The future represents an unknown world where everything could be better. That's what studies into anticipation and retrospection suggest and it's also the basis of the joy behind games of chance. Put simply, it's fun to imagine the possibilities before the reveal.

This principle underlines some of the appeal of Andar Bahar. The fast pace and simple rules of this game strip away a lot of the nervousness and worry that go into playing many card games. Whether a person plays for fun or for money, the game delivers a rush to players.

It's been argued (in a court of law even) whether Andar Bahar is a game of pure chance or one of skill. Regardless, there are always strategies to be employed in betting on a game. 

Check out this guide on the history of the game, the rules fo play, and tips to maximizing returns when playing for fun or cash. 

Andar Bahar Origins

While the game has exploded in popularity in the last few years, it tracks its origins to Bangalore at some time in the past. Records are hazy and no specific date seems to exists but it's believed to have started no long after playing cards came to India.

Even though playing cards originated in China around 1000 CE, it wasn't until after 1625 that they emerged in India. 

Since many of the original card games in India used round cards with ten suits and twelve cards to each suit, Andar Bahar probably would have developed later.

The name of the game describes the action. Andar Bahar translates to 'inside' 'outside', though it is common to see people explain it as 'left' and 'right'.

Rules

The game can be played with as few as one player and a dealer and with up to as many people as can comfortably fit in a space. Online versions of the game only limit players by the amount of time to place bets.

The game uses a standard playing deck of 52 cards. The deck is shuffled and cut.

In some instances, a central card is revealed and placed in the middle of the playing field on the cut.

In other forms, the central card is dealt after the cut.

Once the central card is placed, players bet on whether a matching card will be played on the Andar side of the playing space or the Bahar side. 

After the central (middle) card is played and bets are placed, cards are dealt back and forth until a card matching the value of the central card is revealed.

Complicating the game slightly is the order in which cards are dealt. If the central card is a red suit (hearts or diamonds) then the first card is played on Bahar. If a black suit (spades or clubs) then the first card is dealt on Andar.

How to Place Bets

Betting starts after the middle card is played. Most games have a minimum bet that can be placed and a maximum. the maximum is a cumulative, not a per bet while the minimum is a set increment.

Some games allow only one round of betting and then play continues until a matching value card is played.

Others allow additional betting rounds at intervals as frequent as after each card is played. 

Side Bets

Where side bets are used, these are played before or after the central card is dealt.

Side bets include

• The value of the central card (placed before the card is dealt)
• The suit of the central card (placed before the card is dealt)
• The number of plays before a matching card is revealed (played before or after the central card)

This final set of side bets can be further broken down into bets for the exact number of plays or if with an over/under.

Suit bets can be further split into groupings of individual suits or red/black groupings.

The value of the central card can be bet on as an over/under as well. 

Payouts

Payouts for side bets are set by the casino but gravitate towards a median set by the probability of each occurrence. We'll discuss more on that in a moment.

The biggest payouts are on side bets when they exist.

As for the payout on the main bet, this is decided by the side the matching card is dealt to. If the matching card is dealt to the same side as the central card's suit, it pays 90% of the bet. If it is played to the opposite side the payout is 100% of the bet.

This weighting compensates for the advantage given to the first card played. There is more risk inherent in choosing the side that will need more plays to receive a matching card. 

Basic Strategy

Picking which side the matching card will be played on is a blind guess. There is nothing to be done by the player to influence the game. 

There are strategies for increasing a player's odds of walking away from a table with more money than they started with.

One of the reasons that straight red/black betting in roulette is so popular is that it gets simple to calculate the math and determine the odds of each result. Roulette isn't a straight 50/50 because of the green spaces, it's actually 47.4%. 

The power weight of 90% to 100% for betting works to change the odds in the same fashion. Consider this, if you place a bet on the side corresponding with the suit of the central card each time, and won half of the time, you would end up losing 10% of the money wagered.

If you place the same bets on the side opposite the central card's suit, you would break even.

Approaches

Using the same basic strategies as red/black betting in roulette then apply to the main bet. 

Basic roulette strategy starts with a single bet on the preferred color. For Andar Bahar, the selection is either always for or always against the suit of the central card. 

