PROPOSED RULEMAKING
PENNSYLVANIA GAMING CONTROL BOARD
[ 58 PA. CODE CHS. 535, 537, 539,
621a, 623a AND 625a ]
Table Game Rules for Pai Gow, Craps and Mini-Craps and Sic Bo
[41 Pa.B. 2981]
[Saturday, June 11, 2011]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. §§ 13A02(1)—(4) (relating to regulatory authority), proposes to rescind Chapters 535, 537 and 539 (relating to Pai Gow; Craps and Mini-Craps; and Sic Bo) and add Chapters 621a, 623a and 625a (relating to Pai Gow; Craps and Mini-Craps; and Sic Bo) to read as set forth in Annex A.
Purpose of the Proposed Rulemaking
With this rulemaking, the Board is proposing to replace the temporary regulations in Chapter 535 with the permanent regulations in Chapter 621a, temporary regulations in Chapter 537 with the permanent regulations in Chapter 623a and the temporary regulations in Chapter 539 with the permanent regulations in Chapter 625a.
Explanation of Chapter 621a
Chapter 621a contains the rules governing the play of Pai Gow, which is a game that uses dice and tiles instead of cards. Section 621a.1 (relating to definitions) contains the definitions of terms used throughout the chapter. In § 621a.2 (relating to Pai Gow table; Pai Gow shaker; physical characteristics), the physical characteristics of the table and Pai Gow shaker are specified. The use of a random number generator is added as a permissible way to determine the starting position for dealing the Pai Gow tiles.
The remaining sections address the following: the physical characteristics of the Pai Gow tiles and related equipment used to play the game; the ranking of the Pai Gow tiles and the procedures for comparing high and low Pai Gow hands; the number and use of dice and the Pai Gow shaker; the opening of Pai Gow tables; the procedures for shuffling and dealing tiles; wagers; procedures for completion of each round of play; payment and collection of wagers and vigorish; how irregularities in play are to be handled; and the number of additional betting positions on which a player may wager.
Explanation of Chapter 623a
Chapter 623a contains the regulatory requirements for the game of Craps. Section 623a.1 (relating to definitions) contains definitions for terms used in this chapter. Section 623a.2 (relating to Craps and Mini-Craps tables; physical characteristics) contains the requirements for tables that are used for Craps. In § 623a.3 (relating to permissible wagers), the wagers that will be allowed have been listed. However, certificate holders are not required to offer all of the wagers listed. Instead, it will be up to the individual certificate holders to determine which wagers they wish to use.
Sections 623a.4 and 623a.5 (relating to making and removal of wagers; and payout odds) establish the rules for the placement of wagers and minimum payout odds that shall be used by the certificate holders. Section 623a.6 (relating to supplemental wagers made after the come out roll in support of Pass, Don't Pass, Come and Don't Come Bets (taking and laying odds)) provides the rules for the placement and payout of supplemental wagers that may be made in conjunction with a Pass Bet, a Don't Pass Bet, a Come Bet and a Don't Come Bet.
Sections 623a.7 and 623a.8 (relating to dice retention and selection; and throw of the dice; invalid roll of the dice) establish the rules governing how the dice used for the play of the game are selected, how the dice shall be thrown and detail when a throw of the dice will be voided and require that the dice be thrown again. Section 623a.9 (relating to point throw; settlement of wagers) sets forth the procedures to be followed after the dice are thrown. Section 623.10 (relating to continuation of shooter; selection of new shooter) specifies the options available to the shooter, when the shooter shall pass the dice and who the next shooter may be. Section 623a.11 (relating to additional procedures and rules for the Fire Bet) governs the placement of Fire Bets, handling of the Fire Bets by the dealer, the minimum and maximum amounts that can be wagered as a Fire Bet and how number of unique point totals are to be determined.
Explanation of Chapter 625a
Chapter 625a contains the rules governing the play of Sic Bo, a game that uses three dice and an electronic layout which contains various combinations of the results that can occur when the dice are rolled.
Section 625a.1 (relating to Sic Bo table; Sic Bo shaker; physical characteristics) addresses the physical characteristics of Sic Bo tables, dice, Sic Bo shakers and other associated equipment. Operators may now post payout odds either on the table layout or by a sign at the table. In § 625a.2 (relating to dice; number of dice), language was added allowing operators that use dice that are specifically designed for the automated Sic Bo shakers to replace those dice that are locked in the automated Sic Bo shaker once every month instead of every day.
The remaining provisions in this chapter address the following: the permissible wagers; the opening of Sic Bo tables and procedures for completion of each round of play; payment and collection of wagers; and how irregularities in play are to be handled.
Affected Parties
Certificate holders that elect to offer the games of Pai Gow, Craps, Mini-Craps and Sic Bo will be required to comply with these chapters. The requirements for the games are standard throughout the industry, consistent with 4 Pa.C.S. Part II (relating to gaming) and necessary for the protection of the gaming public and the revenues generated from table games.
The Board has experienced increased regulatory demands resulting from the implementation of table games, including the review of Rules Submissions, table layouts, signage and gaming guides.
Fiscal Impact
Commonwealth. The Board will have to review each certificate holder's table games Rules Submissions, table layouts, signage and gaming guides to ensure compliance with the regulatory requirements in this proposed rulemaking. These reviews will be conducted by existing Bureau of Gaming Operations and the Bureau of Casino Compliance staff, so the Board does not project that it will incur significant cost increases as a result of this proposed rulemaking.
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 mandated by the act of January 7, 2010 (P. L. 1, No. 1).
