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Knights of the Green Cloth

It's all about Bucking the Tiger! A group that has a passion for not only our Old West history, but teaching and playing the most famous card game for centuries! FARO!

Website: http://buckthetiger.webs.com
Members: 10
Latest Activity: on Friday

Bucking The Tiger!

Faro, or Pharaon, was the foremost gambling game of 19th century America. It can be traced back to late 17th century and originated with the French. Among the most popular card games of 18th and 19th century Europe, Pharaoh and Basset, were forbidden in France during the reign of Louis XIV on severe penalties, but these games continued to be widely played in England during the 18th century. Pharaoh, shortened to "Faro" quickly made its way to the United States in the 19th century to become the most widespread and popularly favored of gambling games. Faro is also called "Bucking the Tiger", which it is believed, comes from early card backs that featured a drawing of a Bengal Tiger. 

Because it was was easy to learn, quick and, when played honestly, the odds for a player were the best of all gambling games, it reigned as the premier of all gambling games for over a century in the USA. Just some of the greats that dealt and played Faro were, Soapy Smith, Doc Holliday, Luke Short, Bat Masterson, and Wyatt Earp.

Discussion Forum

The Faro Table.... 3 Replies

Greetings, I thought I would take a moment to say hello and post a photo of the Faro Table that I built recently. I have been playing the game for a while but didn't have the time until recently to build myself a proper table.I build museum exhibits…Continue

Started by Roy Cobb. Last reply by Roy Cobb on Friday.

Comment Wall

Comment by Morgan on July 4, 2012 at 4:30pm

Well I think we need to get a game going.

Comment by Pat Ira & Meredith Neff on July 5, 2012 at 12:19pm

Morg, I think your're right! I'll be settin up pretty much every Sunday down at the Fort Worth Stockyards, I know it's a ways from AZ, when you're in the Area...I'll be waitin. We can stop by and see James at the White Elephant too!

Comment by Morgan on July 5, 2012 at 3:28pm

Thanks for the invite, but I don't think I'll be making any trips any time soon.

Comment by anthony martin on July 10, 2012 at 10:15pm

  Does anyone on here resort to playing the online game Wichita Faro?Short of the real thing it is a lot of fun.I find that I'm unusually good at calling the turn.

Comment by Pat Ira & Meredith Neff on July 12, 2012 at 11:56am

Oh yes, Wichita Faro is great and I also like and really enjoy Shay Maxwell's Faro On-line Game, Farolive.com it is great AND can be played with others unlike Wichita Faro. Check it out.

Comment by Morgan on July 23, 2012 at 4:05pm

I finally got a picture of my Faro setup. It is a joy to play and the Tombstone Poster just adds to the Aura

Comment by Morgan on July 23, 2012 at 4:08pm

Click on the Pix for the correct proportions.

Comment by anthony martin on July 23, 2012 at 7:21pm

  Morgan,

    A handsome set up.Did you make the base or re purpose one from an old 1920's table?

Comment by Morgan on July 23, 2012 at 8:25pm

Anthony, I bought the tble at an antique shop. It just fit the purpose. Don't rightly know the age of it as I got it as you see it, green top and all.

Comment by Morgan on July 23, 2012 at 8:28pm

Carbine, welcome to the group. We are small in number, but dedicated to the game.

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