RULES AND REGULATIONS

PENNSYLVANIA GAMING CONTROL BOARD

[ 58 PA. CODE CHS. 541, 543, 545,
627a, 629a AND 631a ]

Table Game Rules for Minibaccarat, Midibaccarat and Baccarat

[42 Pa.B. 2906]
[Saturday, May 19, 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 541, 543 and 545 and adds Chapters 627a, 629a and 631a (relating to Minibaccarat; Midibaccarat; and Baccarat) 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 541, 543 and 545. With this final-form rulemaking, the Board is replacing the temporary regulations in Chapter 541 with the permanent regulations in Chapter 627a, the temporary regulations in Chapter 543 with the permanent regulations in Chapter 629a and the temporary regulations in Chapter 545 with the permanent regulations in Chapter 631a.

Explanation of Chapter 627a

 Chapter 627a contains the rules governing the play of Minibaccarat. Section 627a.1 (relating to definitions) contains the definitions of terms used throughout the chapter. In § 627a.2 (relating to Minibaccarat 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 Minibaccarat table for play; the shuffling of cards; the value of the cards and the Point Count of each hand; permissible wagers; dealing procedures; the payout odds for all permissible wagers and the amount of vigorish collected on winning wagers made on the Banker's Hand; and how irregularities in play are to be handled.

Explanation of Chapter 629a

 Chapter 629a contains the rules governing the play of Midibaccarat. Section 629a.1 (relating to definitions) contains the definitions of terms used throughout the chapter. In § 629a.2 (relating to Midibaccarat 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 Midibaccarat table for play; the shuffling of cards; the value of the cards and the Point Count of each hand; permissible wagers; dealing procedures; the payout odds for all permissible wagers and the amount of vigorish collected on winning wagers made on the Banker's Hand; and how irregularities in play are to be handled.

Explanation of Chapter 631a

 Chapter 631a contains the rules governing the play of Baccarat. Section 631a.1 (relating to definitions) contains the definitions of terms used throughout the chapter. In § 631a.2 (relating to Baccarat 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 Baccarat table for play; the shuffling of cards; the value of the cards and the Point Count of each hand; permissible wagers; dealing procedures; the payout odds for all permissible wagers and the amount of vigorish collected on winning wagers made on the Banker's Hand; the continuation of the player dealing the cards; and how irregularities in play are to be handled.

Comment and Response Summary

 Notice of proposed rulemaking was published at 41 Pa.B. 3196 (June 25, 2011). On August 24, 2011, the Board received comments from the Independent Regulatory Review Commission (IRRC) on the proposed rulemaking which are addressed by subject matter as follows.

General Comments

 Throughout Chapters 627a, 629a and 631a, IRRC requested that the final-form rulemaking contain the procedures the certificate holder shall follow to obtain approval from the Bureau of Gaming Operations (BGO) or the Bureau of Casino Compliance (BCC) for table game layouts, signage and the location of equipment on the table. Section 601a.10 (relating to approval of table game layouts, signage and equipment) addresses approvals from the BGO or the BCC.

 Currently, submissions to the BGO, including internal controls, table games Rules Submissions, layouts, signage, gaming guides, equipment approvals, dealer training and minimum staffing plans are submitted through the Internal Control and Table Game Submission Form that is available on the Board's web site at www.pgcb.pa.gov. Each facility has been provided a user name and password unique to that property and submitting the required information through use of the online form. Once received, the submissions are reviewed by the BGO and approved by the Board's Executive Director. The approval letters are then sent to the facility. Section 601a.10 reflects this current practice.

 Regarding the provisions that require BCC approval, a casino compliance supervisor at the licensed facility may approve locations on the gaming table for drop and tip boxes, bad beat boxes in Poker and the location of other table game equipment at the time the new table is installed on the gaming floor but prior to the opening of the table for gaming. Again, § 601a.10 reflects this current practice.

Definitions

 In §§ 627a.1, 629a.1 and 631a.1, IRRC suggested that the Board include the definitions of the permissible wagers Dragon Bonus Wager and Dragon 7 Insurance Wager. The Board appreciates the suggestion but believes that all permissible wagers for every authorized game are thoroughly described, including when the wager wins, loses or ties, in the section on wagers in each chapter. Additionally, this information would be redundant and too voluminous to place in the definition section of the regulations. The Board did, however, include in the payout odds sections the cross references to the descriptions of the wagers in §§ 627a.7, 629a.7 and 631a.8 (relating to wagers). Lastly, the Board has added a definition of ''EZ Baccarat,'' which is a variation of the game in which vigorish is not collected.

Table characteristics

 Proposed §§ 627a.2(b) and 629a.2(b) required that certificate holders obtain approval for the Minibaccarat or Midibaccarat table dimensions. IRRC inquired as to why this type of approval was not needed in § 631a.2 for the Baccarat table.

 After reviewing the requirements in other table game chapters, the Board does not believe it is necessary to obtain approval of the table dimensions, particularly since the table layouts for all games are already required to be submitted to the BGO for approval. Sections 627a.2(b) and 629a.2(b) have therefore been deleted and the remaining subsections renumbered.

Replacement of cards

 Proposed § 627a.3 (relating to cards; number of decks) required that all cards used for play at a Minibaccarat table be changed every 24 hours. However, proposed §§ 629a.3 and 631a.3 (relating to cards; number of decks) stated that the decks of cards at the table are required to be changed after each dealing shoe for Midibaccarat and Baccarat. IRRC inquired about the reason for the difference between the sections, the need for the provisions, what happens to the cards that were in use at the table and if the cards can be reused.

 The primary difference between the rules of play on Minibaccarat versus Midibaccarat and Baccarat is in Minibaccarat only the dealer touches the cards. The cards are suitable for repeated reuse and are therefore allowed to remain on the gaming table for up to 24 hours.

 In Midibaccarat and Baccarat, the players touch the cards. However, unlike other card games that allow players to touch the cards, in Midibaccarat and Baccarat the players mangle, bend, roll, crease and fold the cards, which is traditionally how the game is played. The cards, after one use, are not suitable for subsequent play and are discarded into the bucket on the table. New cards are then used in the next dealing shoe, which is the standard recognized practice in the industry. The cards are then removed from the gaming table, inspected and canceled or destroyed in accordance with § 603a.16 (relating to cards; receipt, storage, inspection and removal from use).

Inspection of cards

 Proposed §§ 627a.4(a), 629a.4(a) and 631a.4(a) (relating to opening of the table for gaming) required that after receiving six or more decks of cards at the table, the dealer shall inspect the cards for defects. IRRC believes that any cards received at the table should be inspected and suggested that the Board add language to all three sections of the final-form rulemaking.

 A dealer does not receive less than six decks of cards for play of the game since all three of the these games are required to be played with no less than six decks of cards (see §§ 627a.3(a), 629a.3(a) and 631a.3(a)). The Board therefore believes that adding language stating that all cards received at the table be inspected is unnecessary.

Vigorish

 Sections 627a.12(c) and (h), 629a.12(c) and (h) and 631a.13(c) and (h) (relating to payout odds; vigorish) address the vigorish collected when a wager on the Banker's Hand wins or ties. Certificate holders were given the option of charging a 25% vigorish when a wager on the Banker's Hand ties and a 4% or 5% vigorish when a wager on the Banker's Hand wins, provided that the certificate holder specified in its Rules Submission which vigorish was going to be charged. IRRC commented that since the vigorish can vary, how will the players know if a vigorish is being charged and what that vigorish will be.

