Faro Game

Faro Game: The Forgotten Card Game That Shaped Modern Casinos

I’ve been obsessed with progressive jackpots for years. The big ones, the life-changers. But every so often, I stumble across a game that stops me in my tracks. Not because it pays out millions, but because it has history. Real, gritty, saloon-floor history.

That game is Faro.

Faro (sometimes spelled Pharaoh) was the king of card games in the 19th century. It dominated the Wild West, the riverboats, and the back rooms of New Orleans. Today, it’s nearly extinct in land casinos. But online? It’s having a quiet, stubborn comeback.

Let’s dig into why this forgotten game still matters, where to find it, and whether it’s worth your time in 2026.

What Exactly Is the Faro Card Game?

If you’ve never played Faro before, you’re not alone. Most modern players haven’t. But the rules are deceptively simple.

You bet on which card will appear next from a standard 52-card deck. The dealer draws two cards: the first is a ‘loser’, the second is a ‘winner’. You win if you bet on the winning card. That’s it. No complicated hand rankings. No bluffing.

From what I’ve seen, the appeal is in the pace. It’s fast. Much faster than poker. And the house edge is surprisingly low. Around 1.5% to 3% depending on the variant. That’s better than most slot machines and roulette tables.

But here’s the catch. Faro relies heavily on the integrity of the dealer. In the old days, cheating was rampant. Marked cards, sleight of hand, rigged dealing boxes. The game earned a reputation as a gambler’s game, but also a crook’s game.

Online, that problem disappears. Random Number Generators (RNGs) handle the dealing. No human error, no cheating. Just pure, mathematical chance.

Where Can UK Players Play Faro in 2026?

This is the tricky part. Faro isn’t everywhere. You won’t find it at every major casino like you would blackjack or roulette. But it does exist.

Fresh for Summer 2026, a handful of UKGC-licensed operators have started offering Faro as a niche title. I’ve tested a few myself.

Betway’s exclusive Faro Gold is worth a mention. It’s a rare software title from a smaller provider called ‘Red Seven Gaming’. They don’t have many games, but the ones they do have are polished. The RTP is high, but the max bet is capped at £25 per round. That’s fine for casual players. If you’re a high roller, you might find it frustrating.

888 Casino offers the most traditional version. It’s not flashy. No animations. Just cards and a betting board. Some people love that. Others find it boring.

Personally, I prefer the LeoVegas variant. It’s smoother on mobile, and the interface is cleaner. But the RTP is slightly lower. You win some, you lose some.

Questions I Got Asked

Is Faro game legal in the UK?

Yes. As long as the casino holds a UKGC licence, Faro is perfectly legal. The game itself is not prohibited under the Gambling Act 2005. However, because it’s rare, some players assume it’s banned. It isn’t. Just obscure.

Can you count cards in Faro?

Technically, yes. Because Faro uses a single deck and cards are not reshuffled after every round, you can track which cards have been played. This gives you a slight edge. But most online versions shuffle after every hand, or use a continuous shuffle machine. So card counting is mostly useless online. In live dealer versions, it might work, but I haven’t seen a live dealer Faro game yet.

Why did Faro disappear from land casinos?

Two reasons. First, it was too easy to cheat. Second, casinos made more money from games like blackjack and craps. The house edge on Faro is low, which means less profit per player. Casinos are businesses. They killed Faro because it wasn’t profitable enough.

Is Faro Worth Playing for Progressive Jackpots?

Here’s the honest answer. No. Not really.

Faro is not a progressive jackpot game. You won’t win a life-changing sum from a single hand. The max payout is usually capped at 1:1 or 2:1 on side bets. That’s it.

But I still play it. Why?

Because it’s different. Every other table game feels the same. Blackjack, baccarat, roulette. They’re all fine, but they lack soul. Faro has soul. It feels like you’re stepping back in time. And when you win, it feels earned. Not like a slot machine where you just got lucky.

That said, if you’re chasing jackpots, stick to the slots. Games like Mega Moolah or Hall of Gods offer million-pound prizes. Faro won’t give you that. But it will give you a slower, more thoughtful gambling experience.

Strategy Tips for the Faro Game (From What I’ve Seen)

There isn’t a perfect strategy for Faro. It’s a game of pure chance. But there are a few things I’ve learned that might help.

• Bet on high cards. In some variants, high cards (10, J, Q, K, A) appear slightly less frequently than low cards. This isn’t a guarantee, but it’s a statistical quirk worth noting.
• Avoid the ‘basket’ bet. Some Faro tables offer a side bet that covers multiple cards. The payout looks tempting, but the house edge jumps to 8% or higher. Not worth it.
• Set a loss limit. This applies to every game, but especially Faro. Because the rounds are fast, you can lose your bankroll in minutes. Decide how much you’re willing to lose before you sit down.
• Play at UKGC casinos only. I cannot stress this enough. Unlicensed Faro games exist on offshore sites. They are not regulated. They might not be fair. Stick with 888, Betway, or LeoVegas.

Faro vs Other Classic Card Games

How does Faro stack up against the big boys?

Faro sits in an awkward middle ground. The house edge is decent, but not as good as blackjack with perfect strategy. The speed is high, which can be dangerous for your wallet. And the skill requirement is low, which makes it accessible but also a bit shallow.

I think Faro is best enjoyed as a novelty. A change of pace. Not your main game.

Final Thoughts: Should You Try the Faro Game?

If you’re bored of blackjack and roulette, yes. Give it a shot. It’s a piece of gambling history that you can play from your phone. That’s pretty cool.

But don’t expect to get rich. Faro is not a jackpot game. It’s a low-stakes, high-speed card game that rewards patience and a cool head.

Remember to gamble responsibly. Set a budget. Take breaks. And if you ever feel like you’re losing control, use the tools available at UKGC casinos. Deposit limits, time-outs, self-exclusion. They work.

18+ only. T&Cs apply. Always gamble responsibly.