RULES AND REGULATIONS
PENNSYLVANIA GAMING CONTROL BOARD
[ 58 PA. CODE CHS. 557, 559, 565, 569, 641a, 643a, 649a AND 653a ]
Table Game Rules for Four Card Poker, Let It Ride Poker, Three Card Poker and Ultimate Texas Hold 'Em Poker
[42 Pa.B. 4333]
[Saturday, July 7, 2012]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), rescinds Chapters 557, 559, 565 and 569 and adds Chapters 641a, 643a, 649a and 653a to read as set forth in Annex A.
Purpose of the Final-Form Rulemaking
Under 4 Pa.C.S. § 13A03 (relating to temporary table game regulations), the Board initially adopted temporary regulations in Chapters 557, 559, 565 and 569. With this final-form rulemaking, the Board is replacing the temporary regulations in Chapter 557 with the permanent regulations in Chapter 641a (relating to Four Card Poker), temporary regulations in Chapter 559 with the permanent regulations in Chapter 643a (relating to Let It Ride Poker), the temporary regulations in Chapter 565 with the permanent regulations in Chapter 649a (relating to Three Card Poker) and the temporary regulations in Chapter 569 with the permanent regulations in Chapter 653a (relating to Ultimate Texas Hold 'Em Poker).
Explanation of Chapter 641a
Chapter 641a contains the rules governing the play of Four Card Poker. Section 641a.1 (relating to definitions) contains the definitions of terms used throughout the chapter. In § 641a.2 (relating to Four Card Poker table physical characteristics), the physical characteristics of the table are specified.
The remaining sections address the following: the number of decks of cards used for play of the game; the opening of the Four Card Poker table for play; the shuffling of cards; the value and rank of the cards; permissible wagers; dealing procedures; the payout odds for all permissible wagers; and how irregularities in play are to be handled.
Explanation of Chapter 643a
Chapter 643a contains the rules governing the play of Let It Ride Poker. Section 643a.1 (relating to definitions) contains the definitions of terms used throughout the chapter. In § 643a.2 (relating to Let It Ride Poker table physical characteristics), the physical characteristics of the table are specified.
The remaining sections address the following: the number of decks of cards used for play of the game; the opening of the Let It Ride Poker table for play; the shuffling of cards; the value and rank of the cards; permissible wagers; dealing procedures; the payout odds for all permissible wagers; and how irregularities in play are to be handled.
Based on public comments received on the temporary regulations, pay tables for the various wagers were updated in this final-form rulemaking to provide additional options for the operators.
Explanation of Chapter 649a
Chapter 649a contains the rules governing the play of Three Card Poker. Section 649a.1 (relating to definitions) contains the definitions of terms used throughout the chapter. In § 649a.2 (relating to Three Card Poker table physical characteristics), the physical characteristics of the table are specified.
The remaining sections address the following: the number of decks of cards used for play of the game; the opening of the Three Card Poker table for play; the shuffling of cards; the value and rank of the cards; permissible wagers; dealing procedures; the payout odds for all permissible wagers; and how irregularities in play are to be handled.
Based on public comments received on the temporary regulations, pay tables for the various wagers were updated in this final-form rulemaking to provide additional options for the operators.
Explanation of Chapter 653a
Chapter 653a contains the rules governing the play of Ultimate Texas Hold 'Em Poker. Section 653a.1 (relating to definitions) contains the definitions of terms used throughout the chapter. In § 653a.2 (relating to Ultimate Texas Hold 'Em Poker table physical characteristics), the physical characteristics of the table are specified.
The remaining sections address the following: the number of decks of cards used for play of the game; the opening of the Ultimate Texas Hold 'Em Poker table for play; the shuffling of cards; the value and rank of the cards; permissible wagers; dealing procedures; the payout odds for all permissible wagers; and how irregularities in play are to be handled.
Based on public comments received on the temporary regulations, the dealing procedure in § 653a.10 (relating to procedures for dealing the cards from an automated dealing shoe) for dealing the cards from an automated dealing shoe has been updated to accommodate the use of an automated dealing shoe that automatically reshuffles the cards.
Comment and Response Summary
Notice of proposed rulemaking was published at 41 Pa.B. 3836 (July 16, 2011). During the comment period, the Board received comments from Mountainview Thoroughbred Racing Association (Hollywood). Additionally, on September 14, 2011, the Board received comments from the Independent Regulatory Review Commission (IRRC) on the proposed rulemaking.
General Comments
IRRC commented that several of the sections require operators to obtain approval of equipment and table game layouts from the Bureau of Gaming Operations (BGO) or the Bureau of Casino Compliance (BCC). The proposed rulemaking, however, did not specify how that approval was to be obtained. IRRC suggested adding the submission and approval process or a cross reference to where the process may be found.
In the final-form rulemaking, the Board amended the requirements to state that the operators submit information to the BGO for Executive Director approval. Additionally, throughout the final-form rulemaking, cross references to the submission and approval process in § 601a.10 (relating to approval of table game layouts, signage and equipment) were added.
House Edge
IRRC requested more information regarding the house edge for all four table games in this final-form rulemaking and asked that the Board compare it to other gaming jurisdictions.
The house edge for Four Card Poker in this Commonwealth from July to November 2011 was between 13.5% and 32.9%. The house edge for New Jersey for the same time period was between 10.4% and 50.4%.
For Three Card Poker in this Commonwealth, the house edge was between 18.69% and 42.8%. In New Jersey for the months between July and November 2011, the house edge was between 7.2% and 42.5%.
The house edge for Let It Ride Poker in this Commonwealth from July to November 2011 was between 3.32% and 42.58%. The house edge for New Jersey for the same time period was between 3.9% and 32.6%.
Only three facilities in this Commonwealth currently offer Ultimate Texas Hold 'Em Poker. The basic house edge for the game is approximately 2.19%. The house edge for New Jersey from July to November 2011 was between 0.08% and 37.2%.
Changing of Cards
Sections 641a.3(c)(2), 643a.3(c)(2), 649a.3(c)(2) and 653a.3(c)(2) require that cards utilized in the play of the game be changed every 8 hours. Hollywood requested that the requirement be changed to every 12 hours. IRRC inquired whether the integrity of gaming would be compromised if the Board adopted the suggested revision.
Unlike Blackjack, all four table games in this final-form rulemaking are played with only one deck of cards which are used in every round of play. Additionally, the dealers can manually shuffle the cards and the players are permitted to touch the cards to set their hands. The Board believes that it is necessary to remove the cards after 8 hours of play due to wear and tear and to inspect them for marks, scratches, shaving and other indicia of cheating.
Inspection of Cards
Sections 641a.4, 643a.4, 649a.4 and 653a.4 require operators to spread the cards for inspection for the first player arriving at the table. Hollywood believes this step is unnecessary and wastes time as players infrequently inspect cards. The Board believes that allowing players to inspect the cards to ensure that all cards are present protects the integrity of the game.