 After discussing the percentage of vigorish collected with the operators, it was determined that industry standard is a 5% vigorish collected only on winning wagers, with no vigorish collected on ties. The following sections were therefore deleted or amended to reflect that the 25% vigorish for ties and the 4% vigorish on a winning wager was deleted in the final-form rulemaking: §§ 627a.7(a)(1)(iii) and (4)(iii), 627a.12(c), (h) and (i), 629a.7(a)(1)(iii) and (4)(iii), 629.12(c), (h) and (i), 631a.8(a)(1)(iii) and (4)(iii) and 631a.13(c), (h) and (i).

 The property includes the amount of vigorish collected in the gaming guide which explains the rules of play at a particular property. The certificate holders that offer Minibaccarat or Midibaccarat will not be affected by deleting the options of 25% vigorish when a wager on the Banker's Hand ties or the deletion of the 4% vigorish on winning wager made on a Banker's Hand since none of the certificate holders that offer the games have selected these options in their Rules Submissions.

 In addition to deleting the 25% and 4% vigorish on winning or tie hands, the sections on vigorish requirements have been reorganized. The requirements in subsections (f) and (g) have been moved into subsection (c) and new subsection (d) with the remaining subsections renumbered.

Player handling cards

 Proposed §§ 629a.8(d) and 631a.9(e) (relating to hands of player and banker; procedure for dealing initial two cards to each hand) stated that if a player unreasonably delays the game or violates either the act or this part, the dealer or floorperson may require the player to relinquish the right to turn over the cards. IRRC stated that the phrase ''either the act or this part'' is very broad and requested an explanation as to why the phrase is needed and whether the Board considered narrowing the scope of the provision.

 After reviewing the provision, the Board agrees that the language is broad and unnecessary and has therefore deleted the phrase from the two subsections. This language also appears in § 631a.14(a)(2) (relating to continuation of curator as dealer; selection of a new curator), which has also been deleted from the final-form rulemaking.

Additional Revisions

 Throughout this final-form rulemaking, several revisions were made for clarity or for consistency with other table game chapters.

 Section 627a.5(h) (relating to shuffle and cut of the cards), which addressed the use of continuous shufflers, was deleted as unnecessary since that particular type of shuffler is never utilized in Minibaccarat.

 In § 627a.5 and §§ 629a.5 and 631a.5 (relating to shuffle and cut of the cards), the procedure for beginning a new dealing shoe has been updated. The proposed rulemaking required that the first card and an additional number of cards equal to the face value of the first card be removed from the dealing shoe and shown the players before being placed in the discard rack or bucket. After the close of the public comment period, the Board received additional comments stating that while the first card is to be exposed to the players, any additional cards should be drawn from the dealing shoe and discarded without being exposed. Subsection (f) has been amended to reflect the updated procedure.

 In §§ 627a.11(b) and 629a.11(b) (relating to announcement of result of round; payment and collection of wagers), the language stating that the dealer responsible for the wagers on the table shall collect the wagers was deleted as unnecessary since there is only one dealer on Minibaccarat and Midibaccarat tables.

 Lastly, after the close of the public comment period, the Board also received additional comments stating the proposed rulemaking was unclear on how the Banker's Hand was to be completed if a third card dealt to the Player's Hand was disclosed when a third card to the Player's Hand was not authorized. Sections 627a.13, 629a.13 and 631a.15 (relating to irregularities) have been amended to include provisions in subsection (c) on how to complete the round of play. Language was also added in new subsection (d) to address when a card is disclosed or found face up in the dealing shoe but is not the third card dealt to the Player's Hand or Banker's Hand.

Affected Parties

 Certificate holders that elect to offer the games of Minibaccarat, Midibaccarat or Baccarat will be required to comply with these chapters. The requirements for the games are standard throughout the industry, consistent with 4 Pa.C.S. Part II (relating to gaming) and are necessary for the protection of the gaming public and to ensure the accurate reporting of revenues generated from table games. As of October 2011, all ten certificate holders offer Minibaccarat, seven offer Midibaccarat and none of the certificate holders offer Baccarat.

 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, so the Board does not project that it will incur any significant cost increases as a result of this final-form rulemaking.

 Political subdivisions. This final-form rulemaking will not have fiscal impact on the 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 Minibaccarat, Midibaccarat or Baccarat. 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 9, 2011, the Board submitted a copy of the proposed rulemaking, published at 41 Pa.B. 3196, 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 January 11, 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 January 12, 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 §§ 541.1—541.15, 543.1—543.14 and 545.1—545.15 and by adding §§ 627a.1—627a.13, 629a.1—629a.13 and 631a.1—631a.15 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.

 (d) 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. 626 (January 28, 2012).)

 Fiscal Note: Fiscal Note 125-151 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 541. (Reserved)

Sec.
541.1—541.15.	(Reserved)

CHAPTER 543. (Reserved)

Sec.
543.1—543.14	(Reserved).

CHAPTER 545. (Reserved)

Sec.
545.1—545.15.	(Reserved)

CHAPTER 627a. MINIBACCARAT

Sec.

627a.1.	Definitions.
627a.2.	Minibaccarat table physical characteristics.
627a.3.	Cards; number of decks.
627a.4.	Opening of the table for gaming.
627a.5.	Shuffle and cut of the cards.
627a.6.	Value of cards; Point Count of hand.
627a.7.	Wagers.
627a.8.	Hands of player and banker; procedure for dealing initial two cards to each hand.
627a.9.	Procedure for dealing a third card.
627a.10.	Rules for determining whether a third card shall be dealt.
627a.11.	Announcement of result of round; payment and collection of wagers.
627a.12.	Payout odds; vigorish.
627a.13.	Irregularities.

§ 627a.1. Definitions.

 The following words and terms, when used in this chapter, have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

 Dragon 7—A Banker's Hand which has a Point Count of 7 with a total of three cards dealt and the Player's Hand which has a Point Count of less than 7.

 EZ Baccarat—A variation of Minibaccarat in which vigorish is not collected.

 Natural—A hand which has a Point Count of 8 or 9 on the first two cards dealt.

§ 627a.2. Minibaccarat table physical characteristics.

 (a) Minibaccarat shall be played on a table having numbered positions for no more than nine seated players on one side of the table and a place for the dealer on the opposite side of the table.

 (b) The layout for a Minibaccarat table shall be submitted to the Bureau of Gaming Operations and approved in accordance with § 601a.10(a) (relating to approval of table game layouts, signage and equipment) and contain, at a minimum:

 (1) The name or logo of the certificate holder.

 (2) Separate areas designated for the placement of wagers on the Banker's Hand, Player's Hand and Tie Hand for each player.

 (3) The payout odds for all permissible wagers offered by the certificate holder. If the payout odds are not inscribed on the layout, a sign identifying the payout odds shall be posted at each Minibaccarat table.

 (4) An area designated for the placement of cards for the Player's Hand and Banker's Hand.

 (5) If a certificate holder offers the Dragon Bonus Wager authorized under § 627a.7(a)(4) (relating to wagers), separate areas designated for the placement of the Dragon Bonus Wager for each player.

 (6) If a certificate holder offers EZ Baccarat in which vigorish is not collected:

 (i) Separate areas designated for the placement of the Dragon 7 Insurance Wager, authorized under § 627a.7(a)(5), for each player.

 (ii) Inscriptions that advise patrons that a wager on the Banker's Hand that results in a Dragon 7 shall push and be returned to the player. If the information is not inscribed on the layout, a sign containing the information shall be posted at each Minibaccarat table.

