PENNSYLVANIA GAMING CONTROL BOARD [ 58 PA. CODE CHS. 461a, 465a, 525, 575, 577, 579, 603a, 609a, 623a, 627a, 629a, 631a, 633a, 635a, 637a, 649a, 659a, 661a, 663a AND 665a ] Slot Machines and Table Game Controls, Equipment, Credit and Rules [44 Pa.B. 619]
[Saturday, February 1, 2014]The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (Board), under the general authority in 4 Pa.C.S. § 1202(b)(30) (relating to general and specific powers) and the specific authority in 4 Pa.C.S. §§ 1207(3) and (9) and 13A02(1), (2) and (4) (relating to regulatory authority of board; and regulatory authority), amends Chapters 461a, 465a, 603a, 609a, 623a, 627a, 629a, 631a, 633a, 635a, 637a and 649a, rescinds Chapters 525, 575, 577 and 579 and adds Chapters 659a, 661a, 663a and 665a.
Purpose of the Final-Form Rulemaking
This final-form rulemaking transitions the requirements for Match Play Coupons and the game rules for Asia Poker, Three Dice Football and Five Card Hi-Lo from temporary to final-form regulations. This final-form rulemaking contains a new game, Double Attack Blackjack, and optional side wagers.
Explanation of Revisions
The heading of § 461a.9 (relating to coupons utilized in slot machine gaming) is amended to specify that the section refers to coupons utilized in slot machine gaming. The coupons used in table games, Match Play Coupons, are described in §§ 603a.20 and 603a.21 (relating to Match Play Coupons; physical characteristics and issuance; and Match Play Coupon use). The retention period for Match Play Coupons is added in § 465a.6 (relating to retention, storage and destruction of books, records and documents) and is consistent with the retention periods for coupons used in slot machine gaming.
In §§ 465a.9(c)(2) and 465a.35 (relating to surveillance system; surveillance department control; surveillance department restrictions; and personnel assigned to the operation and conduct of table games), the camera coverage requirements and the personnel assigned to Three Dice Football are added. The requirements are consistent with those established in the temporary regulations. Additionally, the inspection requirements for the dice utilized in Three Dice Football are added in § 603a.13(f)(1) and (2) (relating to dice; receipt, storage, inspection and removal from use).
In § 603a.1 (relating to definitions), the definition of ''Match Play Coupon'' is added. In § 603a.10 (relating to permissible wagering; exchange and redemption of gaming chips and plaques), a Match Play Coupon is added as a permissible wager. The requirements for the design, internal controls and distribution of promotional Match Play Coupons are in § 603a.20. Match Play Coupons are to be controlled by the finance department and distributed to patrons by the marketing department. Certificate holders are required to file a quarterly report with the Bureau of Casino Compliance listing the total value of Match Play Coupons redeemed by patrons.
Section 603a.21 specifies that a promotional Match Play Coupon shall be used with an equal value of gaming chips. The value of the Match Play Coupon is added to the gaming chips wagered by the patron. If the wager wins, it is paid in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Match Play Coupon. Irrespective of whether the Match Play Coupon wins or loses, it is deposited into the table game drop box at the conclusion of each round of play.
Section 603a.13(f)(3) is added as an alternative dice inspection and distribution procedure. This alternative was previously available when the equipment chapter were temporary regulations but was inadvertently not transitioned when the final-form regulations were prom- ulgated. One operator requested to continue utilizing the procedures in this subsection.
Amendments to § 603a.13(c)(3) allow the finance department to issue the manual Counter Checkbook to the table games department provided that adequate internal controls are submitted to Board staff for approval.
A new series of side wagers, Bonus Craps, are added to the game of Craps. The layout requirements are in § 623a.2(d)(5) (relating to Craps and Mini-Craps tables; physical characteristics) and a description of the side wagers is added to § 623a.3(a)(43) (relating to wagers) with the payout odds in § 623a.5(h) (relating to payout odds). The additional procedures regarding Bonus Craps are in § 623a.12 (relating to additional procedures and rules for Bonus Craps).
A new side wager, the House Money Wager, is added in the three Baccarat style games in Chapters 627a, 629a and 631a (relating to Minibaccarat; Midibaccarat; and Baccarat). The amendments to the games include layout requirements, the description of the wager, dealing procedure and the payout odds.
Two additional side wagers, the Straight Jack Progressive Wager and the House Money Wager, are added in Chapter 633a (relating to Blackjack). The layout requirements are added in § 633a.2(b) (relating to Blackjack table; card reader device; physical characteristics; inspections), a description of the wagers are added in § 633a.6(e) (relating to wagers), the dealing procedures are added to § 633a.7(g) and (o) (relating to procedure for dealing the cards; completion of each round of play) and the payout odds are added in § 633a.13(m) and (n) (relating to payout odds; payout limitation).
In Chapter 635a (relating to Spanish 21), the provision on when a patron may double down is expanded to allow patrons to double down on two or more cards dealt instead of only the first two cards dealt to the patron. Additionally, § 635a.8(e) (relating to Insurance Wager) is deleted as unnecessary. If a player has Blackjack, the player shall win even if the dealer also has a Blackjack.
A new variation and several new games are added to Chapter 637a (relating to Poker). Operators may now offer the Super Seven-card Stud High Low Split Eight or Better, Five-card Omaha, Triple Draw 2-7, Triple Draw A-5, Triple Draw Badeucey, Triple Draw Badacey and Badugi. The new variation of seven-card stud is added in § 637a.10 (relating to Seven-card Stud Poker; procedures for dealing the cards; completion of each round of play) and the new games are added in §§ 637a.19—637a.21 (relating to Five-card Omaha Poker; procedures for dealing the cards; completion of each round of play; Triple Draw Poker; procedures for dealing the cards; completion of each round of play; and Badugi Poker; procedures for dealing the cards; completion of each round of play).
In Three Card Poker, a new hand ranking, a mini-royal flush, is added in § 649a.6(e) (relating to Three Card Poker rankings) and the corresponding payout is added in § 649a.12(g) (relating to payout odds; Envy Bonus; rate of progression). This payout was, at one time, available when the regulation was temporary but was not transitioned when the final-form regulation was promulgated.
Three games that were in temporary form are in this final-form rulemaking including Asia Poker, Three Dice Football and Five Card Hi-Lo. Chapters 659a, 661a and 663a (relating to Asia Poker; Three Dice Football; and Five Card Hi-Lo) contain the table layout requirements, dealing procedures, permissible wagers and payout odds for all permissible wagers.
Chapter 665a (relating to Double Attack Blackjack) is added. This is a variation on Blackjack in which a player may place an additional wager after seeing the dealer's up card and may surrender even after taking additional cards. Table layout requirements, the dealing procedures, permissible wagers and payout odds are included in this chapter.
Comment and Response Summary
Notice of proposed rulemaking was published at 43 Pa.B. 834 (February 9, 2013). The Board did not receive comments from the public or the regulated community. On April 10, 2013, the Board received comments from the Independent Regulatory Review Commission (IRRC) on the rulemaking.
Chapter 627a, 629a and 631a
IRRC requested that the Board clarify when a House Money Wager would win and when it would lose. The Board did not add additional language regarding when a House Money Wager would win but has amended the language regarding losing wagers. A House Money Wager in Baccarat style games will lose if in the first two cards dealt to the player's hand or banker's hand, neither hand contains a pair. This amendment was made to §§ 627a.7(a)(7)(ii), 629a.7(a)(7)(ii) and 631a.8(a)(7)(ii) (relating to wagers).
Chapter 659a
IRRC requested that the Board clarify § 659a.6(b)(2)—(6) (relating to Asia Poker rankings) regarding when a joker may be used. The rules regarding the use of the joker are in subsection (a). For consistency among the paragraphs in subsection (b), the reference to the joker was deleted from paragraph (1).
The same rules regarding the use of the joker are also applicable to subsection (d) with the exception of paragraphs (4) and (5) which either specifically include or exclude the use of a joker.
IRRC commented that § 659a.10(a)(2) (relating to procedures for dealing the cards from an automated dealing shoe) is redundant with the requirements in subsection (a)(1). The Board agrees and amended the language accordingly.
Chapter 663a
The Board added corrective language to § 663a.6(a) (relating to Five Card Hi-Lo rankings) regarding the point value of nonface cards.
IRRC commented that § 663a.11(j) (relating to procedures for completion of each round of play) was unclear as to when a player's Tie Wager would win or lose. IRRC requested that the Board clarify the language. Subsection (j)(1)(i) was amended to reflect that if neither the high hand nor the low hand of the player is identical in point value to the high and low hands of the dealer, the Tie Wager will be collected as a losing wager.
Affected Parties
Slot machine licensees will be impacted by this final-form rulemaking as operators will have a greater number of table games and side wagers to offer at their facilities.
Fiscal Impact
Commonwealth. The Board does not expect that this final-form rulemaking will have fiscal impact on the Board or other Commonwealth agencies. Internal control procedures submitted by certificate holders regarding table games Rules Submissions and Match Play Coupons will be reviewed by existing Board staff.
Promotional Match Play Coupons have been utilized by the licensed facilities to increase the amount of table game play and the overall revenue to the facilities and the tax collected for the Commonwealth. Match Play Coupons are neither included in nor deducted from gross table game revenue.
Political subdivisions. This proposed rulemaking will not have fiscal impact on political subdivisions of this Commonwealth. Host municipalities and counties will benefit from the local share funding that is mandated by the act of January 7, 2010 (P. L. 1, No. 1).
Private sector. Slot machine licensees that decide to offer the new games, variations or side wagers will be required to comply with the requirements in this final-form rulemaking and will be required to submit updated Rules Submission forms and internal controls to reflect additions. Costs incurred to purchase equipment and train employees should be offset by the proceeds of gaming.
General public. This final-form rulemaking will not have fiscal impact on the general public.
Paperwork Requirements
If a certificate holder selects different options for the play of table games, the certificate holder will be required to update its gaming guide and submit an updated Rules Submission reflecting the changes. These forms are available and submitted to the Board electronically. If a certificate holder elects to offer Match Play Coupons to patrons, the certificate holder will have to submit updated internal controls for approval and will have to submit a quarterly report listing the total value of Match Play Coupons given to patrons.
Effective Date
This final-form rulemaking will become effective upon publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.
Regulatory Review
Under section 5(a) of the Regulatory Review Act (71 P. S. § 745.5(a)), on January 29, 2013, the Board submitted a copy of the notice of proposed rulemaking, published at 43 Pa.B. 834, to IRRC and the Chairpersons of the House Gaming Oversight Committee and the Senate Community, Economic and Recreational Development Committee for review and comment.
Under section 5(c) of the Regulatory Review Act, IRRC and the House and Senate Committees were provided with copies of the comments received during the public comment period, as well as other documents when requested. In preparing the final-form rulemaking, the Department has considered all comments from IRRC, the House and Senate Committees and the public.
Under section 5.1(j.2) of the Regulatory Review Act (71 P. S. § 745.5a(j.2)), on December 11, 2013, the final-form rulemaking was deemed approved by the House and Senate Committees. Under section 5.1(e) of the Regulatory Review Act, IRRC met on December 12, 2013, and approved the final-form rulemaking.
Findings
The Board finds that:
(1) Public notice of intention to adopt these amendments was given under sections 201 and 202 of the act of July 31, 1968 (P. L. 769, No. 240) (45 P. S. §§ 1201 and 1202) and the regulations thereunder, 1 Pa. Code §§ 7.1 and 7.2.
(2) The final-form rulemaking is necessary and appropriate for the administration and enforcement of 4 Pa.C.S. Part II (relating to gaming).
Order
The Board, acting under 4 Pa.C.S. Part II, orders that:
(a) The regulations of the Board, 58 Pa. Code, are amended by:
Adding §§ 603a.20, 603a.21, 623a.12, 637a.19, 637a.20 and 661a.1—661a.8, deleting §§ 525.21, 525.22, 575.1—575.13, 577.1—577.9 and 579.1—579.13 and amending §§ 461a.9, 465a.6, 465a.9, 465a.35, 603a.1, 603a.10, 603a.13, 609a.13, 623a.2, 623a.3, 623a.4, 623a.5, 633a.1, 633a.2, 633a.6, 635a.10, 637a.6, 649a.6 and 649a.12 to read as set forth at 43 Pa.B. 834.
Adding §§ 637a.21, 659a.1—659a.13, 663a.1—663a.13 and 665a.1—665a.13 and amending §§ 627a.2, 627a.7, 627a.8, 627a.12, 629a.2, 629a.7, 629a.8, 629a.12, 631a.2, 631a.8, 631a.9, 631a.13, 633a.7, 633a.13, 635a.8 and 637a.10 to read as set forth in Annex A, with ellipses referring to the existing text of the regulations.
(Editor's Note: Sections 635a.8 and 637a.10 were not included in the proposed rulemaking published at 43 Pa.B. 834.)
(Editor's Note: Final-form rulemaking 125-162 also amends §§ 627a.2, 627a.7, 627a.12, 629a.2, 629a.7, 629a.12, 631a.2, 631a.8, 631a.13, 633a.7 and 633a.13. See 44 Pa.B. 599 (February 1, 2014).)
(b) The Chairperson of the Board shall certify this order, 43 Pa.B. 834 and Annex A and deposit them with the Legislative Reference Bureau as required by law.
(c) This order shall take effect upon publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.
WILLIAM H. RYAN, Jr.,
Chairperson(Editor's Note: For the text of the order of the Independent Regulatory Review Commission relating to this document, see 43 Pa.B. 7606 (December 28, 2013).)
Fiscal Note: Fiscal Note 125-166 remains valid for the final adoption of the subject regulations.
Annex A TITLE 58. RECREATION PART VII. GAMING CONTROL BOARD Subpart K. TABLE GAMES CHAPTER 627a. MINIBACCARAT § 627a.2. Minibaccarat table physical characteristics.
(a) Minibaccarat shall be played on a table having numbered positions for no more than nine seated players on one side of the table and a place for the dealer on the opposite side of the table.
(b) The layout for a Minibaccarat table shall be submitted to the Bureau of Gaming Operations and approved in accordance with § 601a.10(a) (relating to approval of table game layouts, signage and equipment) and contain, at a minimum:
(1) The name or logo of the certificate holder.
(2) Separate areas designated for the placement of wagers on the Banker's Hand, Player's Hand and Tie Hand for each player.
(3) The payout odds for all permissible wagers offered by the certificate holder. If the payout odds are not inscribed on the layout, a sign identifying the payout odds shall be posted at each Minibaccarat table.
(4) An area designated for the placement of cards for the Player's Hand and Banker's Hand.
(5) If a certificate holder offers the Dragon Bonus Wager authorized under § 627a.7(a)(4) (relating to wagers), separate areas designated for the placement of the Dragon Bonus Wager for each player.
(6) If a certificate holder offers EZ Baccarat in which vigorish is not collected:
(i) Separate areas designated for the placement of the Dragon 7 Insurance Wager, authorized under § 627a.7(a)(5),for each player.
(ii) Inscriptions that advise patrons that a wager on the Banker's Hand that results in a Dragon 7 shall push and be returned to the player. If the information is not inscribed on the layout, a sign containing the information shall be posted at each Minibaccarat table.
(iii) Separate areas designated for the placement of the Panda 8 Insurance Wager, authorized under § 627a.7(a)(6),for each player.
(7) If a certificate holder offers the House Money Wager, authorized under § 627a.7(a)(7), separate areas designated for the placement of the House Money Wager for each player.
(8) Numbered areas that correspond to the seat numbers for the purpose of marking vigorish unless the dealer, in accordance with the option selected in the certificate holder's Rules Submission under § 601a.2 (relating to table games Rules Submissions), collects the vigorish from a player at the time the winning payout is made or the table is designated for play as an EZ Baccarat table in which vigorish is not collected.
(c) If marker buttons are used for the purpose of marking vigorish, the marker buttons shall be placed in the table inventory container or in a separate rack designed for the purpose of storing marker buttons. If a separate rack is used, the rack shall be placed in front of the table inventory container during gaming activity.
(d) Each Minibaccarat table must have a drop box and a tip box attached on the same side of the gaming table as, but on opposite sides of, the dealer, as approved by the Bureau of Casino Compliance in accordance with § 601a.10(g). The Bureau of Casino Compliance may approve an alternative location for the tip box when a card shuffling device or other table game equipment prevents the placement of the drop box and tip box on the same side of the gaming table as, but on opposite sides of, the dealer.
(e) Each Minibaccarat table must have a discard rack securely attached to the top of the dealer's side of the table.
§ 627a.7. Wagers.
(a) The following are permissible wagers in the game of Minibaccarat:
(1) A wager on the Banker's Hand which shall:
(i) Win if the Banker's Hand has a Point Count higher than that of the Player's Hand unless EZ Baccarat is being played and the Point Counts of the Banker's Hand and the Player's Hand result in a Dragon 7.
(ii) Lose if the Banker's Hand has a Point Count lower than that of the Player's Hand.
(iii) Tie and be returned to the player if the Banker's Hand and the Player's Hand have the same Point Count or if EZ Baccarat is being played and the Point Counts of the Banker's Hand and the Player's Hand result in a Dragon 7.
(2) A wager on the Player's Hand which shall:
(i) Win if the Player's Hand has a Point Count higher than that of the Banker's Hand and if EZ Baccarat is being played and the Point Counts of the Player's Hand and the Dealer's Hand result in a Panda 8.
(ii) Lose if the Player's Hand has a Point Count lower than that of the Banker's Hand or if EZ Baccarat is being played and the Point Counts of the Banker's Hand and the Player's Hand result in a Dragon 7.
(iii) Tie and be returned to the player if the Point Counts of the Banker's Hand and the Player's Hand are equal.
(3) A Tie Wager which shall:
(i) Win if the Point Counts of the Banker's Hand and the Player's Hand are equal.
(ii) Lose if Point Counts of the Banker's Hand and the Player's Hand are not equal.
(4) If offered by a certificate holder, a Dragon Bonus Wager on the Player's Hand or Banker's Hand, or both, which shall:
(i) Win if the selected hand is:
(A) A Natural and the other hand is not a Natural.
(B) A Natural 9 and the other hand is a Natural 8.
(C) Not a Natural and has a Point Count that exceeds the Point Count of the other hand by four or more points.
(ii) Lose if the selected hand is:
(A) A Natural 8 and the other hand is a Natural 9.
(B) Not a Natural and has a Point Count less than or equal to the Point Count of the other hand.
(C) Not a Natural and has a Point Count that exceeds the Point Count of the other hand by less than four points.
