Fan Tan is a popular solitaire game in which players try to empty their decks first. The four sevens are the only cards that can be used initially; the 7 and 8 can only be played once, after the seventh suit is used then the 6 and 8 can only be played once, and so on. After all playing cards have been used the winner is the one with the highest number of cards, after everyone else has folded. This game is often described as a simpler version of solitaire. You don’t have the challenge of navigating the different rows of playing cards and you don’t have the worry of hitting the right button on your keyboard to open the Ace of Coins. It’s a nice alternative to playing solitaire on your own.
Fan Tan originated in China, as is evident by the spelling of its origins, ‘fan tian’, which literally translates to ‘eight cards which when translated can mean’seven cards laid face down’. In some versions of the game, sevens are represented as coins. The game was later changed to sevens and eights in certain variations, but they retained their significance and were not considered to be coins. In the present-day Fan Tan, each player gets nine cards and may then put their face anywhere on the playing area, except where there sevens already in the table. The remaining nine cards are dealt out to the players. They can then rotate looking at each card and choose to call, raise or fold. If a player stays within their box for three consecutive times then they are declared the winner.
Fan Tan’s history is not known. However, most players play it the same way as the standard version with one difference. In a particular variation of the game, the nine cards aren’t number-coded and are laid out in the same way as in the standard version. The only difference is that the game ends with the players being rewarded with points depending on the performance they have made. In the traditional version, points are added together at the end of the session, so that the final score is the total of scores for that session. In the variant, however, each player receives points for every hand that they are able to win, and bonus points for matches.
Like any legal game of chance, it is important to keep in mind that in Fan Tan the luck factor is a major factor in deciding the outcome of the game. It is almost impossible to predict what happens in the normal version. In this version players have a level of control over the sequence. This is evident during jackpot rounds, where the sequence may help or hinder a player’s winnings dependent on the cards drawn. At the same time it is possible to have an encounter between two players is also possible, and one may end up taking greater than the other.
At the beginning of the game, it’s common for players to draw seven cards face-down from which the first dealer is usually the one to choose. Seven cards are placed face down on the table. Each player can then place his hand on the highest of the cards. The blind draw follows, and the player must pick up the cards and not look at them. The first dealer will draw one card. The second, third, and fourth cards are revealed till the final card is revealed. All the players are then required to make bets, which are confirmed by the dealer when they are in agreement with the amount of bet and, if not, by the other players.
The session is concluded with the unveiling of the fan and the unveiling of the highest card. The Texas Hold’em variation features the Fan Tan playing with seven suits: diamonds, clubs hearts, spades hearts spades hearts, clubs, hearts, hearts, clubs, diamonds hearts, spades hearts, clubs, and clubs. A player who doesn’t have the same shape of cards in the seven suits may decide to exchange their card and switch their hand. It is crucial to keep in mind that the Fan Tan is still considered a no-limit game even if the maximum number has been reached.
The Texas Hold’em version of the Fan Tan uses nine pockets similar to the no-limit variant. This variation requires players draw from the flop’s center pocket. After the flip, if there’s three or more opponents the game is over. A new round can begin if there are no opponents.
The Fan Tan is playing with sevens. Sevens are dealt in the game of no-limit. The principle in this variant is when a player has a good hand, he may trade as much as a 10 for instance without having to reveal his cards. Players should also keep in mind that sevens don’t need to be in a straight line. In this instance, the Ace of Clubs could be transformed into an Ace of Wands. Straight flushes add to the value of the hand however, a full house could knock off that same value.