you to gather more information before deciding, which can be advantageous.

Manage Your Bankroll: Set limits on how much you're willing to bet and stick to them. Avoid chasing losses or overcommitting to pots with marginal hands.

Stay Calm and Patient: Indian Poker, like any form of poker, requires patience and discipline. Avoid making impulsive decisions based on emotions, and stay focused on making sound strategic choices.

Practice: Like any skill-based game, practice is essential for improving your Indian Poker skills. Consider playing with friends or in low-stakes games to gain experience and refine your strategy. MPL is one of the best Indian poker sites to try the game. Go to the MPL Indian Poker apk download and experience it for yourself.

Learn from Experience: Reflect on your gameplay after each session to identify areas for improvement. Analyse hands where you won or lost to understand what worked well and what didn't. Once you master the required poker skills, there are a lot of chances to try and win in Indian poker real money games.