How to Play Fan Tan
Fan Tan is a fast moving member of the Stops family of card games. This game is also played under various other names such as Card Dominoes, Parliament and Sevens. It is also very popular in India, played under the name Satti pe Satti (7 on 7).

Fan Tan uses the standard 52 deck in which the cards rank in the following order (from high to low); King, Queen, Jack, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, Ace. Fan Tan is designed for play by 3 to 6 players.

The standard method of scoring in Fan Tan is done using tokens or chips. Thus, before beginning the game, each player should be distributed an equal number of chips, such as 50 or 100. These chips will be used to keep score through multiple hands.

Layout of Fan Tan game in progress
This illustration shows a layout for a game of Fan Tan in progress. The sevens are played to the middle, and cards of a higher denomination in piles to the left of these and cards of ascending denomination in piles to the right.
The first dealer can be determined in several different ways. The most common is to have everyone take any seat at the table and one player begins dealing the cards face up card to each player in a clockwise rotation one at a time. The first player to receive a Jack of any suit is determined to be the first dealer. Once the first dealer is determined, this dealer shuffles the pack and deals the cards one at a time in a clockwise rotation. face down to each player. The dealer should distribute the entire pack. Some players may get one more card than others if the deck cannot divide evenly amongst the current participants. After the deal the players then each add one chip to the center of the table. Any players who received less cards during the current deal would then contribute one additional chip to the center pile.

The object of each hand is to be the first player to eliminate all cards from his hand. The first player to do so will win all the chips in the center of the table and additional penalty chips from the remaining players as well. That same player will also become the dealer for the next hand.

Once all cards have been dealt the players then pick up their cards to begin play of the hand. The player to the dealer's left has the first play, with normal play rotating in a clockwise rotation.

On his turn, each player plays a card if able, to a center layout or tableau. The legal plays in this game are as follows: If a player on their turn has at least one valid play, they must make a play. A player may play only one card per turn. If a player is unable to make a valid play on his turn, he must add one chip to the center of the table and the turn passes to the next player in a clockwise rotation.

The tableau essentially becomes four rows of cards, with one row for each suit, with the sevens being placed first. Each separate row is called a fan. Once a seven has been played, it opens the layout for additional cards of the same suit. The six of the same suit would be played to one side of the seven and the eight on the other side. Players can then build on these cards in a descending order from Seven to Ace and ascending order up from Seven to King in the same suit.

When a player on his turn is able to play his last card, the hand ends. Each other player must then add one chip to the center of the table for each card remaining in their own hand. The player who ran out of cards then collects all the chips from the center and shuffles the deck and deals the next hand.

If a player on his turn fails to play a card when he had a legal play, he must add three chips from his hand to the center of the table at the end of the hand. If a player who has a seven passes, he must place three chips in the center and also, as an additional penalty, give the players who have the six and the eight of the same suit as that seven 5 chips each.

At the end of a set number of hands, the player who has the most total chips is declared the winner. Usually each player is given enough chips such that no player will run out, but if a player does run out of supplied chips, the game ends at the completion of the current hand, with the player having the most chips declared the winner.


Optional Rules and Game Variations

Optional Scoring Variants: There are a number of additional methods in which Fan Tan can be scored, with the following as commonly used options:
First Turn: In some games the first play is made by the holder of a certain card. Thus, whichever player has the designated card takes the first turn, with the play then rotating in a clockwise rotation from that player.

When this rule is used, usually the holder of the Seven of Diamonds takes the first turn (playing that card), but sometimes the Seven of Hearts is used for this purpose instead.

Double Deck Fan Tan: While the standard version is designed for up to six players, double deck Fan Tan can be played by up to 12 such participants.

As the name implies, the game is played using two standard 52 card decks shuffled together. The ranking of the cards is the same as in the standard version; King, Queen, Jack, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, Ace.

The game is played the same as the standard version, with players on their turn, first playing the sevens and then building up and down from these sevens in the same suit. Since there will be two of each denomination in each suit, a complete tableau will consist of eight rows, each with a seven as the foundation. Other than the larger number of cards and tableau, the game is played identically to the standard game.

Five or Nine: Five or Nine is a Fan Tan variant that is played very similarly to the parent game. The only difference between this and the parent game is that fives or nines are used to start the foundations instead of sevens.

On the first turn of the game, the player whose turn it is must play either a five or a nine to start the tableau foundation. If he has neither a five or a nine, he must pass and the turn rotates to the next player. The first player to actually possess a five or nine plays that card to start the center tableau. Once the tableau is started with a five or nine as the foundation, for the remainder of the hand, each foundation pile must start with a card of the same denomination. Thus, if the first card played is a five, the remaining foundation rows during the hand must start with fives. Similarly, if a nine was the first card played, all foundations for the remainder of the game must start with the nine of their respective suit. In all other respects this game is played identically to the standard game.

