Guide
Fan Tan Game Explained: Rules and Bets
Quick Summary
- Fan Tan is an old Chinese game where a pile of beads is counted off in fours.
- You bet on what remains at the end: 1, 2, 3 or 4.
- Bet types cover one number, two numbers or three, with payouts to match.
- Check the OKZZ live lobby for Fan Tan, and read the paytable first.
Fan Tan is one of the oldest gambling games from China, and it has found a new life in live casino studios. The idea is easy to follow: the dealer covers a random pile of beads, then counts them out in groups of four. Whatever is left at the end, one, two, three or four, decides the result. This article explains the counting, the different bets and how to approach the game sensibly. We could not confirm Fan Tan on OKZZ, so check its live lobby.
How is a Fan Tan round played?
The dealer scoops a random number of beads or buttons from a larger pile and covers them with a cup or bowl. Players bet on the outcome. The cover is lifted and the dealer removes beads four at a time with a small stick until four or fewer remain.
That final count, from 1 to 4, is the result. Since the starting pile is random, each result has close to the same chance.
What bets can I place?
The traditional bets have Chinese names, which live tables often show alongside English labels.
| Bet | What you cover | How it works |
|---|---|---|
| Fan | One number | Wins if that number is the result; highest payout |
| Nim | One number to win, one to push | Wins on one, stake returned on another |
| Kwok | Two adjacent numbers | Wins on either |
| Nga Hom | Two numbers to win, one to push | Wins on two, push on one |
| Ssh | Three numbers | Wins on any of the three; lowest payout |
| Odd or even | 1 and 3, or 2 and 4 | Wins on either number in the pair |
How do the payouts compare?
The fewer numbers you cover, the higher the payout and the lower the chance. A Fan bet on one number pays the most, but wins only about one round in four. A Ssh bet on three numbers wins most rounds, but pays much less. Odd or even sits in the middle.
Casinos usually keep their edge by taking a commission on winnings or by setting payouts slightly below the fair rate. Each table shows its own paytable.
Tip: compare the payout for a single-number Fan bet across tables if you can. Small differences in commission make a real difference over many rounds.
Is there anything to watch out for?
Like other quick live games, Fan Tan can be played fast. The history board shows past results, but each new pile is random and the board cannot predict the next count.
Push bets like Nim and Nga Hom can feel safer because some outcomes return your stake. They are still bets with a house edge, just a different shape.
How does Fan Tan compare with other live games?
It is similar in spirit to dice games, where you bet on a small set of outcomes with fixed payouts. If you like it, sic bo uses three dice with a wider grid, and Dragon Tiger is another two-outcome favorite.
The live casino guide lists every live table type we cover. For an instant game with very different pacing, see our Limbo game article.
Three steps
How to play Fan Tan in 3 steps
- 1Find a table
Look in the OKZZ live lobby for Fan Tan and open the table's paytable and limits.
- 2Choose a bet
Pick Fan, Kwok, Ssh, odd or even, or a push bet, and place a small chip before the timer ends.
- 3Watch the count
The dealer counts the beads in fours; the remainder decides which bets win.
Related answers
Go to OKZZ
Pick your limit, then open OKZZ in a new tab. Questions? Every guide here has an answer section.
18+ only. Bets can be lost. OKZZ opens in a new tab.
Frequently asked
Is Fan Tan pure luck?
Yes. The number of beads in the pile is random, so no bet or pattern can predict the remainder. Your choices only change the payout and chance you accept.
What does Fan mean?
In Fan Tan, Fan is a bet on one single number from 1 to 4. It pays the most because it covers only one of the four outcomes.
Is Fan Tan available on OKZZ?
We could not confirm the live tables on OKZZ. Check the live casino section of the OKZZ site or app to see if Fan Tan is listed.
Why is there a commission?
Commission, or slightly reduced payouts, is how the house keeps an edge in a game where every outcome is roughly equally likely. The paytable shows how each table does it.
What is a push in Fan Tan?
A push means your stake is returned without a win or loss. Nim and Nga Hom bets include one number that produces a push.