Mindi Variants & Names
Mendikot · Dehla Pakad · Mendi Coat · Court Piece
Mindi is one of India's most beloved partnership card games, but it goes by many names across regions. Whether your family calls it Mendikot, Dehla Pakad, Mendi Coat, or simply Mindi, you are almost always talking about the same game: a four-player, two-team, trick-taking battle to capture the four Tens (the "Mindis"). This page explains how the variants relate — and how Mindi differs from its cousin Court Piece.
| Name | Where it's played | Objective |
|---|---|---|
| Mendikot / Mindi | Maharashtra, Gujarat & pan-India | Capture the four Tens |
| Dehla Pakad | North India (Hindi belt) | Capture the four Tens |
| Mendi Coat / Mendicot | Spelling variations | Capture the four Tens |
| Court Piece (Rang / Rung) | North India, Pakistan | Win the most tricks (Sar) |
Mendikot & Mindi — the same game
"Mindi" is the short, everyday name; "Mendikot" (also spelled Mendicot or Mendi Coat) is the traditional one, especially across Maharashtra and Gujarat. The rules are identical: deal all 52 cards to four players in two partnerships, pick a trump via Cut (Katte) or Show/Hide mode, and race to win tricks containing Tens. Capturing 3 of the 4 Tens wins the round; sweeping all four is a Mendikot.
Dehla Pakad — "catch the Tens"
Popular across the Hindi-speaking north, Dehla Pakad translates literally to "catch the tens" (dehla = ten). That name is the objective of Mindi, which is why the two are the same game. If you grew up playing Dehla Pakad, you already know how to play Mindi — the only differences are regional house rules for scoring and trump selection.
Court Piece (Rang) — a close cousin, not the same
This is the one people most often confuse with Mindi. Court Piece — also called Rang or Rung — is a four-player partnership trick-taking game too, but its objective is different: you win by taking the majority of tricks (traditionally 7 or more "hands", called Sar), not by capturing Tens. So while the setup feels similar, the scoring is a different discipline. Mindi/Mendikot is all about the four Tens.
Quick way to tell them apart
- Counting Tens to win? That's Mindi / Mendikot / Dehla Pakad.
- Counting tricks (Sar) to win? That's Court Piece / Rang.
Common house-rule differences
- Trump selection: Cut (Katte) reveals the trump mid-hand; Show/Hide declares or conceals it up front.
- Winning margin: some tables require 3 Tens, others split on a 2–2 tie by counting total tricks.
- The sweep bonus: a 4-0 Mendikot may score double, end the match, or simply count as a strong round.
- Player count: 4 players is standard; 6-player adaptations use two decks.
Ready to learn the exact rules? Read our full How to Play Mindi guide, then sharpen your play with the Mindi Strategy Guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mindi the same as Mendikot?
Yes. Mindi and Mendikot are two names for the same partnership trick-taking game where the goal is to capture the four Tens (Mindis). 'Mendikot' is common in Maharashtra and Gujarat, while 'Mindi' is the shorter, widely-used name. 'Mendi Coat' and 'Mendicot' are spelling variations of the same game.
What is the difference between Mindi and Dehla Pakad?
They are essentially the same game. 'Dehla Pakad' literally means 'catch the Tens' (dehla = ten), which is exactly the objective of Mindi. The name is more common across North India, but the core rules — 4 players, 2 partnerships, win the Tens — are identical.
Is Court Piece the same as Mindi?
No. Court Piece (also called Rang or Rung) is a related trick-taking partnership game, but the objective is different: in Court Piece you win by taking the most tricks (7 or more 'hands' called Sar), not by capturing Tens. Mindi/Mendikot scores only on the four Tens.
What does 'Mendi Coat' or a 4-0 sweep mean?
Winning all four Tens in a single round is called a Mendikot or 'Mendi Coat' — a clean sweep. It is the strongest possible result and often scores bonus points or a decisive win depending on house rules.
Can Mindi be played by 6 players?
The classic game is for 4 players in two partnerships. Some regional tables adapt it for 6 players (three teams of two, or two teams of three) using two decks, but 4-player Mindi remains the standard competitive format.
Play whichever version you grew up with
Mindi World supports the classic Mendikot / Dehla Pakad rules with Cut and Show/Hide trump modes. Play online with real players or offline against bots.