Hand Deal
Sections 641a.9(a)(1), 643a.9(a)(1), 649a.9(a)(1) and 653a.9(a)(1) require that if cards are being dealt from the hand that an automated shuffling device be used. Hollywood believes that the procedures for shuffling and cutting the cards are sufficient for gaming protection. IRRC inquired whether the Board considered allowing a manual shuffle of the cards as the flexibility could assist in instances when the automated shuffler becomes inoperable.
The Board does not agree with Hollywood. This is a game protection issue on games played against the house. If an automated shuffling device is used, dealers do not have an opportunity to conduct false shuffles or stack the deck by placing high value cards in a specific area in the deck. Dealing the cards from a shoe ensures that cards are being dealt from the top of the deck to each patron based on seat position and not from another part of the deck. The Board believes that removing both of those protections by allowing a dealer to both hand shuffle and hand deal creates an unnecessary risk of cheating.
Additionally, there are three different procedures in place for dealing the single deck of cards. If a dealer is dealing the cards from the hand and the shuffling device becomes inoperable, the dealer is not required to stop the games but can continue to deal provided that a dealing shoe is then used in accordance with § 641a.8, § 641a.10, § 643a.8, § 643a.10, § 649a.8, § 649a.10, § 653a.8 or § 653a.10.
Removal of Cards
Section 641a.11(d) (relating to procedures for completion of each round of play) states that after all wagers have been settled, the dealer shall remove all remaining cards from the table. Hollywood believes that leaving the cards on the table until all wagers are settled diminishes the integrity of the game. IRRC requested that the Board explain why the provision was necessary.
The language in this section is a catch all provision in the rulemakings regarding table games. Operators typically collect all cards after each player's winning wagers have been settled provided that the cards of a player who has won 100% of the progressive meter must remain on the layout until all paperwork is completed. Subsection (d) is intended to ensure that any cards that remain on the table be collected and placed in the discard rack and was not intended to require that all cards remain until every player's wagers have been settled. Language was added clarifying that after all wagers ''of the player'' have been settled, the cards shall be collected. The same language was added to in § 643a.11(g), 649a.11(d) and 653a.11(k) (relating to procedures for completion of each round of play).
Chapter 643a. Let It Ride Poker
Section 643a.11(a)(3) (relating to procedures for completion of each round of play) requires that cards be placed on the designated area of the layout. Hollywood requested that the Board allow operators to require that the cards be placed under Bet 3, making it more difficult for players to cheat by switching cards. The Board agrees and has allowed operators to specify in their Rules Submissions where the cards of the player shall be placed.
In subsections (c) and (e), which require that the community card be placed on top of the remaining cards then moved and turned over, Hollywood commented that the extra step was unnecessary and requested that the Board amend allowing the community cards to be dealt next to each other. The Board agrees and has amended this section accordingly.
Additional Revisions
Additional revisions were made throughout this final-form rulemaking for clarity and consistency with other chapters on table games.
Chapter 643a. Let It Ride Poker
In Chapter 643a, the Progressive Payout Wager was added as an optional side wager. The related definitions were added in § 643a.1, the table layout requirements were added in § 643a.2(b)(7) and (d) and the rankings for the Progressive Payout Wager were added in § 643a.6(d) (relating to Let It Ride Poker rankings). The payout odds and amounts were added in § 643a.12(d) (relating to payout odds; payout limitation).
Subsection (c) was amended so operators are no longer required to utilize a table game system for the placement of the Five Card Bonus Wager, which was previously referred to in the proposed rulemaking as the Let It Ride Bonus Wager.
In § 643a.12(b), table A was corrected and tables D, E and F were added. Tables A, B and C in subsection (c) were corrected.
Chapter 649a. Three Card Poker
The Super Royal payout was added to the Six Card Bonus Wager and is included in the hands eligible for a payout in § 649a.6(d) (relating to Three Card Poker rankings). Table E in § 649a.12(f) (relating to payout odds; Envy Bonus; rate of progression) reflects the Super Royal Payout. Additionally, table D was also added in subsection (f).
Chapter 653a. Ultimate Texas Hold 'Em Poker
A table B was added to § 653a.12(b) (relating to payout odds; Envy Bonus; rate of progression; payout limitation).
Affected Parties
Certificate holders that elect to offer the games of Four Card Poker, Let It Ride Poker, Three Card Poker or Ultimate Texas Hold 'Em Poker will be required to comply with the requirements in this final-form rulemaking. 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 final-form rulemaking. These reviews will be conducted by existing BGO and BCC staff. The Board does not project that it will incur significant cost increases as a result of this final-form rulemaking.
Political subdivisions. This final-form 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 final-form rulemaking will result in additional costs for certificate holders that elect to offer Four Card Poker, Let It Ride Poker, Three Card Poker or Ultimate Texas Hold 'Em Poker. Certificate holders will 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 final-form rulemaking will not have fiscal impact on the general public.
Paperwork Requirements
This final-form rulemaking will require 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's web site.
Effective Date
The 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 June 14, 2011, the Board submitted a copy of the proposed rulemaking, published at 41 Pa.B. 3836, and a copy of the Regulatory Analysis Form to IRRC and to the House Gaming Oversight Committee and the Senate Community, Economic and Recreational Development Committee (Committees) 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 Board 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 May 16, 2012, 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 May 17, 2012, 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.
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 deleting §§ 557.1—557.13, 559.1—559.15, 565.1—565.11, 565.11a, 565.11b, 565.12, 565.13 and 569.1—569.13 and by adding §§ 641a.1—641a.13, 643a.1—643a.13, 649a.1—649a.13 and 653a.1—653a.13 to read as set forth in Annex A.
(b) The Chairperson of the Board shall certify this order 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 42 Pa.B. 3182 (June 2, 2012).)
Fiscal Note: Fiscal Note 125-152 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 557. (Reserved)
Sec. 557.1—557.13. (Reserved).
CHAPTER 559. (Reserved)
Sec. 559.1—559.15. (Reserved).
CHAPTER 565. (Reserved)
Sec. 565.1—565.11. (Reserved). 565.11a. (Reserved). 565.11b. (Reserved) 565.12. (Reserved). 565.13. (Reserved).
CHAPTER 569. (Reserved)
Sec. 569.1—569.13. (Reserved).
CHAPTER 641a. FOUR CARD POKER Sec.
641a.1. Definitions. 641a.2. Four Card Poker table physical characteristics. 641a.3. Cards; number of decks. 641a.4. Opening of the table for gaming. 641a.5. Shuffle and cut of the cards. 641a.6. Four Card Poker rankings. 641a.7. Wagers. 641a.8. Procedures for dealing the cards from a manual dealing shoe. 641a.9. Procedures for dealing the cards from the hand. 641a.10. Procedures for dealing the cards from an automated dealing shoe. 641a.11. Procedures for completion of each round of play. 641a.12. Payout odds; Envy Bonus; rate of progression. 641a.13. Irregularities. § 641a.1. Definitions.
