What Is Teer Game? Teer Game Explained

What Is Teer Game? Teer game is a traditional archery-based lottery played in Northeast India. In the Teer game, dozens of tribal archers shoot arrows at a target, and players bet on the last two digits of how many arrows hit the target. Put simply, if the total number of arrows that hit the target is 692, the winning number is 92. This makes Teer both a game of skill (for the archers) and chance (for the bettors), deeply rooted in local Khasi tribal culture. Below is a quick overview of key facts about Teer:

• Meaning of Name: “Teer” (or “Tir”) means “arrow” in Hindi/Khasi.

• Game Type: Archery-based lottery (legal gambling in Meghalaya).

• Location: Primarily in Meghalaya, India (notably Shillong, Khanapara, Juwai).

• Rounds: Two rounds per day (usually one in the afternoon, one later).

• Numbers: Players pick a number from 00 to 99. The winning number is the last two digits of the total arrows hitting the target.

• Prizes: A correct 2-digit guess typically pays 80× the bet (so ₹1 could win ₹80). Guessing both rounds correctly can pay even more (e.g. 4000×).

• Regulation: Teer is a licensed lottery in Meghalaya under state law.

In this article, you will learn the meaning and history of the Teer game, how it is played, its cultural importance, legal status, pros/cons, and tips for understanding this unique lottery.

Origins and Meaning of Teer Game:

The Teer game originated among the Khasi hill tribes of Meghalaya, India. Historically, archery was a vital skill for these communities. According to local legend, archery was “gifted by the gods” to the Khasi tribe, and it became deeply woven into their rituals and festivals. For example, Khasi boys are taught archery from a young age and bow-and-arrow motifs appear in naming ceremonies.

The word “Teer” simply means “arrow” in Hindi (and is similar in many regional languages). Thus, “Teer game” literally means “arrow game”. Over time, what began as friendly archery contests (for prizes or honor) evolved into a form of lottery. Local archery clubs began organizing matches where people would bet on the outcomes – essentially turning an archery contest into a numbers game.

By the 1960s, archery contests in Assam (then undivided, which included Meghalaya) had become popular. However, the Assam government banned private betting, driving these contests underground. When Meghalaya became its own state in 1972, the Khasi Hills Archery Sports Institute (KHASI) and the government collaborated to legalize archery betting. On October 1, 1982, the Meghalaya government authorized Teer under the Meghalaya Amusements and Betting Tax (Amendment) Act, 1982. Today, Teer is the only legal form of gambling in Meghalaya.

Key Point: Teer Game = Archery Lottery. A tradition of Khasi archers turned into a legal lottery in Meghalaya since 1982.

How the Teer Game Works (Rules and Gameplay)?

Teer is fairly simple in principle, though it feels unique due to the archery. Each betting day has two rounds. In each round, dozens of archers shoot arrows at a straw target. After the arrows are shot, officials count how many arrows hit the target, and the last two digits of that count determine the winning number for that round. For example, if 785 arrows struck the target, the winning number would be 85.

Rules and Steps of Play

1. Betting: Before the archery begins, bettors buy tickets from authorized Teer counters. They choose one or more two-digit numbers (00–99) that they think will match the result. Players often use the afternoon to pick numbers based on intuition or “Teer dreams” (see below). Official Teer betting offices operate all morning, usually until shortly before archery starts.

2. Two Rounds of Archery: At a set time (usually around early afternoon and a bit later in the afternoon), two rounds are held. In Shillong, for example, the first round might start at 3:30 PM and the second at 4:30 PM (times vary by location). In each round, about 50 archers (drawn from 12 local clubs) line up and shoot arrows at the target. In one match, each archer might shoot dozens of arrows: typically each archer shoots 30 arrows in the first round and 20 arrows in the second round.

3. Counting Arrows: Once the archers have shot their arrows, officials carefully count how many arrows actually hit the target. (Many arrows can miss or bounce off). This total can range from a few hundred to nearly a thousand. Only arrows that stick in the target bale are counted.