(iii) Tie and be returned to the player if the selected hand is a Natural and the other hand is a Natural of equal Point Count.
(5) A Dragon 7 Insurance Wager, if the table is designated for play as an EZ Baccarat table, which shall:
(i) Win if the Point Counts of the Banker's Hand and the Player's Hand result in a Dragon 7.
(ii) Lose if the Point Counts of the Banker's Hand and the Player's Hand do not result in a Dragon 7.
(6) A Panda 8 Insurance Wager, if the table is designated for play as an EZ Baccarat table, which shall:
(i) Win if the Point Counts of the Player's Hand and the Dealer's Hand result in a Panda 8.
(ii) Lose if the Point Counts of the Player's Hand and the Dealer's Hand do not result in a Panda 8.
(7) If offered by a certificate holder, a House Money Wager which shall:
(i) Win if the first two cards of either the Player's Hand or Banker's Hand, or both, are a pair. For purposes of the House Money Wager, a pair must be of same rank (two queens, for example), regardless of suit.
(ii) Lose if in the first two cards dealt to the player's hand and the banker's hand, neither the player's hand nor the banker's hand contains a pair.
(b) Wagers at Minibaccarat shall be made by placing value chips or plaques on the appropriate areas of the Minibaccarat layout. Verbal wagers accompanied by cash may be accepted provided that they are confirmed by the dealer and the cash is expeditiously converted into value chips or plaques.
(c) A wager may not be made, increased or withdrawn after the dealer has announced ''no more bets.''
§ 627a.8. Hands of player and banker; procedure for dealing initial two cards to each hand.
(a) There shall be two hands dealt in the game of Minibaccarat, one of which shall be designated the Player's Hand and the other designated the Banker's Hand.
(b) Prior to dealing any cards, the dealer shall announce ''no more bets.''
(c) The dealer shall then deal an initial four cards from the dealing shoe in accordance with one of the following options selected by the certificate holder in its Rules Submission under § 601a.2 (relating to table games Rules Submissions):
(1) The dealer shall remove cards from the dealing shoe with his left hand and place them face up on the appropriate area of the layout with his right hand. The first and third cards dealt shall constitute the first and second cards of the Player's Hand and placed on the area designated for the Player's Hand. The second and fourth cards dealt shall constitute the first and second cards of the Banker's Hand and placed on the area designated for the Banker's Hand.
(2) The dealer shall remove cards from the dealing shoe with his left hand and place them face down on the layout. The first and third cards dealt shall constitute the first and second cards of the Player's Hand and placed on the area designated for the Player's Hand. The second and fourth cards dealt shall constitute the first and second cards of the Banker's Hand and placed underneath the right corner of the dealing shoe until the Player's Hand is called as provided in § 627a.9 (relating to procedure for dealing a third card). The second and fourth cards shall then be turned face up and placed on the area designated for the Banker's Hand.
(d) Prior to dealing a third card to the Player's or Banker's Hand, the dealer shall settle all House Money Wagers as follows:
(1) If a player placed a House Money Wager, beginning from the dealer's right and moving counterclockwise around the table, the dealer shall collect all losing House Money Wagers and pay all winning wagers in accordance with § 627a.12(h) (relating to payout odds; vigorish) provided that, at a player's discretion, the player may add the winning House Money payout to the player's original wager on the Player's or Banker's Hand in accordance with the following:
(i) All of the winning House Money payout or, if specified in the certificate holder's Rules Submission filed in accordance with § 601a.2, only a specified portion of the winning House Money payout shall be added to the area designated for the placement of the player's original wager on the Player's or Banker's Hand. The player's original wager and the House Money payout which was added to the player's original wager shall be settled based on the outcome of the player's wager on the Player's or Banker's Hand.
(ii) A player may not touch the winning House Money payout. The dealer shall either hand the entire winning House Money payout to the player or place all or a portion thereof, as authorized by the certificate holder, on the area designated for the placement of the player's wager on the Player's or Banker's Hand.
(2) After settling the House Money Wagers, the game shall resume by dealing any third cards that are required to be dealt in accordance with § 627a.9.
(e) Players may not touch, handle, remove or alter any cards used to play Minibaccarat.
§ 627a.12. Payout odds; vigorish.
(a) A winning wager made on the Player's Hand shall be paid at odds of 1 to 1.
(b) A winning Tie Wager shall be paid at odds of at least 8 to 1.
(c) A winning wager made on the Banker's Hand shall be paid at odds of 1 to 1, except that the certificate holder shall extract a vigorish from the winning players in an amount equal to 5% of the amount won unless the certificate holder is offering EZ Baccarat in which vigorish is not collected. When collecting the vigorish, the certificate holder may round off the vigorish to 25¢ or the next highest multiple of 25¢.
(d) A dealer shall collect the vigorish from a player in accordance with one of the following procedures selected by the certificate holder in its Rules Submission under § 601a.2 (relating to table games Rules Submissions):
(1) At the time the winning payout is made.
(2) At a later time, provided that:
(i) The outstanding vigorish shall be collected prior to the reshuffling of the cards in a dealing shoe or when the player leaves the gaming table, whichever occurs first.
(ii) The amount of the vigorish shall be tracked by placing a coin or marker button, which contains the amount of the vigorish owed, in the rectangular space on the layout that is imprinted with the number of the player owing the vigorish.
(iii) The coin or marker button may not be removed from the layout until the vigorish owed is collected.
(e) If a certificate holder offers the Dragon Bonus Wager, in accordance with § 627a.7(a)(4) (relating to wagers), a vigorish may not be extracted on a winning Dragon Bonus Wager. Winning Dragon Bonus Wagers shall be paid out at the odds in one of the following paytables selected by the certificate holder in its Rules Submission filed in accordance with § 601a.2:
Hand Paytable A Paytable B Paytable C Win by 9 points 30 to 1 20 to 1 30 to 1 Win by 8 points 10 to 1 8 to 1 10 to 1 Win by 7 points 6 to 1 7 to 1 4 to 1 Win by 6 points 4 to 1 4 to 1 4 to 1 Win by 5 points 2 to 1 3 to 1 2 to 1 Win by 4 points 1 to 1 1 to 1 2 to 1 Natural winner 1 to 1 1 to 1 1 to 1 Natural tie Push Push Push (f) A winning Dragon 7 Insurance Wager, as described in § 627a.7(a)(5), shall be paid at odds of 40 to 1.
(g) A winning Panda 8 Insurance Wager, as described in § 627a.7(a)(6), shall be paid at odds of 25 to 1.
(h) If a certificate holder offers the House Money Wager and the player elects to take the payout, the player shall be paid in accordance with the following paytable:
Hand Odds Player and Banker Pair 15 to 1 Player or Banker Pair 3 to 1 CHAPTER 629a. MIDIBACCARAT § 629a.2. Midibaccarat table physical characteristics.
(a) Midibaccarat shall be played on a table having numbered positions for no more than nine seated players on one side of the table and a place for the dealer on the opposite side of the table.
(b) The layout for a Midibaccarat table shall be submitted to the Bureau of Gaming Operations and approved in accordance with § 601a.10(a) (relating to approval of table game layouts, signage and equipment) and contain, at a minimum:
(1) The name or logo of the certificate holder.
(2) Separate areas designated for the placement of wagers on the Banker's Hand, Player's Hand and Tie Hand for each player.
(3) The payout odds for all permissible wagers offered by the certificate holder. If the payout odds are not inscribed on the layout, a sign identifying the payout odds shall be posted at each Midibaccarat table.
(4) An area designated for the placement of cards for the Player's Hand and Banker's Hand.
(5) If a certificate holder offers the Dragon Bonus Wager, authorized under § 629a.7(a)(4) (relating to wagers), separate areas designated for the placement of the Dragon Bonus Wager for each player.
(6) If a certificate holder offers EZ Baccarat in which vigorish is not collected:
(i) Separate areas designated for the placement of the Dragon 7 Insurance Wager, authorized under § 629a.7(a)(5),for each player.
(ii) Inscriptions that advise patrons that a wager on the Banker's Hand that results in a Dragon 7 shall push and be returned to the player. If the information is not inscribed on the layout, a sign containing the information shall be posted at each Midibaccarat table.
(iii) Separate areas designated for the placement of the Panda 8 Insurance Wager, authorized under § 629a.7(a)(6),for each player.
(7) If a certificate holder offers the House Money Wager, authorized under § 629a.7(a)(7), separate areas designated for the placement of the House Money Wager for each player.
(8) Numbered areas that correspond to the seat numbers for the purpose of marking vigorish unless the dealer, in accordance with the option selected in the certificate holder's Rules Submission under § 601a.2 (relating to table games Rules Submissions), collects the vigorish from a player at the time the winning payout is made or the table is designated for play as an EZ Baccarat table in which vigorish is not collected.
(c) If marker buttons are used for the purpose of marking vigorish, the marker buttons shall be placed in the table inventory container or in a separate rack designed for the purpose of storing marker buttons. If a separate rack is used, the rack shall be placed in front of the table inventory container during gaming activity.
(d) Each Midibaccarat table must have a drop box and a tip box attached on the same side of the gaming table as, but on opposite sides of, the dealer, as approved by the Bureau of Casino Compliance in accordance with § 601a.10(g). The Bureau of Casino Compliance may approve an alternative location for the tip box when a card shuffling device or other table game equipment prevents the placement of the drop box and tip box on the same side of the gaming table as, but on opposite sides of, the dealer.
(e) Each Midibaccarat table must have a discard bucket on the dealer's side of the table.
§ 629a.7. Wagers.
(a) The following are permissible wagers in the game of Midibaccarat:
(1) A wager on the Banker's Hand which shall:
(i) Win if the Banker's Hand has a Point Count higher than that of the Player's Hand unless EZ Baccarat is being played and the Point Counts of the Banker's Hand and the Player's Hand result in a Dragon 7.
(ii) Lose if the Banker's Hand has a Point Count lower than that of the Player's Hand.
(iii) Tie and be returned to the player if the Banker's Hand and the Player's Hand have the same Point Count or if EZ Baccarat is being played and the Point Counts of the Banker's Hand and the Player's Hand result in a Dragon 7.
(2) A wager on the Player's Hand which shall:
(i) Win if the Player's Hand has a Point Count higher than that of the Banker's Hand and if EZ Baccarat is being played and the Point Counts of the Player's Hand and the Dealer's Hand result in a Panda 8.
(ii) Lose if the Player's Hand has a Point Count lower than that of the Banker's Hand or if EZ Baccarat is being played and the Point Counts of the Banker's Hand and the Player's Hand result in a Dragon 7.
(iii) Tie and be returned to the player if the Point Counts of the Banker's Hand and the Player's Hand are equal.
(3) A Tie Wager which shall:
(i) Win if the Point Counts of the Banker's Hand and the Player's Hand are equal.
(ii) Lose if Point Counts of the Banker's Hand and the Player's Hand are not equal.
(4) If offered by a certificate holder, a Dragon Bonus Wager on the Player's Hand or Banker's Hand, or both, which shall:
(i) Win if the selected hand is:
(A) A Natural and the other hand is not a Natural.
(B) A Natural 9 and the other hand is a Natural 8.
(C) Not a Natural and has a Point Count that exceeds the Point Count of the other hand by four or more points.
(ii) Lose if the selected hand is:
(A) A Natural 8 and the other hand is a Natural 9.
(B) Not a Natural and has a Point Count less than or equal to the Point Count of the other hand.
(C) Not a Natural and has a Point Count that exceeds the Point Count of the other hand by less than four points.
(iii) Tie and be returned to the player if the selected hand is a Natural and the other hand is a Natural of equal Point Count.
(5) A Dragon 7 Insurance Wager, if the table is designated for play as an EZ Baccarat table, which shall:
(i) Win if the Point Counts of the Banker's Hand and the Player's Hand result in a Dragon 7.
(ii) Lose if the Point Counts of the Banker's Hand and the Player's Hand do not result in a Dragon 7.
(6) A Panda 8 Insurance Wager, if the table is designated for play as an EZ Baccarat table, which shall:
(i) Win if the Point Counts of the Player's Hand and the Dealer's Hand result in a Panda 8.
(ii) Lose if the Point Counts of the Player's Hand and the Dealer's Hand do not result in a Panda 8.
(7) If offered by a certificate holder, a House Money Wager which shall:
(i) Win if the first two cards of either the Player's Hand or Banker's Hand, or both, are a pair. For purposes of the House Money Wager, a pair must be of same rank (two queens, for example), regardless of suit.
(ii) Lose if in the first two cards dealt to the player's hand and the banker's hand, neither the player's hand nor the banker's hand contains a pair.
(b) Wagers at Midibaccarat shall be made by placing value chips or plaques on the appropriate areas of the Midibaccarat layout. Verbal wagers accompanied by cash may be accepted provided that the verbal wagers are confirmed by the dealer and the cash is expeditiously converted into value chips or plaques.
(c) A wager may not be made, increased or withdrawn after the dealer has announced ''no more bets.''
§ 629a.8. Hands of player and banker; procedure for dealing initial two cards to each hand.
(a) There shall be two hands dealt in the game of Midibaccarat, one of which shall be designated the Player's Hand and the other designated the Banker's Hand.
(b) Prior to dealing any cards, the dealer shall announce ''no more bets.''
(c) The dealer shall then deal an initial four cards from the dealing shoe. The first and third cards dealt shall be placed face down on the area designated for the Player's Hand and the second and fourth cards dealt shall be placed face down on the area designated for the Banker's Hand.
(1) After all four cards have been dealt, the dealer shall place the Banker's Hand underneath the right corner of the dealing shoe. The dealer shall then hand the two cards of the Player's Hand, face down, to the player with the highest wager on the Player's Hand. After viewing the Player's Hand, the player shall return the two cards, face up, to the dealer, who shall place the cards face up on the area designated for the Player's Hand and announce the Point Count of the Player's Hand.
(2) The dealer shall then hand the two cards of the Banker's Hand, face down, to the player with the highest wager on the Banker's Hand. After viewing the Banker's Hand, the player shall return the two cards, face up, to the dealer, who shall place the cards face up on the area designated for the Banker's Hand and announce the Point Count of the Banker's Hand.
(3) Prior to dealing a third card to the Player's or Banker's Hand, the dealer shall settle all House Money Wagers as follows:
(i) If a player placed a House Money Wager, after the initial two cards of the Player's Hand and Banker's Hand have been turned face up on the layout, beginning from the dealer's right and moving counterclockwise around the table, the dealer shall collect all losing House Money wagers and pay all winning wagers in accordance with § 629a.12(h) (relating to payout odds; vigorish) provided that, at a player's discretion, the player may add the winning House Money payout to the player's original wager on the Player's or Banker's Hand in accordance with the following:
(A) All of the winning House Money payout or, if specified in the certificate holder's Rules Submission filed in accordance with § 601a.2 (relating to table games Rules Submissions), only a specified portion of the winning House Money payout shall be added to the area designated for the placement of the player's original wager on the Player's or Banker's Hand. The player's original wager and the House Money payout which was added to the player's original wager shall then be settled based on the outcome of the player's wager on the Player's or Banker's Hand.
(B) A player may not touch the winning House Money payout. The dealer shall either hand the entire winning House Money payout to the player or place all or a portion thereof, as authorized by the certificate holder, on the area designated for the placement of the player's wager on the Player's or Banker's Hand.
(ii) After settling the House Money Wagers, the game shall resume by dealing any third cards that are required to be dealt.
(4) Any third card required to be dealt to the Player's Hand shall be placed face down on the area designated for the Player's Hand. The dealer shall then hand the card, face down, to the player who was handed and returned the Player's Hand. After viewing the card, the player shall return the card, face up, to the dealer, who shall place the card face up on the area designated for the Player's Hand.
(5) Any third card required to be dealt to the Banker's Hand shall be placed face down on the area designated for the Banker's Hand. The dealer shall then hand the card, face down, to the player who was handed and returned the Banker's Hand. After viewing the card, the player shall return the card, face up, to the dealer, who shall place the card face up on the area designated for the Banker's Hand.
(6) If two or more players wager an equally high amount on the Player's Hand, the player making the wager who is closest to the dealer, moving counterclockwise around the table, shall be handed the Player's Hand and any third card required to be dealt. If two or more players wager an equally high amount on the Banker's Hand, the player making the wager who is closest to the dealer, moving counterclockwise around the table, shall be handed the Banker's Hand and any third card required to be dealt.
(d) The dealer or floorperson assigned to the table may require any player to relinquish the right to turn over the cards in accordance with subsection (c) if the player unreasonably delays the game. If the voluntary or compulsory relinquishment of that right occurs, the dealer shall offer it to the player immediately to the right of the previous player. If the player does not accept it or there is not a player in that position, the dealer shall offer it to each of the other players in turn, moving counterclockwise around the table for the remainder of that round of play. If no player accepts the cards, the dealer shall turn the cards over and place them on the designated areas of the layout.
§ 629a.12. Payout odds; vigorish.
(a) A winning wager made on the Player's Hand shall be paid at odds of 1 to 1.
(b) A winning Tie Wager shall be paid at odds of at least 8 to 1.
(c) A winning wager made on the Banker's Hand shall be paid at odds of 1 to 1, except that the certificate holder shall extract a vigorish from the winning players in an amount equal to 5% of the amount won unless the certificate holder is offering EZ Baccarat in which vigorish is not collected. When collecting the vigorish, the certificate holder may round off the vigorish to 25¢ or the next highest multiple of 25¢.
(d) A dealer shall collect the vigorish from a player in accordance with one of the following procedures selected by the certificate holder in its Rules Submission under § 601a.2 (relating to table games Rules Submissions):
(1) At the time the winning payout is made.
(2) At a later time, provided that:
(i) The outstanding vigorish shall be collected prior to beginning play with a new dealing shoe of cards or when the player leaves the gaming table, whichever occurs first.
(ii) The amount of the vigorish shall be tracked by placing a coin or marker button, which contains the amount of the vigorish owed, in the rectangular space on the layout that is imprinted with the number of the player owing the vigorish.
(iii) The coin or marker button may not be removed from the layout until the vigorish owed is collected.