The following words and terms, when used in this chapter, have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
Aces Up Wager—The wager that a player is required to make prior to any cards being dealt to compete against a posted paytable, regardless of whether the player's hand outranks the dealer's hand.
Envy Bonus—An additional fixed sum payout made to a player who placed a Progressive Payout Wager when another player at the Four Card Poker table is the holder of an Envy Bonus Qualifying Hand.
Envy Bonus Qualifying Hand—A player's Four Card Poker hand with a rank of four-of-a-kind or better or a straight flush or better, as defined in § 641a.6(b) (relating to Four Card Poker rankings), depending on the paytable selected by the certificate holder.
Hand—The Four Card Poker hand that is held by each player and the dealer after the cards are dealt.
Play Wager—An additional wager that a player shall make if the player opts to remain in competition against the dealer after the player reviews his hand.
Progressive Payout Hand—A player's Four Card Poker hand with a rank of three-of-a-kind or better as defined in § 641a.6(b).
§ 641a.2. Four Card Poker table physical characteristics.
(a) Four Card Poker shall be played at a table having betting positions for no more than seven 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 Four Card 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) Three separate betting areas designated for the placement of Ante, Play and Aces Up Wagers for each player.
(3) If the certificate holder offers the optional Progressive Payout Wager authorized under § 641a.7(d)(4) (relating to wagers), a separate area designated for the placement of the Progressive Payout Wager for each player.
(4) Inscriptions that advise patrons of the payout odds or amounts for all permissible wagers offered by the certificate holder. If 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 Four Card Poker table.
(c) If a certificate holder offers a Progressive Payout Wager in accordance with § 641a.7(d)(4), the Four Card Poker table must have a progressive table game system, in accordance with § 605a.7 (relating to progressive table game systems), for the placement of Progressive Payout Wagers. The progressive table game system must include:
(1) A wagering device at each betting position that acknowledges or accepts the placement of the Progressive Payout Wager.
(2) A device that controls or monitors the placement of Progressive Payout Wagers at the gaming table, including a mechanism, such as a lock-out button, that prevents the recognition of any Progressive Payout Wager that a player attempts to place after the dealer has announced ''no more bets.''
(d) Each Four Card 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, 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 Four Card Poker table must have a discard rack securely attached to the top of the dealer's side of the table.
§ 641a.3. Cards; number of decks.
(a) Except as provided in subsection (b), Four Card Poker 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, Four Card 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 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 are 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 are placed in the discard rack at any given time.
(c) The decks of cards used in Four Card 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.
§ 641a.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 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 § 641a.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.
§ 641a.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 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 automated shuffling 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 § 641a.8, § 641a.9 or § 641a.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 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 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.
(f) If there is no gaming activity at a Four Card 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 § 641a.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 (d)—(f) do not apply.
§ 641a.6. Four Card Poker rankings.
(a) The rank of the cards used in Four Card Poker, in order of highest to lowest rank, 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 with a 2, 3 and 4 but may not be combined with any other sequence of cards (for example: king, ace, 2 and 3). All suits shall be equal in rank.
(b) The permissible Poker hands in the game of Four Card Poker, in order of highest to lowest rank, shall be:
(1) A four-of-a-kind, which is a hand consisting of four cards of the same rank, with four aces being the highest ranking four-of-a-kind and four 2s being the lowest ranking four-of-a-kind.
(2) A straight flush, which is a hand consisting of four cards of the same suit in consecutive ranking, with an ace, king, queen and jack being the highest ranking straight flush and an ace, 2, 3 and 4 being the lowest ranking straight flush.
(3) A three-of-a-kind, which is a hand consisting of 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.
(4) A flush, which is a hand consisting of four cards of the same suit, regardless of rank.
(5) A straight, which is a hand consisting of four cards of more than one suit and of consecutive rank, with ace, king, queen and jack being the highest ranking straight and an ace, 2, 3 and 4 being the lowest ranking straight.
(6) Two pairs, which is a hand consisting of two pairs with two aces and two kings being the highest ranking two pair and two 3s and two 2s being the lowest ranking two pair.
(7) A pair, which is a 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 Poker hands that are of identical rank under subsection (b), or that contain none of the hands listed in subsection (b), the hand that contains the highest ranking card under subsection (a), which is not contained in the other hand, shall be considered the higher ranking hand. If the hands are of equal rank after the application of this section, the hands shall be considered a tie.
§ 641a.7. Wagers.
(a) Wagers at Four Card Poker shall be made by placing value chips, plaques or other Board-approved table game wagering instruments on the appropriate areas of the table layout. Verbal wagers accompanied by cash may not be accepted.
(b) Only players who are seated at a Four Card 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 play, any wagers made by the player may be considered abandoned and may be treated as losing wagers.
(c) All wagers, except the Play Wager, shall be placed prior to the dealer announcing ''no more bets'' in accordance with the dealing procedures in § 641a.8, § 641a.9 or § 641a.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). Except as provided in § 641a.11(b) (relating to procedures for completion of each round of play), a wager may not be made, increased or withdrawn after the dealer has announced ''no more bets.''
(d) The following wagers may be placed in the game of Four Card Poker:
(1) A player may compete solely against the dealer's Four Card Poker hand by placing an Ante Wager then a Play Wager, in accordance with § 641a.11(b), in an amount from one to three times the amount of the player's Ante Wager.
(2) A player may compete solely against a posted paytable by placing an Aces Up Wager.
(3) A player may compete against both the dealer's Four Card Poker hand and the posted paytable by placing an Ante Wager and an Aces Up Wager in accordance with paragraphs (1) and (2).
(4) A certificate holder may, if specified in its Rules Submission under § 601a.2 (relating to table games Rules Submissions), offer to each player at a Four Card Poker table the option to make an additional Progressive Payout Wager that the player will receive a Progressive Payout Hand. After placing an Ante Wager or an Aces Up Wager, or both, a player may make the additional Progressive Payout Wager by placing a value chip onto the progressive wagering device designated for that player. Each player shall be responsible for verifying that the player's respective Progressive Payout Wager has been accepted.
(e) A certificate holder shall specify in its Rules Submission under § 601a.2 the number of adjacent boxes on which a player may place a wager in one round of play.
§ 641a.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 § 641a.5 (relating to shuffle and cut of the cards) have been completed, the stacked deck of cards shall be placed in the dealing shoe by the dealer or by an automated card shuffling device.
