How to Play Andar Bahar

Andar Bahar is an Indian card game. A single card (the joker or game card) is dealt face up. Cards are then dealt alternately to the Andar (left) and Bahar (right) piles. You bet on which pile will receive a card matching the joker's rank first.

How to Play

The joker card is dealt face up in the centre.
Bet on Andar or Bahar.
The joker's suit colour decides which pile gets the first card: black joker (clubs/spades) deals to Andar first, red joker (hearts/diamonds) deals to Bahar first. Cards then alternate between the two piles.
The round ends when a card matching the joker's rank appears. The pile it lands in wins.
Main bet pays 0.9:1 on either side. House edge: ~5%.

Side Bets

Card Count Range: Bet on how many cards are dealt before a match. 1-5 cards (3.4x), 6-10 cards (4.25x), 11-15 cards (5.5x), 16-25 cards (4.25x), 26+ cards (7.5x).
First Deal / Suit / Colour Match: Bets on the first dealt card matching the joker rank (15x), joker suit (3.75x), or joker colour (1.9x).

Millionaire Mode

An optional side bet. Qualifying outcomes pay from the Millionaire prize pool, up to $1,000,000.

Last updated: May 14, 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the joker card and how does it affect gameplay?

The joker card is dealt face up in the center and determines which rank you need to match to win the round. The game continues until a card matching the joker's rank appears in either the Andar or Bahar pile.

Can I change my bet after cards start being dealt?

No, you must place your bet on either Andar or Bahar before the first card is dealt. Once dealing begins, your bet is locked in for that round.

What happens if the matching card appears in the Andar pile?

If the matching card lands in the Andar pile, all bets placed on Andar win and Bahar bets lose. The winning amount depends on the payout rate set for that round.

How are the Andar and Bahar piles dealt?

Cards are dealt alternately starting with Andar on the left side, then Bahar on the right side, continuing back and forth until a card matches the joker's rank.

What is the basic strategy for betting in Andar Bahar?

Andar Bahar is a game of chance with no strategy that changes the odds, so you should bet based on your budget and preference between the two piles.