Online Matka Explained: How the Draw, Jodi and Panna Work
2026-09-29
Online Matka Explained: How the Draw, Jodi and Panna Work
Online matka is a digital version of a number-draw game that began in Mumbai in the 1960s. Each draw produces three digits, which are added up to make one more digit, and the results are written in a fixed format such as 358-65-249. This guide explains where matka came from, how open and close numbers are produced, what single, jodi and panna mean, and where the law in India stands.
Key points
- Matka began as betting on cotton prices and became a card-based number draw in the 1960s.
- Each session has an open and a close draw. Each draw is three digits (a panna) that reduce to one digit.
- The open digit and close digit together form the jodi (00-99).
- A result like 358-65-249 reads: open panna, jodi, close panna.
- Matka is treated as illegal gambling in India, and online money games are banned under the PROG Act, 2025.
Where matka came from
Matka began before Partition as ankada jugar ("figures gambling"): bets on the opening and closing cotton rates wired from the New York Cotton Exchange to Bombay. When that practice stopped in 1961, operators switched to other ways of generating numbers (Wikipedia).
Two names shaped the game. Kalyanji Bhagat started Worli matka in 1962. Ratan Khatri introduced drawing numbers from playing cards, and his "Main Ratan" game ran five days a week (Wikipedia). The word matka means an earthen pot, which is what the chits were originally drawn from.
How a matka draw works: open and close
Each session has two draws:
- Open draw: three digits from 0-9 are drawn. This is the open panna.
- The three digits are added together, and the last digit of the total is the open number.
- Close draw: the same thing again, producing the close panna and close number.
- The open and close numbers side by side make the jodi.
Worked example: decoding 358-65-249
| Step | Open | Close |
|---|---|---|
| Panna drawn | 3, 5, 8 → 358 | 2, 4, 9 → 249 |
| Sum | 3 + 5 + 8 = 16 | 2 + 4 + 9 = 15 |
| Last digit | 6 (open) | 5 (close) |
Jodi = open digit + close digit = 65. The full result is written 358-65-249: open panna, jodi, close panna.
Single, jodi and panna explained
| Term | What it is | Possible values | Chance of any one value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single (open or close) | One digit | 0-9 | 1 in 10 |
| Jodi | Open + close digit | 00-99 | 1 in 100 |
| Panna / patti | The three digits of one draw | 220 combinations | Varies by type |
The 220 pannas break down as:
| Type | Meaning | Count |
|---|---|---|
| Single patti | All three digits different (e.g. 358) | 120 |
| Double patti | Two digits the same (e.g. 336) | 90 |
| Triple patti | All three the same (e.g. 777) | 10 |
Pannas are conventionally written in a fixed digit order, so 853 and 358 count as the same panna. That is why there are 220 and not 1,000.
Payouts on each bet type are set by the operator, not by the chances above. The gap between the two is the house margin.
How online matka differs from the original
The original game was run by bookies in person, with results passed on by word of mouth and later by phone. Online matka moves the same draw formats to websites and apps, which publish results charts for each market. Market names such as Kalyan or Main Bazar refer to different draw schedules.
Legal position in India
- Matka: Wikipedia's article on the game states that "matka gambling is illegal in India", and it was the target of repeated police crackdowns in Mumbai from the 1990s onwards (Wikipedia).
- Online money games: the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025 bans all online money games and their advertising and promotion. Its Rules have been in force since 1 May 2026 (PIB, 2026).
State gambling laws also apply. Check the laws where you live. This section is general information, not legal advice.
FAQ
What is jodi in matka?
Jodi is the two-digit number formed by the open digit and the close digit of a session. If the open panna sums to 16 and the close panna to 15, the digits are 6 and 5, so the jodi is 65. There are 100 possible jodis.
What is panna in matka?
A panna (or patti) is the three-digit number drawn in each half of a session. Its digits are added and the last digit of the total becomes the open or close number. There are 220 possible pannas.
When are matka results declared?
Each market has its own schedule, with an open result and a later close result. Historically, Ratan Khatri's game drew at fixed evening times. Timings for each market today vary by operator.
Is online matka legal in India?
Matka is treated as illegal gambling in India, and the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025 bans online money games and their promotion, with Rules in force from 1 May 2026. State laws also apply. Check the law where you live.
Before you go
Any form of gambling is for adults aged 18 and over. Login on Bet in Exchange or create new account through the register page, where age and KYC checks apply. Read our responsible gaming policy.