How to Play Fan Tan
Learn how to play Fan Tan and you’ll be versed in a game with a rich 2,000+ year history. This popular Asian game is incredibly unique and so exciting to play. Our Fan Tan guide shows you just how easy this game can be. We’ll walk you through all the basics, reveal our most advanced strategies, and provide a few helpful tips along the way.
- Fan Tan 101: An Introduction to the Game
- The Basics: How to Play Fan Tan
- Understanding the House Edge in Fan Tan
- Tips for the Fan Tan Beginner
- More Advanced Fan Tan Strategies
- Fan Tan Variations in Modern Casinos
- Where to Play Fan Tan Online
Fan Tan 101: An Introduction to the Game
Fan Tan is an old game. Numerous centuries older than classic casino games like roulette, blackjack, or poker. The game dates back to China, in the third or fourth centuries. However, the title “Fan Tan” didn’t emerge until the mid-19th century.
The name is derived from two important aspects of the game. “Fan’ means to turn over, while “Tan” means to spread out.
Originally only played in Asia, Fan Tan spread to places such as the US around 1850 when Cantonese emigration boomed. When gambling was legalized in Macau in 1847, licensed Fan Tan stalls thrived, and the game remains a staple at casinos across Asia.
Spend some time in Victoria, BC, and you’ll likely hear about Fan Tan Alley in Chinatown – affectionally named after the game that was so popular in the region during the 1940s.
While the game has declined in popularity at land-based casinos in many regions, online gambling has allowed the game to reach new heights. Thousands of iGaming platforms around the world continue to offer Fan Tan online.
The Basics: How to Play Fan Tan
It’s easy to learn how to play Fan Tan. Like most casino games, the rules are simple. The aim of Fan Tan is to correctly bet on how many counters will remain at the end of a round. There are a bunch of different bets that players can make.
A game round starts with players placing their bets. Next, the dealer uses the cup to select a number of counters randomly. Next, the dealer reveals the counters and uses the wand to count them, four counters at a time. The round ends when four or fewer counters remain.
Any successful player bets are then paid out.
Equipment
Understanding the required equipment is important to knowing how to play Fan Tan. That’s because, unlike most casino games that merely need a pack of cards, Fan Tan games need several items. Of course, top Fan Tan games use premium-quality equipment too.
Firstly, the game requires counters which will typically be white buttons, coins, or, traditionally, beads. Then, you’ll need a cup, called “Tan koi”, to cover the counters and a wand called “Tan pong” to arrange the counters.
Finally, the game requires something to play on. While a Fan Tan board or mat known as “Tan ching” is typical, any table will suffice. The best Fan Tan games will utilize a Tan ching.
Setup
Head to any Fan Tan casino, and you’ll see the setup isn’t very difficult. We used Fan Tan Live, a top Fan Tan live title from Evolution, as an example of a simple game setup.
A container holds all the counters on the right side of the table. Bet types are available in front of the player – on a Tan ching mat, these will all be located at the centre of the table.
For example, on an advanced Tan ching or board, small/big, odd/even, and Fan bets are located in the middle while the remaining bets surround the middle. When the dealer reveals the counters, it will be in the centre of the table, for all players to see clearly.
How Bets Are Placed
Online games can vary but each title will have a handy Fan Tan guide to explain the process. For example, most games will have a pop-up board displaying all the bet types and players can simply move their digital chips onto their chosen bets.
The betting round occurs before any other game actions. This means the dealer has not randomly gathered any counters. Remember you’ll be betting on how many counters will remain in the final set of four.
Simply move your chips onto your chosen bets – for example, a “Fan” bet or “Nim” – and wait for the betting countdown timer to expire.
How the Game Progresses
A paytable is always provided to act as a guide for Fan Tan players. It shows you how much you can win from each bet type and the odds of winning that particular bet. While most games offer the same paytable, there can be some variables, depending on the version you play online.
The payout rate determines how much you would win from a bet. For example, at 2.85:1, a successful C$100 bet would net you C$285. Merge these statistics with the casino’s commission, and you’ll be able to work out the house edge too.
| Name of Bet | Odds of Winning | Payout Rate |
|---|---|---|
Fan (Exact Number) | 1 in 4 (25%) | 2.85:1 |
Nim (Two Numbers) | 1 in 2 (25%) | 1.90:1 |
Kwok (Two Numbers) | 1 in 2 (50%) | 0.95:1 |
Sheh Sam Hong (Three Numbers) | 3 in 4 (75%) | 0.316667:1 |
Odd/Even | 1 in 2 (50%) | 0.95:1 |
Nga Tan (Three numbers) | 1 in 2 (25%) | 0.475:1 |
Description of Each Bet:
To aid in developing your ideal strategy, we made sure our Fan Tan guide offers details on each unique bet type.
- Fan (Exact Number): This is a bet on the exact number of counters remaining. You can bet on 1, 2, 3, or 4.
- Nim (Two Numbers): Kind of like a Fan bet, except you get to choose two exact numbers. If your first choice remains, you’ll win. But if it’s your second choice, you’ll only get a push. When considering your Fan Tan strategy, think of this bet as a sort of 50/50 hedge
- Kwok (Two Numbers): This is the same as the Nim bet but both choices would result in a win.