Private sector. This proposed rulemaking will result in additional costs for certificate holders that elect to offer Pai Gow, Craps, Mini-Craps and Sic Bo. Certificate holders shall be required to purchase the table games they elect to offer and to hire and train employees to operate the games. The costs for table game equipment do vary depending on the type and number of tables purchased. The costs are expected to be offset by the revenues generated from table game operations.
General public. This proposed rulemaking will not have fiscal impact on the general public.
Paperwork Requirements
This proposed rulemaking requires certificate holders to do the following: post signs at gaming tables; have complete sets of rules for all the games they offer available for public inspection; produce a gaming guide summarizing the rules of the games they offer; and file Rules Submissions for each table game they elect to offer. The Rules Submissions are standardized checklists for each game, relatively simple to fill out and available on the Board web site.
Effective Date
The proposed rulemaking will become effective upon final-form publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.
Public Comments
Interested persons are invited to submit written comments, suggestions or objections regarding the proposed rulemaking, within 30 days after the date of publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin, to Susan A. Yocum, Assistant Chief Counsel, Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, P. O. Box 69060, Harrisburg, PA 17106-9060, Attention; Public Comment on General Provisions, Credit and Training Standards; Regulation # 125-149.
Contact Person
The contact person for questions about this proposed rulemaking is Susan Yocum, Assistant Chief Counsel, (717) 265-8356.
Regulatory Review
Under section 5(a) of the Regulatory Review Act (71 P. S. § 745.5(a)), on May 19, 2011, the Board submitted a copy of this proposed rulemaking and a copy of a Regulatory Analysis Form to the Independent Regulatory Review Commission (IRRC) and to the Chairpersons of the House Gaming Oversight Committee and the Senate Community, Economic and Recreational Development Committee. A copy of this material is available to the public upon request and is available on the Board's web site at www.pgcb.state.pa.us.
Under section 5(g) of the Regulatory Review Act, IRRC may convey any comments, recommendations or objections to the proposed rulemaking within 30 days of the close of the public comment period. The comments, recommendations or objections must specify the regulatory review criteria which have not been met. The Regulatory Review Act specifies detailed procedures for review, prior to final publication of the rulemaking, by the Board, the General Assembly and the Governor of comments, recommendations or objections raised.
GREGORY C. FAJT,
ChairpersonFiscal Note: 125-149. No fiscal impact; (8) recommends adoption.
Annex A
TITLE 58. RECREATION
PART VII. GAMING CONTROL BOARD
Subpart K. TABLE GAMES
CHAPTER 535. (Reserved) (Editor's Note: As part of this proposed rulemaking, the Board is proposing to rescind Chapter 535 which appears in 58 Pa. Code pages 535-1—535-17, serial pages (350963)—(350966), (354769), (354770), (356447), (356448), (349043), (349044), (356449), (356450) and (349047)—(349051).)
Sec.
535.1—535.13. (Reserved).
CHAPTER 537. (Reserved) (Editor's Note: As part of this proposed rulemaking, the Board is proposing to rescind Chapter 537 which appears in 58 Pa. Code pages 537-1—537-22, serial pages (350967)—(350980), (354771), (354772) and (350983)—(350988).)
Sec.
537.1—537.5. (Reserved). 537.5a. (Reserved). 537.6—537.12. (Reserved).
CHAPTER 539. (Reserved) (Editor's Note: As part of this proposed rulemaking, the Board is proposing to rescind Chapter 539 which appears in 58 Pa. Code pages 539-1—539-5, serial pages (356451), (356452), (349057)—(349059).)
Sec.
539.1—539.7. (Reserved).
CHAPTER 621a. PAI GOW
621a.1. Definitions. 621a.2. Pai Gow table; Pai Gow shaker; physical characteristics. 621a.3. Pai Gow tiles; physical characteristics. 621a.4. Pai Gow tiles; ranking of hands, pairs and tiles; value of the hand. 621a.5. Dice; number of dice; Pai Gow shaker. 621a.6. Opening of the table for gaming; shuffling procedures. 621a.7. Wagers. 621a.8. Procedures for dealing the tiles. 621a.9. Alternative dealing procedures. 621a.10. Procedures for completion of each round of play; setting of hands; payment and collection of wagers; payout odds; vigorish. 621a.11. Player bank; co-banking; selection of bank; procedures for dealing. 621a.12. Irregularities; invalid roll of the dice. 621a.13. A player wagering on more than one betting area. § 621a.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 or low hand of a player which is identical in pair rank or point value as the corresponding high hand or low hand of the dealer or bank.
High hand—The two tile hand formed with two of the four tiles dealt that ranks higher than the hand formed from the remaining two tiles.
Low hand—The two tile hand formed with two of the four tiles dealt that rank lower than the hand formed from the remaining two tiles.
Marker—An object used to designate the bank and the co-bank, as approved by the Bureau of Gaming Operations.
Setting the hands—The process of forming a high hand and a low hand from the four tiles dealt.
Supreme Pair—The pair of tiles that form the highest ranking hand formed with the Six (2-4) tile and the Three (1-2) tile.
Value—The numerical point value assigned to a pair of tiles in accordance with § 621a.4 (relating to Pai Gow tiles; ranking of hands, pairs and tiles; value of the hand).
§ 621a.2. Pai Gow table; Pai Gow shaker; physical characteristics.
(a) Pai Gow shall be played at a table having betting positions for 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 Pai Gow table shall be approved by the Bureau of Gaming Operations and contain, at a minimum:
(1) The name or logo of the certificate holder.