 (7) Numbered areas that correspond to the seat numbers for the purpose of marking vigorish unless the dealer, in accordance with the option selected in the certificate holder's Rules Submission under § 601a.2 (relating to table games Rules Submissions), collects the vigorish from a player at the time the winning payout is made or the table is designated for play as an EZ Baccarat table in which vigorish is not collected.

 (c) If marker buttons are used for the purpose of marking vigorish, the marker buttons shall be placed in the table inventory container or in a separate rack designed for the purpose of storing marker buttons. If a separate rack is used, the rack shall be placed in front of the table inventory container during gaming activity.

 (d) Each Minibaccarat table must have a drop box and a tip box attached on the same side of the gaming table as, but on opposite sides of, the dealer, as approved by the Bureau of Casino Compliance in accordance with § 601a.10(g). The Bureau of Casino Compliance may approve an alternative location for the tip box when a card shuffling device or other table game equipment prevents the placement of the drop box and tip box on the same side of the gaming table as, but on opposite sides of, the dealer.

 (e) Each Minibaccarat table must have a discard rack securely attached to the top of the dealer's side of the table.

§ 627a.3. Cards; number of decks.

 (a) Except as provided in subsection (b), Minibaccarat shall be played with six to eight decks of cards that are identical in appearance and two cover cards.

 (b) If an automated card shuffling device is utilized, Minibaccarat shall be played with 12 to 16 decks of cards in accordance with the following requirements:

 (1) The cards shall be separated into two batches with an equal number of decks included in each batch.

 (2) The cards in each batch must be of the same design but the backs of the cards in one batch must be of a different color than the cards in the other batch.

 (3) One batch of cards shall be shuffled and stored in the automated card shuffling device while the other batch is being used to play the game.

 (4) Both batches of cards shall be continuously alternated in and out of play, with each batch being used for every other dealing shoe.

 (5) The cards from only one batch shall be placed in the discard rack at any given time.

 (c) The decks of cards opened for use at a Minibaccarat table shall be changed at least once every 24 hours.

§ 627a.4. Opening of the table for gaming.

 (a) After receiving six 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, they shall be spread out face up on the table for visual inspection by the first player to arrive at the table. The cards shall be spread in horizontal fan shaped columns by deck according to suit and in sequence.

 (c) After the first player is afforded an opportunity to visually inspect the cards, the cards shall be turned face down on the table, mixed thoroughly by a washing of the cards and stacked.

 (d) If an automated card shuffling device is utilized and two batches of cards are received at the table, all the decks in one batch of cards shall be spread for inspection on the table separate from the decks in the other batch of cards. After the first player is afforded an opportunity to visually inspect the cards, each batch of cards shall separately be turned face down on the table and stacked.

 (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.

§ 627a.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 dealing shoe of cards is dealt or when directed by a floorperson or above, the dealer shall shuffle the cards, either manually or by use of an automated card shuffling device, so that the cards are randomly intermixed. If the cards have been manually shuffled, the dealer shall leave the entire stack of cards intermixed but not entirely squared off (leave them feathered) so that the floorperson can verify that the shuffle did not result in any uneven distribution of cards.

 (b) After the cards have been shuffled and, when applicable, reshuffled, the dealer shall offer the stack of cards, with the backs facing away from the dealer, to the players to be cut. The dealer shall begin with the player seated in the highest number position at the table and, working clockwise around the table, offer the stack to each player until a player accepts the cut. If a player does not accept the cut, the dealer shall cut the cards.

 (c) The cards shall be cut by placing a cover card in the stack at least ten cards in from the top or the bottom of the stack.

 (d) Once the cover card has been inserted into the stack, the dealer shall take all cards above the cover card and the cover card and place them on the bottom of the stack. The dealer shall then insert the second cover card in a position at least 14 cards above the bottom of the stack. The stack of cards shall then be inserted into the dealing shoe for commencement of play.

 (e) After the cards have been cut and before the cards have been placed in the dealing shoe, a floorperson or above may require the cards to be recut if the floorperson or above determines that the cut was performed improperly or in any way that might affect the integrity or fairness of the game. If a recut is required, the cards shall be recut by the next person entitled to cut the cards, as determined by subsection (b). The stack of cards shall then be inserted into the dealing shoe for commencement of play.

 (f) Prior to commencement of play, the dealer shall remove and expose the first card from the dealing shoe and place it, and an additional number of cards, drawn face down, equal to the face value of the first card drawn, in the discard rack. When determining the face value of the first card removed from the dealing shoe, a 10, jack, queen or king shall count as ten and an ace shall count as one.

 (g) If there is no gaming activity at a Minibaccarat table which is open for gaming, the cards shall be removed from the dealing shoe and the discard rack, and spread out on the table face down unless a player requests that the cards be spread face up on the table. After the first player is afforded an opportunity to visually inspect the cards:

 (1) If there is no automated shuffling device in use, the cards shall be mixed thoroughly by a washing of the cards, stacked, then shuffled and cut in accordance with this section.

 (2) If an automated shuffling device is in use, the cards shall be stacked and placed into the automated shuffling device to be shuffled. The batch of cards already in the shuffler shall then be removed. Unless a player requests otherwise, the batch of cards removed from the shuffler does not need to be spread for inspection and reshuffled prior to being dealt, if:

 (i) The automated card shuffling device stores a single batch of shuffled cards inside the shuffler in a secure manner.

 (ii) The shuffled cards have been secured, released and prepared for play in accordance with procedures submitted to the Bureau of Gaming Operations and approved in accordance with § 465a.2 (relating to internal control systems and audit protocols).

§ 627a.6. Value of cards; Point Count of hand.

 (a) The value of the cards in each deck shall be as follows:

 (1) Any card from 2 to 9 shall have its face value.

 (2) Any 10, jack, queen or king shall have a value of zero.

 (3) Any ace shall have a value of one.

 (b) The Point Count of a hand shall be a single digit number from 0 to 9 and determined by totaling the value of the cards in the hand. If the total of the cards in a hand is a two-digit number, the left digit of the number shall be discarded and the right digit shall constitute the Point Count of the hand. Examples of this rule are as follows:

 (1) A hand composed of an ace, 2 and 4 has a Point Count of 7.

 (2) A hand composed of an ace, 2 and 9 has a total of 12 but a Point Count of only 2 since the left digit of the number 12 is discarded.

§ 627a.7. Wagers.

 (a) The following are permissible wagers in the game of Minibaccarat:

 (1) A wager on the Banker's Hand which shall:

 (i) Win if the Banker's Hand has a Point Count higher than that of the Player's Hand unless EZ Baccarat is being played and the Point Counts of the Banker's Hand and the Player's Hand result in a Dragon 7.

 (ii) Lose if the Banker's Hand has a Point Count lower than that of the Player's Hand.

 (iii) Tie and be returned to the player if the Banker's Hand and the Player's Hand have the same Point Count or if EZ Baccarat is being played and the Point Counts of the Banker's Hand and the Player's Hand result in a Dragon 7.

 (2) A wager on the Player's Hand which shall:

 (i) Win if the Player's Hand has a Point Count higher than that of the Banker's Hand.

 (ii) Lose if the Player's Hand has a Point Count lower than that of the Banker's Hand or if EZ Baccarat is being played and the Point Counts of the Banker's Hand and the Player's Hand result in a Dragon 7.

 (iii) Tie and be returned to the player if the Point Counts of the Banker's Hand and the Player's Hand are equal.

 (3) A Tie Wager which shall:

 (i) Win if the Point Counts of the Banker's Hand and the Player's Hand are equal.

 (ii) Lose if Point Counts of the Banker's Hand and the Player's Hand are not equal.

