Teer is the Hindi word for an “arrow,” but in Shillong Teer, it has a different meaning. Here, “Teer” mixes archery with dream interpretation and has created some gambling issues. When I visited Shillong this year, I discovered this strange and fascinating sport. Locals call it a traditional game and say, “this is the only place in the world where you can dream and earn money.”
Teer is very popular in Shillong. As you walk through the narrow streets of this hill town, you will see many Teer stalls. Some are along the main roads, some hidden around corners, and others next to tea stalls. All of them display numbers from the first and second rounds. You might wonder, what are these rounds? That’s how big the craze is here!
A Little Bit About Teer
Traditionally called “Thom Tim,” Teer is a unique lottery game. The Khasi tribe of Meghalaya has played archery for centuries. In the early 20th century, people began placing bets on these archery games. In 1982, the state of Meghalaya saw it as a good way to earn money, so they made Teer, or betting on archery, legal. It is now regulated by the Meghalaya Amusements and Betting Tax (Amendment) Act of 1982. Teer also has a strong online presence today.
The Reality Today
Teer is played every day in Shillong. The rules of the game are simple. I met a frail lady who ran a small tea stall at the end of the street. Curious, I asked her about Teer. She said, “you bet, they aim!” It sounded like a riddle, and I hoped she would explain more, but she went back to her work.
Everyone around had a token ticket. How does a whole town get hooked on a game? A cab driver who had overheard our conversation walked up to me. He showed me his token ticket and offered to take me to the Polo Ground where they shoot arrows at 4 pm and 5.15 pm daily. On the way, he explained why Teer is such a big deal in Shillong. It’s more than just a game of chance. Teer is a steady source of income here. Outsiders might think it’s crazy, but Teer provides jobs to many people in Shillong who sell token tickets and run Teer stalls. Above all, Teer represents hope. The hope of winning big on a lucky day!
Also Check:
How Teer Numbers Are Linked to Dreams and How the Game is Played
Every day, people come to the Polo Grounds after buying a token with a number they dream about. Here’s a twist: a gentleman told me that the numbers are linked to our dreams. Each type of dream has a specific number. For example:
- Dream of a man: choose 6
- Dream of a woman: choose 5
- Dream of a man and woman fighting: choose 13
- Erotic dream: choose 17
- Dream of playing Teer: you will win no matter what
After buying a token, we head to the ground where the action starts at 3:30 pm. The ground is split into a field and areas for tea stalls and betting booths. At 3:30 pm, 50 archers shoot 30 arrows each. At 4:30 pm, they shoot 20 more arrows. These archers are incredibly fast and precise.
People betting on the game only need to guess the last two digits of the total number of arrows that hit the target. For instance, if 1,030 arrows hit the target, the winning number is 30. If 1,065 arrows hit, the winning number is 65, and so on.
Daily Results and Winning Amounts
Two results are announced every day: the first round at 3:30 pm and the second round at 4:30 pm. You can win INR 80 for every Re 1 gambled on a number in the first round and INR 60 for every INR 1 spent on the second round.
If you correctly predict the numbers for both rounds, the winning amount can be as high as INR 4,000 for every INR 1 gambled.
Shillong Thrives on Institutionalized Gambling
Shillong thrives on institutionalized gambling. People of all ages are obsessed with the game. With the state recognizing Teer as legal, this obsession can drive the working class to extremes. I placed a bet and lost—apparently, beginners’ luck doesn’t apply here. Swallowing my disappointment, I accept that I may never dream the dream or score the shot. If you plan on placing a bet, sweet dreams!
Also You Can Check: Shillong Morning Teer Result
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