(2) Six separate betting areas for the players at the table.
(3) A separate area, located to the left of the dealer, for the placement of four tiles which shall be referred to as the Dead Hand.
(c) Each Pai Gow table must have a drop box with 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.
(d) Pai Gow shall be played with a Pai Gow shaker, approved by the Bureau of Gaming Operations, used to shake three dice before each hand of Pai Gow is dealt to determine the starting position for the dealing of the Pai Gow tiles. The Pai Gow shaker must be designed and constructed to maintain the integrity of the game and adhere to the following specifications:
(1) The Pai Gow shaker must be capable of housing three dice and designed to prevent the dice from being seen while being shaken by the dealer.
(2) The Pai Gow shaker must have the name or logo of the certificate holder thereon.
(e) If a certificate holder elects to use a computerized random number generator as permitted under § 621a.8 (relating to procedures for dealing the tiles), the random number generator shall be approved by the Bureau of Gaming Laboratory Operations prior to its use.
§ 621a.3. Pai Gow tiles; physical characteristics.
(a) Pai Gow shall be played with a set of 32 rectangular tiles. Each tile in a set must be identical in size and shading to every other tile in the set.
(b) Each tile used must:
(1) Be made of a nontransparent black material, formed in the shape of a rectangle, and be no smaller than 2.5 inches in length, 1 inch in width and 0.375 inch in thickness.
(2) Have the surface of each of its sides perfectly flat, except that the front side of each tile must contain spots which extend into the tile exactly the same distance as every other spot.
(3) Have on the back or front of each tile an identifying feature unique to each certificate holder.
(4) Have an identical texture and finish on each side, with the exception of the front side containing the spots.
(5) Have no tile within a set contain any marking, symbol or design that enables a person to know the identity of any element on the front side of the tile or that will distinguish any tile from any other tile within a set.
(6) Have identifying spots on the front side of the tiles which are either red or white, or both.
(c) Each set of tiles must be composed of 32 tiles with the identifying spots listed in § 621a.4(g) (relating to Pai Gow tiles; ranking of hands, pairs and tiles; value of the hand).
(d) Each set of tiles shall be packaged separately and completely sealed in a manner so that tampering shall be evident.
(e) Tiles used for the play of Pai Gow shall be changed at least every 12 hours.
§ 621a.4. Pai Gow tiles; ranking of hands, pairs and tiles; value of the hand.
(a) When comparing high hands or low hands to determine the higher ranking hand, the determination shall first be based upon the rank of any permissible pair of tiles which are in the hands. A hand with a permissible pair of tiles shall rank higher than a hand which does not contain a permissible pair. The permissible pairs of tiles and their rank, with the Supreme Pair being the highest or first ranking pair, are as follows:
Ranking Pairing Supreme Pair First Six (2-4) and Three (1-2) Matched Pairs Second
Twelve (6-6) and Twelve (6-6)
Third Two (1-1) and Two (1-1) Fourth Eight (4-4) and Eight (4-4) Fifth Four (1-3) and Four (1-3) Sixth Ten (5-5) and Ten (5-5) Seventh Six (3-3) and Six (3-3) Eighth Four (2-2) and Four (2-2) Ninth Eleven (5-6) and Eleven (5-6) Tenth Ten (4-6) and Ten (4-6) Eleventh Seven (1-6) and Seven (1-6) Twelfth Six (1-5) and Six (1-5) Mixed or Unmatched Pairs Thirteenth
Mixed Nines (3-6 and 4-5) Fourteenth Mixed Eights (3-5 and 2-6) Fifteenth Mixed Sevens (3-4 and 2-5) Sixteenth Mixed Fives (1-4 and 2-3) Wongs Seventeenth Twelve (6-6) and Nine (4-5) Twelve (6-6) and Nine (3-6) Eighteenth Two (1-1) and Nine (4-5) Two (1-1) and Nine (3-6) Gongs Nineteenth Twelve (6-6) and Eight (2-6) Twelve (6-6) and Eight (3-5) Twelve (6-6) and Eight (4-4) Twentieth Two (1-1) and Eight (2-6) Two (1-1) and Eight (3-5) Two (1-1) and Eight (4-4) (b) When comparing high hands or low hands which are of identical permissible pair rank, the hand shall be considered a copy hand and the dealer or, if applicable, the bank shall win the hand.
(c) Except as provided in subsection (e), when comparing the rank of high hands or low hands which do not contain any of the pairs listed in subsection (a), the higher ranking hand shall be determined on the basis of the value of the hands. The value of a hand shall be a single digit number from zero to nine inclusive and shall be determined by adding the total number of spots which are contained on the two tiles which form the hand. If the total of the spots is a two-digit number, the left digit of the number shall be discarded and the right digit shall constitute the value of the hand. Examples of this rule are as follows:
(1) A hand composed of a Two (1-1) and a Six (3-3) has a value of 8.
(2) A hand composed of an Eleven (5-6) and a Seven (1-6) has a value of 8, because the numeric total of the hand is 18 and the left digit in the number 18 is discarded.
(d) If the tiles which form the Supreme Pair are used separately, the numeric total of the 1-2 tile may be counted as a three or a six and the numeric total of the 2-4 tile may be counted as a three or a six. When the 1-2 tile is counted as six, its individual ranking under subsection (g) shall be fifteenth instead of seventeenth and when the 2-4 tile is counted as three, its individual ranking shall be seventeenth instead of fifteenth.