(e) If a certificate holder offers the Dragon Bonus Wager, in accordance with § 629a.7(a)(4) (relating to wagers), a vigorish may not be extracted on a winning Dragon Bonus Wager. Winning Dragon Bonus Wagers shall be paid out at the odds in one of the following paytables selected by the certificate holder in its Rules Submission filed in accordance with § 601a.2:
Hand Paytable A Paytable B Paytable C Win by 9 points 30 to 1 20 to 1 30 to 1 Win by 8 points 10 to 1 8 to 1 10 to 1 Win by 7 points 6 to 1 7 to 1 4 to 1 Win by 6 points 4 to 1 4 to 1 4 to 1 Win by 5 points 2 to 1 3 to 1 2 to 1 Win by 4 points 1 to 1 1 to 1 2 to 1 Natural winner 1 to 1 1 to 1 1 to 1 Natural tie Push Push Push (f) A winning Dragon 7 Insurance Wager, as described in § 629a.7(a)(5), shall be paid at odds of 40 to 1.
(g) A winning Panda 8 Insurance Wager, as described in § 629a.7(a)(6), shall be paid at odds of 25 to 1.
(h) If a certificate holder offers the House Money Wager and the player elects to take the payout, the player shall be paid in accordance with the following paytable:
Hand Odds Player and Banker Pair 15 to 1 Player or Banker Pair 3 to 1 CHAPTER 631a. BACCARAT § 631a.2. Baccarat table physical characteristics.
(a) Baccarat shall be played on a table having numbered positions for 10 to 14 seated players.
(b) The layout for a Baccarat table shall be submitted to the Bureau of Gaming Operations and approved in accordance with § 601a.10(a) (relating to approval of table layouts, signage and equipment) and contain, at a minimum:
(1) The name or logo of the certificate holder.
(2) Separate areas designated for the placement of wagers on the Banker's Hand, Player's Hand and Tie Hand for each player.
(3) The payout odds for all permissible wagers offered by the certificate holder. If the payout odds are not inscribed on the layout, a sign identifying the payout odds shall be posted at each Baccarat table.
(4) An area designated for the placement of cards for the Player's Hand and Banker's Hand.
(5) If a certificate holder offers the Dragon Bonus Wager, authorized under § 631a.8(a)(4) (relating to wagers), separate areas designated for the placement of the Dragon Bonus Wager for each player.
(6) If a certificate holder offers EZ Baccarat:
(i) Separate areas designated for the placement of the Dragon 7 Insurance Wager, authorized under § 631a.8(a)(5),for each player.
(ii) Inscriptions that advise patrons that a wager on the Banker's Hand that results in a Dragon 7 shall push and be returned to the player. If the information is not inscribed on the layout, a sign containing the information must be posted at each Baccarat table.
(iii) Separate areas designated for the placement of the Panda 8 Insurance Wager, authorized under § 631a.8(a)(6),for each player.
(7) If a certificate holder offers the House Money Wager, authorized under § 631a.8(a)(7), separate areas designated for the placement of the House Money Wager for each player.
(8) Numbered areas that correspond to the seat numbers for the purpose of marking vigorish unless the dealer, in accordance with the option selected in the certificate holder's Rules Submission under § 601a.2 (relating to table games Rules Submissions), collects the vigorish from a player at the time the winning payout is made or the table is designated for play as an EZ Baccarat table in which vigorish is not collected.
(c) If marker buttons are used for the purpose of marking vigorish, the marker buttons shall be placed in the table inventory container or in a separate rack designed for the purpose of storing marker buttons. If a separate rack is used, the rack shall be placed in front of the table inventory container during gaming activity.
(d) Each Baccarat table must have a drop box and a tip box attached on the same side of the gaming table as, but on opposite sides of, the dealer, as approved by the Bureau of Casino Compliance in accordance with § 601a.10(g). The Bureau of Casino Compliance may approve an alternative location for the tip box when a card shuffling device or other table game equipment prevents the placement of the drop box and tip box on the same side of the gaming table as, but on opposite sides of, the dealer.
(e) Each Baccarat table must have a discard bucket on dealer's side of the table.
§ 631a.8. Wagers.
(a) The following are permissible wagers in the game of Baccarat:
(1) A wager on the Banker's Hand which shall:
(i) Win if the Banker's Hand has a Point Count higher than that of the Player's Hand unless EZ Baccarat is being played and the Point Counts of the Banker's Hand and the Player's Hand result in a Dragon 7.
(ii) Lose if the Banker's Hand has a Point Count lower than that of the Player's Hand.
(iii) Tie and be returned to the player if the Banker's Hand and the Player's Hand have the same Point Count or if EZ Baccarat is being played and the Point Counts of the Banker's Hand and the Player's Hand result in a Dragon 7.
(2) A wager on the Player's Hand which shall:
(i) Win if the Player's Hand has a Point Count higher than that of the Banker's Hand and if EZ Baccarat is being played and the Point Counts of the Player's Hand and the Dealer's Hand result in a Panda 8.
(ii) Lose if the Player's Hand has a Point Count lower than that of the Banker's Hand or if EZ Baccarat is being played and the Point Counts of the Banker's Hand and the Player's Hand result in a Dragon 7.
(iii) Tie and be returned to the player if the Point Counts of the Banker's Hand and the Player's Hand are equal.
(3) A Tie Wager which shall:
(i) Win if the Point Counts of the Banker's Hand and the Player's Hand are equal.
(ii) Lose if Point Counts of the Banker's Hand and the Player's Hand are not equal.
(4) If offered by a certificate holder, a Dragon Bonus Wager on the Player's Hand or Banker's Hand, or both, which shall:
(i) Win if the selected hand is:
(A) A Natural and the other hand is not a Natural.
(B) A Natural 9 and the other hand is a Natural 8.
(C) Not a Natural and has a Point Count that exceeds the Point Count of the other hand by four or more points.
(ii) Lose if the selected hand is:
(A) A Natural 8 and the other hand is a Natural 9.
(B) Not a Natural and has a Point Count less than or equal to the Point Count of the other hand.
(C) Not a Natural and has a Point Count that exceeds the Point Count of the other hand by less than four points.
(iii) Tie and be returned to the player if the selected hand is a Natural and the other hand is a Natural of equal Point Count.
(5) A Dragon 7 Insurance Wager, if the table is designated for play as an EZ Baccarat table, which shall:
(i) Win if the Point Counts of the Banker's Hand and the Player's Hand result in a Dragon 7.
(ii) Lose if the Point Counts of the Banker's Hand and the Player's Hand do not result in a Dragon 7.
(6) A Panda 8 Insurance Wager, if the table is designated for play as an EZ Baccarat table, which shall:
(i) Win if the Point Counts of the Player's Hand and the Dealer's Hand result in a Panda 8.
(ii) Lose if the Point Counts of the Player's Hand and the Dealer's Hand do not result in a Panda 8.
(7) If offered by a certificate holder, a House Money Wager which shall:
(i) Win if the first two cards of either the Player's Hand or Banker's Hand, or both, are a pair. For purposes of the House Money Wager, a pair must be of the same rank (two queens, for example), regardless of suit.
(ii) Lose if in the first two cards dealt to the player's hand and the banker's hand, neither the player's hand nor the banker's hand contains a pair.
(b) Wagers at Baccarat shall be made by placing value chips or plaques on the appropriate areas of the Baccarat layout. Verbal wagers accompanied by cash may be accepted provided that the verbal wagers are confirmed by the dealer and the cash is expeditiously converted into value chips or plaques.
(c) A wager may not be made, increased or withdrawn after the dealer has announced ''no more bets.''
§ 631a.9. Hands of player and banker; procedure for dealing initial two cards to each hand.
(a) There shall be two hands dealt in the game of Baccarat, one of which shall be designated the Player's Hand and the other designated the Banker's Hand.
(b) After the dealer calling the game announces ''no more bets,'' the dealer calling the game shall instruct the curator to commence dealing the cards by announcing ''cards.''
(c) The curator shall deal an initial four cards from the dealing shoe face down to the areas designated for the placement of the Player's Hand and the Dealer's Hand. The first and third cards dealt shall constitute the first and second cards of the Player's Hand. The second and fourth cards dealt shall constitute the first and second cards of the Banker's Hand. Except as provided in subsection (d), after the cards are dealt to each hand, the dealer calling the game shall place the cards face up in front of himself. Any third cards that are required to be dealt shall first be dealt face up to the Player's Hand and then to the Banker's Hand by the curator.
(d) A certificate holder may, if specified in its Rules Submission under § 601a.2 (relating to table games Rules Submissions), elect to use the following procedures in lieu of the procedures in subsection (c) and § 631a.10(a) (relating to procedure for dealing a third card), after all four cards have been dealt:
(1) The curator shall place the Banker's Hand underneath the right corner of the dealing shoe.
(2) The dealer calling the game shall then hand the two cards of the Player's Hand, face down, to the player with the highest wager on the Player's Hand. After viewing the Player's Hand, the player shall return the two cards, face up, to the dealer calling the game, who shall place the cards face up on the area designated for the Player's Hand and announce the Point Count of the Player's Hand.
(3) The dealer calling the game shall then hand the two cards of the Banker's Hand, face down, to the player with the highest wager on the Banker's Hand. After viewing the Banker's Hand, the player shall return the two cards, face up, to the dealer calling the game, who shall place the cards face up on the area designated for the Banker's Hand and announce the Point Count of the Banker's Hand.
(4) Any third card required to be dealt to the Player's Hand shall be placed face down on the area designated for the Player's Hand. The dealer calling the game shall then hand the card, face down, to the player who was handed and returned the Player's Hand. After viewing the card, the player shall return the card, face up, to the dealer calling the game, who shall place the card face up on the area designated for the Player's Hand.
(5) Any third card required to be dealt to the Banker's Hand shall be placed face down on the area designated for the Banker's Hand. The dealer calling the game shall then hand the card, face down, to the player who was handed and returned the Banker's Hand. After viewing the card, the player shall return the card, face up, to the dealer calling the game, who shall place the card face up on the area designated for the Banker's Hand.
(6) If two or more players wager an equally high amount on the Player's Hand, the player making the wager who is closest to the dealer calling the game, moving counterclockwise around the table, shall be handed the Player's Hand and any third card required to be dealt. If two or more players wager an equally high amount on the Banker's Hand, the player making the wager who is closest to the dealer calling the game, moving counterclockwise around the table, shall be handed the Banker's Hand and any third card required to be dealt.
(7) In the event there are no wagers on the Player's Hand, the dealer calling the game shall turn the Player's Hand face up and any additional card required to be dealt. In the event there are no wagers on the Banker's Hand, the dealer calling the game shall turn the Banker's Hand face up and any additional card required to be dealt.
(e) After the initial two cards of the Player's Hand and Banker's Hand have been turned face up on the layout but prior to dealing a third card in accordance with subsections (c) and (d), the dealer shall settle all House Money Wagers as follows:
(1) If a player placed a House Money Wager, beginning from the dealer's right and moving counterclockwise around the table, the dealer shall collect all losing House Money wagers and pay all winning wagers in accordance with § 631a.13(h) (relating to payout odds; vigorish) provided that, at a player's discretion, the player may add the winning House Money payout to the player's original wager on the Player's or Banker's Hand in accordance with the following:
(i) All of the winning House Money payout or, if specified in the certificate holder's Rules Submission filed in accordance with § 601a.2, only a specified portion of the winning House Money payout shall be added to the area designated for the placement of the player's original wager on the Player's or Banker's Hand. The player's original wager and the House Money payout which was added to the player's original wager shall then be settled based on the outcome of the player's wager on the Player's or Banker's Hand.
(ii) A player may not touch the winning House Money payout. The dealer shall either hand the entire winning House Money payout to the player or place all or a portion thereof, as authorized by the certificate holder, on the area designated for the placement of the player's wager on the Player's or Banker's Hand.
(2) After settling the House Money Wagers, the game shall resume by dealing any third cards that are required to be dealt in accordance with subsection (c) or (d)(4).
(f) The dealer or floorperson assigned to the table may require any player to relinquish the right to turn over the cards in accordance with subsection (d) if the player unreasonably delays the game. If the voluntary or compulsory relinquishment of that right occurs, the dealer shall offer it to the player immediately to the right of the previous player. If the player does not accept it or there is not a player in that position, the dealer shall offer it to each of the other players in turn, moving counterclockwise around the table for the remainder of that round of play. If no player accepts the cards, the dealer shall turn the cards over and place them on the designated areas of the layout.
§ 631a.13. Payout odds; vigorish.
(a) A winning wager made on the Player's Hand shall be paid at odds of 1 to 1.
(b) A winning Tie Wager shall be paid at odds of at least 8 to 1.
(c) A winning wager made on the Banker's Hand shall be paid at odds of 1 to 1, except that the certificate holder shall extract a vigorish from the winning players in an amount equal to 5% of the amount won, unless the certificate holder is offering EZ Baccarat in which vigorish is not collected. When collecting the vigorish, the certificate holder may round off the vigorish to 25¢ or the next highest multiple of 25¢.
(d) A dealer shall collect the vigorish from a player in accordance with one of the following procedures selected by the certificate holder in its Rules Submission under § 601a.2 (relating to table games Rules Submissions):
(1) At the time the winning payout is made.
(2) At a later time, provided that:
(i) The outstanding vigorish shall be collected prior to beginning play with a new dealing shoe of cards or when the player leaves the gaming table, whichever occurs first.
(ii) The amount of the vigorish shall be tracked by placing a coin or marker button, which contains the amount of the vigorish owed, in the rectangular space on the layout that is imprinted with the number of the player owing the vigorish.
(iii) The coin or marker button may not be removed from the layout until the vigorish owed is collected.
(e) If a certificate holder offers the Dragon Bonus Wager, in accordance with § 631a.8(a)(4) (relating to wagers), a vigorish may not be extracted on a winning Dragon Bonus Wager. Winning Dragon Bonus Wagers shall be paid out at the odds in one of the following paytables selected by the certificate holder in its Rules Submission filed in accordance with § 601a.2:
Hand Paytable A Paytable B Paytable C Win by 9 points 30 to 1 20 to 1 30 to 1 Win by 8 points 10 to 1 8 to 1 10 to 1 Win by 7 points 6 to 1 7 to 1 4 to 1 Win by 6 points 4 to 1 4 to 1 4 to 1 Win by 5 points 2 to 1 3 to 1 2 to 1 Win by 4 points 1 to 1 1 to 1 2 to 1 Natural winner 1 to 1 1 to 1 1 to 1 Natural tie Push Push Push (f) A winning Dragon 7 Insurance Wager, as described in § 631a.8(a)(5), shall be paid out at odds of 40 to 1.
(g) A winning Panda 8 Insurance Wager, as described in § 631a.8(a)(6), shall be paid at odds of 25 to 1.
(h) If a certificate holder offers the House Money Wager and the player elects to take the payout, the player shall be paid in accordance with the following paytable:
Hand Odds Player and Banker Pair 15 to 1 Player or Banker Pair 3 to 1 CHAPTER 633a. BLACKJACK § 633a.7. Procedure for dealing the cards; completion of each round of play.
* * * * * (g) Immediately after the second card is dealt to each player and the dealer, but prior to any additional cards being dealt or before any card reader device is utilized, the dealer shall, starting with the player farthest to the dealer's right and continuing around the table in a counterclockwise direction, settle the player's optional wagers by collecting all losing wagers and paying all winning wagers as follows:
* * * * * (8) If a player placed a Three Card Poker Wager and the dealer's up card and the player's initial two cards form a three-card Poker hand of a straight flush, three-of-a-kind, straight or a flush, the dealer shall pay the winning Three Card Poker Wager in accordance with § 633a.13(k).
(9) If a player placed a Straight Jack Progressive Wager and the player's initial two cards do not form a two-card straight, the dealer shall collect the player's Straight Jack Progressive Wager.
(10) If a player placed a House Money Wager and the player's initial two cards do not form a two-card straight, a pair, a two-card straight flush or an ace-king suited, the dealer shall collect the player's House Money Wager. If a player has a winning hand:
(i) And the dealer's up card is an ace, king, queen, jack or 10, the dealer shall determine whether the hole card will give the dealer a Blackjack in accordance with subsection (h). If the dealer:
(A) Has a Blackjack, the dealer shall pay the winning House Money Wager in accordance with § 633a.13(n).
(B) Does not have a Blackjack, the dealer shall follow the requirements in subparagraph (ii).
(ii) And the dealer's up card is not an ace, king, queen, jack or 10, the dealer shall pay all winning wagers in accordance with § 633a.13(n) provided that, at a player's discretion, the player may add the winning House Money payout to the player's Blackjack Wager in accordance with the following:
(A) All of the winning House Money payout or, if specified in the certificate holder's Rules Submission filed in accordance with § 601a.2 (relating to table games Rules Submissions), only a specified portion of the winning House Money payout shall be added to the area designated for the placement of the player's Blackjack Wager.
(B) A player may not touch the winning House Money payout. The dealer shall either hand the entire winning House Money payout to the player or place all or a portion thereof, as authorized by the certificate holder, on the area designated for the placement of the player's Blackjack Wager. If a player has a Blackjack, the player may add the House Money payout to the Blackjack Wager.
(C) If the player adds the House Money payout to his Blackjack Wager, the House Money payout and the Blackjack Wager must be considered the entire Blackjack Wager. Thus, if the player elects to split in accordance with § 633a.11 (relating to splitting pairs) or doubles down in accordance with § 633a.10 (relating to Double Down Wager), the player shall match the entire Blackjack Wager.
(h) After settling the player's optional wagers in accordance with subsection (g), if the dealer's first card is an ace, king, queen, jack or 10, the dealer shall, after offering the Insurance Wager or even money in accordance with § 633a.8 (relating to Insurance Wager), determine whether the hole card will give the dealer a Blackjack. The dealer shall insert the hole card into the card reader device by moving the card face down on the layout without exposing it to anyone at the table, including the dealer. If the dealer has a Blackjack, additional cards may not be dealt and each player's Blackjack Wager and the Bad Beat, Hit and Run Progressive and Insurance Wagers, if applicable, shall be settled.
(i) After the procedures in subsection (h) have been completed, if necessary, the dealer shall start with the player farthest to the dealer's left and continue around the table in a clockwise direction and if the player:
(1) Has Blackjack and the dealer's up card:
(i) Is a 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9, the dealer shall announce and pay the Blackjack and remove the player's cards.
(ii) Is an ace, king, queen, jack or 10 but the dealer's hole card will not give the dealer a Blackjack, the dealer shall announce the player's Blackjack but may not make a payment nor remove any cards until all other cards are dealt to the players and the dealer reveals the hole card.
(2) Does not have Blackjack, the player shall indicate whether he wishes to surrender, as permitted under § 633a.9 (relating to surrender), double down as permitted under § 633a.10 split pairs as permitted under § 633a.11 stand or draw additional cards.
(j) As each player indicates his decision, the dealer shall deal face upwards whatever additional cards are necessary to effectuate the player's decision.
