Gambling is a very popular pastime in India. From betting on horse races to casino games like blackjack, Indians are enamoured with wagers and games of chance of any kind. One of the most widespread games is Jhandi Munda, a no-frills dice game that has gradually made its way around the world.
If you’ve never tried Jhandi Munda and want to learn more about this exciting game with historic roots in India, read on for our guide to the original and the latest digital version that’s available in online casinos everywhere.
A Brief History of Jhandi Munda
Believed to be invented in Arunachal Pradesh (northeastern India) in the 18th century, Jhandi Munda is a simple betting dice game that quickly spread in popularity, and was played in the streets of India, especially during festivals and public holidays.
Due to the simplicity and fun of the game, it quickly spread throughout the South Asian region and beyond. In Nepal, it was called Langur Burja. It gradually made its way around the world to China, Vietnam, Bermuda, and the Channel Islands as well. Sailors in the Royal Navy brought the game back to Great Britain, where it was called “Crown and Anchor”.
How the Game Works
Jhandi Munda is played with six dice and each of the dice is painted with six different symbols, including Spade, Club, Diamond, Heart, Anchor, and Flag. Those symbols, however, have their own names in Hindi which are an important part of the game.
- Spade – “Hukum”
- Club – “Chiri or Chiria”
- Diamond – “Eent”
- Heart – “Paan”
- Anchor or Crown – “Langur” or “Munda”
- Flag – “Jhandi”
Those six dice are the only necessary components to play the game.
At the start of the game, each player chooses a symbol that they believe will appear most in the upcoming roll of the dice. For example, if you bet that a Heart will show up the most and the roll shows 3 Hearts, your bet will be multiplied by 3.
Jhandi Munda Goes Digital
Over the years, the traditional game of Jhandi Munda has evolved into a modern and digital game that can be enjoyed by players from around the world. The online version is very much like the original game played in the streets, but with a few perks that help new players, such as handy guides and free practice sessions to try the game before you make your first wager.
Jhandi Munda at Online Casinos
As much as you may love the game, you might be surprised to find out that not many online casinos offer it in their suite of game titles. But don’t be disappointed just yet! Fortunately, we’ve come across IndiaCasinoClub, a site with a great list of reputable and legally operating providers who offer the online version of Jhandi Munda.
Not only that, but apart from enjoying the online variety of this much-loved board game, you’ll also be able to win real money. If you’re based in India, registration is free and you can play with any casino site that’s registered outside the jurisdiction.
Jhandi Munda Strategies
Jhandi Munda is a very simple game of chance with no skill involved. While it seems like there may not be too many strategies for such a luck-based game, there are a few things to keep in mind when learning to play this game.
Hot and Cold Dice
In Jhandi Munda, the most common dice rolled are called “Hot Symbols” whereas the least-rolled dice are called “Cold Symbols”. The more frequently a symbol appears, the “hotter” that symbol becomes.
Although the roll of the dice is completely random, expert players will attempt to make educated guesses about future rolls based on the appearance of “hot symbols” throughout the game. In the online version of Jhandi Munda, the game actually keeps track of the history of hot and cold symbols to aid players in future guesses.
Play with Small Stakes
Due to the luck-based nature of the game, the online version has a very high RTP of 97.14%, giving players a significantly higher return than games which require skill. While a high RTP is great, it’s important to remember that it’s still very random, so making low wagers is a good strategy.
Other Versions of Jhandi Munda
While playing Jhandi Munda online, you may come across other versions of this traditional game. There is the regular online version, the mobile version, as well as the live dealer version. In some renditions of the game, players get to multiply their wager by the number of face-up dice showing, whereas others have a fixed return based on your bet. This is usually a 3.4x multiplier of the original bet.
However you choose to play Jhandi Munda, you’re sure to have a blast with this historical dice game that has made its mark around the world in different languages and cultures.