(e) When comparing high hands or low hands which are of identical value, the hand with the highest ranking individual tile shall be considered the higher ranking hand. If, however, the numeric value of the tiles results in a zero-zero tie, both hands, regardless of the highest ranking tile, are equally bad and the dealer or, if applicable, the bank shall be considered the higher ranking hand.
(f) The individual ranking for each tile, from highest rank to lowest rank, is as follows:
Ranking Tile Number of Tiles
In SetFirst Twelve (6-6) 2 Second Two (1-1) 2 Third Eight (4-4) 2 Fourth Four (1-3) 2 Fifth Ten (5-5) 2 Sixth Six (3-3) 2 Seventh Four (2-2) 2 Eighth Eleven (5-6) 2 Ninth Ten (4-6) 2 Tenth Seven (1-6) 2 Eleventh Six (1-5) 2 Twelfth Nine (3-6) 1 Twelfth Nine (4-5) 1 Thirteenth Eight (2-6) 1 Thirteenth Eight (3-5) 1 Fourteenth Seven (2-5) 1 Fourteenth Seven (3-4) 1 Fifteenth Six (2-4) 1 Sixteenth Five (1-4) 1 Sixteenth Five (2-3) 1 Seventeenth Three (1-2) 1 (g) If the highest ranking tile in each hand being compared is of identical rank after the application of subsection (f), the hand shall be considered a copy hand, and the hand of the dealer or, if applicable, the bank shall be considered the higher ranking hand.
§ 621a.5. Dice; number of dice; Pai Gow shaker.
(a) Pai Gow shall be played with three dice which shall be maintained at all times inside a Pai Gow shaker while at the table.
(b) The Pai Gow shaker and the dice are the responsibility of the dealer and may never be left unattended while at the table.
(c) Dice that have been placed in a Pai Gow shaker for use in gaming may not remain on a table for more than 24 hours.
§ 621a.6. Opening of the table for gaming; shuffling procedures.
(a) After receiving one set of tiles at the table, the dealer shall sort and inspect the tiles and the floorperson assigned to the table shall verify the inspection. Nothing in this section precludes a certificate holder from cleaning the tiles prior to the inspection required herein. The tiles at the gaming table shall be inspected as follows:
(1) Each set of tiles shall be sorted into pairs to assure that the Supreme Pair and all 15 matched and unmatched pairs as identified in § 621a.4 (relating to Pai Gow tiles; ranking of hands, pairs and tiles; value of the hand) are in the set.
(2) Each tile shall be placed side by side to determine that all tiles are the same size and shading.
(3) The back and sides of each tile shall be examined to assure that it is not flawed, scratched or marked in any way.
(i) If the dealer finds that certain tiles are unsuitable for use, a floorperson or above shall bring another set of tiles to the table from the reserve in the pit stand.
(ii) The unsuitable set of tiles shall be placed in a sealed envelope or container, identified by table number, date and time and signed by the dealer and floorperson or above.
(b) Following the inspection of the tiles and the verification by the floorperson assigned to the table, the tiles shall be turned face up, placed into 16 pairs and arranged according to rank starting with the Supreme Pair. The tiles shall be left in pairs for visual inspection by the first player to arrive at the table.
(c) After the first player arriving at the table is afforded an opportunity to visually inspect the tiles, the tiles shall be turned face down on the table and mixed thoroughly by shuffling the tiles.
(d) The dealer shall mix the tiles with the heels of the palms of the hands. The dealer shall mix the tiles in a circular motion with one hand moving clockwise and the other hand moving counterclockwise. Each hand shall complete at least eight circular motions to provide a random mixing. The dealer shall then randomly pick up four tiles with each hand and place them side by side in stacks in front of the table inventory container, forming eight stacks of four tiles.
(e) If during the stacking process described in subsection (d), a tile is turned over and exposed to the players, the entire set of tiles shall be remixed.
(f) After each round of play has been completed, the dealer shall turn all of the tiles face down and mix the tiles in accordance with subsection (d).
(g) If there is no gaming activity at the Pai Gow table, the tiles shall be turned face up and placed into 16 pairs according to rank starting with the Supreme Pair. Once a player arrives at the table, the dealer shall follow the procedures in subsections (c) and (d).
§ 621a.7. Wagers.
(a) Wagers at Pai Gow shall be made by placing value chips or plaques on the appropriate betting area of the Pai Gow layout. Verbal wagers accompanied by cash may not be accepted.
(b) Only players who are seated at the Pai Gow table may place a wager. Once a player has placed a wager and received tiles, 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 treated as losing wagers.
(c) Wagers shall be placed prior to the dealer announcing ''no more bets'' in accordance with the dealing procedures in § 621a.8 (relating to procedures for dealing the tiles). A wager may not be made, increased or withdrawn after the dealer has announced ''no more bets.''
§ 621a.8. Procedures for dealing the tiles.
(a) After the dealer has completed mixing and stacking the tiles, the dealer shall either:
(1) Announce ''no more bets'' and use a computerized random number generator that automatically selects and displays a number.
(2) Announce ''no more bets'' prior to revealing the dice in the Pai Gow shaker. The dealer shall shake the Pai Gow shaker at least three times to cause a random mixture of the dice. After removing the lid covering the Pai Gow shaker, the dealer shall total the dice.
(b) The dealer shall then announce the total of the dice or the number displayed by the computerized random number generator. The total or number shall determine which player receives the first stack of tiles.