(k) A player may elect to draw additional cards whenever his point count total is less than 21, except that:
(1) A player having Blackjack or a hard or soft total of 21 may not draw additional cards.
(2) A player electing to make a Double Down Wager may draw only one additional card.
(l) After the decisions of each player have been implemented and all additional cards have been dealt, the dealer shall turn the hole card face up. Any additional cards required to be dealt to the hand of the dealer, in accordance with subsection (m), shall be dealt face up. The dealer shall announce the dealer's total point count after each additional card is dealt.
(m) Except as provided in subsection (n), the dealer shall draw additional cards until he has a hard or soft total of 17, 18, 19, 20 or 21.
(n) A dealer shall draw no additional cards to his hand, regardless of the point count, if decisions have been made on all players' hands and the point count of the dealer's hand will not have an effect on the outcome of the round of play.
(o) After all additional cards have been dealt to the players and the dealer, the dealer shall, starting with the player farthest to the dealer's right and continuing around the table in a counterclockwise direction, settle the remaining optional wagers by collecting all losing wagers and paying all winning wagers as follows:
(1) If a player placed a Bad Beat Progressive Wager:
(i) A player shall win if the player's hand has a total point count of 20 and the dealer has Blackjack or the total point count of the dealer's hand is 21. If selected by the certificate holder in its Rules Submission under § 601a.2, a player may also win if the total point count of the player's hand is 20, irrespective of the total point count of the dealer's hand.
(ii) If a player has won the Bad Beat Progressive Wager or a Magic Card or Lucky Player Bonus, if offered by the certificate holder, the dealer shall:
(A) Verify that the hand is a winning hand.
(B) Have a floorperson or above verify any Bad Beat Progressive payout with odds of 100 for 1 or greater in accordance with approved internal control procedures submitted under § 465a.2 (relating to internal control systems and audit protocols).
(C) Credit the player's game account for the winning Bad Beat Progressive Wager or the Magic Card or Lucky Player Bonus in accordance with § 633a.13(j). If more than one player at the table has won a progressive payout that is 100% of the jackpot amount on the progressive meter, each player shall share the maximum amount proportionally to the amount of the player's respective Bad Beat Progressive Wager.
(2) If a player placed a Hit and Run Progressive Wager:
(i) A player shall win if the dealer has Blackjack or the dealer's hand has five or more cards inclusive of any card which would give the dealer's hand a total point count of greater than 21. For example, if the dealer's hand has a total point count of 14 with five cards drawn and the dealer draws an additional card resulting in a total point count of 23, the dealer's sixth card shall also count toward the Hit and Run Progressive payout.
(ii) If a player has won the Hit and Run Progressive Wager, the dealer shall:
(A) Verify that the hand is a winning hand.
(B) Have a floorperson or above verify any Hit and Run Progressive payout with odds of 200 for 1 or greater in accordance with approved internal control procedures submitted under § 465a.2.
(C) Pay the player the winning Hit and Run Progressive Wager in accordance with § 633a.13(l). If a player has won a progressive payout that is 100% of the jackpot amount on the progressive meter, the progressive payout may not be paid from the table inventory container. If a player has won a progressive payout that is not being paid from the table inventory container, the cards of the player must remain on the table until the necessary documentation has been completed. If more than one player at the table has won a progressive payout that is 100% of the jackpot amount on the progressive meter, each player shall share the maximum amount equally.
(3) If a player placed a Straight Jack Progressive Wager:
(i) A player shall win if the player's initial two cards were a two-card straight. Each additional card drawn by the player which does not break the sequence of the two-card straight shall result in a payout increase, provided that an ace, king shall be a two-card straight. For example, if the player's initial two cards are a 4 and a 5 and the player draws:
(A) A 6, the player has a three-card straight.
(B) A 3 then a 6, the player has a four-card straight.
(C) A 2 then a 3, the 2 breaks the sequence and the player has a two-card straight.
(D) A 6 then a 7, resulting in a hand with a total point count greater than 21, the last card drawn may not count toward the Straight Jack Progressive Payout. The player will receive a payout for only a three-card straight.
(ii) If a player has won the Straight Jack Progressive Wager, the dealer shall:
(A) Verify that the hand is a winning hand.
(B) Have a floorperson or above verify any Straight Jack Progressive Payout with odds of 100 for 1 or greater in accordance with approved internal control procedures submitted under § 465a.2.
(C) Pay the player the winning Straight Jack Progressive Wager in accordance with § 633a.13(m). If a player has won a progressive payout that is 10% or more of the jackpot amount on the progressive meter, the progressive payout may not be paid from the table inventory container. If a player has won a progressive payout that is not being paid from the table inventory container, the cards of the player must remain on the table until the necessary documentation has been completed. If more than one player at the table has won a progressive payout that is 100% of the jackpot amount on the progressive meter, each player shall share the maximum amount equally.
(p) A player shall win the Blackjack Wager and be paid in accordance with the payout odds in § 633a.13(a) if:
(1) The total point count of the player's hand is 21 or less and the total point count of the dealer's hand is in excess of 21.
(2) The total point count of the player's hand exceeds the total point count of the dealer's hand without exceeding 21.
(3) The player has a Blackjack and the dealer's hand has a total point count of 21 in more than two cards.
(q) A Blackjack Wager shall tie and be returned to the player if the total point count of the player's hand is the same as the dealer's. A player's Blackjack Wager shall be lost if the dealer has a Blackjack and the player's hand has a total point count of 21 in more than two cards.
(r) The dealer shall collect all losing wagers and pay off all winning wagers in accordance with one of the following procedures designated in the certificate holder's Rules Submission under § 601a.2:
(1) Collect all losing wagers and then pay off all winning wagers.
(2) Pay off all winning wagers and collect all losing wagers beginning with the player farthest to the dealer's right and continuing around the table in a counterclockwise direction. The dealer shall place any losing wagers directly into the table inventory and may not pay off any winning wagers by using value chips collected from a losing wager.
(s) After all wagers have been settled, the dealer shall remove all remaining cards from the table and place them in the discard rack in a manner that permits the reconstruction of each hand in the event of a question or dispute.
(t) Except as provided in § 633a.12(b), players and spectators may not handle, remove or alter any cards used to play Blackjack.
§ 633a.13. Payout odds; payout limitation.
* * * * * (l) If the certificate holder offers the Hit and Run Progressive Wager:
(1) The certificate holder shall pay out winning Hit and Run Progressive Wagers at the odds in the following paytable:
Hand Payout Dealer has: Eight or more cards 100% of meter Seven cards 200 for 1 Six cards 25 for 1 Five cards 8 for 1 Blackjack 4 for 1 (2) The rate of progression for the meter used for the Hit and Run Progressive Wager must be specified in the certificate holder's Rules Submission filed in accordance with § 601a.2. The initial and reset amounts must also be in the Rules Submission and at least $1,000.
(m) If the certificate holder offers the Straight Jack Progressive Wager:
(1) The certificate holder shall pay out winning Straight Jack Progressive Wagers at the odds in the following paytable:
Hand Payout Player has: Six-card straight with an ace of spades 100% of meter and 200 to 1 Six-card straight with an ace of
diamonds, clubs or hearts10% of meter and 200 to 1 Five-card straight 200 to 1 Four-card straight 50 to 1 Three-card straight 15 to 1 Two-card straight 3 to 1 (2) The rate of progression for the meter used for the Straight Jack Progressive Wager must be specified in the certificate holder's Rules Submission filed in accordance with § 601a.2. The initial and reset amounts must also be in the Rules Submission and be at least $5,000.
(n) If a certificate holder offers the House Money Wager and the player elects to take the payout, the player shall be paid in accordance with the following paytable:
(1) If a single deck of cards is being used:
Hand Odds Ace-king suited 9 to 1 Two-card straight flush 5 to 1 Pair 3 to 1 Two-card straight 1 to 1 (2) If multiple decks of cards are being used:
Hand Odds Ace-king suited 9 to 1 Two-card straight flush 4 to 1 Pair 3 to 1 Two-card straight 1 to 1 (o) Notwithstanding the payout odds in subsections (b) and (g), a certificate holder may, in its Rules Submission under § 601a.2, establish a maximum amount that is payable to a player with a queen of hearts pair and dealer Blackjack or king of spades pair and dealer Blackjack that is payable to all winning hands in the aggregate on a single round of play. The maximum payout amount shall be at least $25,000 or the maximum amount that one patron could win per round when betting the maximum possible wager, whichever is greater. If a certificate holder establishes a maximum payout, and more than one player at a table has a winning hand of queen of hearts pair and dealer Blackjack or king of spades pair and dealer Blackjack, each player shall share the maximum payout amount proportionately to the amount of the player's respective wager. Any maximum payout limit established by the certificate holder shall apply only to payouts of Royal Match 21 Wagers and King's Bounty Wagers.
CHAPTER 635a. SPANISH 21 § 635a.8. Insurance Wager.
(a) If the first card dealt to the dealer is an ace, each player may make an Insurance Wager which shall win if the dealer's hole card is a king, queen or jack.
(b) An Insurance Wager shall be made by placing a value chip on the insurance line of the layout in an amount not more than 1/2 the player's initial Spanish 21 Wager. A player may wager an amount in excess of 1/2 the initial Spanish 21 Wager to the next unit that can be wagered in chips when, because of the limitation of the value of chip denominations, half the initial Spanish 21 Wager cannot be bet. Insurance Wagers shall be placed prior to the dealer inserting his hole card into the card reader device.
(c) Winning Insurance Wagers shall be paid in accordance with the payout odds in § 635a.12(d) (relating to payout odds).
(d) Losing Insurance Wagers shall be collected by the dealer immediately after the dealer inserts his hole card into the card reader device and determines that he does not have a Blackjack and before he draws any additional cards.
CHAPTER 637a. POKER § 637a.10. Seven-card Stud Poker; procedures for dealing the cards; completion of each round of play.
* * * * * (l) In Seven-card Stud High-low Split Poker and Seven-card Stud High-low Split Eight or Better Poker, an ace may be used concurrently as a low hand card to make up a low hand and as a high card to make up a high Poker hand.
(m) Notwithstanding the requirements in subsection (c), if the certificate holder is offering Super Seven-card Stud High-low Split Eight or better, starting with the first player to the dealer's left and continuing around the table in a clockwise manner, the dealer shall deal four rounds of cards face down and one round of cards face up to each player. After examining the cards, each player shall discard two cards. The first betting round shall commence in accordance with subsection (d).
§ 637a.21. Badugi Poker; procedures for dealing the cards; completion of each round of play.
(a) A certificate holder that offers Badugi Poker shall observe the procedures in this section.
(b) No more than nine players may participate in a Badugi Poker game. Each player who elects to participate in a round of play may be required to place an Ante bet. The rules governing the placement of an Ante bet and the amount of the Ante bet, if any, and the Kill or Half-kill option, if offered, must be specified in the certificate holder's Rules Submission under § 601a.2 (relating to table games Rules Submissions) and posted on a sign at each Poker table.
(c) A button shall be used to indicate the order in which the cards shall be dealt and the order in which players shall bet in accordance with the following procedures:
(1) At commencement of play, the button shall be placed in front of either:
(i) The first player to the right of the dealer.
(ii) The player randomly determined by rank of a single card dealt.
(2) Thereafter, the button shall rotate around the table in a clockwise manner after each round of play.
(d) Before any cards are dealt, the player to the immediate left of the button shall initiate the first betting round by placing a Blind Bet. A certificate holder may require additional Blind Bets to be made immediately after the initial Blind Bet. The amount and number of all Blind Bets required must be specified in the certificate holder's Rules Submission under § 601a.2 and posted on a sign at the table.
(e) The player to the left of the player who placed a Blind Bet may place a Straddle Bet, if offered by the certificate holder. The rules governing the placement of a Straddle Bet and the amount of the Straddle Bet, if any, must be specified in the certificate holder's Rules Submission under § 601a.2 and posted on a sign at each Poker table. No more than one Straddle Bet may be made during a round of play.
(f) Starting with the player to the immediate left of the button and continuing around the table in a clockwise manner, the dealer shall deal four rounds of cards face down to each player. The player with the button shall be the last player to receive a card each time.
(g) After each player has been dealt four cards in accordance with subsection (f), each player, starting with the player to the left of the player or players who were required to place a Blind Bet or the player who placed a Straddle Bet, if offered, and continuing around the table in a clockwise manner, may fold, call or raise the bet. The option to raise also applies to a player who made a Blind Bet or Straddle Bet. After the last player has responded to the most recent bet, the betting round shall be considered complete.
(h) The dealer shall then burn the top card of the deck. Each player who has not folded, starting with the player to the immediate left of the button and continuing in a clockwise rotation, shall have the opportunity to draw new cards one player at a time. Each player may keep his original hand or discard as many cards as he chooses. Each discarded card shall be replaced by the dealer with a new card from the deck. If an insufficient number of cards remain in the deck for a player to draw new cards, the discarded cards, except the cards discarded by that player, shall be reshuffled and the new cards shall be dealt to the player. The first player to the left of the button who has not folded shall commence the next betting round and may bet or check. Each subsequent player may, in clockwise rotation, fold, call, raise or, if preceding players have not made a bet, make an opening bet or check. After the last player has responded to the most recent bet, the second betting round shall be considered complete.
(i) Upon completion of the second betting round, the dealer shall burn the top card of the deck. Each player who has not folded shall then have the opportunity to draw new cards in accordance with subsection (h). The next betting round shall be commenced and completed in accordance with subsection (h).
(j) Upon completion of the third betting round, the dealer shall burn the top card of the deck. Each player who has not folded shall then have the opportunity to draw new cards in accordance with subsection (h). The fourth and final betting round shall be commenced and completed in accordance with subsection (h).
(k) If more than one player remains in the round of play after the final betting round has been completed, a showdown shall be used to determine the winner of the pot based upon the following rankings in order from highest to lowest:
(1) The lowest Badugi hand shall win the pot. For purposes of this section, a Badugi hand shall be a hand in which each of the player's four cards are of a different suit from the others and rank in accordance with § 637a.6(c) (relating to Poker rankings) with the best Badugi hand being an ace, 2, 3 and 4.
(2) If no players have a Badugi, the player with the lowest hand containing three cards, each of which are a different suit and rank.
(3) If no players have three cards of a different suit and rank than the player with the lowest hand containing two cards, each of which are a different suit and rank shall win the pot.
(4) If no remaining players have a hand containing two cards of a different suit and rank than the player with the lowest card.
(5) If a tie exists between two or more players, the pot shall be divided equally among the tied players. If the pot cannot be divided equally among the tied players, the excess, which may not exceed $1, shall be given to the player specified in the certificate holder's Rules Submission under § 601a.2.
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[Continued from previous Web Page] CHAPTER 659a. ASIA POKER Sec.
659a.1. Definitions. 659a.2. Asia Poker table; Asia Poker shaker; physical characteristics. 659a.3. Cards; number of decks. 659a.4. Opening of the table for gaming. 659a.5. Shuffle and cut of the cards; procedures for determining the starting position for dealing cards. 659a.6. Asia Poker rankings. 659a.7. Wagers. 659a.8. Procedures for dealing the cards from a manual dealing shoe. 659a.9. Procedures for dealing the cards from the hand. 659a.10. Procedures for dealing the cards from an automated dealing shoe. 659a.11. Procedures for completion of each round of play. 659a.12. Payout odds; payout limitation. 659a.13. Irregularities; invalid roll of dice. § 659a.1. Definitions.
The following words and terms, when used in this chapter, have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
Copy hand—A high hand, medium hand or low hand of a player that is identical in rank to the corresponding high hand, medium hand or low hand of the dealer.
High hand—The four-card hand that is formed from the seven cards dealt so as to rank higher than the medium hand and the low hand.
Low hand—The one-card hand that is formed from the seven cards dealt so as to rank lower than the high hand and the medium hand.
Medium hand—The two-card hand that is formed from the seven cards dealt so as to rank lower than the high hand and higher than the low hand.
Setting the hands—The process of forming a high hand, medium hand and low hand from the seven cards dealt.
§ 659a.2. Asia Poker table; Asia Poker shaker; physical characteristics.
(a) Asia Poker shall be played at a table having betting positions for no more than six players on one side of the table and a place for the dealer on the opposite side of the table.
(b) The layout for an Asia Poker table shall be submitted to the Bureau of Gaming Operations and approved in accordance with § 601a.10(a) (relating to approval of table game layouts, signage and equipment) and contain, at a minimum:
(1) The name or logo of the certificate holder.
(2) A separate betting area designated for the placement of the Asia Poker Wager for each player.
(3) Three separate areas designated for the placement of the high hand, medium hand and low hand of each player.
(4) Three separate areas designated for the placement of the high hand, medium hand and low hand of the dealer.
(5) If the certificate holder offers the optional Bonus Wager authorized under § 659a.7(e) (relating to wagers), a separate area designated for the placement of the Bonus Wager for each player.
(6) Inscriptions that advise patrons of the payout odds or amounts for all permissible wagers offered by the certificate holder. If the payout odds or amounts are not inscribed on the layout, a sign identifying the payout odds or amounts for all permissible wagers shall be posted at each Asia Poker table.
(7) An inscription indicating the payout limit per hand established by the certificate holder under § 659a.12(c) (relating to payout odds; payout limitation) or a generic inscription indicating the game is subject to the posted payout limit. If the payout limit is not inscribed on the layout, a sign which sets forth the required information shall be posted at each Asia Poker table.
(c) To determine the starting position for the dealing or delivery of the cards, Asia Poker may be played with:
(1) An Asia Poker shaker, approved in accordance with § 601a.10(a), which shall be designed and constructed to maintain the integrity of the game. The Asia Poker shaker shall be the responsibility of the dealer, may not be left unattended while at the table and must:
(i) Be capable of housing three dice that when not being shaken shall be maintained within the Asia Poker shaker. Dice that have been placed in an Asia Poker shaker for use in gaming may not remain on a table for more than 24 hours.
(ii) Be designed to prevent the dice from being seen while being shaken.
(iii) Have the name or logo of the certificate holder imprinted or impressed thereon.
(2) A computerized random number generator which must be approved by the Bureau of Gaming Laboratory Operations in accordance with § 461a.4 (relating to submission for testing and approval) prior to its use.
(3) A flat button which shall be approved by the Bureau of Gaming Operations prior to its use.
(d) Each Asia Poker table must have a drop box and a tip box attached on the same side of the gaming table as, but on opposite sides of, the dealer and in locations approved by the Bureau of Casino Compliance in accordance with § 601a.10(g). The Bureau of Casino Compliance may approve an alternative location for the tip box when a card shuffling device or other table game equipment prevents the placement of the drop box and tip box on the same side of the gaming table as, but on opposite sides of, the dealer.