Play or Pay: Play or Pay is another game based loosely on Fan Tan. This game uses one standard 52 card deck and, similar to Fan Tan is usually played by 3 to 6 players.

Before the start of the game, each player should be provided with an equal number of chips, such as 50. The first dealer can be determined with a draw of cards, with the player drawing the highest card set as the first dealer. Thereafter, the deal rotates around the table from hand to hand in a clockwise direction.

Once the dealer is determined, that player should shuffle the cards and deal out the entire deck. The cards may not divide out evenly, thus some players may receive an extra card. After the deal each player should place one chip in the center of the table. Those players who received one less card also place one additional chip in the pile in the center of the table.

As in Fan Tan, the object of this game is to be the first player to play all cards from your hand. Although there is no card ranking per se in this game, cards are played in continuous sequences. Thus, each play should consist of a card next in sequence of the same suit. For purposes of these sequences, the ordering is as follows (in ascending sequence); Ace, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, Jack, Queen, King. When a King is played, the next card which can legally be played on that card is the Ace, which allows the sequence to roll over, with the next card to be played a 2 and so on.

Completed Spade sequence in Play or Pay

The player to the immediate left of the dealer has the first play. This player may play any card of his choosing from his hand to the center of the table. Thereafter, the turn rotates in a clockwise rotation around the table. The next player, if able, will then play the next card of the same suit in sequence from the last card played. If unable to play, as he does not have the next card in sequence, he must contribute one chip to the center of the table and the turn passes to the next player. This continues from player to player until the 13th and last card in a sequence of a particular suit is played. Whomever played that last card then may play any remaining card in his hand to start a new sequence. When any player, on his turn, plays the last card of his hand, he is declared the winner of the hand. That player wins all the chips in the center of the table and deals the next hand. At the end of a set number of hands, the player with the most chips is declared the game winner.

Earl of Coventry: Earl of Coventry is another related game, played in the early 18th century. The game is designed for 3 to 6 players and uses a standard 52 card deck. Since the game is based on matching a cards denomination, there is no real concept of card ranking in the game.

Determination of the first dealer in this game is usually done by a draw from the deck, with the player drawing the highest card becoming the first dealer. Once determine, the dealer deals out the entire pack. Some players may receive one extra card during the deal when the deck will not divide evenly with the number of players participating in the game.

After the deal, the player to the dealer's immediate left may play any card of his choice from his hand. Each player in turn, must then play one card of the same denomination (regardless of the suit). If a player does not have a card of the same denomination he must pass his turn, making no play. Whichever player is able to play the fourth and last card of the original denomination may then play any other card from his hand to the table to start a new round.

When playing the cards, a player is required to state a specific phrase or rhyme. The following table shows the phrase that is normally said upon playing the first, second, third and fourth card of each particular rank. The "x" in a phrase would be replaced with the actual name of the particular card rank played (i.e. "There's as good as nine can be").
Card of Rank PlayedPhrase
First Card"There's as good as x can be"
Second Card"There's a(n) x as good as he"
Third Card"There's the best of all the three"
Fourth Card"And there's the Earl of Coventry"
                 One series of plays in Earl of Coventry

The first player to play his last card form his hand to the table is declared the winner of the game and also deals the next game.

Snip, Snap, Snorum: Snip, Snap, Snorum is played identically to Earl of Coventry with one major exception. In this game, chips or other tokens are used to keep a cumulative score during the course of the game. Before the start of the game each player should be provided an identical number of chips (such as 50).

When a player is able to completely deplete his hand of cards, he collects one chip from each other player for each card still remaining in their hand. At the conclusion of a set number of hands, the player with the most chips is declared the game winner.

In addition, a player who plays the second card of the same rank shouts "Snip", the player who plays the third says "Snap" and the player of the last shouts "Snorum".

The winner of each hand is set as the dealer for the next hand.

A completed sequence in Fe-Fi-Fo-Fum Fe-Fi-Fo-Fum: Fe Fi Fo Fum is another Children's game which plays very similarly to Earl of Coventry. This game is designed for four to six players and uses one standard 52 card deck. The ranking of the cards in the deck are as follows: Ace, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, Jack, Queen, King.

Any method can be used to determine seating positions and first dealer, with drawing for low card a common method. After each hand the privilege of being the dealer passes clockwise around the table.  Once the first dealer has been determined that player should thoroughly shuffle the cards and begin dealing the cards, one by one and face down starting with the player to his immediate left in a clockwise direction. He should continue dealing until the entire deck has been dealt out. Some player may receive one extra card during the deal which is acceptable.