Each game, you want to wager double the previous bet. Since the odds are 50/50 you will be likely to cover your losses with your wins and stay in the game indefinitely. 

The goal of this strategy is to make money. To this end, each time you win, you start over with a basic bet and repeat. the problem with this system is that streaks of seven or more losses in a row are statistically possible. Add to this that the power-weight applied to the betting shifts the results to 51.5 and 48.4 percent.

Yes/No 

Another strategy in making 50/50 choices is to employ the yes/no method. Rather than calculate probabilities or aim to control the flow of the game by maximizing wins and minimizing losses, this uses instinct to generate results.

Studies into decision making have shown that people make a correct decision between two equal sides more often when they recognize they're guessing. Applying any eight to the possible results of the decision caused people to guess poorly and perform less well than random chance. 

To take advantage of this, some gamblers use the yes/no system to actively bet against their instincts on a losing streak and to go with their gut on a winning streak.

Basic Side Bets

The simplest strategy for side bets is to play towards the odds. the odds are the same that the central card will be above eight as they that it will be below. Therefore, betting on the higher pay between the two is always the choice to make.

Betting that the central card will be exactly eight is a low chance but higher pay by a magnitude. Choosing any specific card value usually pays higher than choosing exactly eight which makes those choices the better bet while being equal in odds.

Similarly, bets on the number of plays needed to return a match favor lower numbers than higher. More games come out in the first five cards than the second five. Games rarely are decided between 11 to 15 cards.

Though it has been known to happen, the odds that a game will be decided beyond the 31st card are vanishingly small. 

Advanced Strategy

There is more money to be made in winning side bets than there is in winning the main bet. This is a product of the number of different side bets and the pay rates on each. 

However, winning a side bet has smaller odds than winning the main bet. Further complicating this is that a player has to participate in the main bet to place side bets.

Leveraging this knowledge, only increase wagers on the main bet up to the fourth play. The odds reduce with each card played. 

Never bet on the main game above the number of plays you wager on the side.

These strategies don't raise your odds of winning, they shore up the spiral of sunk costs. 

Quick Tips

Know that the game ends more often on the first side played than the opposite. If you do betting on each round, it is better to bet thin on even plays and heavier on odd plays. 

Most games end before the 13th card is played. In games with timer limits to betting, this gives you a maximum time a game is likely to go. Timers are traditionally 30 seconds or 15 seconds as set by the table so a game will be 6.5 or 3.75 minutes long. 

Playing to win is not as much fun as plying for fun. 

If playing for fun, take time in each round to enjoy the experience and the anticipation. Chatting with other players and spending time with others is a good way to pace yourself. 

Tips for Live Dealer Andar Bahar

Live dealer Andar Bahar is a more formal experience than video versions. Many online casinos employ live dealers to play at physical tables which players remotely watch.

The formality of these games feels upscale and offers perks to the experience. However, they also require order. Check the listed timers for bets before beginning.

Do not send messages or chat with other players in the provided communication while they are betting.

Tips for Video Andar Bahar

Video versions of Andar Bahar are played solo against the machine. Much like video poker machines, these offer a good way to practice and to get a feel for the flow fo the game. 

Because these are played solo, there is rarely a timer so you can contemplate your bets and learn how to sort side bets.

The fast-paced nature of Andar Bahar presents an extra risk when playing for money on video. Set your budget early and don't add money to an account after you begin. Otherwise, you can quickly go through dozens of games in the same time it would take to play only a few at a live table. 

Finding an Online Casino for Andar Bahar Games

There are several online casinos run by different companies that feature Andar Bahar games. They offer different incentives and perks for playing and also offer different graphics and dealers. 

Do some research before you begin to pick a casino that offers what you want. Most importantly, make certain that the casino supports your primary language. This makes it easier to navigate systems and to report any problems that you come across.

The most important considerations include the minimum bet per game and the payout tables. Pick something that is rewarding to you and works within your budget. Gambling should be about entertainment and you are always more entertained when you play at your pace in a comfortable environment. 

As always, pick a casino that is licensed to operate in your jurisdiction/country. Check out a list of casinos that offer Andar Bahar games and get started playing today.

Best Online Casinos with Andar Bahar Games

Come On Casino

10Cric Casino

Bodog Asia Casino