(e) Each Asia Poker table must have a discard rack securely attached to the top of the dealer's side of the table.
§ 659a.3. Cards; number of decks.
(a) Except as provided in subsection (b), Asia Poker shall be played with one deck of cards that are identical in appearance and two cover cards. The deck of cards used to play Asia Poker must include one joker. A certificate holder may use decks that are manufactured with two jokers provided that only one joker is used for gaming.
(b) If an automated card shuffling device is utilized, Asia Poker may be played with two decks of cards in accordance with the following requirements:
(1) The cards in each deck must be of the same design. The backs of the cards in one deck must be of a different color than the cards included in the other deck.
(2) One deck of cards shall be shuffled and stored in the automated card shuffling device while the other deck is being used to play the game.
(3) Both decks of cards shall be continuously alternated in and out of play, with each deck being used for every other round of play.
(4) The cards from only one deck shall be placed in the discard rack at any given time.
(c) The decks of cards used in Asia Ride Poker shall be changed at least every:
(1) Four hours if the cards are dealt by hand.
(2) Eight hours if the cards are dealt from a manual or automated dealing shoe.
§ 659a.4. Opening of the table for gaming.
(a) After receiving one or more decks of cards at the table, the dealer shall inspect the cards for any defects. The floorperson assigned to the table shall verify the inspection.
(b) If the deck of cards used by the certificate holder contains two jokers, the dealer and a floorperson shall ensure that only one joker is utilized and that the other joker is torn in half and placed in the box, envelope or container that the deck came from. After the cards are inspected, the cards shall be spread out face up on the table for visual inspection by the first player to arrive at the table. The cards shall be spread in horizontal fan shaped columns by deck according to suit and in sequence and include the one joker.
(c) After the first player is afforded an opportunity to visually inspect the cards, the cards shall be turned face down on the table, mixed thoroughly by a washing of the cards and stacked. Once the cards have been stacked, they shall be shuffled in accordance with § 659a.5 (relating to shuffle and cut of the cards; procedures for determining the starting position for dealing cards).
(d) If an automated card shuffling device is utilized and two decks of cards are received at the table, each deck of cards shall be spread for inspection, mixed, stacked and shuffled in accordance with subsections (a)—(c).
(e) If the decks of cards received at the table are preinspected and preshuffled in accordance with § 603a.16(u) or (v) (relating to cards; receipt, storage, inspection and removal from use), subsections (a)—(d) do not apply.
§ 659a.5. Shuffle and cut of the cards; procedures for determining the starting position for dealing cards.
(a) Immediately prior to commencement of play, unless the cards were preshuffled in accordance with § 603a.16(u) or (v) (relating to cards; receipt, storage, inspection and removal from use), after each round of play has been completed or when directed by the floorperson or above, the dealer shall shuffle the cards, either manually or by use of an automated card shuffling device, so that the cards are randomly intermixed. Upon completion of the shuffle, the dealer or device shall place the deck of cards in a single stack provided, however, that the certificate holder may use an automated card shuffling device which, upon completion of the shuffling of the cards, inserts the stack of cards directly into a dealing shoe.
(b) After the cards have been shuffled and stacked, the dealer shall:
(1) If the cards were shuffled using an automated card shuffling device, determine the starting position in accordance with subsection (g), then deal the cards in accordance with § 659a.8, § 659a.9 or § 659a.10 (relating to procedures for dealing the cards from a manual dealing shoe; procedures for dealing the cards from the hand; and procedures for dealing the cards from an automated dealing shoe).
(2) If the cards were shuffled manually or were preshuffled, cut the cards in accordance with subsection (c).
(c) If a cut of the cards is required, the dealer shall place the cover card in the stack at least ten cards in from the top of the stack. Once the cover card has been inserted, the dealer shall take all cards above the cover card and the cover card and place them on the bottom of the stack. The stack of cards shall then be inserted into the dealing shoe for commencement of play. The dealer shall then determine the starting position in accordance with subsection (g), and deal the cards in accordance with § 659a.8, § 659a.9 or § 659a.10.
(d) After the cards have been cut and before any cards have been dealt, a floorperson or above may require the cards to be recut if the floorperson determines that the cut was performed improperly or in any way that might affect the integrity or fairness of the game.
(e) If there is no gaming activity at an Asia Poker table which is open for gaming, the cards shall be removed from the dealing shoe and discard rack and spread out on the table face down unless a player requests that the cards be spread face up on the table. After the first player arriving at the table is afforded an opportunity to visually inspect the cards, the procedures in § 659a.4(c) (relating to opening of the table for gaming) and this section shall be completed.
(f) A certificate holder may utilize a dealing shoe or other device designed to automatically reshuffle the cards provided that the device is submitted and approved in accordance with § 461a.4 (relating to submission for testing and approval) prior to its use in the licensed facility. If a certificate holder is utilizing the approved device, subsections (c)—(e) do not apply.
(g) To determine the starting position for the dealing of cards, the certificate holder shall use one of the following:
(1) An Asia Poker shaker in accordance with the following procedures:
(i) The dealer shall shake the Asia Poker shaker at least three times to cause a random mixture of the dice.
(ii) The dealer shall then remove the lid covering the Asia Poker shaker and place the uncovered shaker on the designated area of the table layout. The dealer shall then total the dice and announce the total.
(iii) To determine the starting position, the dealer shall count each betting position in order, regardless of whether there is a wager at the betting position, beginning with the dealer as number one and continuing around the table in a counterclockwise manner, until the count matches the total of the three dice.
(iv) After the dealing procedures required under § 659a.8, § 659a.9 or § 659a.10 have been completed, the dealer shall place the cover on the Asia Poker shaker and shake the shaker once. The Asia Poker shaker shall then be placed to the right of the dealer.
(2) A computerized random number generator to select and display a number from 1 to 7. To determine the starting position, the dealer shall count each betting position in order, regardless of whether there is a wager at the betting position, beginning with the dealer as number one and continuing around the table in a counterclockwise manner, until the count matches the number displayed by the random number generator.
(3) If an automated card shuffling device and dealing shoe are used under § 659a.10, a flat button to indicate the starting position. At the commencement of play, the button shall be placed in front of the dealer. Thereafter, the button shall rotate around the table in a clockwise manner after each round of play.
(h) After the starting position for a round of play has been determined, a certificate holder may mark that position with an additional cover card or similar object approved by the Bureau of Gaming Operations.
§ 659a.6. Asia Poker rankings.
(a) The rank of the cards used in Asia Poker, in order of highest to lowest, shall be: ace, king, queen, jack, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3 and 2. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an ace may be used to complete a straight flush or a straight formed with a 2, 3 and 4 but may not be combined with any other sequence of cards (for example: queen, king, ace and 2). The joker shall be used and ranked as an ace or may be used as any card to complete a straight, a flush, a straight flush or a royal flush.
(b) The permissible Poker hands at the game of Asia Poker, in order of highest to lowest rank, shall be:
(1) Four aces, which is a high hand consisting of four aces.
(2) A royal flush, which is a high hand consisting of an ace, king, queen and jack of the same suit.
(3) A straight flush, which is a high hand consisting of four cards of the same suit in consecutive ranking, with ace, 2, 3 and 4 being the highest ranking straight flush; king, queen, jack and 10 being the second highest ranking straight flush; and 2, 3, 4 and 5 being the lowest ranking straight flush. The certificate holder may, if specified in its Rules Submission under § 601a.2 (relating to table games Rules Submissions), specify that a straight flush formed with an ace, 2, 3 and 4 of the same suit is the lowest ranking straight flush.
(4) A four-of-a-kind, which is a high hand consisting of four cards of the same rank, with four kings being the highest ranking four-of-a-kind and four 2s being the lowest ranking four-of-a-kind.
(5) A flush, which is a high hand consisting of four cards of the same suit. When comparing two flushes, the provisions in subsection (c) shall be applied.
(6) A straight, which is a high hand consisting of four cards of consecutive rank, regardless of suit, with an ace, king, queen and jack being the highest ranking straight; an ace, 2, 3 and 4 being the second highest ranking straight; and a 2, 3, 4 and 5 being the lowest ranking straight. The certificate holder may, if specified in its Rules Submission under § 601a.2, specify that a straight formed with an ace, 2, 3 and 4, regardless of suit, is the lowest ranking straight.
(7) A three-of-a-kind, which is a high hand containing three cards of the same rank, with three aces being the highest ranking three-of-a-kind and three 2s being the lowest ranking three-of-a-kind.
(8) Two pair, which is a high hand containing two pairs, with two aces and two kings being the highest ranking two pair hand and two 3s and two 2s being the lowest ranking two-pair hand.
(9) A pair, which is either a high hand or a low hand consisting of two cards of the same rank, with two aces being the highest ranking pair and two 2s being the lowest ranking pair.
(c) When comparing two high hands, two medium hands or two low hands that are of identical hand rank under subsection (b), or contain none of the hands in subsection (b), the hand that contains the highest ranking card under subsection (a), which is not in the other hand, shall be considered the higher ranking hand. If the two hands are of identical rank after the application of this section, the hands shall be considered a copy.
(d) If the certificate holder offers the optional Bonus Wager under § 659a.7(e) (relating to wagers), the following hands shall be used to determine the amount of the bonus payout to a winning player:
(1) A three-of-a-kind and four 8s.
(2) Five aces, which is a hand consisting of four aces and a joker.
(3) A royal flush, which is a hand consisting of an ace, king, queen, jack and 10 of the same suit.
(4) A natural straight flush, which is a hand consisting of five cards of the same suit in consecutive rank with no joker.
(5) A straight flush with a joker, which is a hand consisting of five cards of the same suit in consecutive rank, one of which is a joker.
(6) A four-of-a-kind, which is a hand consisting of four cards of the same rank regardless of suit.
(7) A 9-high, which is a seven-card hand that contains a 9, 8, 7, 6, 4, 3 and 2 or a 9, 8, 7, 5, 4, 3 and 2.
(8) A full house, which is a hand consisting of a three-of-a-kind and a pair.
(9) A flush, which is a hand consisting of five cards of the same suit.
(10) A three-of-a-kind, which is a hand containing three cards of the same rank regardless of suit.
(11) A straight, which is a hand consisting of five cards of consecutive rank, regardless of suit.
§ 659a.7. Wagers.
(a) Wagers at Asia Poker shall be made by placing value chips or plaques on the appropriate areas of the Asia Poker layout. Verbal wagers accompanied by cash may not be accepted.
(b) Only players who are seated at an Asia Poker table may wager at the game. Once a player has placed a wager and received cards, that player shall remain seated until the completion of the round of play. If a player leaves the table during a round of player, any wagers made by the player may be considered abandoned and may be treated as losing wagers.
(c) All wagers at Asia Poker shall be placed prior to the dealer announcing ''no more bets'' in accordance with the dealing procedures in § 659a.8, § 659a.9 or § 659a.10 (relating to procedures for dealing the cards from a manual dealing shoe; procedures for dealing the cards from the hand; and procedures for dealing the cards from an automated dealing shoe). A wager may not be made, increased or withdrawn after the dealer has announced ''no more bets.''
(d) To participate in a round of play and compete against the dealer's high hand, medium hand and low hand, a player shall place an Asia Poker Wager.
(e) If specified in its Rules Submission under § 601a.2 (relating to table games Rules Submissions), a certificate holder may offer to each player who placed an Asia Poker Wager, the option of placing a Bonus Wager that the seven cards dealt to the player will form a hand with a rank of 9-high or better as described in § 659a.6(d) (relating to Asia Poker rankings).
(f) If specified in its Rules Submission under § 601a.2, a certificate holder may permit a player to wager on two adjacent betting areas at an Asia Poker table. If a certificate holder permits a player to wager on adjacent betting areas, the cards dealt to each betting area shall be played separately. If the two wagers are not equal, the player shall set the hand with the larger wager before ranking and setting the other hand. If the amounts wagered are equal, each hand shall be played separately in a counterclockwise rotation with the first hand being ranked and set before the player proceeds to rank and set the second hand. Once a hand has been ranked, set and placed face down on the layout, the hands may not be changed.
§ 659a.8. Procedures for dealing the cards from a manual dealing shoe.
(a) If a manual dealing shoe is used, the dealing shoe must be located on the table in a location approved by the Bureau of Casino Compliance. Once the procedures required under § 659a.5 (relating to shuffle and cut of the cards; procedures for determining the starting position for dealing cards) have been completed, the stacked deck of cards shall be placed in the dealing shoe either by the dealer or by an automated card shuffling device.
(b) Prior to dealing any cards, the dealer shall announce ''no more bets'' and use one of the procedures authorized under § 659a.5(g) to determine the starting position for dealing the cards.
(c) The dealer shall then deal the first card to the starting position as determined in subsection (b) and, continuing around the table in a clockwise manner, deal one card at a time to all other positions, regardless of whether there is a wager at the position, and the dealer, until each position and the dealer has seven cards. Each card dealt shall be removed from the dealing shoe with the hand of the dealer that is closest to the dealing shoe and placed face down on the appropriate area of the layout with the opposite hand.
(d) After seven cards have been dealt to each position and the dealer, the dealer shall remove the stub from the manual dealing shoe and determine whether four cards are left by spreading them face down on the layout. The four cards that remain may not be exposed to anyone and shall be placed in the discard rack.
(e) If more or less than four cards remain, the dealer shall determine if the cards were misdealt. If the cards were misdealt (a player position or the dealer has more or less than seven cards), all hands shall be void and all wagers shall be returned to the players. If the cards were not misdealt, all hands shall be void, all wagers shall be returned to the players and the entire deck of cards shall be removed from the table.
(f) If the dealer determines the cards were dealt properly, the dealer shall collect any stacks dealt to a position where there was no wager and place them in the discard rack without exposing the cards.
§ 659a.9. Procedures for dealing the cards from the hand.
(a) If the cards are dealt from the dealer's hand, the following requirements shall be observed:
(1) An automated shuffling device shall be used to shuffle the cards.
(2) After the procedures required under § 659a.5 (relating to shuffle and cut of the cards; procedures for determining the starting position for dealing cards) have been completed, the dealer shall place the deck of cards in either hand. After the dealer has chosen the hand in which to hold the cards, the dealer shall continue to use that hand when holding the cards during that round of play. The cards held by the dealer shall be kept over the table inventory container and in front of the dealer at all times.
(3) Prior to dealing any cards, the dealer shall announce ''no more bets'' and use one of the procedures authorized under § 659a.5(g) to determine the starting position for dealing the cards. The dealer shall deal each card by holding the deck of cards in the chosen hand and shall use the other hand to remove the top card of the deck and place it face down on the appropriate area of the layout.
(b) The dealer shall then deal the first card to the starting position as determined in subsection (a) and, continuing around the table in a clockwise manner, deal one card at a time to all other positions, regardless of whether there is a wager at the position, and the dealer, until each position and the dealer has seven cards.
(c) After seven cards have been dealt to each position and the dealer, the dealer shall determine whether four cards are left by spreading them face down on the layout. The four cards that remain may not be exposed to anyone and shall be placed in the discard rack.
(d) If more or less than four cards remain, the dealer shall determine if the cards were misdealt. If the cards were misdealt (a player position or the dealer has more or less than seven cards), all hands shall be void and all wagers shall be returned to the players. If the cards were not misdealt, all hands shall be void, all wagers shall be returned to the players and the entire deck of cards shall be removed from the table.
(e) If the dealer determines the cards were dealt properly, the dealer shall collect any stacks dealt to a position where there was no wager and place them in the discard rack without exposing the cards.
§ 659a.10. Procedures for dealing the cards from an automated dealing shoe.
(a) If the cards are dealt from an automated dealing shoe, after the procedures under § 659a.5 (relating to shuffle and cut of the cards; procedures for determining the starting position for dealing cards) have been completed, the cards shall be placed in the automated dealing shoe. Prior to the shoe dispensing any stacks of cards, the dealer shall announce ''no more bets.''
(b) After the starting position for delivering the cards has been determined, the dealer shall deliver the first stack of cards dispensed by the automated dealing shoe face down to that position. As the remaining stacks are dispensed to the dealer by the automated dealing shoe, the dealer shall, moving clockwise around the table, deliver a stack face down to each of the other positions, regardless of whether there is a wager at the position, and the dealer.
(c) After seven cards have been dispensed and delivered to each position and the dealer, the dealer shall remove the remaining cards from the shoe and determine whether four cards are left by spreading them face down on the layout. The four cards that remain may not be exposed to anyone and shall be placed in the discard rack.
(d) If more or less than four cards remain, the dealer shall determine if the cards were misdealt. If the cards were misdealt (a player position or the dealer has more or less than seven cards), all hands shall be void and all wagers shall be returned to the players. If the cards were not misdealt, all hands shall be void, all wagers shall be returned to the players and the entire deck of cards shall be removed from the table.
(e) If the dealer determines the cards were dealt properly, the dealer shall collect any stacks dealt to a position where there was no wager and place them in the discard rack without exposing the cards.
§ 659a.11. Procedures for completion of each round of play.
(a) After the dealing procedures required under § 659a.8, § 659a.9 or § 659a.10 (relating to procedures for dealing the cards from a manual dealing shoe; procedures for dealing the cards from the hand; and procedures for dealing the cards from an automated dealing shoe) have been completed, each player shall examine his cards subject to the following limitations:
(1) Each player who wagers at an Asia Poker table shall be responsible for setting his own hands and no person other than the dealer and the player to whom the cards were dealt may touch the cards of that player. If a player requests assistance in the setting of his hands, the dealer shall inform the player of the manner in which the certificate holder requires the hands of the dealer to be set in accordance with the certificate holder's Rules Submission under § 601a.2 (relating to table games Rules Submissions).
(2) Each player shall keep his seven cards in full view of the dealer at all times.
(3) Once each player has set his three hands and placed them face down on the appropriate area of the layout, the player may not touch the cards again.
(b) Each player shall set his hands by arranging the cards into a high hand, a medium hand and a low hand. When setting the three hands, the four-card high hand must be higher in rank than the two-card medium hand and the medium hand must be higher in rank than the one-card low hand. For example, if the two-card medium hand contains a pair of sevens, the four-card high hand must contain at least a pair of sevens and the two remaining cards.
(c) After all players have set their hands and placed the cards on the table, the seven cards of the dealer shall be turned over and the dealer shall set his hands by arranging the cards into a high hand, medium hand and low hand. The certificate holder shall specify in its Rules Submission under § 601a.2 the manner in which the hands of the dealer shall be set. The dealer shall then place the three hands face up on the appropriate area of the layout.
