Game Guide 5 min read

Andar Bahar Rules & Strategy: Complete Guide

Learn how to play Andar Bahar, the popular Indian card game. Understand the rules, odds, and winning strategies for this fast-paced 50/50 game.

By MPlay Team • January 7, 2026

Andar Bahar is one of India's most beloved card games—a simple, fast-paced betting game where you predict which side a matching card will appear. Let's break down everything you need to know.

MPlay Andar Bahar game interface showing betting options — The Andar Bahar interface - choose your side before the cards are dealt

How Andar Bahar Works

The game uses a single deck of 52 cards and follows these simple steps:

Joker card is drawn and placed in the center
You bet on either Andar (inside/left) or Bahar (outside/right)
Cards are dealt alternately to each side
The side where a card matching the Joker's rank appears wins

ℹ️ 50/50 Game

Andar Bahar is essentially a coin flip—but with cards. The matching card has equal probability of appearing on either side.

Odds & Payouts

While the game appears to be 50/50, there's a slight edge based on which side receives the first card:

Bet	First Card Side	Probability	Payout
Andar	Andar first	51.5%	0.9x
Bahar	Andar first	48.5%	1.0x
Andar	Bahar first	48.5%	1.0x
Bahar	Bahar first	51.5%	0.9x

💡 Pro Tip

Always bet on the side that receives the first card—it has a slight statistical advantage.

Strategy Tips

1. Bet on First Card Side

The side receiving the first card has a ~51.5% chance of winning. The payouts are adjusted to maintain house edge, but this is still your best bet.

2. Fixed Bet Size

Since Andar Bahar is essentially a coin flip, avoid progressive betting systems like Martingale. They don't change the odds and can deplete your bankroll quickly.