Taash Khelअंदर बाहर
Andar Bahar
One card in the centre, two sides, and a deal that stops the instant the rank repeats.
In short. A single card is turned face up in the middle. Cards are then dealt alternately to two piles — Andar (inside) and Bahar (outside) — until one receives a card matching the centre card's rank. That side wins.
There is nothing to decide once the deal begins. You pick a side and watch.
How a round runs
- The dealer shuffles a single 52-card deck.
- One card is drawn and placed face up in the centre. This is the joker or house card — nothing to do with a joker card from the deck, it is simply the rank everyone is now watching for.
- Players choose Andar or Bahar.
- Cards are dealt alternately, one to each side. Which side receives the first card is set by the colour of the centre card — black deals first to Andar, red deals first to Bahar.
- The moment a card of the same rank as the centre card appears, the round ends and that side wins.
How to play Andar Bahar, step by step
- Turn up the centre card from a shuffled 52-card deck.
- Pick a side — Andar or Bahar.
- Deal alternately to the two piles, starting with the side set by the centre card's colour.
- Stop on the match. The first pile to receive a card of the same rank as the centre card wins.
That is the entire game. Step two is the only decision anyone makes.
The Andar Bahar game in one paragraph
The Andar Bahar game is a single-comparison card game: one card is turned up in the centre, cards are dealt alternately to two piles, and the first pile to receive a matching rank wins. It is known as Katti in Karnataka and as Mangatha in parts of Tamil Nadu.
Where the edge sits
The side that receives the first card is slightly more likely to hit the match, simply because it gets one extra opportunity. That side is not fixed — it is decided by the colour of the centre card.
| Centre card | First card goes to | Slight edge |
|---|---|---|
| Black (♠ ♣) | Andar | Andar |
| Red (♥ ♦) | Bahar | Bahar |
Because both colours are equally likely, neither Andar nor Bahar is favoured overall — the advantage simply moves between them from round to round. In casino versions the payouts reflect this, with the first-dealt side paying slightly less than even money.
Some home games ignore the colour rule and always deal to one side first. Agree which version you are playing before the first deal, because it is the only rule here that affects the odds at all.
Regional names
The same game is played across southern and western India under different names. The rules do not change.
| Name | Where | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Andar Bahar | Hindi-speaking states | Inside / outside |
| Katti | Karnataka | Cut |
| Mangatha | Tamil Nadu | Regional term for the game |
| Ullae Veliyae | Tamil Nadu | Inside / outside |
How long a round takes
The round ends on the first matching rank. There are three other cards of that rank in the remaining fifty-one, so on average a match turns up after roughly twenty-five cards — but it can land on the very first card, and occasionally it runs most of the deck. This is why Andar Bahar plays much faster than Teen Patti or Rummy, and why it suits short sessions.
Common questions
How do you play Andar Bahar?
One card is turned face up in the centre. Cards are then dealt alternately to the Andar side and the Bahar side until a card matching the centre card's rank appears. Whichever side it lands on wins the round.
Is Andar Bahar the same as Katti?
Yes. Andar Bahar is called Katti in Karnataka, and Mangatha or Ullae Veliyae in parts of Tamil Nadu. The rules are identical; only the name changes by region.
Which side wins more often in Andar Bahar?
Neither, overall. The side that receives the first card has a slight edge, and which side that is depends on the colour of the house card: black deals first to Andar, red deals first to Bahar. Since both colours are equally likely, the two sides come out even across many rounds.
How long does a round of Andar Bahar last?
Usually under a minute. The round ends the moment a matching rank appears, which on average takes around 25 cards but can happen on the very first one.
How many cards are used in Andar Bahar?
One standard 52-card deck — see the Andar Bahar rules. One card becomes the centre card and the rest are dealt alternately to the two piles until a match appears.
Is there any skill in Andar Bahar?
No. Once you have chosen a side there is nothing left to decide, and the outcome was fixed the moment the deck was shuffled.
What is the joker card in Andar Bahar?
The single card turned face up in the centre at the start of an Andar Bahar round. It has nothing to do with the joker cards in a deck - it is simply the rank everyone is watching for.
How do you win at Andar Bahar?
By picking the side that first receives a card matching the centre card's rank. There is no strategy beyond the choice of side, and the side dealt to first has a small structural advantage.
What does Andar Bahar mean?
Andar means inside and Bahar means outside in Hindi. The two words are simply the names of the two piles cards are dealt to — one inside, one outside — which is also why the Tamil name Ullae Veliyae translates the same way.
A free Andar Bahar game for Android with the centre card and two sides. Free download on Google Play, nothing to buy.
Get it on Google Play