(d) Unless a player has placed an optional Bonus Wager in accordance with § 659a.7(e) (relating to wagers), a player may surrender his wager after the hands of the dealer have been set. The player shall announce his intention to surrender prior to the dealer exposing any of the three hands of that player as provided in subsection (e). Once the player has announced his intention to surrender, the dealer shall immediately collect the Asia Poker Wager from that player and collect the seven cards dealt to that player without exposing the cards to anyone at the table. The dealer shall verify that seven cards were collected by counting them face down on the layout prior to placing them in the discard rack.
(e) After the dealer has set a high hand, medium hand and a low hand, the dealer shall reveal all three hands of each player, beginning with the player farthest to the dealer's right and continuing around the table in a counterclockwise direction. The dealer shall compare the high, medium and low hand of each player to the high, medium and low hand of the dealer and shall announce if the Asia Poker Wager of that player wins or loses.
(f) An Asia Poker Wager will:
(1) Lose and will immediately be collected if:
(i) Any two of the player's three hands are identical or lower in rank than the dealer's corresponding hands.
(ii) Any one of the player's three hands is identical in rank to the corresponding hand of the dealer and one of the player's remaining hands is lower in rank than the dealer's corresponding hand.
(iii) The high hand of the player was not set so as to rank higher than the medium hand of that player.
(iv) The medium hand of the player was not set so as to rank higher than the low hand of that player.
(v) The three hands of the player were not otherwise set correctly in accordance with this chapter.
(2) Win if any two of the player's three hands are higher in rank than the dealer's corresponding hands. The dealer shall pay the winning Asia Poker Wager in accordance with the payout odds in § 659a.12(a) (relating to payout odds; payout limitation).
(g) Except as provide in subsection (h), after settling the player's Asia Poker Wager, the dealer shall place the cards of the player in the discard rack.
(h) If a player placed a Bonus Wager, after settling the player's Asia Poker Wager, the dealer shall rearrange the seven cards of any player and form the highest ranking hand and shall be responsible for creating the hand for purposes of the Bonus Wager. If a player:
(1) Does not have a 9-high or better, as described in § 659a.6(d) (relating to Asia Poker rankings), the dealer shall collect the Bonus Wager and place the cards of the player in the discard rack.
(2) Has a 9-high or better, the dealer shall pay the winning Bonus Wager in accordance with § 659a.12(b) and place the cards of the player in the discard rack.
(i) All cards removed from the table shall be placed in the discard rack in a manner that permits the reconstruction of each hand in the event of a question or dispute.
§ 659a.12. Payout odds; payout limitation.
(a) A certificate holder shall pay each winning Asia Poker Wager at odds of 1 to 1.
(b) The certificate holder shall pay out winning Bonus Wagers at the odds in one of the following paytables selected by the certificate holder in its Rules Submission filed in accordance with § 601a.2 (relating to table games Rules Submissions):
Hand Paytable A Paytable B Paytable C Three-of-a-kind and four 8s 5,000 to 1 5,000 to 1 5,000 to 1 Five aces 800 to 1 800 to 1 800 to 1 Royal flush 200 to 1 200 to 1 200 to 1 Natural straight flush 80 to 1 50 to 1 50 to 1 Straight flush with a joker 40 to 1 40 to 1 40 to 1 Four-of-a-kind 30 to 1 30 to 1 25 to 1 9-high 10 to 1 10 to 1 10 to 1 Full house 5 to 1 5 to 1 5 to 1 Flush 4 to 1 4 to 1 4 to 1 Three-of-a-kind 3 to 1 3 to 1 3 to 1 Straight 2 to 1 2 to 1 2 to 1 (c) Notwithstanding the payout odds in subsections (a) and (b), a certificate holder may, in its Rules Submission under § 601a.2, establish a maximum amount that is payable to a player on a single hand. The maximum payout amount shall be at least $50,000 or the maximum amount that one player could win per round when betting the minimum permissible wager, whichever is greater.
§ 659a.13. Irregularities; invalid roll of dice.
(a) If the dealer uncovers the Asia Poker shaker and all three dice do not land flat on the bottom of the shaker, the dealer shall call a ''no roll'' and reshake the dice.
(b) If the dealer uncovers the Asia Poker shaker and a die or dice fall out of the shaker, the dealer shall call a ''no roll'' and reshake the dice.
(c) If the dealer incorrectly totals the dice and deals the first card to the wrong position, all hands shall be void, all wagers shall be returned to the players and the cards shall be reshuffled.
(d) If the dealer exposes any of the cards dealt to a player, the player may void the hand. The player shall make the decision to either play out the hand or to void the hand without looking at the unexposed cards.
(e) If a card or cards in the dealer's hand are exposed, all hands shall be void, all wagers shall be returned to the players and the cards shall be reshuffled.
(f) A card that is found face up in the shoe or the deck while the cards are being dealt shall not be used in that round of play and shall be placed in the discard rack. If more than one card is found face up in the shoe or the deck during the dealing of the cards, all hands shall be void, all wagers shall be returned to the players and the cards shall be reshuffled.
(g) A card drawn in error without its face being exposed shall be used as though it were the next card from the shoe.
(h) If any player or the dealer is dealt an incorrect number of cards, all hands shall be void, all wagers shall be returned to the players and the cards shall be reshuffled.
(i) If the dealer does not set his hands in the manner in which the certificate holder requires the hands of the dealer to be set, the hands shall be reset in accordance with the certificate holder's Rules Submission and the round of play shall be completed.
(j) If any of the dealer's cards are inadvertently exposed while the dealer is dealing the cards, all wagers shall be returned to the players and the cards shall be reshuffled.
(k) If any player position or the dealer is dealt an incorrect number of cards, all hand shall be void, all wagers shall be returned to the players and the cards shall be reshuffled.
(l) If an automated card shuffling device is being used and the device jams, stops shuffling during a shuffle or fails to complete a shuffle cycle, the cards shall be reshuffled.
(m) If an automated dealing shoe is being used and the device jams, stops dealing cards or fails to deal all cards during a round of play, the round of play shall be void, all wagers shall be returned to the players and the cards shall be removed from the device and reshuffled with any cards already dealt.
(n) If an automated shuffling device or automated dealing shoe malfunctions and cannot be used, the automated card shuffling device or automated dealing shoe must be covered or have a sign indicating that the automated shuffling device or automated dealing shoe is out of order placed on the device before any other method of shuffling or dealing may be utilized at that table.
CHAPTER 663a. FIVE CARD HI-LO Sec.
663a.1. Definitions. 663a.2. Five Card Hi-Lo table; physical characteristics. 663a.3. Cards; number of decks. 663a.4. Opening of the table for gaming. 663a.5. Shuffle and cut of the cards. 663a.6. Five Card Hi-Lo rankings. 663a.7. Wagers. 663a.8. Procedures for dealing the cards from a manual dealing shoe. 663a.9. Procedures for dealing the cards from the hand. 663a.10. Procedures for dealing the cards from an automated dealing shoe. 663a.11. Procedures for completion of each round of play. 663a.12. Payout odds. 663a.13. Irregularities. § 663a.1. Definitions.
The following words and terms, when used in this chapter, have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
High hand—The three-card hand that is formed from the five cards dealt so as to have a point value higher than the two-card low hand.
Low hand—The two-card hand that is formed from the five cards dealt so as to have a point value lower than the three-card high hand.
Setting the hands—The process of forming a high hand and low hand from the five cards dealt.
§ 663a.2. Five Card Hi-Lo table; physical characteristics.
(a) Five Card Hi-Lo shall be played at a table having betting positions for no more than six players on one side of the table and a place for the dealer on the opposite side of the table.
(b) The layout for a Five Card Hi-Lo table shall be submitted to the Bureau of Gaming Operations and approved in accordance with § 601a.10(a) (relating to approval of table game layouts, signage and equipment) and contain, at a minimum:
(1) The name or logo of the certificate holder.
(2) A separate betting area designated for the placement of the Ante Wager for each player.
(3) A separate betting area designated for the placement of the Play Wager for each player.
(4) Two separate areas designated for the placement of the high and low hands of each player.
(5) If the certificate holder offers the optional Tie Wager authorized under § 663a.7(e)(1) (relating to wagers), a separate area designated for the placement of the Tie Wager for each player.
(6) If the certificate holder offers the optional Poker Bonus Wager authorized under § 663a.7(e)(2), a separate area designated for the placement of the Poker Bonus Wager for each player.
(7) Inscriptions that advise patrons of the payout odds or amounts for all permissible wagers offered by the certificate holder. If the payout odds or amounts are not inscribed on the layout, a sign identifying the payout odds or amounts for all permissible wagers shall be posted at each Five Card Hi-Lo table.
(c) Each Five Card Hi-Lo table must have a drop box and a tip box attached on the same side of the gaming table as, but on opposite sides of, the dealer, as approved by the Bureau of Casino Compliance in accordance with § 601a.10(g). The Bureau of Casino Compliance may approve an alternative location for the tip box when a card shuffling device or other table game equipment prevents the placement of the drop box and tip box on the same side of the gaming table as, but on opposite sides of, the dealer.
(d) Each Five Card Hi-Lo table must have a discard rack securely attached to the top of the dealer's side of the table.
§ 663a.3. Cards; number of decks.
(a) Except as provided in subsection (b), Five Card Hi-Lo shall be played with one deck of cards that are identical in appearance and one cover card.
(b) If an automated card shuffling device is utilized, Five Card Hi-Lo may be played with two decks of cards in accordance with the following requirements:
(1) The cards in each deck must be of the same design. The backs of the cards in one deck must be of a different color than the cards in the other deck.
(2) One deck of cards shall be shuffled and stored in the automated card shuffling device while the other deck is being used to play the game.
(3) Both decks of cards shall be continuously alternated in and out of play, with each deck being used for every other round of play.
(4) The cards from only one deck shall be placed in the discard rack at any given time.
(c) The decks of cards used in Five Card Hi-Lo shall be changed at least every:
(1) Four hours if the cards are dealt by hand.
(2) Eight hours if the cards are dealt from a manual or automated dealing shoe.
§ 663a.4. Opening of the table for gaming.
(a) After receiving one or more decks of cards at the table, the dealer shall inspect the cards for any defects. The floorperson assigned to the table shall verify the inspection.
(b) After the cards are inspected, the cards shall be spread out face up on the table for visual inspection by the first player to arrive at the table. The cards shall be spread in horizontal fan shaped columns by deck according to suit and in sequence.
(c) After the first player is afforded an opportunity to visually inspect the cards, the cards shall be turned face down on the table, mixed thoroughly by a washing of the cards and stacked. Once the cards have been stacked, the cards shall be shuffled in accordance with § 663a.5 (relating to shuffle and cut of the cards).
(d) If an automated card shuffling device is utilized and two decks of cards are received at the table, each deck of cards shall be spread for inspection, mixed, stacked and shuffled in accordance with subsections (a)—(c).
(e) If the decks of cards received at the table are preinspected and preshuffled in accordance with § 603a.16(u) or (v) (relating to cards; receipt, storage, inspection and removal from use), subsections (a)—(d) do not apply.
§ 663a.5. Shuffle and cut of the cards.
(a) Immediately prior to commencement of play, unless the cards were preshuffled in accordance with § 603a.16(u) or (v) (relating to cards; receipt, storage, inspection and removal from use), after each round of play has been completed or when directed by the floorperson or above, the dealer shall shuffle the cards, either manually or by use of an automated card shuffling device, so that the cards are randomly intermixed. Upon completion of the shuffle, the dealer or device shall place the deck of cards in a single stack. The certificate holder may use an automated card shuffling device which, upon completion of the shuffling of the cards, inserts the stack of cards directly into a dealing shoe.
(b) If an automated card shuffling device is being used, which counts the number of cards in the deck after the completion of each shuffle and indicates whether 52 cards are present, and the device reveals that an incorrect number of cards are present, the deck shall be removed from the table.
(c) After the cards have been shuffled and stacked, the dealer shall:
(1) If the cards were shuffled using an automated card shuffling device, deal the cards in accordance with § 663a.8, § 663a.9 or § 663a.10 (relating to procedures for dealing the cards from a manual dealing shoe; procedures for dealing the cards from the hand; and procedures for dealing the cards from an automated dealing shoe).
(2) If the cards were shuffled manually, cut the cards in accordance with the procedures in subsection (d).
(d) If a cut of the cards is required, the dealer shall place the cover card in the stack at least ten cards in from the top of the stack. Once the cover card has been inserted, the dealer shall take all cards above the cover card and the cover card and place them on the bottom of the stack. The stack of cards shall then be inserted into the dealing shoe for commencement of play.
(e) After the cards have been cut and before the cards have been dealt, a floorperson or above may require the cards to be recut if the floorperson determines that the cut was performed improperly or in any way that might affect the integrity or fairness of the game.
(f) If there is no gaming activity at a Five Card Hi-Lo table which is open for gaming, the cards shall be removed from the dealing shoe and discard rack and spread out on the table face down unless a player requests that the cards be spread face up on the table. After the first player arriving at the table is afforded an opportunity to visually inspect the cards, the procedures in § 663a.4(c) (relating to opening of the table for gaming) and this section shall be completed.
(g) A certificate holder may utilize a dealing shoe or other device that automatically reshuffles and counts the cards, provided that the device is submitted to the Bureau of Gaming Laboratory Operations and approved in accordance with § 461a.4 (relating to submission for testing and approval), prior to its use in the licensed facility. If a certificate holder is utilizing the approved device, subsections (b)—(f) do not apply.
§ 663a.6. Five Card Hi-Lo rankings.
(a) Each card dealt must have a point value. The point value of all nonface cards is their denomination. Jacks, queens and kings have a point value of 10. Aces have a point value of 11 if played in the high hand and a point value of 1 if played in the low hand.
(b) If the certificate holder offers the Poker Bonus Wager, authorized under § 663a.7(e) (relating to wagers), the winning five-card Poker hands must be:
(1) A royal flush, which is a hand consisting of an ace, king, queen, jack and 10 of the same suit.
(2) A straight flush, which is a hand, other than a royal flush, consisting of five cards of the same suit in consecutive ranking. An ace may be used to complete a straight flush formed with a 2, 3, 4 and 5 but may not be combined with any other sequence of cards (for example: queen, king, ace, 2 and 3).
(3) A four-of-a-kind, which is a hand consisting of four cards of the same rank regardless of suit.
(4) A full house, which is a hand consisting of a three-of-a-kind and a pair.
(5) A flush, which is a hand consisting of five cards of the same suit, not in consecutive order.
(6) A straight, which is a hand consisting of five cards of consecutive rank, regardless of suit. An ace may be used to complete a straight formed with a king, queen, jack and 10 or a 2, 3, 4 and 5 but may not be combined with any other sequence of cards (for example: queen, king, ace, 2 and 3).
(7) A three-of-a-kind, which is a hand consisting of three cards of the same rank, regardless of suit.
(8) Two pairs, which is a hand consisting of two pairs.
(9) One pair of 6s, 7s or better, depending on the paytable selected by the certificate holder in its Rules Submission filed in accordance with § 601a.2 (relating to table games Rules Submissions), which is a hand consisting of two cards of the same rank.
§ 663a.7. Wagers.
(a) Wagers at Five Card Hi-Lo shall be made by placing value chips, plaques or other Board-approved wagering instruments, as defined in § 603a.10 (relating to permissible wagering; exchange and redemption of gaming chips and plaques), on the appropriate areas of the Five Card Hi-Lo layout. Verbal wagers accompanied by cash may not be accepted.
(b) Only players who are seated at a Five Card Hi-Lo table may wager at the game. Once a player has placed a wager and received cards, that player shall remain seated until the completion of the round of play. If a player leaves the table during a round of play, any wagers made by the player may be considered abandoned and may be treated as losing wagers.
(c) All wagers at Five Card Hi-Lo shall be placed prior to the dealer announcing ''no more bets'' in accordance with the dealing procedures in § 663a.8, § 663a.9 or § 663a.10 (relating to procedures for dealing the cards from a manual dealing shoe; procedures for dealing the cards from the hand; and procedures for dealing the cards from an automated dealing shoe). A wager may not be made, increased or withdrawn after the dealer has announced ''no more bets.''
(d) To participate in a round of play and compete against the dealer's high and low hands, a player shall place an Ante Wager.
(e) A certificate holder may, if specified in its Rules Submission under § 601a.2 (relating to table games Rules Submissions), offer to each player who placed an Ante Wager, in accordance with subsection (d), the option of placing the following additional wagers:
(1) A Tie Wager that the total point value of either the high hand or the low hand of the player, or both, will tie the high or low hand of the dealer.
(2) A Poker Bonus Wager that the five cards dealt to the player will form a five-card Poker hand with a rank of a pair of 6s or better or a pair of 7s or better, as described in § 663a.6(b) (relating to Five Card Hi-Lo rankings), depending on the pay table selected by the certificate holder.
(f) A certificate holder may, if specified in its Rules Submission under § 601a.2, permit a player to wager on two adjacent betting areas at a Five Card Hi-Lo table. If a certificate holder permits a player to wager on adjacent betting areas, the cards dealt to each betting area shall be played separately. If the two wagers are not equal, the player shall rank and set the hand with the larger wager before ranking and setting the other hand. If the amounts wagered are equal, each hand shall be played separately in a counterclockwise rotation with the first hand being ranked and set before the player proceeds to rank and set the second hand. Once a hand has been ranked, set and placed face down on the layout, the hands may not be changed.
§ 663a.8. Procedures for dealing the cards from a manual dealing shoe.
(a) If a manual dealing shoe is used, the dealing shoe must be located on the table in a location approved by the Bureau of Casino Compliance in accordance with § 601a.10(g) (relating to approval of table game layouts, signage and equipment). Once the procedures required under § 663a.5 (relating to shuffle and cut of the cards) have been completed, the stacked deck of cards shall be placed in the dealing shoe either by the dealer or by an automated card shuffling device.
(b) Prior to dealing any cards, the dealer shall announce ''no more bets.''
(c) Each card shall be removed from the dealing shoe with the hand of the dealer that is the closest to the dealing shoe and placed on the appropriate area of the layout with the opposite hand.
(d) The dealer shall, starting with the player farthest to the dealer's left and continuing around the table in a clockwise manner, deal one card at a time to each player who placed an Ante Wager in accordance with § 663a.7(d) (relating to wagers) and to the dealer until each player and the dealer have five cards.
