Kenyans Recall Falling Victims To Potea Pata Gambling In Nairobi: "Kamuti Inafanya Kazi"

• The potea pata game, popular in Kenyan urban centres like Nairobi, has led to many losing significant amounts of money
• The game involves identifying a marked card after a quick shuffle, with many believing the game is rigged or involves magic to deceive players
• A viral TikTok video reignited memories of this infamous game, with Kenyans sharing their stories of loss and frustration in the comments

Kenyans have reminisced about their unfortunate experiences with a popular gambling game known as potea pata (lose or win), which has left many regretting their losses.

The game involves a man shuffling three cards on a table or box, with only one card marked.

How does one win in potea pata gambling game?

The gambler's task is to identify the marked card after it has been shuffled.

If the gambler correctly picks the marked card, their stake is doubled; if they pick a plain card, they lose their money.

This game, notorious in urban centres, especially Nairobi, is challenging to predict, leading many to believe that it involves some trickery or even magic to deceive players.

Despite its popularity, many have fallen victim to its deceptive simplicity, losing significant amounts of money in the process.

The conversation was sparked by a TikToker who shared a video of the game, prompting numerous Kenyans to share their own regrettable experiences in the comment section.

CHRIS BLACK:

"Someone to tell me the trick behind this daylight robbery."

Ariah Shany:

"I lost KSh 12,000 in this game. I am still regretting till today."

bonifacemkithuki:

"Hii yote ni dumba , kamuti inafanya kazi."

jay mwash:

"Hii game cheza ukiwa na bunduki."

easy:

"KSh 12500, back in 2017, they took my money. I will never heal."

kerubo:

"Niliwahi poteza KSh 3,000 sijawahi heal a year now hawa watu ni wachawi."

Amon:

"keep the camera on the cards. We are not mad. You know each other."

Nairobi man loses KSh 4m, posh cars in betting

In a separate article, a man named Lamech painfully shared about his betting habit, which cost him millions and left him broke.

The young man said he lost over KSh 6 million in two years because of the wasteful habit that had taken hold of him.

He said he had to give up his precious assets, including three luxurious cars, in his attempt to recoup the lost money.

Proofreading by Otukho Jackson, a multimedia journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke