Also, the betting changed when only three cards remained in the deck. The first card in a freshly shuffled deck was called the “soda” and discarded, leaving 51 cards. There were only a few exceptions to the play. The second was the “player’s card,” and any checks placed on that card were increased by the banker one-for-one (even money) and retained by the punter. The first was the “banker’s card,” and the banker kept any checks placed on that card. Then, the banker (dealer) would turn up two cards from the deck. Punters would bet by placing their “check” (a chip) on one of the cards. It was played with a single deck of cards on an oval table with a layout of cards glued to its surface. Faro was a game of chance between the “bank” (or house) and one or more “punters” (or players).