Once the cards have been dealt the players pick up their hands and the player to the dealer's right makes the first play. He may play any card of his choice from his hand face up to the middle of the table. While doing so he should clearly call out "Fe". Whichever player has the next card in sequence of the same suit should then play that card, saying "Fi". This continues for the next three cards in sequence, with the players respectively stating "Fo", "Fum", and lastly "Giants tum". Whichever player plays the fifth card to the sequence, saying "Giants tum". This automatically ends the sequence and the player who played this card then begins a new sequence with any other card from his hand. While doing so he clearly states "Fe". This then begins a new sequence in the same manner as previous.

In addition to playing the fifth card to any sequence there are other ways in which a sequence may be forced to stop. If the sequence reaches the King of the suit (no matter how many cards have already been played to that particular sequence), or if no player has the next card in sequence (it having already been played to a previous sequence during the hand). In each of those cases, the last player who was able to play a card to the sequence begins a new sequence with any card from their hand (and appropriately beginning with "Fe" again.

When a player legally plays his last card he drops from the game. The game continues in this manner until all players but one have run out of cards. The last player holding cards is said to have lost the game and the first player to have run out of cards during this hand is declared the winner.

Jig: Jig is a game which has elements of Snip, Snap, Snorum, Earl of Coventry and Play or Pay. In this game, the cards are played in five card sequences of the same suit rather than cards of the same denomination. This game uses one standard 52 card deck with the specific ranking of the cards for purposes of these sequences is as follows (from low to high); Ace, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, Jack, Queen, King. The game is designed to be played by 4 to 8 players.

As in the other variants of these games, the first player may play any card of his choice from his hand. The next player in turn then attempts to play the next highest card in sequence of the same suit. If that player does not have that card, he must pass, with the turn rotating to the next player. Each card played in the sequence also has a corresponding word the player should say. The first card is accompanied by the word Snip, the second by Snap, the third by Snorum, the fourth by Hickockalorum and the fifth by Jig. When a player is able to play the fifth card to the sequence, they then have the privilege of starting a new sequence with any card remaining in their hand. Before starting the new sequence, however, they should turn face down the previous sequence to avoid any confusion as to the current series of plays. If the next required card for a sequence cannot be played as the required card has already been played, or the sequence has reached the King, the last player to have played to the sequence should say "Jig", and is given the privilege of playing any card to start the next round.

When a player is able to play the last card in his hand, he wins the hand and collects one chip for each card remaining in his opponents hands. This same player should also deal the next hand. After a set number of hands, the player with the most chips is declared the game winner.

A player's score pile
In the example, this player's scoring pile would total 10 points for the hand.
Chinese Seven: This is a unique variant of Fan Tan that appears to have originated in China and is rarely found to be played outside certain areas there.

The game is played identically to standard Fan Tan with one major difference that significantly alters the strategic approach a player will take when playing.

Rather than using chips or tokens in this game, score over the course of the game is kept on pencil and paper, and is determined by a player by designation of specific cards during the hand.

Each time a player, on his turn, is unable to make a valid play, he selects any one card from his hand and places it face down to his left and passes his turn. Each subsequent turn he is unable to make a valid play he adds any additional card face down to this scoring pile and the turn also passes to the next player. The game continues turn by turn, until one of the following conditions occur:
  1. One player plays the last card in his hand to the center layout.
  2. Four players in succession can make no play to the center (each having added the obligatory card to their face down scoring pile).
  3. One player, unable to make a valid play during his turn, places the last card from his hand to his face down scoring pile).
As soon as any of these conditions occur, the hand immediately ends. At this point the players then turn over their face down scoring piles and sum up the total of the cards in this pile and add it to any total already recorded for the player on the score sheet. For this purpose, the cards have the following scoring values:

Card DenominationCard Point Value
Ace1
2 to 10Value marked on the card
Jack11
Queen12
King13

If the game ends because a player managed to play the last card in his hand to the center layout, that player scores nothing for the hand, while the remaining players score for all the point scoring cards they have in their face down piles. In all other circumstances, all players score for the cards in their face down piles.

If, after all scores are totaled at the end of a hand, one or more players has exceeded 100 points, the game ends. The player with the lowest accumulated total is declared the winner of the game.

Up the Line: Up the line is a variant of Fan Tan that is played identically to Chinese Seven save for the scoring. In Up the Line, the players score one point per face down card in their face-down pile. In this version, the game usually ends when one player scores 15 or more points after the scores are totaled at the end of a hand. The player with the lowest total score at that point is declared the game winner.

