Faro, or “Bucking the Tiger”
The allure of chance, the clink of coins, the suspenseful reveal of cards – these are the elements that defined the gambling scene of the American West. Among the myriad games vying for attention in smoky saloons, one stood out for its rapid pace, seemingly straightforward rules, and the air of sophistication it carried: Faro. Known colloquially as "Bucking the Tiger," Faro enjoyed a reign of popularity that spanned nearly a century, becoming synonymous with frontier gambling and attracting players from all walks of life, from seasoned cardsharps to greenhorn prospectors. This article delves into the history, gameplay, and eventual decline of this once-ubiquitous card game, exploring its connection to the legends of the Old West and the colorful language that surrounded it.
Origins and Evolution
The roots of Faro can be traced back to 17th-century France, where a similar card game known as Basset was in vogue. From Basset emerged Pharaon, a game that quickly captivated the French aristocracy and spread throughout Europe during the 18th century. As it traveled across the Atlantic, Pharaon underwent a transformation, its name shortened to Pharo or Faro. It found fertile ground in the burgeoning gambling halls of America, particularly during the California Gold Rush. The promise of quick riches and the allure of risk fueled the game’s popularity, making it a staple in saloons and gambling dens from coast to coast.
The Rise of Faro in the American West
The American Frontier, with its lawless reputation and promise of fortune, proved to be the ideal environment for Faro to flourish. As prospectors, cowboys, and entrepreneurs flocked westward, gambling halls sprang up to cater to their desires for entertainment and a chance to strike it rich. Faro, with its relatively simple rules and fast-paced action, quickly became the game of choice. It was not uncommon to find prominent figures of the era, such as Doc Holliday and Wyatt Earp, dealing Faro in these establishments, adding to the game’s mystique and allure. Unlike poker, which required a deeper understanding of strategy and hand rankings, Faro was accessible to almost anyone, regardless of their experience with cards. This accessibility, combined with the perception of better odds compared to other games of chance, made it a favorite pastime for the masses. From 1825 to 1915, Faro dominated the gambling landscape of the American West, its tables crowded with eager players hoping to "buck the tiger" and walk away with a fortune.
Gameplay and Layout
Faro distinguishes itself from other card games with its unique layout and betting system. Unlike poker, which involves players competing against each other, Faro is a banking game, where players (referred to as "punters") bet against the house (represented by the "banker" or dealer). The game is played with a single deck of cards, and the Faro layout consists of a board displaying one card of each denomination (Ace through King), typically in the suit of spades.
Before each deal, players place their bets on one or more of the thirteen cards displayed on the board. They could also bet on the "high card" box, wagering that the player’s card would be higher in value than the banker’s card.
The game begins with the banker burning the top card of the deck. Then the banker deals two cards: the "banker’s card," placed to his right, and the "player’s card" (also known as the "English card"), placed to his left. The banker wins all the money staked on the card matching the denomination of the banker’s card. The banker pays double the sums staked to those who had placed their bet on the card matching the denomination of the player’s card. If the banker deals a pair (two cards of the same denomination), he wins half the stakes that were bet on that card. This "pair" scenario, in a fair game, provided the only house edge. Gamblers could also wager on the "High Card" bar at the top of the layout, betting that the "player’s card" would be higher than the "banker’s card."
The Dark Side of Faro: Cheating and Deception
While Faro offered the allure of easy money and straightforward gameplay, it also became notorious for cheating. The relatively low house edge in a fair game incentivized unscrupulous dealers to employ various methods to tilt the odds in their favor. Trick decks, sleight of hand, and modified dealing boxes were common tools used to manipulate the game.
The prevalence of cheating became so widespread that even respected gambling authorities like Hoyle’s Rules of Games issued disclaimers, warning readers that finding an honest Faro bank in the United States was virtually impossible. One of the most infamous cheating dealers was Soapy Smith, who rigged every Faro game at his Tivoli Club in Denver, Colorado.
"Bucking the Tiger" and Other Colorful Terms
The phrase "Bucking the Tiger" became synonymous with playing Faro. The origin of this expression is believed to stem from early card backs featuring a drawing of a Bengal tiger. Another related phrase was "twisting the tiger’s tail," further emphasizing the connection between the game and the fearsome animal. Areas with numerous gambling halls, often alleys or districts, were sometimes referred to as "tiger town" or "tiger alley," highlighting the pervasive influence of Faro on the social and economic landscape of the Old West.
Decline and Legacy
Despite its widespread popularity, Faro‘s reign eventually came to an end. The rampant cheating and the rise of more profitable casino games contributed to its decline. By 1925, legitimate Faro was virtually nonexistent. Although the game experienced a brief resurgence after Nevada legalized gambling in 1931, it quickly faded from fashion as casinos promoted games with higher house edges, such as craps and roulette. By the 1950s, only a handful of active Faro banks remained in Nevada, with the last one closing in Reno in 1985.
Today, Faro is largely forgotten by younger generations of gamblers. However, its legacy lives on in the stories and legends of the Old West. The game’s association with iconic figures, its colorful terminology, and its reputation for both excitement and deception continue to fascinate those interested in the history of gambling and the American Frontier. The game of Faro serves as a reminder of a bygone era, a time when chance and risk were woven into the fabric of everyday life, and the pursuit of fortune could lead to both triumph and ruin.
Mark Twain, reflecting on the allure of gambling, captured the essence of the Faro experience when he wrote in 1892:
"A dollar picked up in the road is more satisfaction to you than the ninety-and-nine which you had to work for, and money won at faro or in stock snuggles into your heart in the same way."