(e) After five cards have been dealt to each player and the dealer, the dealer shall remove the stub from the manual dealing shoe and, except as provided in subsection (f), place the stub in the discard rack without exposing the cards.
(f) If an automated card shuffling device, which counts the number of cards in the deck after the completion of each shuffle and indicates whether 52 cards are present, is not being used, the dealer shall count the stub at least once every 5 rounds of play to determine if the correct number of cards are still present in the deck. The dealer shall determine the number of cards in the stub by counting the cards face down on the layout.
(g) If the count of the stub indicates that 52 cards are in the deck, the dealer shall place the stub in the discard rack without exposing the cards.
(h) If the count of the stub indicates that the number of cards in the deck is incorrect, the dealer shall determine if the cards were misdealt. If the cards were misdealt (a player or the dealer has more or less than 5 cards) but 52 cards remain in the deck, all hands shall be void and all wagers shall be returned to the players. If the cards were not misdealt, all hands shall be void, all wagers shall be returned to the players and the entire deck of cards shall be removed from the table.
§ 663a.9. Procedures for dealing the cards from the hand.
(a) If the cards are dealt from the dealer's hand, the following requirements shall be observed:
(1) An automated shuffling device shall be used to shuffle the cards.
(2) After the procedures required under § 663a.5 (relating to shuffle and cut of the cards) have been completed, the dealer shall place the stacked deck of cards in either hand. After the dealer has chosen the hand in which to hold the cards, the dealer shall continue to use that hand whenever holding the cards during that round of play. The cards held by the dealer shall be kept over the table inventory container and in front of the dealer at all times.
(3) Prior to dealing any cards, the dealer shall announce ''no more bets.''
(b) The dealer shall deal each card by holding the deck of cards in the chosen hand and use the other hand to remove the top card of the deck and place it face down on the appropriate area of the layout. The dealer shall, starting with the player farthest to the dealer's left and continuing around the table in a clockwise manner, deal one card at a time to each player who placed an Ante Wager in accordance with § 663a.7(d) (relating to wagers) and to the dealer until each player and the dealer have five cards.
(c) After five cards have been dealt to each player and the dealer, the dealer shall remove the stub from the manual dealing shoe and, except as provided in subsection (d), place the stub in the discard rack without exposing the cards.
(d) If an automated card shuffling device, which counts the number of cards in the deck after the completion of each shuffle and indicates whether 52 cards are present, is not being used, the dealer shall count the stub at least once every 5 rounds of play to determine if the correct number of cards are still present in the deck. The dealer shall determine the number of cards in the stub by counting the cards face down on the layout.
(e) If the count of the stub indicates that 52 cards are in the deck, the dealer shall place the stub in the discard rack without exposing the cards.
(f) If the count of the stub indicates that the number of cards in the deck is incorrect, the dealer shall determine if the cards were misdealt. If the cards were misdealt (a player or the dealer has more or less than 5 cards), but 52 cards remain in the deck, all hands shall be void and all wagers shall be returned to the players. If the cards were not misdealt, all hands shall be void, all wagers shall be returned to the players and the entire deck of cards shall be removed from the table.
§ 663a.10. Procedures for dealing the cards from an automated dealing shoe.
(a) If the cards are dealt from an automated dealing shoe, the following requirements shall be observed:
(1) After the procedures required under § 663a.5 (relating to shuffle and cut of the cards) have been completed, the cards shall be placed in the automated dealing shoe.
(2) Prior to the shoe dispensing any stacks of cards, the dealer shall announce ''no more bets.''
(b) The dealer shall deliver the first stack of cards dispensed by the automated dealing shoe face down to the player farthest to the dealer's left who has placed an Ante Wager in accordance with § 663a.7(d) (relating to wagers). As the remaining stacks are dispensed to the dealer by the automated dealing shoe, the dealer shall, moving clockwise around the table, deliver a stack face down to each of the other players who has placed an Ante Wager. The dealer shall then deliver a stack of five cards face down to the area designated for the placement of the dealer's cards.
(c) After each stack of five cards has been dispensed and delivered in accordance with subsection (b), the dealer shall remove the stub from the automated dealing shoe and, except as provided in subsection (d), place the cards in the discard rack without exposing the cards.
(d) If an automated card shuffling device, which counts the number of cards in the deck after the completion of each shuffle and indicates whether 52 cards are present, is not being used, the dealer shall count the stub at least once every 5 rounds of play to determine if the correct number of cards is still present in the deck. The dealer shall determine the number of cards in the stub by counting the cards face down on the layout.
(e) If the count of the stub indicates that 52 cards are in the deck, the dealer shall place the stub in the discard rack without exposing the cards.
(f) If the count of the stub indicates that the number of cards in the deck is incorrect, the dealer shall determine if the cards were misdealt. If the cards were misdealt (a player or the dealer has more or less than 5 cards), but 52 cards remain in the deck, all hands shall be void and all wagers shall be returned to the players. If the cards were not misdealt, all hands shall be void, all wagers shall be returned to the players and the entire deck of cards shall be removed from the table.
§ 663a.11. Procedures for completion of each round of play.
(a) After the dealing procedures required under § 663a.8, § 663a.9 or § 663a.10 (relating to procedures for dealing the cards from a manual dealing shoe; procedures for dealing the cards from the hand; and procedures for dealing the cards from an automated dealing shoe) have been completed, each player shall examine his cards subject to the following limitations:
(1) Each player who wagers at a Five Card Hi-Lo table shall be responsible for setting his own hands and a person other than the dealer and the player to whom the cards were dealt may not touch the cards of that player.
(2) Each player shall keep his five cards in full view of the dealer at all times.
(3) Once each player has set a high and low hand and placed the two hands face down on the appropriate area of the layout, the player may not touch the cards again.
(b) After each player has examined his cards, the dealer shall, beginning with the player farthest to the dealer's left and moving clockwise around the table, ask each player who placed an Ante Wager if he wishes to forfeit the Ante Wager and end his participation in the round of play or make a Play Wager in an amount equal to the player's Ante Wager. If a player:
(1) Has placed an Ante Wager and a Tie Wager but does not make a Play Wager, the player shall forfeit both wagers.
(2) Has placed an Ante Wager and a Poker Bonus Wager but does not make a Play Wager, the player shall forfeit the Ante Wager but does not forfeit the Poker Bonus Wager.
(c) After each player who has placed an Ante Wager has either placed a Play Wager on the designated area of the layout or forfeited his wagers and hand, the dealer shall collect all forfeited wagers and associated cards and place the cards in the discard rack. If a player has placed a Poker Bonus Wager but did not place a Play Wager, the dealer shall leave the player's cards and the Poker Bonus Wager on the table until the wager is resolved in accordance with subsection (j).
(d) Each player who placed a Play Wager shall then set his hands by arranging the cards into a high hand and a low hand. When setting the two hands, the player shall add the point value of the cards placing the three higher value cards in the high hand and the two lower value cards in the low hand, provided that a player may place up to one ace in his low hand. For example, if a player is dealt an ace, jack, 10, 9 and 2, the high hand may contain the jack, 10 and 9 for a total point value of 29 and the two-card low hand would contain the ace and 2 for a total point value of 3.
(e) After all players have set their hands and placed the cards on the table, the five cards of the dealer shall be turned over and the dealer shall set his hands by arranging the cards into a high and low hand, provided that aces shall be placed in the dealer's high hand unless the dealer was dealt four aces. The dealer shall then place the two hands face up on the appropriate area of the layout.
(f) After the dealer has set a high hand and a low hand, the dealer shall reveal both hands of each player, beginning with the player farthest to the dealer's right and continuing around the table in a counterclockwise direction. The dealer shall compare the total point value of the high and low hand of each player to the high and low hand of the dealer and shall announce if the Ante and Play Wagers of that player win, lose or are a tie.
(g) Ante and Play Wagers must:
(1) Win if the high hand of the player is higher in point value than the high hand of the dealer and the low hand of the player is lower in point value than the low hand of the dealer. The dealer shall pay the winning Ante and Play Wagers in accordance with the payout odds in § 663a.12(a) (relating to payout odds).
(2) Lose and will immediately be collected if the high hand of the player ties or is lower in point value than the high hand of the dealer and the low hand of the player ties or is higher in point value than the low hand of the dealer.
(3) Tie and will be returned to the player if:
(i) The high hand of the player is higher in point value than the high hand of the dealer, but the low hand of the player is identical in point value or higher in point value than the low hand of the dealer.
(ii) The high hand of the player is identical in total point value to the high hand of the dealer or lower in total point value than the high hand of the dealer, but the low hand of the player is lower in total point value than the low hand of the dealer.
(h) A player may also qualify for an additional Ante Bonus Payout, regardless of the outcome of the player's Ante and Play Wagers in subsection (g), if a player has three or more aces in the player's hand. Ante Bonus Payouts shall be paid in accordance with § 663a.12(b).
(i) Except as provided in subsection (j), after settling the player's Ante and Play Wagers, the dealer shall place the cards of the player in the discard rack.
(j) After settling the player's Ante and Play Wagers, the dealer shall settle the player's optional wagers as follows:
(1) If a player placed a Tie Wager in accordance with § 663a.7(e)(1) (relating to wagers), the dealer shall:
(i) Pay winning Tie Wagers in accordance with § 663a.12(c) if the high hand or low hand, or both, of the player is identical in point value with the high hand, low hand, or both, of the dealer.
(ii) Collect all losing Tie Wagers if neither the high hand nor the low hand of the player is identical in point value with the high hand or low hand of the dealer.
(2) If a player placed a Poker Bonus Wager in accordance with § 663a.7(e)(2), the dealer shall rearrange the five cards of the player to form the highest ranking Poker hand in accordance with § 663a.6(b) (relating to Five Card Hi-Lo rankings). After rearranging the player's five cards, the dealer shall settle the player's Poker Bonus Wager as follows:
(i) If a player has a pair of 6s or better or a pair of 7s or better, depending on the paytable selected by the certificate holder, the dealer shall pay the winning Poker Bonus Wager in accordance with § 663a.12(d).
(ii) If a player does not have a pair of 6s or better or a pair of 7s or better, depending on the paytable selected by the certificate holder, the dealer shall collect the Poker Bonus Wager.
(k) If a player has placed more than one optional wager, the dealer shall settle all of the player's optional wagers before placing the player's cards in the discard rack.
(l) All cards removed from the table shall be placed in the discard rack in a manner that permits the reconstruction of each hand in the event of a question or dispute.
§ 663a.12. Payout odds.
(a) A certificate holder shall pay each winning Ante and Play Wager at odds of 1 to 1.
(b) The certificate holder shall pay an Ante B onus Payout based on the amount of the player's Ante Wager at the odds in one of the following paytables selected by the certificate holder in its Rules Submission filed in accordance with § 601a.2 (relating to table games Rules Submissions):
Hand Paytable A Paytable B Four aces and one 2 1,000 for 1 500 for 1 Four aces 100 for 1 50 for 1 Three aces 10 for 1 5 for 1 Hand Paytable C Paytable D Four aces and one 2 200 for 1 100 for 1 Four aces 50 for 1 50 for 1 Three aces 5 for 1 5 for 1 (c) The certificate holder shall pay out winning Tie Wagers at the odds in the following paytable:
Hand Payout Low hands tie 4 to 1 High hands tie 4 to 1 Both high and low hands tie 20 to 1 (d) The certificate holder shall pay out winning Poker Bonus Wagers at the odds in one of the following paytables selected by the certificate holder in its Rules Submission filed in accordance with § 601a.2:
Hand Paytable A Paytable B Royal flush 250 to 1 500 to 1 Straight flush 50 to 1 100 to 1 Four-of-a-kind 25 to 1 40 to 1 Full house 15 to 1 15 to 1 Flush 10 to 1 8 to 1 Straight 8 to 1 6 to 1 Three-of-a-kind 5 to 1 4 to 1 Two pair 3 to 1 3 to 1 Pair of 7s or better 1 to 1 Pair of 6s or better 1 to 1 § 663a.13. Irregularities.
(a) A card that is found face up in the shoe or the deck while the cards are being dealt may not be used in that round of play and shall be placed in the discard rack. If more than one card is found face up in the shoe or the deck during the dealing of the cards, all hands shall be void, all wagers shall be returned to the players and the cards shall be reshuffled.
(b) A card drawn in error without its face being exposed shall be used as though it were the next card from the shoe or the deck.
(c) If any player or the dealer is dealt an incorrect number of cards, all hands shall be void, all wagers shall be returned to the players and the cards shall be reshuffled.
(d) If an automated card shuffling device is being used and the device jams, stops shuffling during a shuffle or fails to complete a shuffle cycle, the cards shall be reshuffled.
(e) If an automated dealing shoe is being used and the device jams, stops dealing cards or fails to deal cards during a round of play, the round of play shall be void, all wagers shall be returned to the players and the cards shall be removed from the device and reshuffled with any cards already dealt.
(f) If an automated card shuffling device or automated dealing shoe malfunctions and cannot be used, the automated card shuffling device or automated dealing shoe shall be covered or have a sign indicating that the automated card shuffling device or automated dealing shoe is out of order placed on the device before any other method of shuffling or dealing may be utilized at that table.
CHAPTER 665a. DOUBLE ATTACK BLACKJACK Sec.
665a.1. Definitions. 665a.2. Double Attack Blackjack table; card reader device; physical characteristics; inspections. 665a.3. Cards; number of decks; value of cards. 665a.4. Opening of the table for gaming. 665a.5. Shuffle and cut of the cards. 665a.6. Wagers. 665a.7. Procedure for dealing the cards; completion of each round of play. 665a.8. Insurance Wager. 665a.9. Surrender. 665a.10. Double Down Wager. 665a.11. Splitting pairs. 665a.12. Payout odds. 665a.13. Irregularities. § 665a.1. Definitions.
The following words and terms, when used in this chapter, have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
Blackjack—An ace and any card having a value of 10 dealt as the initial two cards to a player or the dealer.
Card reader device—A device which permits the dealer to determine if the hole card will give the dealer a Blackjack.
Hard total—The total point count of a hand which does not contain aces or which contains aces that are each counted as 1 in value.
Hole card—The second card dealt face down to the dealer.
Soft total—The total point count of a hand containing an ace when the ace is counted as 11 in value.
§ 665a.2. Double Attack Blackjack table; card reader device; physical characteristics; inspections.
(a) Double Attack Blackjack shall be played at a table having betting positions for no more than six players on one side of the table and a place for the dealer on the opposite side of the table.
(b) The layout for a Double Attack Blackjack table shall be submitted to the Bureau of Gaming Operations and approved in accordance with § 601a.10(a) (relating to approval of table game layouts, signage and equipment) and contain, at a minimum:
(1) The name or logo of the certificate holder.
(2) A separate betting area designated for the placement of the Bet Wager and the Double Attack Wager for each player.
(3) The following inscriptions:
(i) Blackjack pays even money.
(ii) Insurance pays 5 to 2.
(iii) Dealer shall draw to 16 and stand on all 17s or other similar language approved by the Executive Director in accordance with § 601a.10(a).
(4) If the certificate holder offers the optional Bust It Wager authorized under § 665a.6(e) (relating to wagers), a separate area designated for the placement of the Bust It Wager for each player.
(5) Inscriptions that advise patrons of the payout odds or amounts for all permissible wagers offered by the certificate holder. If the payout odds or amounts are not inscribed on the layout, a sign identifying the payout odds or amounts for all permissible wagers shall be posted at each Blackjack table.
(c) Each Double Attack Blackjack table must have a drop box and a tip box attached on the same side of the table as, but on opposite sides of, the dealer, as approved by the Bureau of Casino Compliance in accordance with § 601a.10(g). The Bureau of Casino Compliance may approve an alternative location for the tip box when a card shuffling device or other table game equipment prevents the placement of the drop box and tip box on the same side of the gaming table as, but on opposite sides of, the dealer.
(d) Each Double Attack Blackjack table must have a card reader device attached to the top of the dealer's side of the table. The floorperson assigned to the Double Attack Blackjack table shall inspect the card reader device at the beginning of each gaming day to ensure that there has been no tampering with the device and that it is in proper working order.
(e) Each Double Attack Blackjack table must have a discard rack securely attached to the top of the dealer's side of the table. The height of each discard rack must either:
(1) Equal the height of the cards, stacked one on top of the other, in the total number of decks that are to be used in the dealing shoe at that table.
(2) Be taller than the height of the total number of decks being used if the discard rack has a distinct and clearly visible mark on its side to show the exact height for a stack of cards equal to the total number of cards in the number of decks to be used in the dealing shoe at that table.
§ 665a.3. Cards; number of decks; value of cards.
(a) Except as provided in subsection (b), Double Attack Blackjack shall be played with an eight-deck batch of cards that are identical in appearance and at least one cover card. The decks shall consist of 48 cards, with the 10 of each suit removed from each deck during the inspection required under § 665a.4 (relating to opening of the table for gaming) or as provided in § 603a.16(u) or (v) (relating to cards; receipt, storage, inspection and removal from use).
(b) If an automated card shuffling device is utilized, other than a continuous shuffler, Double Attack Blackjack shall be played with two batches of cards in accordance with the following requirements:
(1) The cards shall be separated into two batches with eight decks included in each batch.
(2) The cards in each batch must be of the same design but the backs of the cards in one batch must be of a different color than the cards in the other batch.
(3) One batch of cards shall be shuffled and stored in the automated card shuffling device while the other batch is being used to play the game.
(4) Both batches of cards shall be continuously alternated in and out of play, with each batch being used for every other dealing shoe.
(5) The cards from only one batch shall be placed in the discard rack at any given time.
(c) The decks of cards opened for use at a Double Attack Blackjack table shall be changed at least once every 24 hours.
(d) The value of the cards shall be as follows:
(1) Any card from 2 to 9 shall have its face value.
(2) Any jack, queen or king shall have a value of 10.
(3) An ace shall have a value of 11 unless that value would give a player or the dealer a score in excess of 21, in which case the ace shall have a value of 1.
§ 665a.4. Opening of the table for gaming.
(a) After receiving the decks of cards at the table, the dealer shall inspect the cards for any defects. The floorperson assigned to the table shall verify the inspection.
(b) If the decks contain the 10 of any suit, the dealer and a floorperson shall ensure that these cards are removed from the decks, torn in half and placed in the box, envelope or container that the decks came from.
(c) After the cards are inspected, the cards shall be spread out face up on the table for visual inspection by the first player to arrive at the table. The cards shall be spread in horizontal fan shaped columns by deck according to suit and in sequence.