Ristiseiska: Ristiseiska, sometimes called Finnish Fan Tan, is a version of Fan Tan that is very popular in Finland. It is played the same as the standard variant with several differences described as follows:

Finnish Fan Tan hand in progress The player holding the seven of Clubs has the first turn and must play this card as his first turn. Subsequently the turn rotates in a clockwise rotation from that player around the table.

As in the standard game a seven of a particular suit must be played before any other cards of that suit may be played. However, in this variant there are additional restrictions on the first few cards which can be played in a new suit. Before any additional cards of that same suit can be played the six must be played. After the six is then played, other cards can be played in ascending and descending sequence as in the standard version of Fan Tan.

As in the original game, a player must play a card on his turn when able (as per the rules). If a player is found to not have played a card when able, each other player is entitled to give that player one card of their choice from their hand. A player who has no play on his turn must "beg" a card from the player to his immediate right. The player to his right must then give the player any card from his hand. The card should be passed face down such that no other players can identify the card. After the card has been passed, the player who receives the card then passes his turn.

However, a player does not have to "beg" for a card if unable to play on his first turn of the hand. In addition, if the player being requested for a card has only one card remaining in their hand, the player must ask the player to the right of that player for a card. If the player also has only one card, then no card is passed and the player simply skips his turn.

Any time a player legally plays an Ace or King, they are allowed (but not required) to take another turn.

The tableau used for this game usually has the foundation cards in the middle, with the ascending and descending cards above and below this card. The ascending cards from eight to King are usually placed in the same pile above the foundation, and the descending cards from six to Ace are usually in one pile below the foundation.

When any player plays the last card in his hand the hand ends and points are calculated. Each player scores one minus point for each card remaining in their hand. At the end of a set number of hands, the player with the lowest score is declared the winner.

Crazy Tan - Classic: Crazy Tan is a variant of Fan Tan for 2 to 4 players, this time with a requirement in which players must draw from the stock when unable to play. These rules are the original rules, with many players modifying the rules somewhat in a similar variation called by the same name. Here we call it Crazy Crazy Tan (with the rules described next) to distinguish it from the classic version.

In classic Crazy Tan, each player is dealt seven cards with the remaining cards placed face down in the center of the table as a stock pile. As in the standard variant a player must play if they can. A player may play a maximum of one card on his turn. On his turn a player may play any seven or if they have a card that can build up or down from cards already on the table can play that instead. However, if a player is unable to legally play a card on his turn, he must draw one card from the stock. If this is a playable card he must play it and end his turn. If unable to play this card his turn also ends. If the stock pile has been depleted and a player is unable to make a play, he simply skips his turn.

All other aspects of Crazy Tan are identical to the standard version of Fan Tan as described above.

Crazy Crazy Tan: Crazy, Crazy Tan is a version of Crazy Tan with various changes have been made to the rules. The first player to draw a card from the draw pile when unable to play must draw one card. If that card is not playable and the next player in turn also cannot play a card, he must draw two cards. Each subsequent player who must draw must draw adds one to the total of cards they must draw equal to the number of players who draw directly in sequence before their own turn. Once a card is played, the next draw starts again with just one card required.

In this variant, there are also certain opportunities on a players turn to play multiple cards:

- On his turn, if a player has multiple cards that form a run in which they can legally play to continue a sequence of cards on the table, they may play the entire run.
- If a player can legally play more than one card of the exact same rank to the center layout they may play all these cards. - A player may combine both of these types of plays. If a player has multiple runs containing the same cards in sequence that can be legally played to the table, he may play all these sequences as applicable.

All other rules for Crazy, Crazy Tan are the same as that for Classic Crazy Tan.

Domino Sevens: Domino Sevens is played very similarly to Crazy Tan - Classic. However, in this variant, as in the basic Fan Tan rules, each player is provided with a specific and equal number of chips before the game starts. At the start of each hand, each player adds one of his chips to the center to start a pile of chips. Each player is dealt seven cards and the remaining cards are placed near the center of the table face down as a stock pile.

As in most variations of the game, if a player has a legal play on his turn, he must make it. He may play only one card on his turn. However, if a player is unable to make a player, he must add one chip to the center pile and draw a card. If able to play the card he must do so and his turn ends. However, if unable to play the card drawn, he must then add another chip to the table and draw another card, continuing in this manner until drawing a card he is able to play. If the stock runs out of cards and a player is unable to play, they simply add one chip to the center pile and pass their turn.

When a player plays the last card in his hand, he wins the hand. Each other player must place one chip into the center pile for each card remaining in their hand. The winner of the hand then takes the entire center pile of chips, shuffles the deck and deals the next hand. At the end of a set number of deals, the player with the most chips is declared the game winner.

