Fan Tan may not be a household name in the West, but its popularity has endured in Chinese gambling houses since the Qing Dynasty in the fourth century. Over time, Fan Tan has expanded its reach and can now be found in numerous Asian casinos. Its distinct gameplay, utilizing a cup, wand, and white buttons, sets it apart from other casino mainstays.

To help newcomers learn the game, we’ve put together a comprehensive guide that covers everything from the rules of Fan Tan to where you can play it, as well as strategic tips and insight into the house edge. Whether you’re a seasoned gambler or a curious beginner, this guide will provide you with valuable information about this fascinating game.

Basics of Fan Tan

Fan Tan is played on a spacious table with a unique feature – a plastic dome covering hundreds of little white buttons in the dealer’s section. The table is typically occupied by four to eight players, each having their own small betting station on the outside of the table.

At the beginning of each round, the dealer lifts the dome and collects a random number of buttons into a cup, usually ranging from 50 to 70. Players then place their bets, choosing from various available options (which we’ll discuss later).

After the betting round is completed, the dealer lifts the cup and uses a wand to divide the buttons into groups of four. The result of each bet is determined by the number of buttons left in the last group, which can range from one to four.

Winning bets pay out at fair odds, such as 3:1. However, the casino retains a 5% commission on all wins to maintain their advantage, a familiar practice for anyone who has played baccarat and made a banker bet before. In the upcoming sections, we’ll explore more about Fan Tan’s rules, betting options, and strategy.

Fan Tan Bets

Most Fan Tan games offer a variety of betting options, including the following:

• Fan: This wager is placed on a single number, and the winning number pays out at 3:1 before the commission and 2.85:1 after. The Fan wager has a house edge of 3.75%.
• Kwok: This bet is placed on two numbers, and the winning numbers pay out at 1:1 before the commission and 19:20 after. The Kwok wager has a house edge of 2.50%.
• Nga Tan: This wager is placed on three numbers, with one being a push. The winning numbers pay out at 2:1 before the commission and 19:40 after. The Nga Tan wager has a house edge of 1.25%.
• Nim: This bet is placed on two numbers, with one being a push. The winning number pays out at 2:1 before the commission and 1.9:1 after. The Nim wager has a house edge of 2.50%.
• Sheh-Sam-Hong: This wager is placed on three numbers, and the winning numbers pay out at 1:3 before the commission and 19:60 after. The Sheh-Sam-Hong wager has a house edge of 1.25%.

Each wager is determined by the number of buttons in the final group. If you place a bet on two numbers, and there are two buttons in the final group, you win. However, if one number is designated as a push, you’ll only receive your wager back if that number wins. For instance, a Nga Tan bet with one push and two winning numbers means you’ll only get your money back if the push number comes up.

In the next sections, we’ll discuss more about the house edge and strategy for these various bets.

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How to Play Fan Tan

Are you interested in learning how to play Fan Tan? Here’s a simple guide to get you started:

1. The game is played on a table with a plastic dome that covers hundreds of white buttons in the dealer’s section.
2. Players place bets on how many buttons will be in the last row.
3. The dealer uses a cup to take approximately 50-70 buttons from the pile.
4. Next, the dealer uses a wand to separate the buttons into groups of 4.
5. The number of buttons in the last group (1, 2, 3, or 4) determines the outcome of the bet.
6. The dealer pays out winning bets at fair odds, minus a 5% commission on all wins, except for pushes.

Fan Tan also offers a range of bets with different house edges, such as Fan, Kwok, Nga Tan, Nim, and Sheh-Sam-Hong. Each bet has unique odds and payouts, so it’s essential to understand them before placing any wagers. With a little bit of luck and strategy, you can enjoy the excitement of Fan Tan in various Asian casinos.

Strategy

Fan Tan is a game that relies completely on chance, and there’s no way to predict the outcome until the dealer begins to group the buttons. But players can still improve their odds by focusing on the best bets available.

To do this, it’s important to understand the house advantage for each wager. The following is a list of the Fan Tan bets, ranked by house advantage from best to worst:

• Nga Tan – 1.25% house edge
• Sheh-Sam-Hong – 1.25%
• Kwok – 2.50%
• Nim – 2.50%
• Fan – 3.75%

Nga Tan and Sheh-Sam-Hong are the best bets in the game, with only a 1.25% house advantage. These bets offer some of the best odds not only in Fan Tan but in all of casino gaming.

Kwok and Nim are also good bets with a 2.50% house advantage. These bets compare favorably to European roulette, which has a 2.70% house edge and is considered one of the better-paying games.

Fan is the least favorable of the bets, with a 3.75% house advantage. However, it still offers a potential payout of 3:1, the highest among all of the available bets.

Overall, understanding the odds of each bet is crucial for improving your chances of winning at Fan Tan.

APOLLO – Fan Tan

If you want to play Fan Tan in multiplayer mode, I recommend Apollo. In addition to various promotional activities, they also offer a 50% rebate for new players’ deposits! Whether you’re a new or existing member, Apollo values the benefits of all players. If you want to know more about the promotions, register as a member and claim your benefits now!