Faro Ladies: A History

There have been many colorful characters in the history of gambling. Gambling has been enjoyed by nobles in Greece, cowboys in the American old west, and businessmen in New York. However, few groups have the same incredible history of the Faro Ladies. They were breaking down social boundaries back when that was a very dangerous thing to do. So who exactly were the Faro Ladies? Let's take a look.

First Things First – What is Faro?

Considered a distant cousin of poker, faro (or pharaoh) is a popular card game. Its popularity stems from how easy it is to learn and how quickly the games go. Unlike many card games, there is only one deck used. The dealer draws two cards; the first is the dealer's card, the second is the player's card. Players make bets relative to those two, with new bets being allowed every two draws. As you can imagine, this simple structure lends itself to rapid-fire gameplay.

OK, so who were the Faro Ladies?

It wasn't always considered socially acceptable for women to gamble. In fact, it wasn't considered proper until very recently. And in the 1700's it was unheard of. Female gambling was thought a tremendous vice that would weaken domestic life and upset the social order. This was an especially large concern in Europe in light of the then-recent French Revolution.

But a group of women didn't like this standard and decided to rebel against it – the Faro Ladies. As you might have guessed, their name derived from their game of choice. They played backroom games of faro, often in their homes. Starting out playing amongst their fellow women, the Faro Ladies eventually enjoyed the company of their husbands as they played.

So why is this Important?

The Faro Ladies were trailblazers. They were part of a struggle for women's rights that goes back centuries. Women have long been fighting for a role in the work place, for the right to vote, and much more. The right to gamble might not seem like a big deal, but it must be remembered that every little battle contributed to the overall female effort for an equal footing in society.

Conclusion

It's easy to overlook the Faro Ladies in history. What they accomplished is often lost in the context of the movement they were a part of – women's rights. However, their contribution was essential to the women's rights movement, as every little struggle was part of the greater goal. Whether you're looking at it from the perspective of gambling's history or women's history, the Faro Ladies are an interesting and important story to know.