4. Determining Winners: The winning number for each round is the last two digits of the total arrow count. For example, if 5012 arrows hit in Round 1, the winning number is 12. If 6501 arrows hit in Round 2, the number is 01. Betting is per round: a ticket can be for Round 1, Round 2, or both. Anyone who picked the winning two-digit number wins that round’s prize.

5. Payouts: A correct guess usually pays about 80 times the bet. So a ₹10 bet on the winning number returns ₹800 (your ₹10 stake + ₹790 profit). (If a single number is chosen and it wins, the payout is 80× that number in rupees.) Betting on both rounds together (with one ticket) can yield much higher payoff, often up to 4000× total. Prizes are paid by the bookies (counters) immediately after results are announced.

These steps cover the basic gameplay. In practice, Teer is fast: the archers shoot in minutes, and the counts/winning numbers are posted on blackboards outside the field. Bets can be placed in small or large amounts (the minimum is often ₹1).

Example Calculation

• First Round: Archers shoot; officials count 789 arrows hit. Winning number = 89 (last two digits).

• Second Round: Archers shoot; officials count 567 arrows. Winning number = 67.

Any bettor who had picked 89 (for Round 1) or 67 (for Round 2) wins the corresponding prize. If you had placed a separate ₹100 bet on 89, you’d win ₹8000 (plus your ₹100 back).

Odds and Strategies

The odds of winning are quite long. Since there are 100 possible two-digit outcomes (00–99), the chance of guessing one round correctly is 1 in 100. In practice, the odds are often quoted as about 80:1 because of payout ratio. For hitting both rounds (two correct guesses on one ticket), the chance is 1 in 10,000, with payouts as high as 4000:1.

Most experienced players do not have a foolproof strategy (the result depends on many random factors of archery). Instead, players often study past results and dream interpretations to choose numbers. Some Teer counters and websites provide “common numbers” or dream books (see below). However, it’s important to remember that Teer is a game of chance: no method guarantees a win. The advice is to gamble responsibly and within your means.

Variants and Locations:

The most famous version is the Shillong Teer (held in Shillong, Meghalaya’s capital). Other sanctioned variants include:

• Khanapara Teer: Held at Khanapara (at Meghalaya-Assam border). It follows the same format as Shillong Teer.

• Juwai Teer: Organized by Juwai Club (South Garo Hills, Meghalaya).

• Nongpoh Teer, Shad Suk Mynsiem Teer, etc: Smaller local versions linked to archery associations.

• Night Teer: A newer night-time version, launched around 2017. It added two more rounds in the evening (around 9 PM) under floodlights. Note: Night Teer’s legal status and organization have varied; it’s run by KHASI but was not widely in effect until recently.

Regardless of name, all Teer variants share the same archery-lottery rules. The differences are mainly the location and club organizing it. Betting counters in Meghalaya often sell tickets for all variants (Shillong/Khanapara/Juwai Teer) together, and result announcements can cover all three. In online communities, you might see “Shillong-Khanapara-Juwai Teer” results listed together.

Note for Bangladesh readers: Teer (Shillong Teer, etc.) is not an official game in Bangladesh. While some people in Sylhet or Dhaka may follow Indian Teer results online, Bangladesh law prohibits private gambling. Lottery games are only legal if run by recognized state authorities. So any Teer betting in Bangladesh would be unofficial and illegal under the Public Gambling Act.

Cultural Significance and Dreams:

Teer is more than just gambling – it’s a community tradition. Teer rounds often coincide with local archery festivals. For instance, Teer events are central to the annual Shad Suk Mynsiem festival (a Khasi thanksgiving dance). Many locals view Teer as a way to honor ancient archery heritage while also earning livelihood. In fact, the funds from Teer support the sport: archers (the shooters) are paid a small fee (around ₹300 per event), and villages compete to be the top team.

