Andar Bahar Variations You Should Know
India is certainly a nation of tradition. Andar Bahar has commonly been played in marketplaces, homes, and during festive gatherings, using a standard deck of 52 cards – a simple game that everyone could get involved in. With the advent of online casinos and live dealer platforms, the game has gained global attention over the past ten years. It has become the object of billions of dollars gambled, and foreign-based online casinos have even dived into the creativity.
This has helped popularize different variations of it, which is what we’ll be taking you through today, each offering different levels of risk, potential payouts, and different degrees of skill and calculation.
Classic Andar Bahar
The games that spread like wildfire amidst the masses are those which do not take any sort of analysis to understand, and they play out quickly, leaving no time for anyone to grow impatient. That is why people love slots, crash games, and Andar Bahar. In the most common version, everything is based on luck, and no seasoned player has any advantage over a total newbie.
In-app versions of the game feature:
- Bright marigold colors
- Traditional textiles and ornate table designs reflecting local festival themes.
- Indian classical instruments like the sitar or tabla
- Voice instructions in English, Hindi, Tamil, or Kannada
Rules
The Andar Bahar game begins with the dealer drawing a single face-up card, referred to as the “Joker” or “middle card”. This card serves as the reference point for the entire round. The dealer then begins dealing cards alternately to the Andar (left) and Bahar (right) sides of the table.
The objective? To correctly guess which side will receive the first card that matches the rank of the Joker. Players place their bets on either Andar or Bahar before the dealing begins. Once betting is closed, the dealer distributes cards one by one to each side until a match is found, at which point the round ends and the winning bets are paid out. Similar to slots and crash games, the game lasts under a minute.
Odds
Each of these sides is not paid out the same. If you bet on the side that is dealt its subsequent card second, Bahar, you get payout odds – 1:1, while the Andar side is 0.9:1.
2-Bet Andar Bahar
This is a newly evolved twist to the game that ushered in a fresh layer of engagement that was lacking for more familiar players. These people that wanted to enjoy this nostalgic pastime in a new way and it allows players to place a second wager mid-game. This version is designed to keep players more engaged by offering a chance to increase their bet after seeing how the round starts.
Once the first card has been dealt to both Andar and Bahar, players are given the option to place a second bet. This is a strategic opportunity – based on the initial cards dealt, players can decide whether to increase their stake or stay with their original bet.
Odds
If the matching card appears during the first two cards dealt (i.e., the very first card to Andar or Bahar matches the Joker), then any winners receive only 25% of the total bet as a payout. This reflects the higher odds of an early match and keeps the payout system balanced.
Bonus Andar Bahar
This involves games where players are allowed to place side bets to win additional payouts while playing the traditional version. It ushers in a bit more risk for gamblers who want to up the ante.
In Bonus Bahar, unlike the previous version, bets can be placed at any point in the game, which adds quite a lot more flexibility and allows for players to strategize more and make calculations as to when they believe the odds are in their favor. If they don’t feel like their chances are favorable, there’s no obligation to have to place a bonus bet. The odds in this case are 25% too.
Andar Bahar Live by Pragmatic Play
This version, which popped up in late 2021, allows for 3 side bets. Players can bet on
- Flush (5:1)
- Straight (8:1)
- Straight Flush (120:1 – the game’s maximum payout)
Players can also bet on how many cards will be dealt. This bet has to be made before the game starts.
| Card Count Range | Payout |
| 1–5 cards | 2.5:1 |
| 6–10 cards | 3.5:1 |
| 11–15 cards | 4.5:1 |
| 16–25 cards | 3.5:1 |
| 26–30 cards | 14.5:1 |
| 31–35 cards | 24.5:1 |
| 36–40 cards | 49:1 |
| 41–49 cards | 119:1 |
The game provides an Autoplay function. Since the games are fast, players get to keep betting on each game without having to manually chip in their bets. They just choose the size of their bets and program the game to bet on each round until they deactivate it. It also has crypto betting integrated.
Super Andar Bahar by Evolution
Super Andar Bahar by Evolution is a high-octane, live-streamed version of the classic Indian card game, enhanced with stunning Indian-themed visuals and Evolution’s signature win multipliers, offering side bet payouts up to 3,999:1. Designed for both casual players and risk-takers, it adds explosive win potential to one of India’s most beloved table games.
Every round, 1 to 5 multipliers are randomly assigned to the 10 available side bets. These multipliers can boost wins up to 3,999x your stake. Even without a main bet, players can participate using side bets alone. Players bet on how many cards will be dealt before a match with the Joker occurs. Each bracket has a base payout and a maximum payout if hit with a multiplier:
| Card Range | Base Payout | Max Payout (with Multiplier) |
| 1–5 cards | 2:1 | 9:1 |
| 6–10 cards | 3:1 | 14:1 |
| 11–15 cards | 4:1 | 19:1 |
| 16–20 cards | 5:1 | 29:1 |
| 21–25 cards | 8:1 | 39:1 |
| 26–30 cards | 12:1 | 59:1 |
| 31–35 cards | 20:1 | 99:1 |
| 36–40 cards | 40:1 | 199:1 |
| 41–45 cards | 110:1 | 499:1 |
| 46–49 cards | 800:1 | 3999:1 |
This version offers an RTP of 97.85% if you bet on Andar and 97% if you bet on Bahar.
Reverse Andar Bahar
Reverse Andar Bahar flips the classic gameplay on its head by challenging players to predict where the matching card won’t appear. It’s a subtle but powerful variation that adds a psychological twist to the betting experience.
Variants Around India
Depending on where you go in India, the game may be known by different names. In Karnataka, where the game is widely believed to have originated, it has often been referred to as Katti. In Tamil Nadu, you might hear the terms Mangatha or Ullae Veliyae, reflecting the region’s language and cultural expressions. Despite the name changes, the gameplay remains fundamentally the same – simple, fast, and luck-based.
In many towns and villages, especially during Diwali, Pongal, or Navratri, Andar Bahar is played among friends and family. Markets, weddings, and local celebrations often see pop-up tables or casual circles of players. No fancy chips or high-definition visuals – just a deck of 52 cards, some chairs, and a whole lot of anticipation.