Layout of Fan Tan game in progress
A potential hand in progress of Fan Tan with Trumps, with diamonds having been dealt as the trump suit for the hand.
Fan Tan with Trumps: Another version of Fan Tan which is sometimes encountered is Fan Tan featuring a sort of Trump Suit for each hand. The game uses the standard deck and can be played by 3 to 6 players. The ranking of the cards in the deck is the same as in standard Fan Tan.

The first difference between this version and the standard is in the deal. In Fan Tan with Trumps, the cards are dealt out as evenly as possible amongst the active participants. Any additional cards that could not be dealt out evenly are dealt face up on the table. The last card to be dealt, whether to the table or to a players hand determines the "Trump" suit for the hand. If this card was intended to go to a players hand, it must be dealt to the player face up so all can see its suit to determine this Trump suit for the hand. After his first turn, that player may pick up his exposed card.

The next difference is in the play of the hand. As in the standard game, the sevens can always be played, and additional cards of the same suit as the seven, can be built in ascending and descending sequence from these cards. However, the difference in this version is that the cards of the Trump suit can be played on any other suit. Thus, if Diamonds were the Trump suit, the Five of Diamonds could be played after the Six of Spades. Because of this, the cards that have been replaced by the Trump cards must go on their own "Trump" sequence pile. This trump pile, however, must first be started by play of the Seven of the Trump suit as it's foundation.

In this version, the center layout should be arranged such that all played cards can be seen, and thus players know which cards have been replaced by Trump cards and must be played to the Trump foundation. Trump cards themselves can also be played to the Trump pile as normal. The original card exposed to determine the trump suit, must also be played to the Trump foundation pile, and may never be used to replace another suits card.

As may be remembered, if there were any extra cards which could not be evenly divided, they were dealt face up on the table. These are community cards. If a player, on his turn, is unable to make a valid play from his own hand, but there is a valid play using one of the community cards, he may pick up the community card and play it as appropriate.

All other rules are the same as in the standard game, with a player required to make a move if able, and only card allowed to be played per turn. If unable to play on his turn, the player must pass and the turn moves to the next player. The first player to deplete his hand of cards is declared the winner and collects a number of points based on the cards remaining in his opponents hands.

Shichi Narabe: Shichi Narabe is a Japanese version of Fan Tan. It is played very similarly to the base game with a few key differences. The players, goal and card ranking in the deck are all exactly the same as in the base game. The deck is also identical, except in Shichi Narabe one Joker is shuffled into the deck, making a 53 card deck.

After all cards have been dealt as evenly as possible, the players remove all sevens from their hand and play them to the center layout. Thus, the game will begin with all four sevens already on the table. After this occurs, the player to the dealer's immediate left takes the first turn. Any player who is unable to play on his turn must pass. A player may also choose to pass even if able to play at his option. However, a player is only permitted to pass a total of three times during a hand. If a player has already passed three times during the hand and finds himself unable to play, the hand ends with that player being assessed with the number of points still remaining in his hand. The remaining players earn a score of 0 for the hand. Otherwise, the game continues until one player runs out, with all other players being assessed the total points corresponding to the cards remaining in their own hand. Point values for card remaining in the hand are as follows:

Card DenominationScoring Value
Ace1
2 to 10Face Value Marked on Card
Jack, Queen, King10
Joker25
           


The Joker is a special card. A player on his turn may play it during his turn as a replacement for any other card, with one condition. That player must have (and play on the same turn) the card which would next follow the Joker in the sequence (either higher or lower). In addition, the player who has the card for which the Joker is the replacement card may, after the Joker is played, instantly and out of turn, place the card to replace it directly on top of the Joker. If the Joker is the last card in a players hand, he will not be able to play it, as the Joker always requires the user to have the next card in sequence when playing the Joker.

One last difference between this game and standard Fan Tan is that when playing Shichi Narabe, the Ace is considered the highest card rather than the lowest. Thus, the ranking of the cards in every suit in this game is as follows (from high to low): Ace, King, Queen, Jack, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2. At the end of a set number of hands, the player with the lowest score is declared the winner of the game.

Eights: This variant of Fan Tan should not be confused with another shedding type game called Eights in which players attempt to play cards from the hand to one specific play pile in the middle of the table. The rules for that game, which is also called "Eights" or "Crazy Eights" are described at this link. However, the game called Eights described here is a direct variant of Fan Tan.

