The game became popular in the Huangyen area of Zhejiang in the Taokuang reign (1821-1851). The rules were as follows: First, the names of 34 famous people of old were written down. Then the game master would select one at random, and place it in a box. Then the players would bet which one it was, with the winner taking home 30 times the original wager.
道光年間花會盛行於浙江黃巖一帶，玩法是先寫下三十四個古代人名，由主持人任意抽取一名放在筒中懸於樑上，然後賭客們紛紛下注，最後中彩者可以贏得三十倍的酬金。