Fan Tan – Traditional Chinese Aesthetics In Live Dealer Gaming

In the vast and storied tapestry of China’s cultural heritage, games have always held a distinctive place, bridging generations, and fostering community. Among them, the bead game, known as Fan Tan, stands out not just for its simplicity but for the depth of strategy it can encompass. It’s a game that captures the very essence of traditional Chinese pastimes – intricate, engaging, and deeply rooted in history.

In this modern era, where the digital and the traditional often intersect, Evolution Gaming takes a step back in time, breathing life into this classic game in a format fit for the 21st century. Through this article, we journey through the meticulous recreation of Fan Tan, observing how Evolution Gaming has fused technology with tradition, bringing the age-old bead game to screens around the world.

This article provides a comprehensive look at Fan Tan’s digital rebirth, its gameplay, and the authentic ambiance that pays homage to its Chinese roots for both enthusiasts and novices. As the lines between the physical and virtual continue to blur, let’s immerse ourselves in the allure of Fan Tan, discovering its nuances and appreciating its place in the digital age.

Fan Tan’s Introduction

Fan Tan stands apart from many live dealer games. It eschews traditional cards or sizable wheels. Instead, it employs beads, a transparent dome, a metallic cup, and a sorting stick. The game’s essence is straightforward: beads are assembled and then divided into sets of four. The result of your wager hinges on the number of beads in the concluding set, which could be one, two, three, or four.

The game’s creators are intent on deepening their footprint in the Asian market. To achieve this, they’ve introduced live versions of various games cherished across the continent, with Live Dragon Tiger being a notable example alongside Fan Tan.

Fan Tan’s environment is distinctly Chinese, honoring its roots. The room is decorated in opulent shades of red and gold and displays statues of dragons and lotus trees. With low-hanging tables and candles, the setting evokes a serene shrine ambiance, with dealers wearing traditional red garments.

Fan Tan Rules

It is easy to follow the Fan Tan rules. The following is a complete guide to playing the game.

Gameplay basics

Fan Tan uses a gaming table and some important equipment, like several other Evolution Gaming games. The dealer does the following while you place your bets:

  1. Places the dome containing the white beads in the middle of the table.
  2. Places a metallic cup over a random number of beads after lifting the dome.
  3. Covers the remaining beads with the dome and moves them to one side.
  4. Awaits the end of the betting round.
  5. The beads are revealed when the metallic cup is lifted.
  6. The sorting stick is taken.
  7. Sorts the beads into four-line groups.

A game’s outcome depends on how many beads are in the final line. One, two, three, or four will be present. After the dealer confirms the outcome, the winning bets are those placed on the matching number of beads.

Other Basic Bets

In Fan Tan, you can also place Odd or Even bets as well as Big or Small bets. 

When the number of beads in the final line is 1 or 3, the odds are paid out. In the same way, the Even bet pays if this number is 2 or 4. In order to win the Big bet, the number must be 3 or 4. Small bets win if the number is 1 or 2.

Nim Bets

When you switch to the advanced game view, you can access these extra bets. In total, there are a dozen of them. For example, “1 Nim 2” has two numbers with “Nim” in the middle. 

When the number on the left wins, these bets pay out. The dealer returns your bet if the right-hand number wins.

Fan Bets

The game offers four basic bets. There are four possible outcomes covered by bets. Therefore, there is a bet on one remaining bead, two beads, etc. 

Fan Tan has a simple layout when you first start playing. This design offers only four Fan bets. You can unlock different types of bets by switching to a more advanced game view, as explained later in this guide.

Kwok Bets

Kwok bets are also available from the advanced game view. There are two numbers in each, for example, “Kwok 1-2”. You will be paid if either of these numbers is selected. 

Due to the fact that this bet covers two numbers and has a better chance of winning, its payouts are lower than those of the Fan bet. In total, there are four wagers: Kwok 1-2, Kwok 2-3, Kwok 3-4, and Kwok 4-1.

Sheh-Sam-Hong Bets

SSH bets cover three numbers. This bet can be made in four different ways: SSH 3-2-1, SSH 2-1-4, SSH 4-3-2, and SSH 1-4-3. If any of the three numbers wins, they all pay out. 

Sheh-Sam-Hong wagers are similar to Kwok wagers in some ways. The odds of winning are higher because they include one extra number. In comparison with Kwok bets, the payouts are slightly lower.

Fan Tan Payouts
Here are the payouts:

  • Fan Bets: 2.85 to 1.
  • Nim Bets: 1.90 to 1.
  • Kwok Bets: 0.95 to 1.
  • Odd/Even Bets: 0.95 to 1.
  • Big/Small Bets: 0.95 to 1.
  • Sheh-Sam-Hong Bets: 0.316 to 1.

You can place any number of bets and combinations you want.

What you need to know about Fan Tan

As with most casino games, Fan Tan is all about luck. There is nothing you can do to influence the outcome. You can only place a bet and hope for the best.

Consider the bets and payouts when playing this game to maximize your chances of success. For example, Fan Bets have the highest payout of 2.85 to 1, but are least likely to win. Sheh-Sam-Hong Bets, however, pays out less than a third of your stake. Since they cover three out of four numbers, they are very likely to win. 

Past Games

You can consult Fan Tan’s historical statistics and scoreboards. These are the 500 most recent games. Trends and patterns can be spotted from past games by looking at data. 

It’s important to remember, however, that previous games don’t affect present ones. For example, if the number 4 has won the most often, it doesn’t mean it is more likely to win. In every game, each of the four numbers has an equal chance of winning.

Sensible Gambling

It is easy to lose track of time when playing casino games. Spending more than you should is also easy. Having a budget and sticking to it is a good idea. Don’t gamble with money you can’t afford to lose. 

You can claim casino bonuses to make your deposits go further, but keep in mind the wagering requirements. Losses should also not be chased.

In conclusion

Evolution Gaming’s Fan Tan recreates a classic Asian game using beads. Playing it is straightforward, with only four outcomes and a few basic betting options. If you want a more varied gaming experience, there are more bets available.