Faro, The Game before Poker
Thought to have originated in France in the 17th Century by the name “Pharaon” (possibly because of images of Egyptian Pharos on certain card decks). This was a fast game and fortunes could be lost or gained playing.
It gained popularity in the US in the early 1800s, because of the speed and compact nature of the game. One did not need a lot to play. A simple Faro Layout, Card Keep, and a card shoe. That was it. It was particularly attractive to the tired miners, railroad workers and cowboys looking for something fast and easy.
Unlike Poker, Faro was almost pure luck. There was no bluffing of opponents, or building a strong hand with just the right cards. A player simply placed his chips or Coppers on the layout hoping that is what the dealer would draw in the right order. Because of these, Faro became the dominant game in Casinos and Gambling houses across America.
Faro also developed a dark side. Dealers became quite good at cheating with rigged equipment and sleight of hand tricks. Because of the large amounts of money and people that could be moving around a Faro game, arguments broke out pretty regularly. Unlike Poker, where players are playing each other directly, Faro was played against the House, so the house controlled the deck, card shoe, the pace and the payout. Cheating eventually became an expected event at a Faro Table. newspapers were supposedly writing about the rigging going on throughout the late 1800s. Sadly the honest dealers had a hard time due to the cheating.
Poker, because of the direct play was easier to regulate and by the early 1900s assisted in the down fall of Faro. There was also the crackdown led by changing public opinion on gambling and the houses that allowed it. As the 1900s progressed, other factors came into play, like the slot machines. By the 50s Faro was almost completely lost. Some features of the game did remain and was put to use by the new Casinos. Features like fast rounds, simple ways to bet, house bank, and public participation (player and watcher).
The Rules of Faro are relatively simple, you are betting on what you hope is the winning card or “rank”. The Dealer or “Banker” will start by drawing one card and discard it, this is the “soda card”, then they will draw 2 cards, the first card is the loser and the second card is the winner. For the betting, you can place your copper or chip on a specific card or you can split it by placing the copper in-between cards. You can even “mark” your copper to bet on a loser. The game continues until the last cards have been drawn. If a player is paying attention, the Case Keep will tell you how many of each “rank” or number/royal cards have been drawn and guide you in your betting.
The equipment is fairly simple, you will need for a good game of Faro:
A Faro Layout:
The Layout is set up to show the “Ranks”. They are traditionally show by the Spades but represent all suits. So lets say you place your copper on the 3 of spades, if the second card drawn is a 3 of hearts, you win that round (or if the first card is a 3 of hearts you loose). You can bet on multiple Ranks by placing your copper in between the Ranks like below
The next piece is the Case Keep or Case Keeper. This has the Ranks displayed in an abacus like formation, with sliding beads for counting. When cards are drawn, the beads are moved.
Another important item is the Bankers Bank Box, He or She has to have someplace to keep the winnings! Or to pull the losings from. Organize the spoils or just hide them from view
The most important item to play Faro is of course the cards. Our Harts deck is a great Old West style deck with square corners, no numbers and paper not plastic just like they used in the Old West.
The last 2 pieces are just as important as the rest, the Card shoe and the Coppers. We are currently working with our crafter to get these two just right for a historic Faro set.