A distinctive aspect of Teer is the use of dreams and numerology. Many players consult the so-called “Teer dream book” before picking numbers. For example: seeing a snake in a dream might correspond to the number 07, dreaming of money might point to 50, etc. Local belief holds that dreams predict the results. This folklore adds mystique to the game. A World Archery report notes that “punters pick numbers based on dreams”, and local magazines share tables of dream symbols and corresponding numbers.

Here are sample dream interpretations often shared by players:

• Dreaming of water: pick from [30, 55, 59, 71, 72]

• Dreaming of an army: pick from [03, 15, 67, 57, 69, 99]

• Dreaming of an old man: pick from [04, 18, 25, 48, 52, 54]
  (These lists vary by source, but they reflect the tradition of mapping dreams to two-digit numbers. Note: these are not scientifically reliable methods!)

The role of dreams makes Teer a personal game: families and friends discuss what numbers to bet based on the previous night’s dreams. Books and websites dedicated to Teer often start by listing “dream meanings” for players.

Legality and Regulation

Unlike most of India (where gambling is banned by law), Teer is fully legal in Meghalaya. It is licensed and regulated by state authorities under the Meghalaya Amusement and Betting Tax Act, 1982. Each Teer club (like Khasi Hills Archery Sports Institute for Shillong Teer) must have government permission, and each betting counter must hold a license. The massive betting business (reportedly over ₹500 crore daily across Meghalaya) is taxed by the state. The Meghalaya government often publishes winning numbers and collects fees from bookies.

“Shillong Teer is an authorized game subject to regulations established by the Meghalaya Amusement and Betting Tax Act. The Khasi Hills Archery Sports Association (KHASI) is in charge of managing this lottery event.”.

Outside Meghalaya, Teer is mostly banned. In Assam (the neighboring state), private betting on archery remains illegal. (Ironically, Assam’s own archers played Teer-like bets in the past, but these are officially unlawful and run underground.) Other Northeast states do not have a legalized Teer lottery. Bangladesh and most of India treat Teer as illegal gambling. Thus, Teer counters and bettors are concentrated in Meghalaya’s territory, with spillover interest from nearby areas like Guwahati (Assam) or Sylhet (Bangladesh).

Bookies must pay fees and tax, and prizes are regulated. Historical anecdotes note that by law every licensed bettor is free to bet any amount (no legal cap), but each bookie must follow government rules. In Shillong, for example, there are an estimated 5,000 bookies in Meghalaya with about 1,500 in Shillong alone. The government has even set a minimum prize (e.g. ₹80 per ₹1 bet) to ensure fairness. This legal framework keeps Teer organized and helps preserve archery as a skill.

Pros and Cons of Teer Game

Pros:

• Cultural Heritage: Teer keeps the Khasi archery tradition alive. It provides real purpose (and pay) for local archers. Many archers train because Teer events reward their skill.

• Legal Entertainment: It’s a legal gambling option in Meghalaya, unlike most other betting games. People enjoy it as a daily sport/lottery combination.

• Local Economy: Teer generates huge revenue (estimates cite ~₹500 crore daily transactions in Meghalaya). This money flows to archers, bookies, government tax, and community events. Many families depend on Teer bookie booths for income.

• Accessibility: Even people with very small budgets can play (bets as low as ₹1). This broad accessibility makes it a unifying local pastime from farmers to shopkeepers.

• Transparency of Result: Since the game result comes from counting arrows, it’s tangible and transparent (at least officially) compared to electronic lotteries. Everyone witnesses the shooting and the count.

Cons:

• Gambling Risk: Like any lottery, Teer can cause addiction and financial strain. Critics in Meghalaya worry some bettors lose more than they can afford and face family troubles. As one travel writer notes, Teer “is not without controversy” because it “has its critics who worry about its potential for addiction and financial strain on families”.

• No Skill for Bettors: Winning Teer is purely luck-based. People sometimes misconstrue the archers’ skill as a sign they can predict outcomes, which is misleading. This can give bettors false confidence.

