The Northeast region of India is renowned for its adventurous sports, and Meghalaya stands out with its unique traditional games. One such game is Shillong Teer, known locally as "Thoh Tim." In Hindi, "Teer" translates to arrow, and this game centres around archery. Shillong Teer is a lottery game that combines archery with dream interpretation, played for centuries by the Khasi tribe in Shillong, Meghalaya. The game occurs every evening, except Sundays and holidays, where archers shoot arrows at a target, and the spectators predict the outcome before the shooting begins.

Popularity of Shillong Teer

Organized by the Khasi Hills Archery Sports Association, Shillong Teer involves about 12 archery clubs competing at the Polo Ground in Shillong. The game enjoys immense popularity among locals, who bet on common numbers to win money. Understanding the common number trick can lead to a high accuracy rate in winning. The lottery element adds excitement, attracting both locals and tourists. While only men participate as archers, women are welcome to watch. Predominantly older men play the game, which is safe, with no injuries reported among participants.

Legalized under the Meghalaya Amusement and Betting Tax Act of 1982, Shillong Teer provides both entertainment and a source of income, especially beneficial during challenging times like the COVID-19 pandemic.

How Shillong Teer is Played

Shillong Teer is an engaging game played both offline and online. Participants include archers who shoot arrows and bettors who place wagers on predicted numbers. The target's height ranges from 61 cm to 102 cm, with a circumference between 66 cm and 127 cm, set at a distance between 15.21 m and 30.48 m. Archers shoot arrows at the target, and the results determine the winners.

Game Rounds and Result Declaration

The game is played in two rounds. In the first round, 50 archers each shoot 30 arrows. In the second round, 30 archers each shoot 20 arrows. Teer Results are announced at 3:45 pm and 4:45 pm IST respectively, based on the total number of arrows hitting the target.

Betting and Winning in Shillong Teer

Participants can bet on numbers ranging from 0 to 99. For every 1 rupee bet, a person can win Rs. 80 in the first round and Rs. 60 in the second round. Predicting the correct numbers in both rounds can yield Rs. 4000. This two-round prediction is known as a forecast.

Common Number in Shillong Teer

The common number in Shillong Teer is often linked to dreams. Locals associate certain numbers with specific dreams, such as 6 with a male, 5 with a female, 37 with an argument, and 17 with an erotic dream. These numbers guide their betting choices. Reviewing previous months' results helps estimate the current day's number.