Vintage photo of men playing Faro in an Arizona saloon, 1895.
A derivation of the card game Basset, Faro originated in France in the late 17th century. First known as Pharaon, it became extremely popular in Europe in the 18th century. With its name shortened to Pharo or Faro, it soon spread to America and became the favored game during the California Gold Rush. The game soon spread into gambling halls all over the American Frontier, with such illustrious names as Doc Holliday and Wyatt Earp, often performing the task of a Faro Dealer.
Not a direct relative of poker, Faro was played alongside its other popular counterpart, and played by the masses, due to its fast action, easy-to-learn rules, and better odds than most games of chance. From 1825 to 1915, the game was the most popular enticement in almost every gambling hall in the American West.
Vintage photo restored by Kathy Weiser-Alexander.