(b) Prior to dealing any cards, the dealer shall announce ''no more bets'' and, if the Progressive Payout Wager is being offered, use the progressive table game system to prevent the placement of any additional Progressive Payout Wagers. If any Progressive Payout Wagers have been made, the dealer shall collect the wagers and, on the layout in front of the table inventory container, verify that the number of value chips wagered equals the number of Progressive Payout Wagers accepted by the progressive table game system. The dealer shall then place the value chips into the table inventory container.
(c) 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.
(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 has placed a wager in accordance with § 641a.7 (relating to wagers) and to the dealer until each player who placed a wager has five cards and the dealer has six cards. All cards dealt to the players and the first five cards dealt to the dealer shall be dealt face down. The dealer's sixth card shall be dealt face up. The dealer's fifth and sixth cards shall be dealt consecutively.
(e) After five cards have been dealt to each player and six cards to 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 has more or less than 5 cards or the dealer has more or less than 6 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.
§ 641a.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 § 641a.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'' and, if the Progressive Payout Wager is being offered, use the progressive table game system to prevent the placement of any additional Progressive Payout Wagers. If any Progressive Payout Wagers have been made, the dealer shall collect the wagers and, on the layout in front of the table inventory container, verify that the number of value chips wagered equals the number of Progressive Payout Wagers accepted by the progressive table game system. The dealer shall then place the value chips into the table inventory container.
(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 has placed a wager in accordance with § 641a.7 (relating to wagers) and to the dealer until each player who placed a wager has five cards and the dealer has six cards. All cards dealt to the players and the first five cards dealt to the dealer shall be dealt face down. The sixth card dealt to the dealer shall be dealt face up. The dealer's fifth and sixth cards shall be dealt consecutively.
(c) After five cards have been dealt to each player and six cards have been dealt to the dealer, the dealer shall, 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 has more or less than 5 cards or the dealer has more or less than 6 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.
§ 641a.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 § 641a.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'' and, if the Progressive Payout Wager is being offered, use the progressive table game system to prevent the placement of any additional Progressive Payout Wagers. If any Progressive Payout Wagers have been made, the dealer shall collect the wagers and, on the layout in front of the table inventory container, verify that the number of value chips wagered equals the number of Progressive Payout Wagers accepted by the progressive table game system. The dealer shall then place the value chips into the table inventory container.
(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 a wager in accordance with § 641a.7 (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 a wager in accordance with § 641a.7. The dealer shall then deliver a stack of five cards face down to the area designated for the placement of the dealer's cards. When the automated dealing shoe dispenses the next sequence of five cards, the dealer shall remove the stack and spread the cards face down on the layout so that the top card of the stack is to the dealer's right and the bottom card is to the dealer's left. The dealer shall turn the bottom card of the stack (the card on the dealer's far left) face up on the dealer's hand. The dealer shall collect the remaining four cards of that stack and place the cards in the discard rack without revealing the 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 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 has more or less than 5 cards or the dealer has more or less than 6 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.
(g) Notwithstanding the requirements in subsections (b) and (c), if a certificate holder is utilizing an automated dealing shoe that automatically reshuffles the cards, the dealer's six cards may be dispensed before the five cards are dispensed to each player.
§ 641a.11. Procedures for completion of each round of play.
(a) After the dealing procedures required under § 641a.8, § 641a.9 or § 641a.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 Four Card Poker shall be responsible for his own hand and no person other than the dealer and the player to whom the cards were dealt may touch the cards of that player.
(2) Each player shall keep his five cards in full view of the dealer at all times.
(b) After each player has examined his cards and placed the cards face down on the layout, 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 make a Play Wager in an amount from one to three times the amount of the player's Ante Wager or forfeit the Ante Wager and end his participation in the round of play. If a player:
(1) Has placed an Ante Wager and an Aces Up Wager but does not make a Play Wager, the player shall forfeit the Ante Wager but may not forfeit the Aces Up Wager.
(2) Has placed an Ante Wager and a Progressive Payout Wager but does not make a Play Wager, the player shall forfeit both the Ante Wager and the Progressive Payout Wager but may not forfeit the eligibility to receive an Envy Bonus under § 641a.12(d) (relating to payout odds; Envy Bonus; rate of progression).
(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 Ante Wager and hand, the dealer shall collect all forfeited wagers and associated cards and place the cards in the discard rack. The dealer shall then reveal the dealer's cards and select the four cards that form the highest possible ranking Four Card Poker hand. After the dealer's cards are turned face up, the dealer shall, beginning with the player farthest to the dealer's right and continuing around the table in a counterclockwise direction, complete the following applicable procedures in succession for each player:
(1) The dealer shall turn the five cards of each player face up on the layout.
(2) The dealer shall examine the cards of the player and select the four cards that form the highest possible ranking Poker hand for each player.
(3) If a player's highest ranking Four Card Poker hand is ranked:
(i) Lower than the dealer's Four Card Poker hand, the dealer shall immediately collect the Ante and Play Wagers made by the player.
(ii) Higher than or equal to the dealer's Four Card Poker hand, the dealer shall pay the Ante and Play Wagers and any Ante Bonus in accordance with the payout odds in § 641a.12(a) and (b).
(4) After settling a player's Ante and Play Wagers, the dealer shall settle any Aces Up Wagers by determining whether the player's Four Card Poker hand qualifies for a payout in accordance with § 641a.12(c). A winning Aces Up Wager shall be paid irrespective of whether the player's Four Card Poker hand outranks the dealer's hand.
(5) The dealer shall then settle the player's Progressive Payout Wager, if offered by the certificate holder. A winning Progressive Payout Wager shall be paid irrespective of whether the player's hand outranks the dealer's hand. If a player has won a progressive payout, the dealer shall:
(i) Verify that the hand is a winning hand.
(ii) Verify that the appropriate light on the progressive table game system has been illuminated.
(iii) Have a floorperson or above validate the progressive payout in accordance with the certificate holder's approved internal control procedures.
(iv) Pay the winning Progressive Payout Wager in accordance with the payout odds in § 641a.12(d). 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 that player must remain on the table until the necessary documentation has been completed.
(v) Pay any Envy Bonus won in accordance with § 641a.12(d). A player making a Progressive Payout Wager shall receive an Envy Bonus when another player at the same Four Card Poker table is the holder of an Envy Bonus Qualifying Hand. Players are entitled to multiple Envy Bonuses if more than one other player is the holder of an Envy Bonus Qualifying Hand. A player is not entitled to an Envy Bonus for his own hand or the hand of the dealer.
(d) After all wagers of the player 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.
§ 641a.12. Payout odds; Envy Bonus; rate of progression.
(a) A certificate holder shall pay each winning Ante Wager and Play Wager at odds of 1 to 1.
