How to Play Fan Tan

Fan Tan is a card game that also is known as Card Dominoes, Sevens, and Parliament. Here's how to play:

Number of players: Three to eight, but the game is best with four players.

Object: To be the first to play off all your cards.

The cards: Standard 52-card deck. Aces are low.

Playing: Give each player an equal supply of chips; you'll need a bowl or a dish to collect them. Deal one card at a time to each player until the whole pack is dealt. It doesn't matter if some players have one card fewer than the others.

Beginning with the player to dealer's left, each player must play a 7 or else add on to cards in suit sequences ascending or descending from the 7s. Once the 7 has been played, for example, the 8 and 6 can be played. If the 8 is played, you can play the 9. If the 6 is played, you can play the 5. Sequences ascend to the king and descend to the ace. Once an end card is reached, fold up the row of cards and turn them over.

Whenever you can't play one of your cards, pass and toss one chip into the kitty (the bowl). Whoever is out of cards first collects the chips in the kitty, plus one chip per card left in each player's hand.

Tips: Try to encourage play in suits where you have aces or kings. Your goal is to be able to hold back stoppers -- the 5s, 6s, 8s, and 9s that block everyone else's cards but not your own. If your timing is right, the suits you need help in will open up before your stoppers are gone.