 (4) If offered by a certificate holder, a Dragon Bonus Wager on the Player's Hand or Banker's Hand, or both, which shall:

 (i) Win if the selected hand is:

 (A) A Natural and the other hand is not a Natural.

 (B) A Natural 9 and the other hand is a Natural 8.

 (C) Not a Natural and has a Point Count that exceeds the Point Count of the other hand by four or more points.

 (ii) Lose if the selected hand is:

 (A) A Natural 8 and the other hand is a Natural 9.

 (B) Not a Natural and has a Point Count less than or equal to the Point Count of the other hand.

 (C) Not a Natural and has a Point Count that exceeds the Point Count of the other hand by less than four points.

 (iii) Tie and be returned to the player if the selected hand is a Natural and the other hand is a Natural of equal Point Count.

 (5) A Dragon 7 Insurance Wager, if the table is designated for play as an EZ Baccarat table, which shall:

 (i) Win if the Point Counts of the Banker's Hand and the Player's Hand result in a Dragon 7.

 (ii) Lose if the Point Counts of the Banker's Hand and the Player's Hand do not result in a Dragon 7.

 (b) Wagers at Minibaccarat shall be made by placing value chips or plaques on the appropriate areas of the Minibaccarat layout. Verbal wagers accompanied by cash may be accepted provided that they are confirmed by the dealer and the cash is expeditiously converted into value chips or plaques.

 (c) A wager may not be made, increased or withdrawn after the dealer has announced ''no more bets.''

§ 627a.8. Hands of player and banker; procedure for dealing initial two cards to each hand.

 (a) There shall be two hands dealt in the game of Minibaccarat, one of which shall be designated the Player's Hand and the other designated the Banker's Hand.

 (b) Prior to dealing any cards, the dealer shall announce ''no more bets.''

 (c) The dealer shall then deal an initial four cards from the dealing shoe in accordance with one of the following options selected by the certificate holder in its Rules Submission under § 601a.2 (relating to table games Rules Submissions):

 (1) The dealer shall remove cards from the dealing shoe with his left hand and place them face up on the appropriate area of the layout with his right hand. The first and third cards dealt shall constitute the first and second cards of the Player's Hand and placed on the area designated for the Player's Hand. The second and fourth cards dealt shall constitute the first and second cards of the Banker's Hand and placed on the area designated for the Banker's Hand.

 (2) The dealer shall remove cards from the dealing shoe with his left hand and place them face down on the layout. The first and third cards dealt shall constitute the first and second cards of the Player's Hand and placed on the area designated for the Player's Hand. The second and fourth cards dealt shall constitute the first and second cards of the Banker's Hand and placed underneath the right corner of the dealing shoe until the Player's Hand is called as provided in § 627a.9 (relating to procedure for dealing a third card). The second and fourth cards shall then be turned face up and placed on the area designated for the Banker's Hand.

 (d) Players may not touch, handle, remove or alter any cards used to play Minibaccarat.

§ 627a.9. Procedure for dealing a third card.

 (a) After the dealer positions the cards in accordance with § 627a.8(c)(1) or (2) (relating to hands of player and banker; procedure for dealing initial two cards to each hand), the dealer shall announce the Point Count of the Player's Hand and the Banker's Hand.

 (b) Following the announcement of the Point Counts of each hand, the dealer shall determine whether to deal a third card to each hand in accordance with § 627a.10 (relating to rules for determining whether a third card shall be dealt).

 (c) After the dealer positions the cards in accordance with § 627a.8(c)(1) or (2), any third card required to be dealt shall first be dealt face up to the Player's Hand and then to the Banker's Hand.

 (d) In no event may more than one additional card be dealt to either hand.

 (e) If the cover card appears as the first card in the dealing shoe at the beginning of a round of play or appears during play, the cover card shall be removed and placed to the side and the hand will be completed. Upon completion of that hand, the dealer shall announce ''last hand.'' At the completion of one more hand, the cards shall be reshuffled.

§ 627a.10. Rules for determining whether a third card shall be dealt.

 (a) If either the Player's Hand or the Banker's Hand is a Natural, no more cards may be dealt to either hand.

 (b) If the Point Count of the Player's Hand and the Banker's Hand is 0 to 7 on the first two cards, the Player's Hand shall:

 (1) Draw (take a third card) if the Player's Hand has a Point Count of less than 6.

 (2) Stay (not take a third card) if the Player's Hand has a Point Count of 6 or more.

 (c) If the Point Count of the Player's Hand and the Banker's Hand is 0 to 7 on the first two cards, the Banker's Hand shall draw or stay in accordance with the following requirements:

 (1) If the Player's Hand does not receive a third card, the Banker's Hand shall be dealt a third card if the Point Count of the Banker's Hand is 5 or less.

 (2) If the Player's Hand is dealt a third card and:

 (i) The Banker's Hand has a Point Count of less than 3, the Banker's Hand shall be dealt a third card.

 (ii) The Banker's Hand has a Point Count of 7, the Banker's Hand may not be dealt a third card.

 (iii) The Banker's Hand has a Point Count of 3, 4, 5 or 6, the Banker's Hand shall be dealt or not dealt a third card in accordance with Table 1 as follows:

Table 1

Value of the Third Card Drawn by Player's Hand

Point Count of Banker's Hand After Two Cards	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9
3	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	S	D
4	S	S	D	D	D	D	D	D	S	S
5	S	S	S	S	D	D	D	D	S	S
6	S	S	S	S	S	S	D	D	S	S

 (d) In Table 1, the first vertical column labeled ''Point Count of Banker's Hand After Two Cards'' refers to the Point Count of the Banker's Hand after the first two cards have been dealt to the Banker's Hand.

 (e) In Table 1, the first horizontal row at the top labeled ''Value of the Third Card Drawn by Player's Hand'' refers to the value of the third card drawn by the Player's Hand, not the Point Count of the Player's Hand.

 (f) In Table 1, the letter ''D'' means that the Banker's Hand shall draw a third card and the letter ''S'' means that the Banker's Hand shall stay.

 (g) To use Table 1, first find the Point Count of the Banker's Hand in the first vertical column and trace that horizontally across the table until it intersects the vertical column that corresponds to the value of the third card drawn by the Player's Hand. The symbol located where the intersection occurs determines whether the Banker's Hand shall draw a third card or stay. For example, if the Point Count of the Banker's Hand after two cards is 5 and the value of the third card drawn by the Player's Hand is 4, the table shows that the Banker's Hand shall draw a third card.

§ 627a.11. Announcement of result of round; payment and collection of wagers.

 (a) After each hand has received all the cards to which it is entitled under §§ 627a.8, 627a.9 and 627a.10 (relating to hands of player and banker; procedure for dealing initial two cards to each hand; procedure for dealing a third card; and rules for determining whether a third card shall be dealt), the dealer shall announce the final Point Count of each hand indicating which hand has won the round. If two hands have equal Point Counts, the dealer shall announce ''tie hand.'' If the table is designated for play as an EZ Baccarat table and the Point Counts of the Banker's Hand and the Player's Hand result in a Dragon 7, the dealer shall announce ''Dragon 7.''

 (b) After the result of the round is announced, the dealer shall first collect each losing wager. After the losing wagers are collected, the dealer shall, starting at the highest numbered player position at which a winning wager is located, mark or collect the vigorish owed by that player, unless the table is designated for play as an EZ Baccarat table in which vigorish is not collected. Immediately thereafter, the dealer shall pay that player's winning wager and then, proceeding in descending order to the next highest numbered player position at which a winning wager is located, repeat this procedure until the vigorish owed by each player is either marked or collected and each winning wager is paid.