(c) To determine the starting position for dealing the tiles, the dealer shall count counterclockwise around the table with the position of the dealer considered number one and continuing around the table with each betting position, regardless of whether there is a wager at the position, and the Dead Hand until the count matches the total of the three dice or the number displayed by the computerized random number generator. Examples are as follows:
(1) If the dice total nine, the dealer would receive the first stack of four tiles.
(2) If the dice total 15, the sixth wagering position would receive the first stack of four tiles.
(d) The dealer shall deal the first stack of four tiles, starting from the right side of the eight stacks, to the starting position as determined in subsection (c) and, moving counterclockwise around the table, deal all other positions including the Dead Hand and the dealer a stack of tiles, regardless of whether there is a wager at the position. The dealer shall place a marker on top of his stack of tiles immediately after they are dealt.
(e) After all the stacks of tiles have been dealt, the dealer shall, without exposing the tiles, collect any stacks dealt to a position where there is no wager and place the stacks with the Dead Hand on the layout to the left of the dealer in front of the table inventory container.
(f) Once all tiles have been dealt and any tiles dealt to positions with no wagers have been collected, the dealer shall place the cover on the Pai Gow shaker and shake the shaker once. The Pai Gow shaker shall then be placed to the right of the dealer.
§ 621a.9. Alternative dealing procedures.
As an alternative to the procedure in § 621a.8 (relating to procedures for dealing the tiles), the dealer or the player acting as the bank or co-bank may, if specified in the certificate holder's Rules Submission under § 601a.2 (relating to table games Rules Submissions), choose any of the following dealing styles:
(Editor's Note: Chapter 601a will be adopted on or before the date of final adoption of this proposed rulemaking.)
(1) House Way From the Left. The dealer shall indicate the use of House Way From the Left by pushing forward the first stack of tiles on the dealer's left. The dealer shall deliver the stack pushed forward to the starting position. The remaining stacks of tiles shall be delivered from the dealer's left to right.
(2) Cup Say (pick four) From the Right. The dealer shall indicate the use of Cup Say From the Right by pushing forward the first two stacks of tiles on the dealer's right. The dealer shall deliver the top two tiles from each of the two stacks pushed forward to the starting position. The four remaining tiles pushed forward shall be delivered to the next position. The remaining stacks of tiles shall be delivered from the dealer's right to left in the same manner as the first two stacks.
(3) Cup Say (pick four) From the Left. The dealer shall indicate the use of Cup Say From the Left by pushing forward the first two stacks of tiles on the dealer's left. The dealer shall deliver the top two tiles from each of the two stacks pushed forward to the starting position. The four remaining tiles pushed forward shall be delivered to the next position. The remaining stacks of tiles shall be delivered from the dealer's left to right in the same manner as the first two stacks.
(4) Jung Quat (take the heart). The dealer shall indicate the use of Jung Quat by pushing forward the fourth stack of tiles from the dealer's right and the fourth stack of tiles from the dealer's left (the two center stacks of the eight). The dealer shall deliver the top two tiles from each of the two stacks pushed forward to the starting position. The four remaining tiles pushed forward shall be delivered to the next position. The remaining stacks shall be pushed together and the two new center stacks shall be pushed forward and delivered in the same manner as the first two stacks. This procedure shall be repeated until all eight stacks of tiles have been delivered.
(5) Chee Yee (chop the ears). The dealer shall indicate the use of Chee Yee by pushing forward the first stack of tiles on the dealer's right and the first stack of tiles on the dealer's left. To deliver the tiles, the dealer shall center the two stacks pushed forward in front of the remaining stacks. The dealer shall deliver the top two tiles from each of the two centered stacks to the starting position. The four remaining tiles from the two centered stacks shall be delivered to the next position. The dealer shall then center and deliver the first stack remaining on the dealer's right and the first stack remaining on the dealer's left in the same manner. This procedure shall be repeated until all eight stacks of tiles have been delivered.
(6) Pin Say (slice four) From the Right. The dealer shall indicate the use of Pin Say From the Right by removing the top tile of the first stack of tiles on the dealer's right and placing it diagonally across the top of the second, third and fourth stacks of tiles from the dealer's right. The dealer shall deliver the top tile from each of the first four stacks on the dealer's right to the starting position (the diagonal tile plus the three tiles it covers). The top tile from each of the first four stacks on the dealer's left shall be delivered to the next position. The top tile remaining on each of the first four stacks on the dealer's right shall be delivered to the third position and the top tile remaining on each of the first four stacks on the dealer's left shall be delivered to the fourth position. This procedure shall be repeated until four tiles have been delivered to all eight positions.
(7) Pin Say (slice four) From the Left. The dealer shall indicate the use of Pin Say From the Left by removing the top tile of the first stack of tiles on the dealer's left and placing it diagonally across the top of the second, third and fourth stacks of tiles from the dealer's left. The dealer shall deliver the top tile from each of the first four stacks on the dealer's left to the starting position (the diagonal tile plus the three tiles it covers). The top tile from each of the first four stacks on the dealer's right shall be delivered to the next position. The top tile remaining on each of the first four stacks on the dealer's left shall be delivered to the third position and the top tile remaining on each of the first four stacks on the dealer's right shall be delivered to the fourth position. This procedure shall be repeated until four tiles have been delivered to all eight positions.
(8) Dragon Head and Phoenix Tail From the Right. The dealer shall indicate the use of Dragon Head and Phoenix Tail From the Right by placing all four tiles in the first and second stacks from the dealer's right directly on top of the four tiles in the third and fourth stacks from the dealer's right and then pushing forward the top two tiles in each of the eight-tile stacks that are created (forming the dragon head). The dealer shall deliver the four tiles pushed forward to the starting position. The top tile from each of the four stacks of four tiles to the dealer's left (the phoenix tail) shall be delivered to the next position. The dealer shall deliver the top two tiles from each of the two stacks on the dealer's right to the third position and the top tile from each of the four stacks on the dealer's left to the fourth position. This procedure shall be repeated until four tiles have been delivered to all eight positions.
