How To

How to Play the Card Game Fan Tan

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By eHow Contributing Writer
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Fan Tan is a card game for 3 to 8 players. No one really knows why this game is called Fan Tan, although some speculate it might have its origin in China. Follow these steps to play, and be the first to rid your hand of cards and win the game.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Instructions

Things You'll Need:

  • Deck of cards with Jokers removed
  • Poker chips or buttons
  1. Step 1

    Give an equal amount of chips or buttons or something similar to each player. Deal the entire deck, one card at a time, to each player. Some players may receive more cards than others. Have everyone put one chip into the middle of the table. This group of chips is called the "pool."

  2. Step 2

    Put a 7 face up in the middle of the table when it is your turn (player to the left of dealer goes first). If you don't have a 7, put another chip into the middle of the table. Go clockwise around the table until a 7 is played.

  3. Step 3

    Choose your next move if you are the next player after a 7 has been placed. Your choices are:
    1)Play a 6 or an 8 of the same suit as the 7 is in the middle of the table;
    2) Play another 7; or
    3) Put a chip in the middle of the table and pass.

  4. Step 4

    Place the lower card of the same suit (the 6), if you have it, below the 7 on the table face up. Place he higher card of the same suit (the 8), if you have it, above the 7 face up. If you play another 7, set it alongside the existing 7 until all four 7s are visible.

  5. Step 5

    With each turn, build on the rows in ascending or descending order by placing one card in order by suit. For example, if the 7 of hearts has been played and the 8 of hearts has been played above it, place a 9 of hearts above the 8 in one turn and the 10 of hearts above the 9 on your next turn.

  6. Step 6

    Place a chip in the middle of the table and pass if you can't make a play when it becomes your turn.

  7. Step 7

    Win the game by being the first to get rid of all your cards. All other players must place one chip in the pool for every card they have remaining in their hand at the end of the game. The winner gets the the pool.

Tips & Warnings
  • Ace is low in Fan Tan.
  • If you have a card that you can play, you must play it. You cannot strategically hold onto cards in this game.
  • If you hold many cards of one suit, decide whether to play those cards first; other players can't build on the other suits unless you lay those cards down. If you hold off, you slow the other players down while you're getting rid of your cards.

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