Andar Bahar

Introduction

Andar Bahar is an easy-to-understand card game that is believed to have its roots in southern India. Over time, it has gained popularity throughout the country and is now featured in online casinos. Continue reading for a breakdown of the rules and insights.

Rules

There are several variations in the game’s rules, so I will attempt to describe the standard way to play, highlighting which aspects are essential and which include optional side wagers.

1. A single 52-card deck is used.
2. The two main bets are Andar and Bahar.
3. Before any cards are dealt, players can choose to place side bets on the anticipated outcome of the first card, betting on its rank or suit.
4. The dealer will deal the first card and position it centrally on the table. If any side bets were made based on that card, the dealer will evaluate them accordingly. This initial card is sometimes referred to as the 'joker,' which can be misleading — it is not a wild card nor connected to the traditional 'joker.' I prefer to refer to it as the 'Middle Card' to simplify the explanation.
5. At this juncture, players can place a bet on either Andar or Bahar. Additionally, there may be options for side bets concerning the total number of cards to be dealt subsequently, such as betting on whether it will be 20 or more.
6. Once all bets are placed, the dealer will deal cards one by one until he reveals another card that matches the rank of the Middle Card. The dealer will alternate laying the cards on either side of the Middle Card. In certain game variations, the dealer begins on the left, while in others, the starting side may be based on the color of the Middle Card. However, the side the dealer begins on does not significantly influence the game.
7. If the count of cards dealt after the Middle Card is odd, the Andar bet wins. Depending on the game's variant, the payout for an Andar win can be either 0.9 to 1 or 0.95 to 1.
8. Conversely, if the number of cards dealt after the Middle Card turns out to be even, the Bahar bet takes the win. The payout for a Bahar win may range from 0.95 to 1 up to 1 to 1, depending on the specific rules of the game variant.
9. Once a match for the Middle Card is found, any side bets linked to the total number of cards dealt after this point will be settled.

Andar and Bahar Analysis

The following chart illustrates the probabilities for all potential total card counts after the Middle Card is dealt. The center column indicates the chance of achieving exactly that number of cards, while the right column shows the probability of drawing that amount or fewer. For instance, there is a 2.2329% chance of exactly 20 cards being dealt, and the probability of getting 20 or fewer cards is 78.4154%.

Next, we examine the probabilities of winning for the two primary bets:

• Andar: 51.5006%
• Bahar: 48.4994%

Here are the house edges associated with the Andar bet, based on potential payouts:

• 0.85 to 1: 4.72%
• 0.9 to 1: 2.15%

Now, let's take a look at the house edge for the Bahar bet based on winning payouts:

• 0.95 to 1: 5.43%
• 1 to 1: 3.00%

Side Betting Analysis

The following table presents various side bets available on the Middle Card, with payouts provided on a 'to one' basis. Some bets are included more than once due to differing payout amounts I am aware of. The right column details the expected value for each bet.

In the next table, you'll find side bets based on how many cards it takes to replicate the rank of the Middle Card. Wins are displayed on a 'to one' basis.

The subsequent table illustrates the bets accessible regarding the number of cards dealt (excluding the middle card) from Woohoo Games.

For those curious, here are some additional general statistics.

• The side that receives the first card will come out on top 51.5% of the time.
• On average, it takes about 13 cards to conclude the game, excluding the Middle Card.
• The median number of cards required to finish the game is 11, not counting the Middle Card.

External Links

Discussion Join the conversation about Andar Bahar on my forum at Wizard of Vegas.

Written by: Michael Shackleford