(b) A player placing an Ante Wager and a Play Wager shall be paid a bonus on the Ante Wager, at the odds in the following paytable, regardless of whether the player's Four Card Poker hand outranks the dealer's hand:
Hand Paytable Four-of-a-kind 25 to 1 Straight flush 20 to 1 Three-of-a-kind 2 to 1 (c) A player placing an Aces Up Wager shall be paid 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 Four-of-a-kind 50 to 1 50 to 1 50 to 1 Straight flush 30 to 1 30 to 1 40 to 1 Three-of-a-kind 9 to 1 7 to 1 8 to 1 Flush 6 to 1 6 to 1 5 to 1 Straight 4 to 1 5 to 1 4 to 1 Two pair 2 to 1 2 to 1 3 to 1 Pair of aces 1 to 1 1 to 1 1 to 1
Hand Paytable D Paytable E Paytable F Four-of-a-kind 50 to 1 50 to 1 50 to 1 Straight flush 40 to 1 30 to 1 40 to 1 Three-of-a-kind 8 to 1 8 to 1 7 to 1 Flush 6 to 1 6 to 1 5 to 1 Straight 4 to 1 4 to 1 4 to 1 Two pair 2 to 1 2 to 1 3 to 1 Pair of aces 1 to 1 1 to 1 1 to 1 (d) If a certificate holder offers a Progressive Payout Wager:
(1) A player placing a Progressive Payout Wager shall be paid 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 Four aces 100% of meter 100% of meter Four-of-a-kind 300 for 1 300 for 1 Straight flush 100 for 1 100 for 1 Three-of-a-kind 9 for 1 15 for 1 (2) A player shall receive the payout for only the highest ranking Four Card Poker hand formed.
(3) The rate of progression for the meter used for the progressive payout in paragraph (1) must be in the certificate holder's Rules Submission filed in accordance with § 601a.2. The initial and reset amount must also be in the certificate holder's Rules Submission and be at least $5,000 for paytable A and $1,000 for paytable B.
(4) Winning Progressive Payout Hands shall be paid the amount on the meter when it is the player's turn to be paid in accordance with § 641a.11(c)(5) (relating to procedures for completion of each round of play).
(5) Envy Bonus payouts shall be made according to one of the following payouts, selected by the certificate holder in its Rules Submission filed in accordance with § 601a.2, for Envy Bonus Qualifying Hands based upon the amount of the Progressive Payout Wager placed by the player receiving the Envy Bonus:
$1 Progressive Payout Wager
Hand Paytable A
Envy BonusPaytable B
Envy BonusFour aces $100 $100 Four-of-a-kind $10 $25 Straight flush $5 N/A $5 Progressive Payout Wager
Hand Paytable A
Envy BonusPaytable B
Envy BonusFour aces $500 $500 Four-of-a-kind $50 $125 Straight Flush $25 N/A § 641a.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 a 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 one or more of the dealer's cards is inadvertently exposed prior to the dealer revealing his cards in accordance with § 641a.11(c) (relating to procedures for completion of each round of play), all hands shall be void, all wagers shall be returned to the players and the cards shall be reshuffled.
(e) 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.
(f) 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.
(g) 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 643a. LET IT RIDE POKER Sec.
643a.1. Definitions. 643a.2. Let It Ride Poker table physical characteristics. 643a.3. Cards; number of decks. 643a.4. Opening of the table for gaming. 643a.5. Shuffle and cut of the cards. 643a.6. Let It Ride Poker rankings. 643a.7. Wagers. 643a.8. Procedure for dealing the cards from a manual dealing shoe. 643a.9. Procedure for dealing the cards from the hand. 643a.10. Procedure for dealing the cards from an automated dealing shoe. 643a.11. Procedures for completion of each round of play. 643a.12. Payout odds; payout limitation. 643a.13. Irregularities. § 643a.1. Definitions.
The following words and terms, when used in this chapter, have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
Community card—A card which is used by all players to form a five-card Poker hand.
Envy Bonus—An additional fixed sum payout made to a player who placed a Progressive Wager when another player at the Let It Ride Poker table is the holder of an Envy Bonus Qualifying Hand.
Envy Bonus Qualifying Hand—A mini-royal, as defined in § 643a.6(d) (relating to Let It Ride Poker rankings), formed using the three cards dealt to a player.
Hand—The five-card Poker hand formed for each player by combining the three cards dealt to the player and the two community cards.
Let It Ride—When a player does not withdraw a wager as permitted under § 643a.11(b) and (d) (relating to procedures for completion of each round of play).
Progressive Payout Hand—A player's three cards with a rank of a three-of-a-kind or better or a straight or better, as defined in § 643a.6(d), depending on the paytable selected by the certificate holder.
§ 643a.2. Let It Ride Poker table physical characteristics.
(a) Let It Ride Poker shall be played at a table having betting positions for no more than seven 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 Let It Ride Poker table shall be submitted to the Bureau of Gaming Operations 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) Three separate betting areas designated for the placement of the Let It Ride Poker Wagers required under § 643a.7(d) (relating to wagers) for each player.
(3) Separate areas designated for the placement of the cards of each player.
(4) A separate area designated for the placement of the community cards located directly in front of the table inventory container.
(5) If the certificate holder offers the optional Five Card Bonus Wager authorized under § 643a.7(e), a separate area designed for the placement of the Five Card Bonus Wager for each player.
(6) If a certificate holder offers the optional Three Card Bonus Wager authorized under § 643a.7(f), a separate area designated for the placement of the Three Card Bonus Wager for each player.
(7) If the certificate holder offers the optional Progressive Payout Wager authorized under § 643a.7(g), a separate area designated for the placement of the Progressive Payout Wager for each player.
(8) Inscriptions that advise patrons of the payout odds or amounts for all permissible wagers offered by the certificate holder. If 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 Let It Ride Poker table.
(9) An inscription indicating the payout limit per hand established by the certificate holder under § 643a.12(e) (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 Let It Ride Poker table.
(c) If a certificate holder offers the Five Card Bonus Wager in accordance with § 643a.7(e), the certificate holder may utilize a table game system, approved by the Bureau of Gaming Laboratory Operations in accordance with § 461a.4 (relating to submission for testing and approval), which includes:
(1) A wagering device at each betting position that acknowledges or accepts the placement of the Five Card Bonus Wager.
(2) A device that controls or monitors the placement of Five Card Bonus Wagers at the gaming table, including a mechanism, such as a lock-out button, that prevents the recognition of any Five Card Bonus Wager that a player attempts to place after the dealer has announced ''no more bets.''
(d) If a certificate holder offers the Progressive Payout Wager in accordance with § 643a.7(g), the Let It Ride Poker table must have a progressive table game system, in accordance with § 605a.7 (relating to progressive table game systems), for the placement of Progressive Payout Wagers. The progressive table game system must include:
(1) A wagering device at each betting position that acknowledges or accepts the placement of the Progressive Payout Wager.
(2) A device that controls or monitors the placement of Progressive Payout Wagers at the gaming table including a mechanism, such as a lock-out button, that prevents the recognition of any Progressive Payout Wager that a player attempts to place after the dealer has announced ''no more bets.''