 (c) At the conclusion of a round of play, the dealer shall remove all 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.

§ 627a.12. Payout odds; vigorish.

 (a) A winning wager made on the Player's Hand shall be paid at odds of 1 to 1.

 (b) A winning Tie Wager shall be paid at odds of at least 8 to 1.

 (c) A winning wager made on the Banker's Hand shall be paid at odds of 1 to 1, except that the certificate holder shall extract a vigorish from the winning players in an amount equal to 5% of the amount won unless the certificate holder is offering EZ Baccarat in which vigorish is not collected. When collecting the vigorish, the certificate holder may round off the vigorish to 25¢ or the next highest multiple of 25¢.

 (d) A dealer shall collect the vigorish from a player in accordance with one of the following procedures selected by the certificate holder in its Rules Submission under § 601a.2 (relating to table game Rules Submissions):

 (1) At the time the winning payout is made.

 (2) At a later time, provided that:

 (i) The outstanding vigorish shall be collected prior to the reshuffling of the cards in a dealing shoe or when the player leaves the gaming table, whichever occurs first.

 (ii) The amount of the vigorish shall be tracked by placing a coin or marker button, which contains the amount of the vigorish owed, in the rectangular space on the layout that is imprinted with the number of the player owing the vigorish.

 (iii) The coin or marker button may not be removed from the layout until the vigorish owed is collected.

 (e) If a certificate holder offers the Dragon Bonus Wager, in accordance with § 627a.7(a)(4) (relating to wagers), a vigorish may not be extracted on a winning Dragon Bonus Wager. Winning Dragon Bonus Wagers shall be paid out at the odds in one of the following paytables selected by the certificate holder in its Rules Submission filed in accordance with § 601a.2:

Hand	Paytable A	Paytable B	Paytable C
Win by 9 points	30 to 1	20 to 1	30 to 1
Win by 8 points	10 to 1	8 to 1	10 to 1
Win by 7 points	6 to 1	7 to 1	4 to 1
Win by 6 points	4 to 1	4 to 1	4 to 1
Win by 5 points	2 to 1	3 to 1	2 to 1
Win by 4 points	1 to 1	1 to 1	2 to 1
Natural winner	1 to 1	1 to 1	1 to 1
Natural tie	Push	Push	Push

 (f) A winning Dragon 7 Insurance Wager, as described in § 627a.7(a)(5), shall be paid at odds of 40 to 1.

§ 627a.13. Irregularities.

 (a) Except as provided in subsection (b), a card drawn in error from the dealing shoe that is not disclosed shall be used as the first card of the next hand of play.

 (b) A third card dealt to the Player's Hand that is not disclosed, when a third card is not authorized under § 627a.10 (relating to rules for determining whether a third card shall be dealt), shall become the third card of the Banker's Hand if the Banker's Hand is required to draw under § 627a.10(c). If the Banker's Hand is required to stay, the card dealt in error shall become the first card of the next hand of play.

 (c) If a third card dealt to the Player's Hand, when a third card is not authorized under § 627a.10, is disclosed at the time it is dealt or is found face up in the dealing shoe, the dealer shall use the disclosed card as the third card of the Banker's Hand if the Banker's Hand is required to draw under § 627a.10(c). If the Banker's Hand is required to stay, the dealer shall, in accordance with one of the following procedures designated in the certificate holder's Rules Submission under § 601a.2 (relating to table games Rules Submissions):

 (1) Place the disclosed card and one additional card, drawn face down from the dealing shoe, into the discard rack without disclosing the additional card.

 (2) Use the disclosed card as the first card of a simulated round of play in which wagers may not be accepted. The cards shall be dealt in accordance with this chapter and placed in the discard rack upon completion of the dealing procedures.

 (d) Except as provided in subsection (c), if a card is disclosed at the time it is dealt or a card is found face up in the dealing shoe, the dealer shall use the disclosed card as the first card of a simulated round of play in which wagers may not be accepted. The cards shall be dealt in accordance with this chapter and placed in the discard rack upon completion of the dealing procedures.

 (e) If there are insufficient cards remaining in the dealing shoe to complete a round of play, that round shall be void and all wagers shall be returned. A new round shall commence after the entire set of cards are reshuffled and placed in the dealing shoe.

CHAPTER 629a. MIDIBACCARAT

Sec.

629a.1.	Definitions.
629a.2.	Midibaccarat table physical characteristics.
629a.3.	Cards; number of decks.
629a.4.	Opening of the table for gaming.
629a.5.	Shuffle and cut of the cards.
629a.6.	Value of cards; Point Count of hand.
629a.7.	Wagers.
629a.8.	Hands of player and banker; procedure for dealing initial two cards to each hand.
629a.9.	Procedure for dealing a third card.
629a.10.	Rules for determining whether a third card shall be dealt.
629a.11.	Announcement of result of round; payment and collection of wagers.
629a.12.	Payout odds; vigorish.
629a.13.	Irregularities.

§ 629a.1. Definitions.

 The following words and terms, when used in this chapter, have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

 Dragon 7—A Banker's Hand which has a Point Count of 7 with a total of three cards dealt and the Player's Hand which has a Point Count of less than 7.

 EZ Baccarat—A variation of Midibaccarat in which vigorish is not collected.

 Natural—A hand which has a Point Count of 8 or 9 on the first two cards dealt.

§ 629a.2. Midibaccarat table physical characteristics.

 (a) Midibaccarat shall be played on a table having numbered positions for no more than nine seated players on one side of the table and a place for the dealer on the opposite side of the table.

 (b) The layout for a Midibaccarat table shall be submitted to the Bureau of Gaming Operations and approved in accordance with § 601a.10(a) (relating to approval of table game layouts, signage and equipment) and contain, at a minimum:

 (1) The name or logo of the certificate holder.

 (2) Separate areas designated for the placement of wagers on the Banker's Hand, Player's Hand and Tie Hand for each player.

 (3) The payout odds for all permissible wagers offered by the certificate holder. If the payout odds are not inscribed on the layout, a sign identifying the payout odds shall be posted at each Midibaccarat table.

 (4) An area designated for the placement of cards for the Player's Hand and Banker's Hand.

 (5) If a certificate holder offers the Dragon Bonus Wager, authorized under § 629a.7(a)(4) (relating to wagers), separate areas designated for the placement of the Dragon Bonus Wager for each player.

 (6) If a certificate holder offers EZ Baccarat in which vigorish is not collected:

 (i) Separate areas designated for the placement of the Dragon 7 Insurance Wager, authorized under § 629a.7(a)(5), for each player.

 (ii) Inscriptions that advise patrons that a wager on the Banker's Hand that results in a Dragon 7 shall push and be returned to the player. If the information is not inscribed on the layout, a sign containing the information shall be posted at each Midibaccarat table.

 (7) Numbered areas that correspond to the seat numbers for the purpose of marking vigorish unless the dealer, in accordance with the option selected in the certificate holder's Rules Submission under § 601a.2 (relating to table games Rules Submissions), collects the vigorish from a player at the time the winning payout is made or the table is designated for play as an EZ Baccarat table in which vigorish is not collected.

 (c) If marker buttons are used for the purpose of marking vigorish, the marker buttons shall be placed in the table inventory container or in a separate rack designed for the purpose of storing marker buttons. If a separate rack is used, the rack shall be placed in front of the table inventory container during gaming activity.

