How to Play Shahi India Poker

How to Play Shahi India Poker

One of the silliest poker games, Shahi India Poker- also known as Blind Man's Bluff - is a popular variation of classic poker that many people have seen in movies. It’s also typically played during parties, where beer is often considered a requirement for ultimate gameplay (but you didn’t hear that here!) There’s virtually no limit to the number of players, but usually 6-10 work best. Ace is high card.

So here’s how it’s played: each player puts in an ante (usually one dollar) to play. Using one deck of cards, the dealer deals a card, face down, to each player around the table. The players then place the cards on their foreheads with one hand, so all players except themselves can see what they’re playing with. The card stays held there until the end of the round. If a player looks at their own card, they’re out of the round, and lose their ante.

Next, one-by-one, starting with the dealer, each player puts in their bets or folds. Decisions are based on what a player believes their unseen card is compared to others’ seen cards. Once all bets are in, everyone sees their hand. High card takes the pot.

To continue the game, the next person to the left deals out from the remaining cards—setting aside the cards played in previous rounds. This continues round-after-round until the entire deck is gone.

Many people love this game because it takes a lot of reading faces (literally!) and can be quite a riot. Plus, it can drive you crazy trying to bet when there’s no limit and you don’t know what you have. The question is, can you keep a straight face when your betting friend with the two of hearts keeps raising?

Shahi India Poker Rules

Shahi India Poker Rules

The rules of Shahi India Poker are as in Blind Mans Bluff (it is in fact the same game).

The initial deal is one card to each player and each player pays the amount of the ante for that card. The idea is that you must not look at the card you are dealt. Any player that looks at the card must fold their cards and are out of the game.

Each player holds his card up so that all players can see it. The game is often played where the card is pinned (not literally) on your head so all players can see the card (except the player holding the card). Action begins with the player to the left of the dealer, who opens betting. After all players have bet, based on what the other players have, each player looks at his card and the winner takes his pot. The game is played clockwise and the game continues until one deck is used.

In this game the high card wins the pot. The game involves a lot of guess work, and you have to look for tells on your opponents on what card they may have. Additionally, if only two players left in the pot and the other player has a two, you can be pretty confident that you may have him/her beat.

The game is good practice in reading people. As all other players at the table will get to see your card you will have the opportunity to judge how strong your card is by how they react. The same principles are important at any table, the difference being that you will watch people react to their hole cards instead of exposed cards that they can see on other players.