This variant is played identically to the basic game Fan Tan as described above, with several key differences: Various card scores in the Fan Tan variant Eights

Unteransetzen: Unteransetzen is an Austrian version of Fan Tan which is almost always played using the special 32 card German William Tell suited pack of cards (although a reduced French suited deck can also be used). The William Tell pack is a special German deck normally consisting of 32 cards, with eight cards in each of four suits; Leaves, Hearts, Bells and Acorns. Each suit consists of cards in the rank 7, 8, 9, 10, Unter, Ober, King, Sow. The cards 7 to 10 are usually represented with Roman numerals and the Unter, Ober and King cards usually feature different characters from the famous drama Wilhelm Tell, written by Fridrich Schiller. The ranking of these cards in the pack are as follows: Ace (Sow), King, Queen (Ober), Jack (Unter), 10, 9, 8, 7. The game is played very similarly to most other versions of this game but using the smaller pack. The game can be played by 3 to 6 players, with a 2 player variant described later.

Determination of dealer and seating position can be done using a variety of methods, with draw for high cards a common method. Once the players are seated and the first dealer is determined, the dealer would then thoroughly shuffle the deck and offer it to the player at his left to cut. After the cut, the dealer then begins dealing the cards in a counterclockwise direction around the table, starting with the player at his immediate right. He continues dealing until the entire deck has been dealt. Some players may receive one extra card than others, but that is ok. After each game, the role of dealer rotates in a counterclockwise direction around the table.

Order of play of the Unters in Unteransetzen Once the hands have been dealt, play begins. Whichever player has the Unter (Jack) of Hearts has the first turn, in which he must play that card to the middle of the table to start a foundation. Play then continues in a counter-clockwise direction from that player around the table from player to player. Players may then build up or down from this foundation card with cards of that same suit. Thus, if the next player has either the Ober or 10 of Hearts he may play it to the table near that foundation card to continue the sequence. The lowest card in a sequence is the 7 and the highest card is the Sow (Ace). If a player on his turn does not have a card which can be added to the sequence, he may also be able to play another Unter if he has one. There is also a specific order for the order in which the Unters are to be played. After the Unter of Hearts has been played, the Unter of Leaves may be played to start a foundation directly above the Unter of Hearts or the Unter of Bells may be played to start a foundation directly below the Unter of Hearts. Once the Unter of Leaves has been played, the Unter of Acorns can be played to start a new foundation above the Unter of Leaves. A player may play a maximum of one card on his turn and must make a play if he has at least one legal play. However, if a player cannot make a play, he must instead pass on that turn.

Play continues in this manner around the table until one player manages, on his turn, to play his last card from the hand. That player is then declared the winner of the game.

Unteransetzen Two Player Variant: Unteransetzen can also be played by two players. The rules of the game are the same, except for the following discrepancies:
In all other aspects, the two-player variant is played identically to the standard version of the game.

Zehnerlegen: Zehnerlegen is another variant of Domino which is of Germanic origin, most commonly played in Bavaria and Burgenland in Austria. Although not usually played with the William Tell pack, this game is most often played with the standard German pack, although it can also be played using a standard French suited deck. Similar to the William Tell deck, the standard German deck consists of eight cards in each of four suits; Acorns, Leaves, Hearts and Bells. The cards within each suit are of ranks (listed from lowest to highest) 7, 8, 9, 10, Unter, Ober, King, Sow.

Zehnerlegen is designed to be played by four players each playing independently. Determination of seating positions and first dealer can be performed using a variety of methods with draw for high cards a common method. Once the first dealer has been determined, this player should thoroughly shuffle the cards and offer the deck to the player at his immediate left. After the cut the dealer then begins dealing the card in small two card face-down packets to each player in a counter-clockwise direction, starting with the player at his immediate right. He continues dealing these two card packets until each player has a total of eight cards. After the cards have been dealt, play of the hand begins.

The player who has the 10 of Acorns, who plays this card face-up to the table to start a foundation. Each other player, in a counter-clockwise direction than has a turn to attempt to build up or down on this 10 in sequence with cards of that same suit. Each player may play a maximum of one card on his turn. A player on his turn may also play any other 10 to the table to start a new foundation in the suit of that 10. If a player has at least one legal move he must take that move. If a player has no legal moves he must simply pass his turn. Play continues in this manner until a player manages to play the last card from his hand to the table. This player is considered the first winner. Play continues amongst the remaining three players to determine the second winner and so on to determine the finishing order of the players.

Siebener Raus: Siebener Raus (translated to "Sevens Out") is another variant of Fan Tan, which is sometimes found in German card game books. This game is played very similarly to standard Fan Tan or Zehnerlegen with a few differences.

