Learn to Play Fan Tan: Rules & Tips

Players 3-8 Players
Difficulty 2/10
Recommended Age 8+
Game Category Shedding
Playing the card game Fan Tan
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Fan Tan Game Overview

Fan Tan is a classic Chinese card game that's been enjoyed for centuries. It's a simple yet exciting game that's easy to learn and perfect for players of all skill levels. The game is played with a standard deck of 52 cards and can be played with 3-8 players. The objective of the game is to be the first player to get rid of all your cards by playing them onto the table in a specific sequence.

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Objective of the Game

The object of Fan Tan is to be the first player to get rid of all your cards by playing them onto the table in a specific sequence. The game is played with a standard deck of 52 cards, and the cards are played in a specific order. The first player to get rid of all their cards wins the game.

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Materials Needed for Playing Fan Tan

  • Standard deck of 52 cards
  • Table or flat surface to play on

Cards Used

Fan Tan is played with a standard deck of 52 cards. No jokers or other special cards are used.

Other Supplies Needed

  • None

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How To Play Fan Tan

  1. Shuffle the deck and deal the cards face down to each player.
  2. Players look at their cards and sort them by suit and rank.
  3. The player with the 3 of spades starts the game by playing it onto the table.
  4. The next player must play a card of the same suit as the 3 of spades and of the next highest rank. For example, if the 3 of spades is played, the next player must play a 4 of spades.
  5. If a player cannot play a card, they must pass their turn.
  6. The game continues in this way until a player runs out of cards.
  7. The first player to get rid of all their cards wins the game.

Keeping Score

In Fan Tan, there is no official scoring system. The game is played for fun, and the objective is simply to be the first player to get rid of all your cards.

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Related Games

If you enjoy playing Fan Tan, you may also enjoy these similar card games: