Why did the once-popular game of Faro die out in Las Vegas? Is it played anywhere, anymore?

During the seemingly never-ending quarantine I have passed the time watching the old Western TV series, Bat Masterson (on FeTV).  As you probably know, Bat was (among other things) a gambler. In addition to Poker and Roulette, he is often shown playing FARO.

From reading up a little on the subject I know that Faro was a game that was very conducive to cheating. Even so, it seems that it was immensely popular in the Old West.

I was surprised to read in a couple different sources that it was played in Las Vegas as recently as the 70s or 80s.  Can anyone confirm that?

Why did Faro die out? Only guess I could come up with is maybe the house edge (in an honest game) was too slim.

Did you ever play this game in Las Vegas?

Is it played anywhere in casinos these days?

I remember seeing it in Reno somewhere, in the late 70s or early 80s. I don't think it's played anywhere today.

The house edge, off the top of the deck, is about 2.3%---and it can get considerably lower as the deck is dealt out (or higher). That's about the edge the house has in blackjack these days (6:5; played badly) as well as some "carny" games like Three Card Poker, and greater than the house edge on a straight line bet in craps. So it didn't die out for that reason alone.

What really killed it was rampant cheating by the house, and the advent of other games wherein the player's decisions mattered, such as blackjack and poker.

This would be a good Question of the Day.  I do remember that there's an old Faro board on the wall in one of the offices at the El Cortez.  I'm not sure when it died out, well before my time.  I think it may be a countable game, not sure; that would be a disincentive for the casinos.

Here's your answer from QOD.

https://www.lasvegasadvisor.com/question/2007-06-24/

Thanks for that link! Good read.

 A few games are gone in Nevada, that used to be.

 Coin pusher.

2 UP-a coin flipping game. I have played both.

What other games have gone my the wayside?

Modified black jack games. 

I hope that 3 zero roulette goes away and 6:5 BJ!

Thanks, beachbum.  I remembered there was a previous QOD about FARO.  You saved me from having to search for it!

Dave, I loved Flip-It, a coin pusher in the old days.  

It is true that certain bets can have a lower house edge as the cards come out, but there's always a house edge. In the event that you make a "case" bet, which is when only one card of a given rank remains, you can no longer lose half your bet when two cards of that rank are dealt at the same time---in which case, the house charges a 5% commission on your win.

You don't have to count the deck down yourself, though. The "case keeper" keeps track of how many cards of each rank have been dealt. The best bet would be if two of a given rank show up early; then, with the chance of the final two coming up at the same time quite small, the house edge is very low.

So while you can't beat the game by counting, you might be able to play it so that the house edge was quite low. For instance, if two Queens came out at the top of the deck, you'd only be facing a bit more than a 1% house edge if you bet a Queen to win or lose.

Hey !

Is that one-of-a-kind mechanical horserace game still going somewhere along the Strip ? 

Don refers to Sigma Derby, which is pretty much extinct due lack of parts and labor to keep those horses (camels at some casinos) running.  Loved it back in the day when many casinos had it.  If I remember correctly a player could bet one quarter at a time (up to 5?) on a "race."  There is a QoD about it I'm pretty sure, if one wants to do a search.  I think someone said there is one at the D, but can't confirm that.

Fortune Cup is similar, a horserace game, newer and fancier.  There is one at Bellagio, just inside the casino from the guest elevators.  I haven't played it.  Looks expensive.  Maybe somebody knows more about it.

Last time I was in Vegas, the Sigma Derby Horse race game was indeed upstairs at the "D".