http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/sun/2006/sep/08/566615134.html

FAN - TAN ??????
In Lisboa's main casino, gamblers crowd three deep around a spirited game of fan tan, which is played with a big pile of small ivory buttons. The dealer uses an upside-down cup to capture a random number of the buttons.

The players bet on whether there will be zero, one, two or three leftover buttons after the captured pile is divided into groups of four. After the dealer rings a bell signifying "no more bets" (the bell is used at other communal betting games such as baccarat as well), he turns over the cup and begins forming the groups of four buttons. Hundreds of thousands of Hong Kong dollars are bet on each game.

SKIP