(9) Dragon Head and Phoenix Tail From the Left. The dealer shall indicate the use of Dragon Head and Phoenix Tail From the Left by placing all four tiles in the first and second stacks from the dealer's left directly on top of the four tiles in the third and fourth stacks from the dealer's left and then pushing forward the top two tiles in each of the eight-tile stacks that are created (forming the dragon head). The dealer shall deliver the four tiles pushed forward to the starting position. The top tile from each of the four stacks of four tiles to the dealer's right (the phoenix tail) shall be delivered to the next position. The dealer shall deliver the top two tiles from each of the two stacks on the dealer's left to the third position and the top tile from each of the four stacks on the dealer's right to the fourth position. This procedure shall be repeated until four tiles have been delivered to all eight positions.
§ 621a.10. Procedures for completion of each round of play; setting of hands; payment and collection of wagers; payout odds; vigorish.
(a) After the dealing of the tiles has been completed, each player shall set his hands by arranging the tiles into a high hand and low hand. After setting the hands the tiles shall be placed face down on the layout immediately behind that player's betting area and separated into two distinct hands.
(b) Each player at the table shall be responsible for setting his own hands and no other person except the dealer may touch the tiles of that player. If a player requests assistance in the setting of his hands, the dealer shall inform the requesting player of the manner in which the certificate holder requires the hands of the dealer to be set. Each player shall be required to keep the four tiles in full view of the dealer at all times. Once each player has set a high hand and low hand and placed the two hands face down on the layout, the player may not touch the tiles again.
(c) After all players have set their hands and placed the tiles on the table, the four tiles of the dealer shall be turned over and the dealer shall set his hands by arranging the tiles into a high and low hand. The high hand shall be placed on the layout face up in a vertical position and the low hand shall be placed on the layout face up perpendicular to the high hand.
(d) The dealer shall comply with the following rules when setting his hands:
(1) If the dealer has the Supreme Pair, it shall be played as the Supreme Pair.
(2) If possible, the dealer shall always play a pair, Wong or Gong as set forth in § 621a.4 (relating to Pai Gow tiles; ranking of hands, pairs and tiles; value of the hand).
(3) If the dealer does not have any combinations in paragraph (1) or (2), the dealer shall play any two tiles together which have a value equal to nine, eight or seven.
(4) If the dealer does not have a combination in paragraph (1), (2) or (3), the dealer shall play the highest ranking tile with the lowest ranking tile.
(e) 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 either of the two hands of that player as provided for in subsection (g). Once the player has announced his intention to surrender, the dealer shall immediately collect the wager from that player and collect the four tiles dealt to that player and stack them face down on the right side of the table in front of the table inventory container without exposing the tiles to any other player at the table.
(f) After the dealer has set a high and low hand and collected the wagers and tiles for any wagers that are surrendered under subsection (e), the dealer shall expose both hands of each player, starting with the player farthest to the right of the dealer and proceeding counterclockwise around the table. The dealer shall always compare the high hand of the player to the high hand of the dealer and the low hand of the player to the low hand of the dealer and shall announce if the wager of that player shall win, lose or be considered a tie.
(g) A wager shall lose if the high hand of the player is identical in rank or lower in rank than the high hand of the dealer, and the low hand of the player is identical in rank or lower in rank than the low hand of the dealer, or has a value of zero. Losing wagers shall be collected immediately by the dealer and put in the table inventory container. The tiles of all losing hands shall be collected by the dealer immediately after he collects the losing wagers.
(h) A wager shall be a tie if:
(1) The high hand of the player is higher in rank than the high hand of the dealer, but the low hand of the player is identical in rank to the low hand of the dealer, lower in rank than the low hand of the dealer or has a value of zero.
(2) The high hand of the player is identical in rank to the high hand of the dealer or lower in rank than the high hand of the dealer, but the low hand of the player is higher in rank than the low hand of the dealer.
(i) If a wager is a tie, the dealer shall return the player's wager and immediately collect the tiles of that player.
(j) A wager shall win if the high hand of the player is higher in rank than the high hand of the dealer and the low hand of the player is higher in rank than the low hand of the dealer. Winning hands shall remain face up on the layout. Winning wagers shall be paid after all hands have been exposed. The dealer shall pay winning wagers beginning with the player farthest to the right of the dealer and continuing counterclockwise around the table. The tiles of all winning hands shall be collected by the dealer immediately after he pays the winning wagers.
(k) A winning Pai Gow wager shall be paid off at odds of 1 to 1, except that the certificate holder shall extract a vigorish from the winning player in an amount equal to 5% of the amount won provided, however, that when collecting the vigorish, the certificate holder may round off the vigorish to 25 cents or the next highest multiple of 25 cents. A certificate holder shall collect the vigorish from a player at the time the winning payout is made.
(l) Tiles collected by the dealer shall be picked up in order and in a way so that they can be readily arranged to reconstruct each hand in case of a question or dispute and shall be placed face up to the right of the dealer in front of the table inventory container.
§ 621a.11. Player bank; co-banking; selection of bank; procedures for dealing.
