Fan Tan
A 2,000-year-old Chinese counting game, live. A pile of beads is divided by 4 — you bet on the remainder (1, 2, 3, or 0).
- Provider
- Evolution
- Category
- Live Casino
- Deposit
- USDT · USDC · INR
- Mobile
- Yes — instant play
All bonuses subject to T&Cs · 18+ only · Play responsibly
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How Fan Tan works
- The dealer takes a random handful of beads from a larger pile and covers them.
- Beads are removed 4 at a time until 1, 2, 3, or 4 remain.
- You bet which remainder will be left. Four-direct bets pay 2.85:1, with side bets on combinations (Nim, Kwok, Sheh-Sam-Hong) paying 1:1 to 3:1.
- House edge: ~1.75% on main bets — one of the lowest house edges in any live casino game.
- Evolution streams Fan Tan from a Mandarin-language studio with a transparent counting table.
Why Fan Tan is popular
Fan Tan is heritage gambling — the game predates baccarat and was Macau's signature table game in the 19th century. It nearly vanished in physical casinos by the 1990s but Evolution's live launch brought it back. Today it's popular in Thailand (where 'fan tan' is the term Chinese-Thai families use), Cambodia, and the Macau-Hong Kong corridor. The slow ritual — beads divided, counted, revealed — is meditative compared to baccarat or sic bo. The very low house edge attracts mathematically-aware players who appreciate good odds.
Strategy tips for Fan Tan
- Stick to the four direct bets (1, 2, 3, or 4). The 1.75% house edge is exceptional — nearly as good as baccarat Banker.
- Avoid the Sheh-Sam-Hong side bet — it pays 1:1 on three numbers but is mathematically equivalent to a worse main bet.
- Fan Tan is genuinely a fair coin-flip-ish game with 4 outcomes. There's no system or pattern that beats the long-run math; play for entertainment, not income.
- Sessions are slow (~20-30 rounds/hour). That's a feature — small per-round losses, easier to manage bankroll than fast games like Dragon Tiger.
Tips are general guidance. Casino games carry risk — never stake more than you can afford to lose.
Where Fan Tan is played
Thailand (Chinese-Thai community), Cambodia, Macau, Hong Kong, Vietnam (smaller), Singapore, Chinese-Malaysian players.
Fan Tan FAQs
How does the dealer randomize beads?
The dealer takes a random handful from a much larger pile, then divides them. Camera angles show the process — there's no sleight-of-hand opportunity. Provably random in Evolution's sealed studio setup.
Why is the house edge so low?
Historical reasons. Fan Tan was originally played in homes and parlors where the house took a small cut per round (a 'kwok' fee). Modern live casinos preserved the original odds — the result is one of the lowest edges in live casino. Lucky for players.
Is Fan Tan the same as the Western card game?
No — completely different. The Chinese Fan Tan is a bead-counting game (the original). The Western Fan Tan is a card game played with poker decks. They share a name but no mechanics.
Can I play with a Mandarin-speaking dealer?
Yes — Evolution's Fan Tan tables are streamed from a Mandarin studio. Some tables are bilingual (Mandarin and English). Cantonese-language tables aren\'t live yet.