Parchi Jua

Parchi Jua or Prize BOND Gambling The business of selling prize bond numbers, known as parchi jua in Urdu or Parchi (Bond) Gambling, is thriving in most parts of the Pakistan's provincial metropolis and has become the favourite form of gambling among locals.

Pakistani official watch dogs have observed in a visit to several of these areas that despite the ban by the government, the business is being patronised by some of the local police authorities and government officials. Some dealers have hired shops and houses to portray themselves as legitimate businessmen.

The gambling business starts as such that as the dealers set in new shops and stalls, inviting people to try their luck at the prize bond numbers, thus inviting large number of people to come and try their ailing luck. However, the major chunk of investment is always kept by the business owner in the name of admin fee and the price of the parchi.

Each shop has its own operational network and employs a team of efficient workers and brokers. They maintain computers, telephones and faxes for quick communication and accurate record keeping. These brokers can be seen wandering the streets, offering people numbered parchis. They are often involved in other forms of gambling, particularly betting in cricket matches.

There are various ways prize bond numbers can be gambled upon. Buying the first digit of a serial number is called a safha bet; buying the first two figures is aakra; betting on three or more figures is possible too, with higher cash prizes the trade-off for tougher odds. One can even bet on whether the winning numbers will be kali or jut (odd or even).