Despite being indicated to be a German game, it is usually played using the standard International 52 card deck rather than the special German suited deck. The sequential ranking of the cards in this deck are as follows (from high to low): King, Queen, Jack, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2.

The player having the seven in the suit of Clubs has the first turn, and the turns then proceed to rotate around the table in a clockwise direction around the table from that player. After a seven of any suit has been played, the six of that same suit must next be played. After the six has been played, the eight is the next card which must then be played in that suit. Once these cards have been played, the normal ascending and descending cards in sequence may be played in that suit. Of course, a player having another seven can play that card on his turn, if able, or play to another ongoing sequence on the table on which these cards have already been played.

Other than these few differences Siebener Raus is played identically to standard Fan Tan.

Seven of Diamonds: Seven of Diamonds is a game played similar to Fan Tan which is popular in Saudi Arabia. This game is designed for play by four players, in two partnerships. The game uses a 32 card deck which can be formed by removing all cards lower than rank seven from a standard deck. The remaining cards in the deck rank as follows (from highest to lowest): Ace, King, Queen, Jack, 10, 9, 8, 7.

Determination of partnerships and first dealer can be performed using a variety of methods, with drawing for high cards a common method. In this method, each player draws one card from the shuffled deck. The two players drawing the highest cards from one partnership, in opposition to the two players drawing the two lowest cards from that draw. Any players drawing cards of the same rank must redraw. The player drawing the highest card of all is set as the first dealer. Each player should sit directly across the table from his partner, such that play alternates between players from each partnership. After each hand, the role of dealer rotates in a counter-clockwise direction around the table.

Once the players are seated and the deck shuffled and cut, the dealer then begins dealing the cards, starting with the player at his immediate right and continuing in a counter-clockwise direction around the table. He deals the cards face-down and one-by-one until each player has a total of eight cards. After the deal, and before play begins there are several options available to the players, as follows: After players have been provided adequate time to double or triple or request a redeal, play of the hand begins. Whichever player has the seven of diamonds in hand makes the first play, placing this card face-up in the center of the table to start the layout. Thereafter, the turn rotates around the table in a counter-clockwise direction.

If a player has at least one legal play, he must make that play on his turn. Legal plays are as follows: If a player has no legal play, he simply knocks on the table, skipping his turn.

Immediately upon playing his second to last card, a player must declare that he only has one card remaining in his hand. Failure to so announce this results in a penalty of 100 points (see penalties, below).

The game continues until one player manages to play his last card to the layout, at which time he and his partner have won the hand. Once this occurs, scoring of the hand begins. The winning partnership then earns scores based on the cards remaining in both opponent's hands:
CardScore Earned by Winning Partnership
Ace20 Points Each
King, Queen, Jack10 Points Each
10, 9, 8, 70 Points
           Scoring value of cards in the game Seven of Diamonds
In addition, if the winning player's last card played on the hand, to win the game, was any seven, he earns 200 points for his team. Note that if the hand was doubled, all scores are multiplied by two and if the hand was trebled, all scores are multiplied by three during this hand.

In addition to the scores above, there are a number of situations which can occur which incur a penalty. If a penalty is noticed and announced by any player (and before the next hand is dealt), the opposing team of the team which made the penalty immediately scores 100 points (penalty scores are never doubled or trebled). The following are some of the situations which can incur such a penalty: In addition to the 100 point penalty, the error should also be rectified as soon as identified.

The first partnership to earn a score of 500 accumulated points over multiple hands is declared the winner of the game.

Sjuan: Sjuan (translated to Seven in English) is the variant of Fan Tan which is most commonly encountered in Sweden. Sjuan is played very similarly to standard Fan Tan, with the following differences: In all other aspects Sjuan is played identically to the standard game of Fan Tan.

Cinquillo hand in progress Cinquillo: Cinquillo is the primary variant of Fan Tan played in Spain. Cinquillo is commonly played by 2 to 5 participants and is traditionally played using the 40 card Spanish suited deck. The Spanish deck consists of four suits (coins, glasses, clubs, and swords). In each of these four suits is one card in each of the denominations of King, Knight, Jack, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1. If such a Spanish suited deck is not at hand, a standard International deck can be used by removing all cards in the denominations of 8, 9, and 10. The sequencing and rank of the cards in this deck are as follows (from highest to lowest): King, Knight (Queen), Jack, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 (Ace). It should be noted that the Jack is next in ascending order after the seven in this deck.