(d) After the first player arriving at the table has been afforded an opportunity to visually inspect the cards, the cards shall be turned face down on the table, mixed thoroughly by a washing of the cards and stacked. Once the cards have been stacked, the cards shall be shuffled in accordance with § 665a.5 (relating to shuffle and cut of the cards).
(e) If an automated shuffling device is utilized, other than a continuous shuffler, all the decks in one batch of cards shall be spread for inspection, mixed, stacked and shuffled in accordance with subsections (a)—(c) separate from the decks in the other batch of cards.
(f) If the decks of cards received at the table are preinspected and preshuffled in accordance with § 603a.16(u) or (v) (relating to cards; receipt, storage, inspection and removal from use), subsections (a) and (c)—(e) do not apply.
§ 665a.5. Shuffle and cut of the cards.
(a) Immediately prior to commencement of play, unless the cards were preshuffled in accordance with § 603a.16(u) or (v) (relating to cards; receipt, storage, inspection and removal from use), after each shoe of cards is dealt or when directed by a floorperson or above, the dealer shall shuffle the cards, either manually or by use of an automated card shuffling device, so that the cards are randomly intermixed. Upon completion of the shuffle, the dealer or device shall place the decks of cards in a single stack. The certificate holder may use an automated card shuffling device which, upon completion of the shuffling of the cards, inserts the stack of cards directly into a dealing shoe.
(b) After the cards have been shuffled and stacked, the dealer shall offer the stack of cards to be cut, with the backs facing away from the dealer, to the player determined under subsection (c). If no player accepts the cut, the dealer shall cut the cards.
(c) The cut of the cards shall be offered to players in the following order:
(1) The first player arriving at the table, if the game is just beginning.
(2) The player on whose betting area the cover card appeared during the last round of play.
(3) If the cover card appeared on the dealer's hand during the last round of play, the player at the farthest position to the right of the dealer. If this player refuses, the offer to cut the cards shall rotate to each player in a counterclockwise manner.
(4) If the reshuffle was initiated at the direction of the floorperson or above, the player at the farthest position to the right of the dealer. If this player refuses, the offer to cut the cards shall rotate to each player in a counterclockwise manner.
(d) The player or dealer making the cut shall place the cover card in the stack at least ten cards from the top or bottom of the stack. Once the cover card has been inserted, the dealer shall take all cards on top of the cover card and place them on the bottom of the stack. The dealer shall then insert the cover card in the stack at a position at least 1/4 of the way in from the bottom of the stack. The stack of cards shall then be inserted into the dealing shoe for commencement of play.
(e) After the cards have been cut and before the cards have been placed in the dealing shoe, a floorperson or above may require the cards to be recut if the floorperson determines that the cut was performed improperly or in any way that might affect the integrity or fairness of the game. If a recut is required, the cards shall be recut either by the player who last cut the cards or by the next person entitled to cut the cards, as determined under subsection (c). The stack of cards shall then be inserted into the dealing shoe for commencement of play.
(f) A reshuffle of the cards in the shoe shall take place after the cover card is reached in the shoe, as provided in § 665a.7(d) (relating to procedure for dealing the cards; completion of each round of play), except that a floorperson may determine that the cards should be reshuffled after any round of play.
(g) If there is no gaming activity at a Double Attack Blackjack table which is open for gaming, the cards shall be removed from the dealing shoe and the discard rack and spread out on the table face down unless a player requests that the cards be spread face up on the table. After the first player arriving at the table is afforded an opportunity to visually inspect the cards, the procedures in § 665a.4(d) (relating to opening of the table for gaming) and this section shall be completed.
(h) A certificate holder may utilize a dealing shoe or other device that automatically reshuffles and counts the cards provided that the device is submitted to the Bureau of Gaming Laboratory Operations and approved in accordance with § 461a.4 (relating to submission for testing and approval) prior to its use in the licensed facility. If a certificate holder is utilizing the approved device, subsections (b)—(g) do not apply.
§ 665a.6. Wagers.
(a) Wagers at Double Attack Blackjack shall be made by placing value chips, plaques or other Board-approved table game wagering instruments on the appropriate areas of the Double Attack Blackjack layout. Verbal wagers accompanied by cash may be accepted provided that they are confirmed by the dealer and the cash is expeditiously converted into value chips or plaques.
(b) After the cards have been shuffled as required under § 665a.5 (relating to shuffle and cut of the cards), a certificate holder may prohibit any patron, whether seated at the gaming table or not, who does not make a wager on a given round of play from placing a wager on the next round of play and any subsequent round of play at that gaming table until either:
(1) The certificate holder chooses to permit the player to begin wagering again.
(2) A reshuffle of the cards has occurred.
(c) A player may not handle, remove or alter any wagers that have been made until a decision has been rendered and implemented with respect to that wager.
(d) To participate in a round of play, a player shall place a Bet Wager.
(e) A player who has placed a Bet Wager may then place a Double Attack Wager as provided in § 665a.7(e) (relating to procedure for dealing the cards; completion of each round of play), in an amount equal to or less than the player's Bet Wager.
(f) If specified in its Rules Submission under § 601a.2 (relating to table games Rules Submissions), a certificate holder may offer to each player who placed a Bet Wager in accordance with subsection (d) the option of placing an additional Bust It Wager, in an amount equal to or less than the player's Bet Wager.
(g) The certificate holder shall specify in its Rules Submission under § 601a.2 the number of adjacent boxes on which a player may place a Bet Wager in one round of play.
§ 665a.7. Procedure for dealing the cards; completion of each round of play.
(a) All cards shall be dealt from a dealing shoe which must be located on the table in a location approved by the Bureau of Casino Compliance in accordance with § 601a.10(g) (relating to approval of table game layouts, signage and equipment). Once the procedures under § 665a.5 (relating to shuffle and cut of the cards) have been completed, the dealer or automated card shuffling device shall place the stacked cards in the dealing shoe.
(b) Each card shall be removed from the dealing shoe with the hand of the dealer that is closest to the dealing shoe and placed on the appropriate area of the layout with the opposite hand. The dealer may deal cards to the two betting positions closest to the dealing shoe with the same hand.
(c) After each full batch of cards is placed in the shoe, the dealer shall remove the first card and place it in the discard rack. Each new dealer who comes to the table shall also remove one card and place it in the discard rack before dealing any cards to the players.
(d) If the cover card appears as the first card in the dealing shoe at the beginning of a round of play or appears during play, the cover card shall be removed and placed to the side and the hand will be completed. The dealer shall then collect and reshuffle the cards in accordance with § 665a.5.
(e) At the commencement of each round of play and after all players have been afforded the opportunity to make a Bet and Bust It Wager, one card shall be dealt face up to the dealer. After examining the dealer's up card, a player who placed a Bet Wager may place an optional Double Attack Wager in accordance with § 665a.6(e) (relating to wagers).
(f) After all players have been afforded an opportunity to place a Double Attack Wager, starting with the player farthest to the dealer's left and continuing around the table in a clockwise manner, the dealer shall deal the cards as follows:
(1) One card face up to each box on the layout in which a Bet Wager is contained.
(2) A second card face up to each box on the layout in which a Bet Wager is contained.
(3) A second card face down to the dealer.
(g) Immediately after the second card is dealt to each player and the dealer, if the dealer's first card is an ace, the dealer shall offer the Insurance Wager in accordance with § 665a.8 (relating to Insurance Wager). If the dealer's first card is an ace, king, queen or jack, the dealer shall then determine whether the hole card will give the dealer a Blackjack. The dealer shall insert the hole card into the card reader device by moving the card face down on the layout without exposing it to anyone at the table, including the dealer. If the dealer has a Blackjack, additional cards may not be dealt and each player's Bet, Double Attack, Bust It and Insurance Wagers, if applicable, shall be settled in accordance with this section and § 665a.8.
(h) After the procedures in subsection (g) have been completed, if necessary, the dealer shall start with the player farthest to the dealer's left and continue around the table in a clockwise direction and if the player:
(1) Has Blackjack, the dealer shall announce and pay the Bet and Double Attack Wagers in accordance with subsection (o) and remove the player's cards. If a player also placed a Bust It Wager, the wager shall remain on the layout until subsection (m) is completed.
(2) Does not have Blackjack, the player shall indicate whether he wishes to surrender, as permitted under § 665a.9 (relating to surrender), double down as permitted under § 665a.10 (relating to Double Down Wager), split pairs as permitted under § 665a.11 (relating to splitting pairs), stand or draw additional cards.
(i) As each player indicates his decision, the dealer shall deal face upwards whatever additional cards are necessary to effectuate the player's decision.
(j) A player may elect to draw additional cards whenever his point count total is less than 21, except that:
(1) A player having Blackjack or a hard or soft total of 21 may not draw additional cards.
(2) A player electing to make a Double Down Wager may draw only one additional card.
(k) Prior to the dealer exposing his hole card, if player has less than 21 after drawing additional cards, the player may surrender in accordance with § 665a.9.
(l) After the decisions of each player have been implemented and all additional cards have been dealt, the dealer shall turn the hole card face up.
(m) If the first two cards of the dealer's hand:
(1) Equal a total point count of 17 or higher, the dealer shall collect all losing Bust It Wagers before settling the player's Bet or Double Attack Wagers in accordance with subsection (o).
(2) Equal a total point count of less than 17, the dealer shall draw an additional card. If the dealer's three card hand has a total point count:
(i) In excess of 21, the dealer shall pay the winning Bust It Wager in accordance with § 665a.12(c) (relating to payout odds). The payout shall be based on the value of the third card drawn, except that if all three of the dealer's cards are an 8 of the same color or suit, a player shall receive an increased payout based on the three 8s instead of the payout based on the value of the third card drawn.
(ii) Of 21 or less, the dealer shall collect all losing Bust It Wagers.
(n) After settling the player's Bust It Wager, if applicable, if the dealer's first three cards equal a total point count of less than 17, the dealer shall draw additional cards until he has a hard or soft total of 17, 18, 19, 20 or 21.
(o) After all additional cards have been dealt to the players and the dealer, the dealer shall, starting with the player farthest to the dealer's right and continuing around the table in a counterclockwise direction, settle the remaining wagers by collecting all losing wagers and paying all winning wagers as follows:
(1) A Bet Wager shall:
(i) Win and be paid in accordance with § 665a.12(a) if:
(A) The total point count of the player's hand is 21 or less and the total point count of the dealer's hand is in excess of 21.
(B) The total point count of the player's hand exceeds the total point count of the dealer's hand without exceeding 21.
(C) The player has a Blackjack and the dealer's hand has a total point count of 21 in more than two cards.
(ii) Lose and be collected if:
(A) The dealer has a Blackjack and the player does not have a Blackjack.
(B) The total point count of the dealer's hand is 21 or less and the total point count of the player's hand is in excess of 21.
(C) The total point count of the dealer's hand exceeds the total point count of the player's hand without exceeding 21.
(iii) Tie and be returned to the player if the total point count of the player's hand is the same as the dealer's or if both the player and dealer have Blackjack.
(2) A Double Attack Wager shall win, lose or tie in accordance with subsection (o)(1) except that the Double Attack Wager shall be returned to the player if the dealer has a Blackjack and the player does not have a Blackjack.
(p) The dealer shall pay all winning wagers and collect all losing wagers beginning with the player farthest to the dealer's right and continuing around the table in a counterclockwise direction. The dealer shall place any losing wagers directly into the table inventory and may not pay off any winning wagers by using value chips collected from a losing wager.
(q) After all wagers have been settled, the dealer shall remove all remaining cards from the table and place them in the discard rack in a manner that permits the reconstruction of each hand in the event of a question or dispute.
(r) Players and spectators may not handle, remove or alter any cards used to play Double Attack Blackjack.
§ 665a.8. Insurance Wager.
(a) If the first card dealt to the dealer is an ace, each player may make an Insurance Wager which shall win if the dealer's hole card is a king, queen or jack.
(b) An Insurance Wager may be made by placing a value chip on the insurance line of the layout in an amount not more than 1/2 of the player's Bet Wager. A player may wager an amount in excess of 1/2 of the initial Bet Wager to the next unit that can be wagered in chips, when, because of the limitation of the value of chip denominations, half the initial wager cannot be bet. Insurance Wagers shall be placed prior to the dealer inserting his hole card into the card reader device.
(c) Winning Insurance Wagers shall be paid in accordance with the payout odds in § 665a.12(b) (relating to payout odds).
(d) Losing Insurance Wagers shall be collected by the dealer immediately after the dealer inserts his hole card into the card reader device and determines that he does not have a Blackjack and before he draws any additional cards.
§ 665a.9. Surrender.
(a) After the first two cards are dealt to the player, the player may elect to discontinue play on his hand for that round by surrendering. A player may also elect to surrender after additional cards are dealt to the player, after a hand is split as permitted under § 665a.11 (relating to splitting pairs) and after doubling down as permitted under § 665a.10 (relating to Double Down Wager). A player may not elect to surrender after deciding to stand.
(b) If the player elects to surrender and the first card dealt to the dealer:
(1) Is not an ace, king, queen or jack, the dealer shall immediately collect the cards of the player and 1/2 of the Bet Wager and Double Attack Wager, if applicable, and return the other 1/2 to the player.
(2) Is an ace, king, queen or jack, the dealer shall determine whether the hole card will give the dealer a Blackjack. The dealer shall insert the hole card into the card reader device in accordance with § 665a.7(g) (relating to procedure for dealing the cards; completion of each round of play). If the dealer:
(i) Has a Blackjack, the dealer shall collect the entire Bet Wager and the Bust It Wager, if applicable, and return the Double Attack Wager, if applicable, to the player.
(ii) Does not have a Blackjack, the dealer shall immediately collect the cards of the player and 1/2 of the Bet Wager and Double Attack Wager, if applicable, and return the other 1/2 to the player.
(c) If the player has made a Bust It Wager and then elects to surrender, the Bust It Wager must remain on the layout until settled in accordance with § 665a.7(m).
(d) If the player has made an Insurance Wager and then elects to surrender, each wager will be settled separately in accordance with subsection (b) and § 665a.8 (relating to Insurance Wager).
§ 665a.10. Double Down Wager.
(a) Except when a player has a Blackjack, a player may elect to make a Double Down Wager, which may not exceed the amount of his original Bet and Double Attack Wagers, on two or more cards dealt to that player, including any hands resulting from a split pair, provided that only one additional card shall be dealt to the hand on which the player has elected to double down.
(b) If a dealer obtains Blackjack after a player makes a Double Down Wager, the dealer shall collect only the amount of the original Bet Wager of the player and shall return the Double Down and Double Attack Wagers.
(c) Upon a player's election to make a Double Down Wager, the dealer shall deal the one additional card face up and place it sideways on the layout.
§ 665a.11. Splitting pairs.
(a) If the initial two cards dealt to a player are identical in value, the player may elect to split the hand into two separate hands provided that he makes a wager on the second hand formed in an amount equal to his original Bet and Double Attack Wagers. For example, if a player has two 7s or a king and a queen, the player may elect to split the hand.
(b) When a player splits pairs, the dealer shall deal a card to and complete the player's decisions with respect to the first incomplete hand on the dealer's left before proceeding to deal any cards to the second hand.
(c) After a second card is dealt to each split pair hand, the player shall indicate his decision to stand, draw or double down with respect that hand. A player may split pairs again if the second card dealt to an incomplete hand is identical in value to the split pair. A player may split pairs a maximum of three times for a total of four hands.
(d) If the dealer obtains Blackjack after a player splits pairs, the dealer shall collect only the amount of the original Bet Wager of the player and return the Double Attack Wager and the additional amount wagered in splitting pairs.
(e) If a player elects to split a pair of aces, each ace shall receive only one card. Aces may not be split more than once and may not be resplit.
§ 665a.12. Payout odds.
(a) The certificate holder shall pay out each winning Bet and Double Attack Wager at odds of 1 to 1.
(b) The certificate holder shall pay out winning Insurance Wagers at odds of 5 to 2.
(c) The certificate holder shall pay out winning Bust It Wagers at the odds in the following paytable:
Hand Payout 8, 8, 8 of the same suit 200 to 1 8, 8, 8 of the same color 50 to 1 Third card drawn: Is a 6 15 to 1 Is a 7 10 to 1 Is an 8 8 to 1 Is a 9 6 to 1 Is a king, queen or jack 3 to 1 § 665a.13. Irregularities.
(a) A card found face up in the shoe may not be used in that round of play and shall be placed in the discard rack.
(b) A card drawn in error without its face being exposed shall be used as though it were the next card from the shoe.
(c) After the initial two cards have been dealt to each player and the dealer and a card is drawn in error and exposed to the players, the card shall be dealt to the players or dealer as though it were the next card from the shoe. Any player refusing to accept the card may not have any additional cards dealt to him during the round. If the card is refused by the players and the dealer cannot use the card, the card shall be placed in the discard rack.
(d) If the dealer has 17 and accidentally draws a card for himself, the card shall be placed in the discard rack.
(e) If there are insufficient cards remaining in the shoe to complete a round of play, all of the cards in the discard rack shall be shuffled and cut according to the procedures in § 665a.5 (relating to shuffle and cut of the cards). The first card shall be drawn face down and placed in the discard rack and the dealer shall complete the round of play.
(f) If no cards are dealt to a player's hand, the hand is dead and the player shall be included in the next deal. If only one card is dealt to a player's hand, at the player's option, the dealer shall deal the second card to the player after all other players have received a second card.
(g) If after receiving the first two cards, the dealer fails to deal an additional card to a player who has requested a card, then, at the player's option, the dealer shall either deal the additional card after all other players have received their additional cards but prior to the dealer revealing his hole card or call the player's hand dead and return the player's Bet and Double Attack Blackjack Wagers.
(h) If the dealer inserts his hole card into a card reader device when the value of his first card is not an ace, king, queen or jack, the dealer, after notification to a floorperson or above, shall:
(1) If the particular card reader device in use provides any player with the opportunity to determine the value of the hole card, call all hands dead, collect the cards and return each player's wager.
(2) If the particular card reader device in use does not provide any player with the opportunity to determine the value of the hole card, continue play.
(i) If a card reader device malfunctions, the dealer may not continue dealing the game of Double Attack Blackjack at that table until the card reader device is repaired or replaced.
(j) If an automated card shuffling device is being used and the device jams, stops shuffling during a shuffle or fails to complete a shuffle cycle, the cards shall be reshuffled.
(k) If an automated shuffling device malfunctions and cannot be used, the device must be covered or have a sign indicating that it is out of order placed on the device before any other method of shuffling may be utilized at that table.
[Pa.B. Doc. No. 14-238. Filed for public inspection January 31, 2014, 9:00 a.m.]