(a) A certificate holder may, if specified in its Rules Submission under § 601a.2 (relating to table games Rules Submissions), offer to all players at a Pai Gow table the opportunity to bank the game. If the certificate holder elects this option, the provisions of this section control for any round of play in which a player is the bank and all the other provisions of this subchapter apply to the extent that they do not conflict with the provisions of this section.
(Editor's Note: Chapter 601a will be adopted on or before the date of final adoption of this proposed rulemaking.)
(b) A player may not be the bank at the start of the game. For the purposes of this section, the start of the game means the first round of play after the dealer is required to restack and shuffle the tiles in accordance with § 621a.6 (relating to opening of the table for gaming; shuffling procedures).
(c) After the first round of play, each player at the table shall have the option to either be the bank or pass the bank to the next player. The dealer shall, starting with the player farthest to the right of the dealer, offer the bank to each player in a counterclockwise rotation around the table until a player accepts the bank. The dealer shall place a marker designating the bank in front of the player who accepts the bank. If the first player offered the bank accepts, the player seated to the right of that player shall first be offered the bank on the next round of play. The initial offer to be the bank shall rotate counterclockwise around the table until it returns to the dealer. A player may not bank two consecutive rounds of play. If no player wishes to be the bank, the round of play shall proceed in accordance with the rules of play provided in this chapter.
(d) Before a player may bank a round of play, the dealer shall confirm that:
(1) The player placed a wager against the dealer during the last round of play in which there was no player banking the game.
(2) The player has sufficient value chips on the table to cover all of the wagers placed by other players at the table for that round of play.
(e) A certificate holder may, if specified in its Rules Submission under § 601a.2, offer the player banking the round of play the option of having the certificate holder cover 50% of the wagers made during that round of play. If the certificate holder offers this option, it shall make it available to all players at the table. If the bank wishes to use this option, the bank must specifically request the dealer to accept responsibility for the payment of 1/2 of all winning wagers. When the certificate holder covers 50% of the winning wagers, it shall be known as co-banking and the dealer shall place a marker designating the player co-banking that round of play. When the dealer is co-banking, the dealer shall be responsible for setting the hand of the bank in the manner as submitted to the Board in the certificate holder's Rules Submission. When co-banking is in effect, the dealer may not place a wager against the bank.
(f) If a player is the bank, the player may only wager on one betting area.
(g) Once the tiles have been shuffled and formed into stacks under § 621a.6, the bank shall have the option to cut the tiles one time. If the bank does not wish to cut the tiles, there may not be a cut. Upon direction from the bank, the dealer may move the tiles in one of the following ways:
(1) One or more adjacent stacks of four tiles to the right or left end of the original eight stacks of tiles.
(2) Two or more adjacent stacks of four tiles, of which at least one stack is moved to one end and the other stacks are moved to the opposite end of the original eight stacks of tiles.
(h) Once the dealer has determined that a player may be the bank as required under subsection (d) and the tiles have been shuffled and, if applicable, cut, the dealer shall, unless co-banking is in effect, remove value chips from the table inventory container in an amount equal to the last wager made by that player against the dealer or in an amount as specified in the certificate holder's Rules Submission. This amount shall be the amount the dealer wagers against the bank. The bank may direct that the sum wagered by the dealer be a lesser amount or that the dealer place no wager during that round of play. Any amount wagered by the dealer shall be placed in front of the table inventory container. Immediately upon receipt of the four tiles dealt to the dealer under subsection (k), the dealer shall place his wager on top of these tiles, instead of the marker otherwise required under § 621a.8 (relating to procedures for dealing the tiles), before dealing the remaining tiles. If co-banking is in effect, the dealer may not remove any value chips from the table inventory container under this subsection.
(i) Once the dealer has announced ''no more bets,'' the bank may, by issuing a verbal instruction to the dealer, choose to have the dealer deliver the stacks of tiles using any one of the styles of delivery described in § 621a.9 (relating to alternative dealing procedures). If the bank does not choose a style of delivery, the dealer shall use the procedure in § 621a.8(d). After the style of delivery has been determined, the dealer shall indicate the style of delivery to be used by verbally repeating the selected style of delivery and taking other action, as specified in the certificate holder's Rules Submission, that identifies the selected delivery style to the certificate holder's surveillance department, and moving certain stacks of tiles or individual tiles slightly forward, backward or diagonally in the manner described in § 621a.9. After the dealer has indicated the style of delivery, the bank shall shake the Pai Gow shaker. It shall be the responsibility of the dealer to ensure that the bank shakes the Pai Gow shaker at least three times to cause a random mixture of the dice. Once the bank has completed shaking the Pai Gow shaker, the dealer shall remove the lid covering the Pai Gow shaker, total the dice and announce the total. The dealer shall always remove the lid from the Pai Gow shaker and if the bank inadvertently removes the lid, the dealer shall require the Pai Gow shaker to be covered and reshaken by the bank.
(j) To determine the starting position for dealing the tiles, the dealer shall count counterclockwise around the table, with the position of the bank considered number one and continuing around the table with each betting position, including the dealer, regardless of whether there is a wager at the position, and the Dead Hand counted in order until the count matches the total of the three dice.
(k) The dealer shall deal the first four tiles, in accordance with the selected style of delivery, to the starting position as determined in subsection (j) and, moving counterclockwise around the table, deal all other positions including the Dead Hand and the dealer, regardless of whether there is a wager at the position. The dealer shall place his wager or marker, as applicable, on top of his stack of tiles immediately after the tiles are dealt.