 (d) Each Midibaccarat table must have a drop box and a tip box attached on the same side of the gaming table as, but on opposite sides of, the dealer, as approved by the Bureau of Casino Compliance in accordance with § 601a.10(g). The Bureau of Casino Compliance may approve an alternative location for the tip box when a card shuffling device or other table game equipment prevents the placement of the drop box and tip box on the same side of the gaming table as, but on opposite sides of, the dealer.

 (e) Each Midibaccarat table must have a discard bucket on the dealer's side of the table.

§ 629a.3. Cards; number of decks.

 (a) Midibaccarat shall be played with six to eight decks of cards that are identical in appearance and two cover cards.

 (b) The decks of cards opened for use at a Midibaccarat table shall be changed after the play of each dealing shoe.

§ 629a.4. Opening of the table for gaming.

 (a) After receiving six 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 out in horizontal fan shaped columns by deck according to suit and in sequence.

 (c) After the first player is afforded an opportunity to visually inspect the cards, the cards shall be turned face down on the table, mixed thoroughly by a washing of the cards and stacked.

 (d) 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)—(c) do not apply.

§ 629a.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), the dealer shall shuffle the cards so that they are randomly intermixed. If the cards have been manually shuffled, the dealer shall leave the entire stack of cards intermixed but not entirely squared off (leave them feathered) so that the floorperson can verify that the shuffle did not result in any uneven distribution of cards.

 (b) After the cards have been shuffled, the dealer shall offer the stack of cards, with the backs facing away from the dealer, to the players to be cut. The dealer shall begin with the player seated in the highest number position at the table and, working clockwise around the table, offer the stack to each player until a player accepts the cut. If a player does not accept the cut, the dealer shall cut the cards.

 (c) The cards shall be cut by placing a cover card in the stack at least ten cards in from the top or the bottom of the stack.

 (d) Once the cover card has been inserted into the stack, the dealer shall take all cards above the cover card and the cover card and place them on the bottom of the stack. The dealer shall then insert the second cover card in a position at least 14 cards above the bottom of the stack. The stack of cards shall then be inserted into the dealing shoe for commencement of play.

 (e) After the cards have been cut and before the cards have been placed in the dealing shoe, a floorperson or above may require the cards to be recut if the floorperson or above determines that the cut was performed improperly or in any way that might affect the integrity or fairness of the game. If a recut is required, the cards shall be recut by the next person entitled to cut the cards, as determined by subsection (b). The stack of cards shall then be inserted into the dealing shoe for commencement of play.

 (f) Prior to commencement of play, the dealer shall remove and expose the first card from the dealing shoe and place it, and an additional number of cards, drawn face down, equal to the face value of the first card drawn, in the discard bucket. When determining the face value of the first card removed from the dealing shoe, a 10, jack, queen or king shall count as ten and an ace shall count as one.

§ 629a.6. Value of cards; Point Count of hand.

 (a) The value of the cards in each deck shall be as follows:

 (1) Any card from 2 to 9 shall have its face value.

 (2) Any 10, jack, queen or king shall have a value of zero.

 (3) Any ace shall have a value of one.

 (b) The Point Count of a hand shall be a single digit number from 0 to 9 and shall be determined by totaling the value of the cards in the hand. If the total of the cards in a hand is a two-digit number, the left digit of the number shall be discarded and the right digit shall constitute the Point Count of the hand. Examples of this rule are as follows:

 (1) A hand composed of an ace, 2 and 4 has a Point Count of 7.

 (2) A hand composed of an ace, 2 and 9 has a total of 12 but a Point Count of only 2 since the left digit of the number 12 is discarded.

§ 629a.7. Wagers.

 (a) The following are permissible wagers in the game of Midibaccarat:

 (1) A wager on the Banker's Hand which shall:

 (i) Win if the Banker's Hand has a Point Count higher than that of the Player's Hand unless EZ Baccarat is being played and the Point Counts of the Banker's Hand and the Player's Hand result in a Dragon 7.

 (ii) Lose if the Banker's Hand has a Point Count lower than that of the Player's Hand.

 (iii) Tie and be returned to the player if the Banker's Hand and the Player's Hand have the same Point Count or if EZ Baccarat is being played and the Point Counts of the Banker's Hand and the Player's Hand result in a Dragon 7.

 (2) A wager on the Player's Hand which shall:

 (i) Win if the Player's Hand has a Point Count higher than that of the Banker's Hand.

 (ii) Lose if the Player's Hand has a Point Count lower than that of the Banker's Hand or if EZ Baccarat is being played and the Point Counts of the Banker's Hand and the Player's Hand result in a Dragon 7.

 (iii) Tie and be returned to the player if the Point Counts of the Banker's Hand and the Player's Hand are equal.

 (3) A Tie Wager which shall:

 (i) Win if the Point Counts of the Banker's Hand and the Player's Hand are equal.

 (ii) Lose if Point Counts of the Banker's Hand and the Player's Hand are not equal.

 (4) If offered by a certificate holder, a Dragon Bonus Wager on the Player's Hand or Banker's Hand, or both, which shall:

 (i) Win if the selected hand is:

 (A) A Natural and the other hand is not a Natural.

 (B) A Natural 9 and the other hand is a Natural 8.

 (C) Not a Natural and has a Point Count that exceeds the Point Count of the other hand by four or more points.

 (ii) Lose if the selected hand is:

 (A) A Natural 8 and the other hand is a Natural 9.

 (B) Not a Natural and has a Point Count less than or equal to the Point Count of the other hand.

 (C) Not a Natural and has a Point Count that exceeds the Point Count of the other hand by less than four points.

 (iii) Tie and be returned to the player if the selected hand is a Natural and the other hand is a Natural of equal Point Count.

 (5) A Dragon 7 Insurance Wager, if the table is designated for play as an EZ Baccarat table, which shall:

 (i) Win if the Point Counts of the Banker's Hand and the Player's Hand result in a Dragon 7.

 (ii) Lose if the Point Counts of the Banker's Hand and the Player's Hand do not result in a Dragon 7.

 (b) Wagers at Midibaccarat shall be made by placing value chips or plaques on the appropriate areas of the Midibaccarat layout. Verbal wagers accompanied by cash may be accepted provided that the verbal wagers are confirmed by the dealer and the cash is expeditiously converted into value chips or plaques.

 (c) A wager may not be made, increased or withdrawn after the dealer has announced ''no more bets.''

§ 629a.8. Hands of player and banker; procedure for dealing initial two cards to each hand.

 (a) There shall be two hands dealt in the game of Midibaccarat, one of which shall be designated the Player's Hand and the other designated the Banker's Hand.

 (b) Prior to dealing any cards, the dealer shall announce ''no more bets.''

 (c) The dealer shall then deal an initial four cards from the dealing shoe. The first and third cards dealt shall be placed face down on the area designated for the Player's Hand and the second and fourth cards dealt shall be placed face down on the area designated for the Banker's Hand.

 (1) After all four cards have been dealt, the dealer shall place the Banker's Hand underneath the right corner of the dealing shoe. The dealer shall then hand the two cards of the Player's Hand, face down, to the player with the highest wager on the Player's Hand. After viewing the Player's Hand, the player shall return the two cards, face up, to the dealer, who shall place the cards face up on the area designated for the Player's Hand and announce the Point Count of the Player's Hand.

 (2) The dealer shall then hand the two cards of the Banker's Hand, face down, to the player with the highest wager on the Banker's Hand. After viewing the Banker's Hand, the player shall return the two cards, face up, to the dealer, who shall place the cards face up on the area designated for the Banker's Hand and announce the Point Count of the Banker's Hand.

