Step into the thrilling world of frontier gambling, where the card game of Faro reigned supreme. Known as the “King of all games” during its heyday, Faro captivated players across Europe and the American West with its rapid pace and straightforward rules.
The Genesis and Rise of Faro
European Roots and American Expansion
The origins of Faro trace back to 17th-century France, evolving from an older card game called Basset. Initially dubbed Pharaon, it quickly ascended to prominence across 18th-century Europe, establishing itself as a popular pastime among all social classes. As its popularity surged, the name was eventually shortened to Pharo or Faro, paving its way for an impactful journey across the Atlantic to the burgeoning United States.
In America, Faro truly found its legendary status, particularly during the frenetic era of the California Gold Rush. Its appeal rapidly spread beyond the gold fields, becoming the principal attraction in countless gambling halls throughout the vast American Frontier. This was a game so significant that even iconic figures of the Old West, such as Doc Holliday and Wyatt Earp, were often found at the Faro table, sometimes even dealing the cards themselves, cementing its place in frontier lore.
Why Faro Dominated the Frontier
Unlike poker, to which it bears no direct relation, Faro stood out for several compelling reasons. It offered fast-paced action, rules that were remarkably easy to learn, and, critically, provided better odds for the player compared to many other games of chance prevalent at the time. From 1825 until around 1915, the game was arguably the most popular and ubiquitous enticement found in virtually every gambling establishment across the American West, drawing in cowboys, miners, prospectors, and entrepreneurs alike.
Understanding the Game of Faro
Faro’s Unique Setup
Although it shares some conceptual similarities with Mini-Baccarat, Faro is distinctively played with a single deck of cards and can accommodate an unlimited number of participants, referred to as “punters.” The individual managing the game, akin to a house dealer, was known as the “banker.” The heart of the Faro game lies in its unique layout: a specially designed board typically featuring one card of each denomination (Ace through King), usually in the suit of spades, prominently displayed at the top of the table. Punters would place their wagers by laying their stakes directly onto one or more of these 13 representative cards, indicating their chosen bet.
Beyond simply betting on individual card denominations, players also had the option to place a wager on the “high card” box, a designated area on the layout. This bet typically predicted whether the “player’s card” would be of a higher value than the “banker’s card” in a specific deal, adding another layer of strategic engagement to the game.
How to Play: The Mechanics of Betting
The dealing process in Faro was precise and ritualistic. After the banker “burned” the first card (discarded it to prevent cheating by knowing its identity), two critical cards were then dealt. The first, known as the “banker’s card,” was placed to the dealer’s right. Immediately following, the “English card” or “player’s card” was dealt and positioned to the dealer’s left. The outcome of these two cards determined the winners and losers for that round.
The rules of engagement were straightforward: the banker automatically won all stakes placed on the “banker’s card” denomination. Conversely, punters who had placed their bets on the “player’s card” denomination were paid double their staked sums. A crucial element of the game, which also offered the primary house advantage in a truly fair game, occurred if the banker dealt a pair – meaning both the “banker’s card” and the “player’s card” were of the same denomination. In such an instance, the banker would win half of all stakes that had been wagered on that particular card.
The House Edge: A Precarious Balance
A review of Faro’s fundamental rules reveals that the inherent advantage for the dealer, or “house,” was surprisingly modest compared to many other gambling games. This minimal house edge, while appealing to players seeking better odds, inadvertently created a significant problem: it made it difficult for legitimate establishments to turn a substantial profit. Consequently, this precarious balance often led to widespread and rampant cheating by bankers, transforming Faro from a game of chance into a rigged spectacle.
The Dark Side of Faro: Widespread Cheating
The Prevalence of Fraud
The limited house advantage in Faro became the catalyst for an unfortunate and pervasive culture of deception. To enhance their profitability, many bankers resorted to an array of illicit practices. These included the use of “trick decks” that were secretly marked or manipulated, employing subtle “sleight of hand” techniques to alter card outcomes, and even utilizing modified “automatic dealing boxes” designed to surreptitiously favor the house. The goal was always the same: to tip the odds definitively in favor of the bank, often at the unsuspecting punter’s expense.
Infamous Cheaters and Warnings
The ubiquity of cheating in Faro became so notorious that it even warranted a prominent disclaimer in authoritative guides such as Hoyle’s Rules of Games. Editions of this revered book began their Faro section with a stark warning, explicitly advising readers that an honest Faro bank was virtually impossible to find within the United States. This public acknowledgment underscored the depth of the problem and the inherent risks players faced. Among the more infamous figures notorious for rigging his games was Soapy Smith. At his Tivoli Club in Denver, Colorado, every one of Soapy Smith’s Faro games was systematically rigged, ensuring that the house always had the upper hand, solidifying his reputation as a cunning and ruthless swindler.
Faro’s Enduring Legacy and Decline
“Bucking the Tiger” and Other Iconic Phrases
Despite its controversial reputation, Faro left an indelible mark on American popular culture and language. One of the most recognized phrases associated with the game was “Bucking the Tiger.” This evocative idiom is widely believed to have originated from the early cardbacks used in Faro decks, which often featured a striking illustration of a Bengal Tiger. Engaging in a game of Faro was therefore metaphorically described as “twisting the tiger’s tail,” a perilous endeavor against a formidable opponent. So pervasive was the game that areas known for housing multiple gambling establishments—such as alleys, streets, or entire districts—were frequently dubbed “tiger town” or “tiger alley,” reflecting the pervasive influence of Faro.
The Fading Allure: From Prominence to Obscurity
The very aspect that initially attracted players to Faro—its low house edge—ultimately contributed to its decline. By 1925, legitimate Faro games had largely disappeared from the American gambling scene due to the difficulty establishments faced in turning a consistent profit without resorting to illicit means. A brief resurgence occurred when the State of Nevada legalized gambling in 1931, offering a glimmer of hope for the once-dominant game. However, this revival was short-lived. By the 1950s, Faro had once again fallen out of fashion, eclipsed by newer, more profitable house games like craps and roulette, which casinos actively promoted due to their higher profit margins.
By the mid-20th century, only a handful of active Faro banks remained in Nevada. The last known Faro table, located in Reno, finally closed its doors in 1985, marking the definitive end of an era. Today, the vast majority of young American gamblers have never even heard of Faro, a testament to its complete disappearance from modern casino floors and popular memory. The game that once defined frontier gambling has become little more than a historical footnote, remembered primarily by enthusiasts of the Old West and gambling history.
Conclusion: The Vanishing Act of a Gambling Legend
From its sophisticated origins in 17th-century France to its wild reign across the American Frontier, Faro carved out an unparalleled legacy in the annals of gambling history. It was a game synonymous with excitement, risk, and the untamed spirit of the Old West, drawing in everyone from common prospectors to legendary lawmen and outlaws. Its simple rules, fast pace, and favorable odds initially ensured its widespread appeal, making it a cornerstone of every saloon and gambling hall.
Yet, the very elements that fueled its popularity—a minimal house edge—also sowed the seeds of its demise, leading to rampant cheating that tainted its reputation. Ultimately, as casinos sought more profitable ventures and player preferences shifted, Faro faded into obscurity. Though no longer played in modern casinos, its story serves as a fascinating chapter in the evolution of games of chance, forever linking it to the daring and dynamic era of the American West. The “King of Games” may have vanished, but its echoes persist in the lore and legends of a bygone era.