(l) After all the stacks of tiles have been dealt, the dealer shall, without exposing the tiles, collect any stacks dealt to a position where there is no wager and place the stacks with the Dead Hand on the layout to the left of the dealer in front of the table inventory container.
(m) Once all tiles have been dealt and any tiles dealt to positions with no wagers have been collected, the dealer shall place the cover on the Pai Gow shaker and shake the shaker once. The Pai Gow shaker shall then be placed to the right of the dealer.
(n) If the tiles dealt to the dealer have not been previously collected, after each player has set his two hands and placed them on the layout, the two hands of the dealer shall then be set. Once the dealer has formed a high and low hand, the dealer shall expose the hands of the bank and determine if the hands of the dealer are higher in rank than the hands of the bank. If the dealer wins, the tiles of the dealer shall be stacked face up to the right of the table inventory container with the amount wagered by the dealer against the bank placed on top. If the dealer's hand is a tie with the banker's hand, the dealer shall return the amount wagered by the dealer against the bank to the table inventory container. If the dealer loses, the amount wagered by the dealer against the bank shall be moved to the center of the layout.
(o) If banking is in effect, once the dealer has determined the outcome of the wager of the dealer against the bank, if any, the dealer shall expose the hands of each player starting with the player farthest to the right of the dealer and proceeding counterclockwise around the table. The dealer shall compare the high and low hand of each player to the high and low hand of the bank and announce if the wager shall win, lose or be considered a tie. Losing wagers shall be immediately collected and placed in the center of the table. After all hands have been exposed, all winning wagers, including the dealer's wager, shall be paid by the dealer with the value chips located in the center of the table. If this amount becomes exhausted before all winning wagers have been paid, the dealer shall collect from the bank an amount equal to the remaining winning wagers and place that amount in the center of the layout. The remaining winning wagers shall be paid from the amount in the center of the layout. If, after collecting all losing wagers and paying all winning wagers, there is a surplus in the center of the table, this amount shall be charged a 5% vigorish in accordance with § 621a.10 (relating to procedures for completion of each round of play; setting of hands; payment and collection of wagers; payout odds; vigorish). Once the vigorish has been paid, the remaining amount shall be given to the bank.
(p) Immediately after a winning wager of the dealer is paid, this amount and the original wager shall be returned to the table inventory container.
(q) Each player who has a winning wager against the bank shall pay a 5% vigorish on the amount won to the dealer, in accordance with § 621a.10.
(r) If co-banking is in effect, once the dealer has set the co-bank hand under subsection (e), the dealer shall expose the hands of each player starting with the player farthest to the right of the dealer and proceeding counterclockwise around the table. The dealer shall compare the high and low hand of each player to the high and low hand of the bank and announce if the wager shall win, lose or be considered a tie. Losing wagers shall be immediately collected and placed in the center of the table. After all hands have been exposed, all winning wagers shall be paid by the dealer with the value chips located in the center of the table. If this amount becomes exhausted before all winning wagers have been paid, the dealer shall collect from the co-bank an amount equal to 1/2 of the remaining winning wagers and place that amount in the center of the layout. The dealer shall remove an amount equal to 1/2 of the remaining winning wagers from the table inventory container and place that amount in the center of the layout. The remaining winning wagers shall be paid from the total amount in the center of the layout. If, after collecting all losing wagers and paying all winning wagers, there is a surplus in the center of the table, this amount will be counted and the dealer shall place 1/2 of this amount into the table inventory container. The dealer shall collect a 5% vigorish in accordance with § 621a.10 on the remaining amount and place the vigorish amount in the table inventory container. The remaining amount shall then be given to the co-bank.
§ 621a.12. Irregularities; invalid roll of the dice.
(a) If the dealer uncovers the Pai Gow shaker and all three dice have not landed flat on the bottom of the shaker, the dealer shall call a ''no roll'' and reshake the dice.
(b) If the dealer uncovers the Pai Gow 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 tiles to the wrong positions, all hands shall be void, all wagers shall be returned to the players and the dealer shall reshuffle the tiles.
(d) If the dealer exposes any of the tiles dealt to a player, the player shall have the option of voiding the hand. Without looking at his unexposed tiles, the player shall make the decision either to play out the hand or to void the hand. If the player elects to void his hand, any wagers placed by the player shall be returned to the player.
(e) If a tile dealt to the dealer, the Dead Hand or any position where there is no wager is exposed, all hands shall be void, all wagers shall be returned to the players and the tiles shall be reshuffled.
(f) If the dealer does not set his hands in the manner as specified in the certificate holder's Rules Submission under § 601a.2 (relating to table games Rules Submissions), the hands shall be reset in accordance with the Rules Submission and the round of play completed.
(Editor's Note: Chapter 601a will be adopted on or before the date of final adoption of this proposed rulemaking.)
§ 621a.13. A player wagering on more than one betting area.
(a) A certificate holder shall specify in its Rules Submission, required under § 601a.2 (relating to table games Rules Submissions), the number of adjacent boxes on which a player may place a wager in one round of play.
(Editor's Note: Chapter 601a will be adopted on or before the date of final adoption of this proposed rulemaking.)
(b) If a certificate holder permits a player to wager on adjacent betting areas, the tiles dealt to each betting area shall be played separately. If the two wagers are not equal, the player shall be required to 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 and set and placed face down on the layout, the hand may not be changed.
[Continued on next Web Page]
No part of the information on this site may be reproduced for profit or sold for profit.This material has been drawn directly from the official Pennsylvania Bulletin full text database. Due to the limitations of HTML or differences in display capabilities of different browsers, this version may differ slightly from the official printed version.