 (3) Any third card required to be dealt to the Player's Hand shall be placed face down on the area designated for the Player's Hand. The dealer shall then hand the card, face down, to the player who was handed and returned the Player's Hand. After viewing the card, the player shall return the card, face up, to the dealer, who shall place the card face up on the area designated for the Player's Hand.

 (4) Any third card required to be dealt to the Banker's Hand shall be placed face down on the area designated for the Banker's Hand. The dealer shall then hand the card, face down, to the player who was handed and returned the Banker's Hand. After viewing the card, the player shall return the card, face up, to the dealer, who shall place the card face up on the area designated for the Banker's Hand.

 (5) If two or more players wager an equally high amount on the Player's Hand, the player making the wager who is closest to the dealer, moving counterclockwise around the table, shall be handed the Player's Hand and any third card required to be dealt. If two or more players wager an equally high amount on the Banker's Hand, the player making the wager who is closest to the dealer, moving counterclockwise around the table, shall be handed the Banker's Hand and any third card required to be dealt.

 (d) The dealer or floorperson assigned to the table may require any player to relinquish the right to turn over the cards in accordance with subsection (c) if the player unreasonably delays the game. If the voluntary or compulsory relinquishment of that right occurs, the dealer shall offer it to the player immediately to the right of the previous player. If the player does not accept it or there is not a player in that position, the dealer shall offer it to each of the other players in turn, moving counterclockwise around the table for the remainder of that round of play. If no player accepts the cards, the dealer shall turn the cards over and place them on the designated areas of the layout.

§ 629a.9. Procedure for dealing a third card.

 (a) After the dealer positions the cards in accordance with § 629a.8(c) (relating to hands of player and banker; procedure for dealing initial two cards to each hand), the dealer shall announce the Point Count of the Player's Hand and the Banker's Hand.

 (b) Following the announcement of the Point Counts of each hand, the dealer shall determine whether to deal a third card to each hand in accordance with § 629a.10 (relating to rules for determining whether a third card shall be dealt). Any third cards required shall be dealt as provided in § 629a.8(c).

 (c) In no event may more than one additional card be dealt to either hand.

 (d) If the cover card appears as the first card in the dealing shoe at the beginning of a round of play or appears during play, the cover card shall be removed and placed to the side and the hand will be completed. Upon completion of that hand, the dealer shall announce ''last hand.'' At the completion of one more hand, the cards shall be replaced with new decks of cards.

§ 629a.10. Rules for determining whether a third card shall be dealt.

 (a) If either the Player's Hand or the Banker's Hand is a Natural, no more cards may be dealt to either hand.

 (b) If the Point Count of the Player's Hand and the Banker's Hand is 0 to 7 on the first two cards, the Player's Hand shall:

 (1) Draw (take a third card) if the Player's Hand has a Point Count of less than 6.

 (2) Stay (not take a third card) if the Player's Hand has a Point Count of 6 or more.

 (c) If the Point Count of the Player's Hand and the Banker's Hand is 0 to 7 on the first two cards, the Banker's Hand shall draw or stay in accordance with the following requirements:

 (1) If the Player's Hand does not receive a third card, the Banker's Hand shall be dealt a third card if the Point Count of the Banker's Hand is 5 or less.

 (2) If the Player's Hand is dealt a third card and:

 (i) The Banker's Hand has a Point Count of less than 3, the Banker's Hand shall be dealt a third card.

 (ii) The Banker's Hand has a Point Count of 7, the Banker's Hand may not be dealt a third card.

 (iii) The Banker's Hand has a Point Count of 3, 4, 5 or 6, the Banker's Hand shall be dealt or not dealt a third card in accordance with Table 1 as follows:

Table 1

Value of the Third Card Drawn by Player's Hand

Point Count of Banker's Hand After Two Cards	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9
3	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	S	D
4	S	S	D	D	D	D	D	D	S	S
5	S	S	S	S	D	D	D	D	S	S
6	S	S	S	S	S	S	D	D	S	S

 (d) In Table 1, the first vertical column labeled ''Point Count of Banker's Hand After Two Cards'' refers to the Point Count of the Banker's Hand after the first two cards have been dealt to the Banker's Hand.

 (e) In Table 1, the first horizontal row at the top labeled ''Value of the Third Card Drawn by Player's Hand'' refers to the value of the third card drawn by the Player's Hand, not the Point Count of the Player's Hand.

 (f) In Table 1, the letter ''D'' means that the Banker's Hand shall draw a third card and the letter ''S'' means that the Banker's Hand shall stay.

 (g) To use Table 1, first find the Point Count of the Banker's Hand in the first vertical column and trace that horizontally across the table until it intersects the vertical column that corresponds to the value of the third card drawn by the Player's Hand. The symbol located where the intersection occurs determines whether the Banker's Hand shall draw a third card or stay. For example, if the Point Count of the Banker's Hand after two cards is 5 and the value of the third card drawn by the Player's Hand is 4, the table shows that the Banker's Hand shall draw a third card.

§ 629a.11. Announcement of result of round; payment and collection of wagers.

 (a) After each hand has received all the cards to which it is entitled under §§ 629a.8, 629a.9 and 629a.10 (relating to hands of player and banker; procedure for dealing initial two cards to each hand; procedure for dealing a third card; and rules for determining whether a third card shall be dealt), the dealer shall announce the final Point Count of each hand indicating which hand has won the round. If two hands have equal Point Counts, the dealer shall announce ''tie hand.'' If the table is designated for play as an EZ Baccarat table and the Point Counts of the Banker's Hand and the Player's Hand result in a Dragon 7, the dealer shall announce ''Dragon 7.''

 (b) After the result of the round is announced, the dealer shall first collect each losing wager. After the losing wagers are collected, the dealer shall, starting at the highest numbered player position at which a winning wager is located, mark or collect the vigorish owed by that player, unless the table is designated for play as an EZ Baccarat table in which vigorish is not collected. Immediately thereafter, the dealer shall pay that player's winning wager and then, proceeding in descending order to the next highest numbered player position at which a winning wager is located, repeat this procedure until the vigorish owed by each player is either marked or collected and each winning wager is paid.

 (c) At the conclusion of a round of play, the dealer shall remove all cards from the table and place the cards in the discard bucket.

§ 629a.12. Payout odds; vigorish.

 (a) A winning wager made on the Player's Hand shall be paid at odds of 1 to 1.

 (b) A winning Tie Wager shall be paid at odds of at least 8 to 1.

 (c) A winning wager made on the Banker's Hand shall be paid at odds of 1 to 1, except that the certificate holder shall extract a vigorish from the winning players in an amount equal to 5% of the amount won unless the certificate holder is offering EZ Baccarat in which vigorish is not collected. When collecting the vigorish, the certificate holder may round off the vigorish to 25¢ or the next highest multiple of 25¢.

 (d) A dealer shall collect the vigorish from a player in accordance with one of the following procedures selected by the certificate holder in its Rules Submission under § 601a.2 (relating to table game Rules Submissions):

 (1) At the time the winning payout is made.

 (2) At a later time, provided that:

 (i) The outstanding vigorish shall be collected prior to beginning play with a new dealing shoe of cards or when the player leaves the gaming table, whichever occurs first.

 (ii) The amount of the vigorish shall be tracked by placing a coin or marker button, which contains the amount of the vigorish owed, in the rectangular space on the layout that is imprinted with the number of the player owing the vigorish.

 (iii) The coin or marker button may not be removed from the layout until the vigorish owed is collected.

