Fan Tan

Fan Tan is a live dealer game developed by Evolution Gaming. It’s a real-life version of a classic Chinese game involving lines of beads. Having been played throughout Asia for many centuries, it’s now available as a live, web-based casino game.
Casinos with Fan Tan
An Introduction to Fan Tan
Fan Tan isn’t like most other live dealer games. It doesn’t involve the use of cards or a large wheel of any kind. Instead, it uses beads, a see-through dome, a metallic cup and a selection stick. The premise is simple. Beads are grouped together and split into lines of four. Your bet’s outcome depends on how many are in the final line; one, two, three or four.
The game’s provider has been keen to expand its presence in the Asian market. To do this, it has created live versions of several games frequently played on the continent. Live Dragon Tiger is a prime example, as is Fan Tan.
As a tribute to its origins, Fan Tan’s gaming space is designed with China in mind. It has a rich red and gold colour scheme, along with statues of a dragon and a lotus tree. The dealers wear traditional red outfits and the background resembles a sort of shrine, complete with low tables and candles.
It all boils down to how many beads are on the final line. Pick one, two, three or four and if this matches the bead count, you win.
Key Information
Developer | Evolution Gaming |
RTP | 98.75% |
Min. Wager | 0.20 |
Max. Wager | 10,000 |
Max. Payout | Varies |
Rules of Fan Tan
The Fan Tan rules are straightforward and easy to follow. Below is a complete guide to how to play the game.
Basic Gameplay
Like several other Evolution Gaming games, Fan Tan uses a gaming table and some important pieces of equipment. While you are placing your bets, the dealer does the following:
- Moves the dome containing the white beads into the middle of the table.
- Lifts the dome and places the metallic cup down, covering a random number of beads.
- Covers the remaining beads with the dome and moves it to one side.
- Waits until the betting round has finished.
- Lifts the metallic cup to reveal the beads inside.
- Takes the sorting stick.
- Sorts the beads into lines of four.
The game result depends on how many beads are in the final line. There will be one, two, three or four. Once the dealer has confirmed the outcome, the winning bets are those placed on the matching number of beads.
Fan Bets
These are the game’s most basic bets and there are four of them in total. Each wager covers one of the four possible outcomes. Therefore, there’s a bet for one bead remaining in the final line, two beads and so on.
When you start playing Fan Tan, the game layout will default to the simple mode. This design only offers the four Fan bets. You can switch to a more advanced game view which unlocks different bet types, as explained later in this guide.
Other Basic Bets
There are four other basic bets available in Fan Tan; the Odd or Even bets and the Big or Small bets.
Odd pays out if the number of beads in the final line is 1 or 3. Likewise, the Even bet pays if this number is 2 or 4. For the Big bet to win, the number has to be 3 or 4. If the number is 1 or 2, Small bets win.
Nim Bets
These are extra bets you can access by switching to the advanced game view. There are a dozen of them in total. Each has two numbers with “Nim” written in the middle, for example “1 Nim 2”.
These bets pay out when the number on the left is the winner. If the right-hand number wins, the dealer returns your bet to you.
Kwok Bets
Also available from the advanced game view, Kwok bets are similar to the Nim bets. Each one includes two numbers, for instance “Kwok 1-2”. If either of these numbers is chosen, you’ll be paid accordingly.
Because this particular bet covers two numbers and gives you better chances of winning, it offers lower payouts than the Fan bet. There are four of these wagers in total: Kwok 1-2, Kwok 2-3, Kwok 3-4 and Kwok 4-1.
Sheh-Sam-Hong Bets
The Sheh-Sam-Hong bets, or SSH bets, cover three numbers. There are four possible iterations of this bet: SSH 3-2-1, SSH 2-1-4, SSH 4-3-2 and SSH 1-4-3. Each one pays out if any one of the three numbers wins.
In some ways, Sheh-Sam-Hong wagers are similar to Kwok bets. But because they include one extra number, the chances of winning are better. So naturally, the payouts are slightly lower compared to the Kwok bets.
Fan Tan Payouts
The game’s payouts are as follows:
- 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.
As with other live casino games, you’re able to place any number and combination of bets.
Gameplay Procedure
Let’s have a look at how a typical round of Fan Tan works:
- First, place your bets. Switch to the advanced game view to reveal more betting choices.
- While you’re doing this, the live dealer will lift the dome and place some beads under the metallic cup.
- When the betting round ends, the dealer lifts the cup and sorts the beads into groups of four. The number of beads in the final line determines the outcome.
- Once the dealer announces the outcome, your bet is paid out if it covers the winning number.
Fan Tan is a simple game. The basic betting options are easy to understand. Gameplay is fast-paced and as such, rounds take very little time at all.
The advanced game view option may be daunting for beginners because of the large number of bets it shows. However, there are only a few different types of bets and they’re easy enough to understand.
Where to Play Fan Tan
Check out our list of recommended sites at the top of the page. Here you’ll find some trustworthy regulated casinos that offer Fan Tan.
This game, as well as other live casino titles by Evolution Gaming, can be found at all of these online casinos. We recommend them based on dozens of criteria, including quality customer care, secure payment methods and generous bonuses.
How to Win at Fan Tan
Like most other casino games, Fan Tan is all about luck. There’s nothing you can try that will influence the outcome. All you may do is place a bet and hope for a lucky outcome.
For your best chance of doing well when playing this game, consider the bets and their payouts. The Fan Bets, for example, have the highest payout of 2.85 to 1 but are the least likely to win. On the other hand, the Sheh-Sam-Hong Bets have a payout of less than a third of your bet. But since they cover three out of four numbers each, they’re very likely to win.
Past Games
Fan Tan displays historical statistics and scoreboards which you may consult. These cover the 500 most recent games. By looking at data from past games, you can potentially spot some trends and patterns.
Bear in mind, however, that the outcomes of previous games don’t have a bearing on present games. If, for example, the number 4 has won the most often, this doesn’t mean 4 is more likely to win. Every game, each of the four numbers has a perfectly equal chance of winning.
Sensible Gambling
When playing any kind of casino game, it can be easy to lose track of time. It’s also easy to spend more than you should. It’s a good idea to come up with a budget beforehand and stick to it. Only gamble with money you can afford to lose.
You can claim casino bonuses to make your deposits go further, though do keep the wagering requirements in mind. It’s also important that you don’t chase your losses.
Conclusion
Fan Tan is a live dealer title from Evolution Gaming that recreates a classic Asian game involving beads. It’s straightforward to play, with only four outcomes and some basic betting options. There are, however, more bets available for those who want a more varied gaming experience.
FAQ
Who makes Fan Tan?
Fan Tan belongs to Evolution Gaming’s catalogue of live dealer games. This provider is a pioneer of the live casino experience and has many popular titles to its name. Fan Tan was made to appeal to the Asian market.
What is the Fan Tan RTP?
The Fan Tan RTP ranges from 96.25% to 98.75%. The exact Return To Player rate depends on what type of bet you’re placing. For more detail about the payouts in this game, see a little further up the page.
How do you play Fan Tan?
You’ll find a full explanation of how to play the game elsewhere on this page. Be sure to familiarise yourself with the Fan Tan rules before you start playing.
Is there a winning strategy for Fan Tan?
Check out How to Win at Fan Tan section of this guide. You’ll see that there’s no way to beat the game consistently, since it’s all about luck. However, stats from previous games are available to help you shape your betting strategy.
Which online casinos have Fan Tan?
Use the list of Fan Tan casinos to see all online casinos that have Fan Tan. We filter the casino top list to only show Fan Tan casinos that accept players from your location.