Comprehensive Guide to Playing Online Fan Tan

Published August 18, 2023 by Shane

Many games of chance originate from popular street games that locals enjoy in their pass time. Fan Tan is no different; the online game with ancient roots and modern-day betting features will interest punters from around the world.

Fan Tan is a popular Asian street game specific to Southern China. The game had many other titles, such as Covering Coins, Tanxi, and Yanqain. However, the name Fan Tan became popular and well-known as it travelled to neighbouring countries in the 1900s.

Once this game of chance spread to countries overseas, Chinese immigrants enjoyed the game as a way to gamble and win money. This new game of chance quickly became banned, much like other games of chance in the same time period.

The game changed slightly over the years. To play, punters need to guess how many beads stay over after collecting several groups of four. Players win by guessing the correct number between 1 and 4.

Overview of Online Fan Tan

Fan Tan Basics
Fan Tan Rules to Remember
Fan Tips and Tricks
Fan Tan History
Fan Trivia

A game as old as time itself, Fan Tan arose between the third and fourth centuries as an Asian street game, although it did not receive its popular name until the 1900s. While the game is no longer as popular as it was, re-entering the market as a live casino game thanks to Evolution has shone a light on the Asian bead game once more.

The street game, now a popular online game of chance, was recognized as gambling in the United States around the 1800s and was regulated accordingly. Later, the game featured in brick-and-mortar casino houses along with other games of chance like Craps.

As technology grows and online betting is easier to access on various devices, Fan Tan, like other ancient street games, is now available to hundreds of markets worldwide thanks to leading innovative game providers like Evolution.

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The Basics of Playing Fan Tan

In online versions, there is a croupier and a punter; however, several other punters can join in when playing. Before anything happens, the punter can place their bets on four different numbers, namely 1, 2, 3, or 4.

In this live game, a croupier takes a large bowl of beads and lays them on the table. With a smaller bowl or dome, the croupier collects some beads, and the rest returns to the big bowl. With a grouping stick, the croupier takes four beads at a time to the side of the table.

Punters decide how many beads will be left after the croupier has divided all the other beads into groups of four, placing a bet on either 1, 2, 3, or 4.

The punters receive their wagered amount multiplied by the odds multiplier indicated in the game information section.

Once punters are comfortable with how the game works, an Advanced Player option is available where punters can place bets on the four numbers and on Odds, Evens, Big, or Small and many other wagering options in between.

Important Fan Tan Rules To Remember

While this ancient game of chance is not complicated or involves complex gameplay, some rules are in place to assist with a simple, seamless, and controlled game.

Punters have a short time frame to place bets. If no wagers appear by the punter, the game continues as normal with no potential winnings.
A maximum bet still applies. As this is a game of chance with minimal betting options, it is important to have a maximum bet in place to control payouts.
Punters can't place a wager on all the options. It is, after all, a game of chance, which means punters have a chance to win, and not every play will reward winnings.

Tips and Tricks for New Players

When it comes to playing Fan Tan for the first time, players need to ensure that they have a trick or two up their sleeves. Here is a list of tips to get you started:

It’s a good idea to bet half your stake on a single number and the other half on an Odd/Even or Big/Small wager. This could increase your chances of winning. This is also known as hedging your bets.
Fan bets are when wagers are placed on one number, this way of betting is risky but rewards the biggest payouts.
Try Nim bets. This allows punters to select two numbers which means that if one doesn't pay out, there is a ¾ chance that the other will. The odds are better with Nims bets as opposed to Kwok bets, where the same applies. However, punters can win in two separate areas but with lower payout amounts.
Study the odds and paytables. Punters should look at the paytable in the information section to ensure they know all possible betting options, wager amounts and ways to win.

History of Fan Tan

The popular street game appeared in Asia in the 3rd and 4th centuries and became popular amongst locals. As the years passed, adaptations to the game occurred. However, being a simple and straightforward game of chance, the rules and ways to bet changed very slightly.

Between the 1800s and 2000s, over 100 Fan Tan parlours could be found in Chinatown, like the one in San Francisco, USA.

Now, many years after its creation, this is a perfect addition to iGaming platforms and their live casino section. Evolution resurrected this iconic Asian creation and brought it back to life by introducing it to the online gambling market.

Fun Fan Tan Trivia

Evolution is one of the first software providers to create a live casino version and introduce Fan Tan to the online gaming industry.
There is a popular card game with the same name. However, different rules and game mechanics apply.
Fan Tan only received its name in the 19th century after being popular amongst locals since the 3rd century.
The Fan Tan bead game provides players with four different ways to bet and win, with the option of an Advanced wager where players can bet in several different ways in one.
The meaning of Fan Tan in Chinese is “to rebound”.
Fan Tan by Evolution has a demo game where players can try a free-play version before betting for real money.