• Illegal in Many Places: Outside Meghalaya, Teer is illegal. People in Assam or Bangladesh who try to bet on Teer are breaking the law.

• Exploitation Concerns: Since it’s gambling, there are concerns bookies exploit players. The government tries to regulate, but unlicensed betting still occurs.

• Superstition: Reliance on dreams means people may blame or overvalue superstition, rather than understanding probability.

In summary, Teer’s pros are preserving a sport and providing entertainment/income, while the cons are the usual risks of gambling. Supporters argue that because it’s regulated and culturally significant, it’s largely positive. Detractors point to potential addiction (as in any lottery) and illegal offshoots in Assam or Bangladesh.

Tips and Strategies for Teer (If You Play)

Disclaimer: This is informational. Gambling can be addictive always play responsibly.

• Use Official Channels: Only buy tickets from licensed Teer counters (like the “Archery Counters” in Shillong). Off-the-book wagers are illegal and risky.

• Set a Budget: Treat Teer as entertainment. Decide a fixed amount to spend and don’t chase losses. The odds are long (80:1), so be prepared that you likely won’t win often.

• Check Official Results: After the archery, official winning numbers are announced at the grounds and at counters. Many news outlets (e.g. Assam Tribune) and websites also post them. Compare against the official board.

• Understand Payouts: Remember that a correct single number is worth 80×. Don’t over-bet on multiple numbers hoping to catch one; each additional number costs more and the payout does not increase proportionally.

• Dream Number Books: If you consult dream guides, know they are just traditions, not guaranteed formulas. Many players share “common numbers” and dreams in local communities, but use these only as a fun reference.

• Follow Trends (with Caution): Some players track “common winning numbers” from past results. For example, certain numbers come up more often by chance. However, the outcome is random each day – past numbers don’t influence future draws.

• Legal Note (for BD players): In Bangladesh, note that Teer betting is illegal. Even if you see people online discussing it, participating can get you in trouble. Play only where it’s licensed (Meghalaya) or play other legal lotteries.

Checking Results and Resources

After each round, the count and winning number is immediately displayed on blackboards at the archery ground and Teer counters【32†】. Nowadays, results are also live-streamed or posted online. For example, local newspapers (Assam Tribune, The Meghalaya Guardian) and Teer-specific websites post the first round and second round winning numbers each day. Many smartphone apps and Facebook groups share “common numbers”, historical results, and dream interpretations.

If you want to watch the game, the Shillong Teer rounds usually happen in the afternoon (often 3 PM and 4 PM). Visitors can go to the archery ground (near the old Polo Ground in Shillong) to see it live. After the shots, counting is done on-site by officials, and the final tally is announced.

Conclusion

The Teer game is a unique blend of tradition, sport, and lottery. It answers the question “What is Teer game?” as much more than a simple lottery: it’s Meghalaya’s traditional archery lottery. Its meaning comes from “teer” (arrow) and from the Khasi culture of archery. For decades, it has been Meghalaya’s only legal gambling game, drawing crowds daily. We’ve covered how it works (pick 00–99, archers shoot, last two digits win), the cultural dream lore behind it, and the legal framework that governs it.

Whether you see it as a fun local custom or a chance to gamble, Teer stands out worldwide for its combination of tribal archery and lottery. As one article put it, “Teer stands out as a vibrant, living tradition unique to this corner of India”, reflecting local history and community life. If you visit Meghalaya, experiencing a Teer round is a way to engage with local culture but remember to play it wisely.

Key Takeaway: The Teer game is an archery-based lottery from Meghalaya. In each round, archers shoot arrows and bettors choose a number 00–99. The winner is the last two digits of total arrows hitting the target. It’s a legal, regulated tradition in Meghalaya (since 1982) and a famous example of India’s diverse lotteries.

Enjoyed learning about Teer? Share this article with friends curious about world cultures and games. And if you ever visit Shillong, try visiting an archery ground to see Teer in action it’s an experience unlike any other lottery!

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