Evolution’s Live Fan Tan breathes new life into an age‑old Chinese pastime. Players witness crisp high‑definition video as a live host orchestrates the ritual of dividing beads into neat quartets. Modern interface. Ancient roots. A captivating fusion of heritage and cutting‑edge streaming.

• Goal: Aim for a hand total as near to nine as possible. Cards two through nine carry their face value. An ace equals one. Tens and courts count zero. Only the final digit of the sum counts. A six and seven combine for three, not thirteen.
• Roles: Two sides exist – Player and Banker. Bets may go on either or on a Tie.
• Deal: Both sides receive two cards. Sometimes a third appears if rules demand.
• Third‑Card Protocol:
  • If either side holds eight or nine from the first two cards (a “natural”), no further draws occur.
  • If the Player’s total is five or below they draw a third. If they stand on six or seven, the Banker draws on five or under and stands on six or more.
  • If the Player draws a third card the Banker’s decision hinges on that card’s value:
    • Banker 0–2 draws always
    • Banker 3 draws except when Player’s third is an eight
    • Banker 4 draws if Player’s third is two through seven
    • Banker 5 draws if Player’s third is four through seven
    • Banker 6 draws if Player’s third is six or seven
    • Banker 7 stands
• Outcome: The side closest to nine prevails. Equal totals return stakes on Tie bets. Successful Banker or Player bets pay even money. Ties usually pay 8:1 or 9:1.

Key Variants

• Punto Banco – House banks all hands. Player and Banker draws follow strict preset rules. Common in North America and Australasia.
• Chemin de Fer – Players rotate as Banker. Each decides on a third‑card draw. A dash of strategy enters the game.
• Baccarat Banque – One player retains the Banker role until stepping down or funds exhaust. Three hands play: one for Banker and two for Players.

• Mini Baccarat – Lower stakes and streamlined play.
• Progressive – Stakes fuel a growing jackpot.
• Speed – Rapid rounds for adrenaline seekers.
• Live Dealer – Real‑time hosts bring the casino to you.

Games with a Baccarat Feel

1. Mini‑Baccarat – A smaller table, faster play, dealer handles all cards.
2. Macau – Similar aim at nine but lets players buy extra cards.

Historical Nuggets

• Birthplace: Italy in the 1400s under the name “baccara.”
• The name means “zero” in Italian – tens and face cards score zero.
• One of the first games in early Las Vegas casinos.
• James Bond’s game of choice. Iconic match in the 1967 “Casino Royale.”
• Asia’s darling – especially Macau where it drives much revenue.
• 2015’s Phil Ivey “edge sorting” case at Atlantic City’s Borgata.
• Record win: Kerry Packer’s circa $10 million haul in London, 1990.