- Sheh Sam Hong (Three Numbers): The most likely bet to be successful, this bet lets you pick three numbers, and you’ll win if any of those numbers remain
- Nga Tan (Three Numbers): A bet on three numbers, just like Sheh Sam Hong, but one of the selected numbers is a push. If any of the other two selected numbers are the final result, then you’ll pick up the win.
- Odd/Even: Just like roulette, this is a bet on either an odd or an even number. So, 1 or 3 counters are needed to win a bet on “odd” while 2 or 4 are required to win an “Even” bet
- Big/Small: This bet is much like the “odd/even” bet. 1 or 2 counters must remain to win the “small” bet and 3 or 4 counters must remain to win the “big” bet
Understanding the House Edge in Fan Tan
House edge refers to the odds advantage that favours the casino. Understanding the house edge in casino gaming is vital to developing a strong strategy for Fan Tan. Knowing the house edge arms you with the knowledge of how likely a bet is to win.
Casinos charge a commission which affects the house edge. For example, in Macau, the typical commission on a game of Fan Tan is 5%. Essentially, the casino takes 5% of a payout.
Let’s look at a “Fan” bet. It pays out 2.85:1 after the 5% commission which would result in a house edge of 3.75%. However, the “Nga tan” bet pays out 0.475:1 which has a far lower house edge of 1.25%. The casino has a greater advantage on the “fan” bet than it does on the “Nga tan” bet.
Tips for the Fan Tan Beginner
We all have to start somewhere, and these beginner Fan Tan tips are a great place to start. These are tips that’ll ease you into the game, help you develop basic strategies, and feel comfortable as you gain more experience.
- Start with simple bets like Fan or Nim to understand the flow of the game. This will make you more comfortable with attempting more advanced bets later on.
- Learn how to play Fan Tan at your own pace. There is no rush. You can even just watch live Fan Tan games at online casinos.
- Play at tables with a lower house edge and favourable payout structures. This may aid in winning larger amounts and winning more often.
- Observe a few rounds before placing your first bet to familiarize yourself with the pace.
- Use no-deposit bonuses to practice. You can play without risk and still possibly win some cash.
More Advanced Fan Tan Strategies
It is important to note that there is no such thing as a perfect Fan Tan strategy. However, there are certainly several advanced strategies and concepts that will improve your chances of success.
These are our top Fan Tan tips for when you’ve really got the hang of the game.
- Consider using combination bets like Kwok to cover more possibilities on the table. There are so many potential outcomes. So, like when playing roulette, it helps to have some extra cover.
- Watch patterns in the game to refine your betting decisions. We’re not talking about cosmic luck or magical numbers, but dealers are human after all. You may spot a common pattern over time.
- Manage your bankroll wisely, setting limits for each session and knowing when to walk away. This is crucial to ensuring you don’t lose control or suffer heavy losses. The best players know when to take a break.
- Think about the house edge. The odds of winning can influence your decision-making. In Macao, it is common to see players riding the “Nga tan” bet due to its very low house edge.
Fan Tan Variations in Modern Casinos
Fan Tan is not easy to find at land-based casinos across Canada, America, or Europe. However, a top Fan Tan region would be Macao, where six casinos offer the game. Online casinos in Canada offer two distinct variations. You can play online using your mobile phone, tablet, or laptop.
Live Dealer Fan Tan
This is the ultimate way to play Fan Tan online. These games feature real tables, real counters, a real dealer, and real money bets. The game is live-streamed, and bets are placed using an advanced display available to each player.
It is an experience that is almost the same as playing at a real-life casino. One of the biggest advantages though, is that the Fan Tan live games can be played at any time, and there are various themes and unique variations.
You can also engage in a live chat feature. It lets you communicate with other players and the dealer. Helpful players might even have a few Fan Tan tips to share. This is the most engaging way to play Fan Tan online.
RNG-Based Fan Tan
RNG stands for Random Number Generator. This is an algorithm that produces a random outcome each time. Essentially, the games replicate the randomness of a real game of Fan Tan.
Also known as 3D table games, RNG-based Fan Tan casino games are digital representations of the table game. With video game-like graphics, you’ll get a live dealer experience, minus the dealer.
RNG games are perfect tools for practicing a Fan Tan strategy. That’s because most online casinos in Canada offer RNG games with a free “demo mode”. You can practice strategies or learn the ropes without risking any real funds.
In demo mode, you can follow our Fan Tan guide and play at the same time.
Where to Play Fan Tan Online
You now know how to play Fan Tan. It’s just a matter of choosing somewhere to get started. There has never been a better time to try this unique game. The best Fan Tan games can be found at some of our favourite online casinos.
We thoroughly recommend checking out the games at 7bit Casino or you can give our 888 Casino review a read to find the latest top bonuses. Remember that using a bonus is a great way to ease yourself into experiencing Fan Tan online.
We also believe it’s great to shop around and check out numerous online casinos to find the type of Fan Tan game that suits you best.