(e) Each Let It Ride Poker 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.
(f) Each Let It Ride Poker table must have a discard rack securely attached to the top of the dealer's side of the table.
§ 643a.3. Cards; number of decks.
(a) Except as provided in subsection (b), Let It Ride Poker 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, Let It Ride 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 Let It 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.
§ 643a.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 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 § 643a.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.
§ 643a.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 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 automated shuffling 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 § 643a.8, § 643a.9 or § 643a.10 (relating to procedure for dealing the cards from a manual dealing shoe; procedure for dealing the cards from the hand; and procedure 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 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 Let It Ride 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 § 643a.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 (d)—(f) do not apply.
§ 643a.6. Let It Ride Poker rankings.
(a) The rank of the cards used in Let It Ride Poker, in order of highest to lowest rank, 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 straight 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, 3). All suits shall be equal in rank.
(b) The permissible Poker hands at the game of Let It Ride Poker, in order of highest to lowest rank, shall 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, with king, queen, jack, 10 and 9 being the highest ranking straight flush and ace, 2, 3, 4 and 5 being the lowest straight flush.
(3) A four-of-a-kind, which is a hand consisting of four cards of the same rank, with four aces being the highest ranking four-of-a-kind and four 2s being the lowest ranking four-of-a-kind.
(4) A full house, which is a hand consisting of three-of-a-kind and a pair, with three aces and two kings being the highest ranking full house and three 2s and two 3s being the lowest ranking full house.
(5) A flush, which is a hand consisting of five cards of the same suit, not in consecutive order, with ace, king, queen, jack and 9 being the highest ranking flush and 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7 being the lowest ranking flush.
(6) A straight, which is a hand consisting of five cards of consecutive rank, with an ace, king, queen, jack and 10 being the highest ranking straight and an ace, 2, 3, 4 and 5 being the lowest ranking straight.
(7) A three-of-a-kind, which is a hand consisting of 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 pairs, which is a hand consisting of two pairs, with two aces and two kings being the highest ranking two pair and two 3s and two 2s being the lowest ranking two pair.
(9) A pair, which is a hand containing two cards of the same rank, with two aces being the highest ranking pair and two 2s being the lowest ranking pair.
(c) If the certificate holder offers the optional Three Card Bonus Wager under § 643a.7(f) (relating to wagers), the hands eligible for a payout shall be:
(1) A mini-royal, which is a straight flush of an ace, king and queen.
(2) A straight flush, which is a hand consisting of three cards of the same suit in consecutive ranking.
(3) A three-of-a-kind, which is a hand consisting of three cards of the same rank.
(4) A straight, which is a hand consisting of three cards of consecutive rank, including an ace, 2 and 3.
(5) A flush, which is a hand consisting of three cards of the same suit, not in consecutive order.
(6) A pair, which is a hand consisting of two cards of the same rank.
(d) If the certificate holder offers the Progressive Payout Wager under § 643a.7(g), the following hands eligible for a payout are:
(1) A mini-royal, which is a hand consisting of an ace, king and queen of the same suit.
(2) A straight flush, which is a hand, other than a mini-royal, consisting of three cards of the same suit in consecutive rank.
(3) A three-of-a-kind, which is a hand consisting of three cards of the same rank.
(4) A straight, which is a hand consisting of three cards of consecutive rank, including an ace, 2 and 3.
§ 643a.7. Wagers.
(a) Wagers at Let It Ride Poker shall be made by placing value chips, plaques or other Board-approved table game wagering instruments on the appropriate areas of the table layout. Verbal wagers accompanied by cash may not be accepted.
(b) Only players who are seated at a Let It Ride 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 play, any wagers made by the player may be considered abandoned and may be treated as losing wagers.
(c) All wagers at Let It Ride Poker shall be placed prior to the dealer announcing ''no more bets'' in accordance with the dealing procedures in § 643a.8, § 643a.9 or § 643a.10 (relating to procedure for dealing the cards from a manual dealing shoe; procedure for dealing the cards from the hand; and procedure for dealing the cards from an automated dealing shoe). Except as provided in § 643a.11(b) and (d) (relating to procedures for completion of each round of play), 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, a player shall place three equal but separate Let It Ride Poker Wagers designated as Bet Number 1, Bet Number 2 and Bet Number 3. Bet Number 1 and Bet Number 2 may subsequently be removed by the player in accordance with § 643a.11(b) and (d).
(e) A certificate holder may, if specified in its Rules Submission under § 601a.2 (relating to table games Rules Submissions), offer to each player at a Let It Ride Poker table the option to make an additional Five Card Bonus Wager that the player will have a five-card Poker hand with a rank of a pair of tens or better, two pair or better or three-of-a-kind or better, depending on the paytable selected by the certificate holder in its Rules Submission under § 601a.2. After placing the three wagers required under subsection (d), a player may make an additional Five Card Bonus Wager by placing a value chip onto the designated betting area for that player. If the certificate holder is utilizing a table game system, each player shall be responsible for verifying that the player's respective Five Card Bonus Wager has been accepted.
(f) A certificate holder may, if specified in its Rules Submission under § 601a.2, offer to each player at a Let It Ride Poker table the option to make an additional Three Card Bonus Wager that the three cards dealt to the player will have a rank of a pair or better. After placing the three wagers required under subsection (d), a player may make an additional Three Card Bonus Wager by placing a value chip on the designated betting area prior to the dealer announcing ''no more bets.''
(g) A certificate holder may, if specified in its Rules Submission under § 601a.2, offer to each player the option to make an additional Progressive Payout Wager that the player will receive a Progressive Payout Hand. After placing the Let It Ride Poker Wagers, a player may make an additional Progressive Payout Wager by placing a value chip into the progressive wagering device designated for that player. Each player shall be responsible for verifying that the player's respective Progressive Payout Wager has been accepted.
(h) A Five Card Bonus Wager, Three Card Bonus Wager and Progressive Payout Wager do not have a bearing on any other wagers made by the player.
(i) A certificate holder shall specify in its Rules Submission under § 601a.2 the number of adjacent boxes on which a player may place a wager in one round of play.
§ 643a.8. Procedure 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 § 643a.5 (relating to shuffle and cut of the cards) have been completed, the stacked deck of cards shall be placed in the dealing shoe by the dealer or by an automated card shuffling device.
(b) Prior to dealing any cards, the dealer shall announce ''no more bets'' and:
(1) If the Five Card Bonus Wager is being offered utilizing a table game system, use the table game system to prevent the placement of any additional Five Card Bonus Wager. If any Five Card Bonus Wagers have been made, the dealer shall collect the wagers and, on the layout in front of the table inventory container, verify that the number of value chips wagered equals the number of Five Card Bonus Wagers accepted by the table game system. The dealer shall then place the value chips into the table inventory container.