Determination of first dealer and seating positions can be performed using a variety of methods, with draw for high cards one method commonly used. The players each drawing a card from the shuffled deck, taking a seat in order of precedence in order of cards drawn, from highest to lowest. The player drawing the highest card of all is set as the first dealer. The role of dealer rotates around the table in a counter-clockwise direction after each hand. The dealer should then thoroughly shuffle the deck and offer it to the player at his left for the cut. After the cut, the dealer begins dealing the cards around the table in a counter-clockwise direction around the table. The specific number of cards dealt will be directly dependent on the number of active participants in the game: During the deal, the dealer starts with the player at his immediate left right and continues dealing in a counter-clockwise direction until each player has the requisite number of cards. In the two player variant, the dealer starts the deal with his opponent.

To start each hand, the player who has in hand the five of coins (or diamonds) has the first turn, and on this turn he must play this card to the center of the table to start the first foundation. The turns then continue in a counter-clockwise direction around the table.

In the two player game, if neither player has this five, the opponent of the dealer has the first turn, and the turns alternate amongst these two players. The player must use his turn to draw a card from the stock, ending his turn, until one player draws the five. That player may then, on his next turn, play this card to start the first foundation.

On each players turn, that player may thus make one of several moves. If a player has any five he may play that card to the center of the table, starting a new foundation in the suit of that card. If a player has the next highest or lowest card for a card already found on the table, in the same suit of that card, he may play that card. If he has at least one legal move, a player must make that move. If he has no legal moves, he must then pass his turn. In the two player variant, if a player passes his turn and if there are any cards remaining in the stock pile, that player must draw one card from the stock and then pass his turn. Once that stock is exhausted, the player simply passes his turn.

Play continues in this manner around the table until one player manages, on his turn, to play the last card from his hand. When this occurs, the hand immediately ends. The player who managed to deplete his hand scores five points for the feat, and one additional point for each card still remaining in each opponent's hand. These points are added to an accumulated total kept by the player. The other players score nothing on that hand.

Once any player, after points are added for the hand, finds his total has reached 100 or more points, that player is immediately declared the game winner.

Blocked Cinquillo Blocked Cinquillo: This is a unique variant of standard Cinquillo which is much less common than the regular version. This variation is normally played by 3, 4, or 5 players. It is similar to standard Cinquillo with the following major differences: Other than these differences, Blocked Cinquillo is played identically to standard Cinquillo.

Badam Satti: Badam Satti (translated as Seven of Hearts) is a variant of Fan Tan played in India. It is similar to standard Fan Tan (known in India as Satti pe Satti) but has several differences. This variant is specifically designed for 4 players, each playing independently, and uses one standard 52 card deck. The sequence of the cards in this deck are as follows (from highest to lowest): King, Queen, Jack, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, Ace.

Determination of seating positions and first dealer can be performed using a variety of methods, with a draw for high cards very common. The role of dealer should rotate in a clockwise direction around the table after each hand.

The player having the seven of hearts always has the first play To begin the deal, the dealing player should thoroughly shuffle the deck and offer it to the player at his right to cut. After the cut the dealer begins dealing the cards in a clockwise direction around the table, starting with the player at his immediate left. The cards are dealt face-down and one-by-one, with the dealer continuing the deal until the entire deck has been dealt out.

Whichever player has the seven of hearts in the hand will have the first turn, and must play that card on that first turn. Thereafter the turn rotates around the table in a clockwise direction from that initial player.

On a players turn he must make a legal move if able, and can only play one card at a maximum on his turn. The following are the valid moves a player can make on his turn: If a player has no legal play, he must declare "pass" on his turn and the turn advances to the next player in a clockwise direction.

The game continues, turn by turn, until one player manages to play the last of his cards legally on his turn. Once this occurs, the hand immediately ends. Each player then earns a score based on the cards still remaining in his hand. The following chart shows the value of each of the cards in the deck:

CardScoring Value
King13 Points Each
Queen12 Points Each
Jack11 Points Each
2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10Value Marked on Card
Ace1 Each

Each player thus adds the points from his remaining cards to his ongoing, accumulated score. The winner of the hand, having no cards remaining in the hand, scores 0 points on that hand.

The game is played for exactly seven hands. After seven such hands have been played, the player with the lowest total accumulated score is declared the game winner.

Pekwa: Pekwa is the name of the variant of Fan Tan or Sevens as played in the Philippines. Pekwa is played identically to standard Fan Tan with the one difference being that the card used to start each foundation is the six of each suit.

Deviatka: A popular variant of Fan Tan played in Russia is called Deviatka (translated as "Nine" in English). This game is also played almost identically to standard Fan Tan with just one major difference. In Deviatka the card used to start each foundation is the nine in each suit. The player having the nine of diamonds always has the first turn, playing this card to start the central layout. The turns then proceed in a clockwise direction around the table. Otherwise, Deviatka is played identically to standard Fan Tan.

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