(2) If the Progressive Payout Wager is being offered, use the progressive table game system to prevent the placement of any additional Progressive Payout Wagers. The dealer shall then collect any Progressive Payout Wagers and, on the layout in front of the table inventory container, verify that the number of value chips wagered equals the number of Progressive Payout Wagers accepted by the progressive table game system. The dealer shall then place the value chips into the table inventory container.
(c) 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.
(d) The dealer shall, starting with the player farthest to the dealer's left and continuing around the table in a clockwise manner, deal the cards as follows:
(1) One card face down to each player who has placed the three required Let It Ride Poker Wagers in accordance with § 643a.7(d) (relating to wagers).
(2) One card face down to the area designated for the placement of the community cards.
(3) A second card face down to each player who has placed the three required Let It Ride Poker Wagers in accordance with § 643a.7(d).
(4) A second card face down to the area designated for the placement of the community cards, which card shall be placed to the right of the first card dealt to this area.
(5) A third card face down to each player who has placed the three required Let It Ride Poker Wagers in accordance with § 643a.7(d).
(e) After three cards have been dealt to each player and two cards have been dealt to the area designated for the placement of the community cards, 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 has more or less than 3 cards or the area designed for the placement of the community cards has more or less than 2 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.
§ 643a.9. Procedure 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 § 643a.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 he will 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'' and:
(i) If the Five Card Bonus Wager is being offered utilizing a table game system, use the table game system to prevent the placement of any additional Five Card Bonus Wagers. If any Five Card Bonus Wagers have been made, the dealer shall collect the wagers and, on the layout in front of the table inventory container, verify that the number of value chips wagered equals the number of Five Card Bonus Wagers accepted by the table game system. The dealer shall then place the value chips into the table inventory container.
(ii) If the Progressive Payout Wager is being offered, use the progressive table game system to prevent the placement of any additional Progressive Payout Wagers. The dealer shall then collect any Progressive Payout Wagers and, on the layout in front of the table inventory container, verify that the number of value chips wagered equals the number of Progressive Payout Wagers accepted by the progressive table game system. The dealer shall then place the value chips into the table inventory container.
(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 the cards as follows:
(1) One card face down to each player who placed the three required Let It Ride Poker Wagers in accordance with § 643a.7(d) (relating to wagers).
(2) One card face down to the area designated for the placement of the community cards.
(3) A second card face down to each player who placed the three required Let It Ride Poker Wagers in accordance with § 643a.7(d).
(4) A second card face down to the area designated for the placement of the community cards, which card shall be placed to the right of the first card dealt to this area.
(5) A third card face down to each player who placed the three required Let It Ride Poker Wagers in accordance with § 643a.7(d).
(c) After three cards have been dealt to each player and two cards have been dealt to the area designated for the placement of the community cards, the dealer shall, 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 has more or less than 3 cards or the area designed for the placement of the community cards has more or less than 2 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.
§ 643a.10. Procedure 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 § 643a.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'' and:
(i) If the Five Card Bonus Wager is being offered utilizing a table game system, use the table game system to prevent the placement of any additional Five Card Bonus Wagers. If any Five Card Bonus Wagers have been made, the dealer shall collect the wagers and, on the layout in front of the table inventory container, verify that the number of value chips wagered equals the number of Five Card Bonus Wagers accepted by the table game system. The dealer shall then place the value chips into the table inventory container.
(ii) If the Progressive Payout Wager is being offered, use the progressive table game system to prevent the placement of any additional Progressive Payout Wagers. The dealer shall then collect any Progressive Payout Wagers and, on the layout in front of the table inventory container, verify that the number of value chips wagered equals the number of Progressive Payout Wagers accepted by the progressive table game system. The dealer shall then place the value chips into the table inventory container.
(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 the three required Let It Ride Poker Wagers in accordance with § 643a.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 the three required wagers in accordance with § 643a.7(d). The dealer shall then deliver a stack of three cards face down to the area designated for the placement of the community cards and spread the stack within the designated area so that the top card is to the dealer's right and the bottom card is to the dealer's left. The dealer shall then remove the community card that is to his left and place that card in the discard rack without exposing the card.
(c) After each stack of three 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 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 has more or less than 3 cards or the area designed for the placement of the community cards has more or less than 2 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.
(g) Notwithstanding the requirements in subsections (b) and (c), if a certificate holder is utilizing an automated dealing shoe that automatically reshuffles the cards, the two community cards may be dispensed before the three cards are dispensed to each player.
§ 643a.11. Procedures for completion of each round of play.
(a) After the dealing procedures required under § 643a.8, § 643a.9 or § 643a.10 (relating to procedure for dealing the cards from a manual dealing shoe; procedure for dealing the cards from the hand; and procedure 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 Let It Ride Poker shall be responsible for his own hand and no person other than the dealer and the player to whom the cards were dealt may touch the cards of that player.
(2) Each player shall keep his three cards in full view of the dealer at all times.
(3) After each player has made a decision regarding Bet Number 2 as required under subsection (d), the player's cards shall be placed face down on the appropriate area of the layout as specified by the certificate holder in its Rules Submission filed in accordance with § 601a.2 (relating to table game Rules Submissions). 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 if he wishes to withdraw Bet Number 1 or Let It Ride. If a player:
(1) Chooses to let Bet Number 1 ride, that bet must remain on the designated betting area of the layout until the end of the round of play.
(2) Chooses to withdraw Bet Number 1, the dealer shall move the value chips on the betting area designated for Bet Number 1 toward the player who shall then immediately remove the value chips from the betting area.
(c) After each player has made a decision regarding Bet Number 1, the dealer shall then turn the community card that is to the dealer's left face up and place it to the right of the remaining community card. The exposed card shall become the first community card.
(d) After the first community card is exposed, the dealer shall, beginning with the player farthest to the dealer's left and moving clockwise around the table, ask each player if he wishes to withdraw Bet Number 2 or Let It Ride. This decision shall be made by each player regardless of the decision made concerning Bet Number 1. If a player:
(1) Chooses to let Bet Number 2 ride, that bet must remain on the designated betting area of the layout until the end of the round of play.
(2) Chooses to withdraw Bet Number 2, the dealer shall move the value chips on the betting area designated for Bet Number 2 toward the player who shall then immediately remove the value chips from the betting area.
(e) The dealer shall then turn the second community card face up on the table.
(f) After the second community card is turned face up, the dealer shall, beginning with the player farthest to the dealer's right and continuing around the table in a counterclockwise direction, complete the following applicable procedures in succession for each player:
(1) The dealer shall turn the three cards of the player face up on the layout. The two community cards and the three cards dealt to the player shall form the five-card Poker hand of that player.
(2) The dealer shall examine the cards of the player and form the highest ranking five-card Poker hand for each player.
(3) The dealer shall first settle all Let It Ride Poker Wagers of that player by collecting losing wagers and paying winning wagers in accordance with § 643a.12(a) (relating to payout odds; payout limitation). After settling the player's Let It Ride Poker Wagers, the dealer shall settle any Five Card Bonus Wagers, Three Card Bonus Wagers or Progressive Payout Wagers as follows:
(i) If a player placed a Five Card Bonus Wager and the two community cards and the three cards dealt to the player form a five-card Poker hand of two pair or better, or if included in the paytable selected by the certificate holder, a pair of tens, jacks, queens, kings or aces or better, the dealer shall pay the winning Five Card Bonus Wager in accordance with § 643a.12(b).
(ii) If a player placed a Three Card Bonus Wager and the three cards dealt to the player form a three-card Poker hand of a pair or better as defined in § 643a.6(c) (relating to Let It Ride Poker rankings), the dealer shall pay the winning Three Card Bonus Wager in accordance with § 643a.12(c).
(iii) If a player placed a Progressive Payout Wager and the three cards dealt to the player form a three-of-a-kind or better, as defined in § 643a.6(c), or a straight or better, depending on the paytable selected by the certificate holder, the dealer shall:
(A) Verify that the hand is a winning hand.
(B) Verify that the appropriate light on the progressive table game system has been illuminated.
(C) Have a floorperson or above validate the progressive payout in accordance with the certificate holder's approved internal control procedures.
(D) Pay the winning Progressive Payout Wager in accordance with the payout odds in § 643a.12(d)(1). 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 that player must remain on the table until the necessary documentation has been completed.
(E) Pay any Envy Bonus won in accordance with § 643a.12(d)(5). Players making a Progressive Payout Wager shall receive an Envy Bonus when another player at the same Let It Ride Poker table is the holder of an Envy Bonus Qualifying Hand. Players are entitled to multiple Envy Bonuses if more than one player is the holder of an Envy Bonus Qualifying Hand. A player is not entitled to an Envy Bonus for his own hand.
(g) After all wagers of the player 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.
§ 643a.12. Payout odds; payout limitation.
(a) Subject to the payout limitation in subsection (d), a certificate holder shall pay out winning Let It Ride Poker 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 Royal flush 1,000 to 1 500 to 1 Straight flush 200 to 1 200 to 1 Four-of-a-kind 50 to 1 50 to 1 Full house 11 to 1 11 to 1 Flush 8 to 1 8 to 1 Straight 5 to 1 5 to 1 Three-of-a-kind 3 to 1 3 to 1 Two pair 2 to 1 2 to 1 Pair of tens, jack queens, kings or aces 1 to 1 1 to 1 (b) If a certificate holder offers the Five Card Bonus Wager, the certificate holder shall pay out winning Five Card Bonus Wagers at the amounts 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 Royal flush $20,000 $20,000 $20,000 Straight flush $2,000 $2,000 $2,000 Four-of-a-kind $150 $200 $100 Full house $75 $75 $75 Flush $50 $50 $50 Straight $25 $25 $25 Three-of-a-kind $4 $5 $9 Two pair $3 $4 $6 Pair of tens, jacks, queens, kings or aces $2 $1 $0
Hand Paytable D Paytable E Paytable F Royal flush $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 Straight flush $2,000 $2,000 $2,000 Four-of-a-kind $200 $200 $100 Full house $75 $100 $75 Flush $50 $50 $50 Straight $25 $25 $25 Three-of-a-kind $5 $10 $9 Two pair $4 $6 $6 Pair of tens, jacks, queens, kings or aces $1 $0 $0 (c) If a certificate holder offers the Three Card Bonus Wager, the certificate holder shall pay out winning Three Card 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 Paytable C Straight flush 40 to 1 40 to 1 40 to 1 Three-of-a-kind 30 to 1 30 to 1 30 to 1 Straight 6 to 1 5 to 1 6 to 1 Flush 4 to 1 4 to 1 3 to 1 Pair 1 to 1 1 to 1 1 to 1
Hand Paytable D Paytable E Paytable F Mini-royal 50 to 1 50 to 1 50 to 1 Straight flush 40 to 1 40 to 1 40 to 1 Three-of-a-kind 30 to 1 30 to 1 30 to 1 Straight 6 to 1 5 to 1 6 to 1 Flush 4 to 1 4 to 1 3 to 1 Pair 1 to 1 1 to 1 1 to 1 (d) If a certificate holder offers the Progressive Payout Wager:
(1) The certificate holder shall pay out winning Progressive Payout 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 Mini-royal, spades 100% of meter 100% of meter Mini-royal, hearts, diamonds, clubs 500 for 1 500 for 1 Straight flush 70 for 1 100 for 1 Three-of-a-kind 60 for 1 90 for 1 Straight 6 for 1 (2) A player shall receive the payout for only the highest ranking hand formed from the player's three cards.
(3) The rate of progression for the meter used for the progressive payouts in paragraph (1) must be in the certificate holder's Rules Submission filed in accordance with § 601a.2. The initial and reset amounts must also be in the certificate holder's Rules Submission and may not be less than $1,000.
(4) Winning Progressive Payout Wagers shall be paid the amount on the meter when it is the player's turn to be paid in accordance with § 643a.11(f)(3)(iii) (relating to procedures for completion of each round of play).
(5) Envy Bonus payouts shall be made according to the following payout for every Envy Bonus Qualifying Hand based upon the amount of the Progressive Payout Wager placed by the player receiving the Envy Bonus:
$1 Progressive Payout Wager
Hand Envy Bonus Mini-royal, spades $100 Mini-royal, hearts, diamonds, clubs $25 $5 Progressive Payout Wager
Hand Envy Bonus Mini-royal, spades $500 Mini-royal, hearts, diamonds, clubs $125 (e) Notwithstanding the payout odds in subsection (a), a certificate holder may establish in its Rules Submission under § 601a.2 a maximum amount that is payable to a player on a single hand. The maximum amount shall be at least $50,000 or the maximum amount that one patron could win per round when betting the minimum permissible wager, whichever is greater. Any maximum payout limit established by a certificate holder shall apply only to payouts of Let It Ride Poker Wagers placed under § 643a.7(d) (relating to wagers) but may not apply to payouts of Five Card Bonus Wagers placed under § 643a.7(e), Three Card Bonus Wagers placed under § 643a.7(f) or Progressive Payout Wagers placed under § 643a.7(g).
§ 643a.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 area designated for the placement of the community cards 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 either of the community cards is inadvertently exposed prior to the dealer revealing the community cards in accordance with § 643a.11(c) and (e) (relating to procedures for completion of each round of play), all hands shall be void, all wagers shall be returned to the players and the cards shall be reshuffled.
(e) 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.
(f) 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.
(g) If an automated card 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 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.
[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.