 (e) If a certificate holder offers the Dragon Bonus Wager, in accordance with § 629a.7(a)(4) (relating to wagers), a vigorish may not be extracted on a winning Dragon Bonus Wager. Winning Dragon Bonus Wagers shall be paid out at the odds in one of the following paytables selected by the certificate holder in its Rules Submission filed in accordance with § 601a.2:

Hand	Paytable A	Paytable B	Paytable C
Win by 9 points	30 to 1	20 to 1	30 to 1
Win by 8 points	10 to 1	8 to 1	10 to 1
Win by 7 points	6 to 1	7 to 1	4 to 1
Win by 6 points	4 to 1	4 to 1	4 to 1
Win by 5 points	2 to 1	3 to 1	2 to 1
Win by 4 points	1 to 1	1 to 1	2 to 1
Natural winner	1 to 1	1 to 1	1 to 1
Natural tie	Push	Push	Push

 (f) A winning Dragon 7 Insurance Wager, as described in § 629a.7(a)(5), shall be paid at odds of 40 to 1.

§ 629a.13. Irregularities.

 (a) Except as provided in subsection (b), a card drawn in error from the dealing shoe that is not disclosed shall be used as the first card of the next hand of play.

 (b) A third card dealt to the Player's Hand that is not disclosed, when a third card is not authorized under § 629a.10 (relating to rules for determining whether a third card shall be dealt), shall become the third card of the Banker's Hand if the Banker's Hand is required to draw under § 629a.10(c). If the Banker's Hand is required to stay, the card dealt in error shall become the first card of the next hand of play.

 (c) If a third card dealt to the Player's Hand, when a third card is not authorized under § 629a.10, is disclosed at the time it is dealt or is found face up in the dealing shoe, the dealer shall use the disclosed card as the third card of the Banker's Hand if the Banker's Hand is required to draw under § 629a.10(c). If the Banker's Hand is required to stay, the dealer shall, in accordance with one of the following procedures designated in the certificate holder's Rules Submission under § 601a.2 (relating to table games Rules Submissions):

 (1) Place the disclosed card and one additional card, drawn face down from the dealing shoe, into the discard bucket without disclosing the additional card.

 (2) Use the disclosed card as the first card of a simulated round of play in which wagers may not be accepted. The cards shall be dealt in accordance with this chapter and placed in the discard bucket upon completion of the dealing procedures.

 (d) Except as provided in subsection (c), if a card is disclosed at the time it is dealt or a card is found face up in the dealing shoe, the dealer shall use the disclosed card as the first card of a simulated round of play in which wagers may not be accepted. The cards shall be dealt in accordance with this chapter and shall be placed in the discard bucket upon completion of the dealing procedures.

 (e) If there are insufficient cards remaining in the dealing shoe to complete a round of play, that round shall be void and all wagers shall be returned. A new round shall commence after the entire set of cards has been replaced and the new set of cards have been placed in the dealing shoe.

CHAPTER 631a. BACCARAT

Sec.

631a.1.	Definitions.
631a.2.	Baccarat table physical characteristics.
631a.3.	Cards; number of decks.
631a.4.	Opening of the table for gaming.
631a.5.	Shuffle and cut of the cards.
631a.6.	Value of cards; Point Count of hand.
631a.7.	Dealing shoe; selection of the player to deal cards.
631a.8.	Wagers.
631a.9.	Hands of player and banker; procedure for dealing initial two cards to each hand.
631a.10.	Procedure for dealing a third card.
631a.11.	Rules for determining whether a third card shall be dealt.
631a.12.	Announcement of result of round; payment and collection of wagers.
631a.13.	Payout odds; vigorish.
631a.14.	Continuation of curator as dealer; selection of a new curator.
631a.15.	Irregularities.

§ 631a.1. Definitions.

 The following words and terms, when used in this chapter, have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

 Curator—The player who accepts the dealing shoe and who is responsible for dealing the cards in accordance with this chapter and the instructions of the dealer calling the game.

 Dragon 7—A Banker's Hand which has a Point Count of 7 with a total of three cards dealt and the Player's Hand which has a Point Count of less than 7.

 EZ Baccarat—A variation of Baccarat in which vigorish is not collected.

 Natural—A hand which has a Point Count of 8 or 9 on the first two cards dealt.

§ 631a.2. Baccarat table physical characteristics.

 (a) Baccarat shall be played on a table having numbered positions for 10 to 14 seated players.

 (b) The layout for a Baccarat table shall be submitted to the Bureau of Gaming Operations and approved in accordance with § 601a.10(a) (relating to approval of table layouts, signage and equipment) and contain, at a minimum:

 (1) The name or logo of the certificate holder.

 (2) Separate areas designated for the placement of wagers on the Banker's Hand, Player's Hand and Tie Hand for each player.

 (3) The payout odds for all permissible wagers offered by the certificate holder. If the payout odds are not inscribed on the layout, a sign identifying the payout odds shall be posted at each Baccarat table.

 (4) An area designated for the placement of cards for the Player's Hand and Banker's Hand.

 (5) If a certificate holder offers the Dragon Bonus Wager, authorized under § 631a.8(a)(4) (relating to wagers), separate areas designated for the placement of the Dragon Bonus Wager for each player.

 (6) If a certificate holder offers EZ Baccarat:

 (i) Separate areas designated for the placement of the Dragon 7 Insurance Wager, authorized under § 631a.8(a)(5),for each player.

 (ii) Inscriptions that advise patrons that a wager on the Banker's Hand that results in a Dragon 7 shall push and be returned to the player. If the information is not inscribed on the layout, a sign containing the information must be posted at each Baccarat table.

 (7) Numbered areas that correspond to the seat numbers for the purpose of marking vigorish unless the dealer, in accordance with the option selected in the certificate holder's Rules Submission under § 601a.2 (relating to table games Rules Submissions), collects the vigorish from a player at the time the winning payout is made or the table is designated for play as an EZ Baccarat table in which vigorish is not collected.

 (c) If marker buttons are used for the purpose of marking vigorish, the marker buttons shall be placed in the table inventory container or in a separate rack designed for the purpose of storing marker buttons. If a separate rack is used, the rack shall be placed in front of the table inventory container during gaming activity.

 (d) Each Baccarat table must have a drop box and a tip box attached on the same side of the gaming table as, but on opposite sides of, the dealer, as approved by the Bureau of Casino Compliance in accordance with § 601a.10(g). The Bureau of Casino Compliance may approve an alternative location for the tip box when a card shuffling device or other table game equipment prevents the placement of the drop box and tip box on the same side of the gaming table as, but on opposite sides of, the dealer.

 (e) Each Baccarat table must have a discard bucket on dealer's side of the table.

§ 631a.3. Cards; number of decks.

 (a) Baccarat shall be played with six to eight decks of cards that are identical in appearance and two cover cards.

 (b) The decks of cards opened for use at a Baccarat table shall be changed after the play of each dealing shoe.

§ 631a.4. Opening of the table for gaming.

 (a) After receiving six or more decks of cards at the table, the dealer calling the game 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 out in horizontal fan shaped columns by deck according to suit and in sequence.

 (c) After the first player is afforded an opportunity to visually inspect the cards, the cards shall be turned face down on the table, mixed thoroughly by a washing of the cards and stacked.

 (d) 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)—(c) do not apply.

§ 631a.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), one or more of the dealers shall wash and stack the cards, after which each of the dealers shall shuffle the stack of cards independently.

 (b) After shuffling the cards and, when applicable, reshuffling them, the dealer calling the game shall offer the stack of cards, with the backs facing away from the dealer, to the players to be cut. The dealer shall begin with the player seated in the highest number position at the table or, in the case of a reshuffle, the last curator and working clockwise around the table, offer the stack to each player until a player accepts the cut. If a player does not accept the cut, the dealer shall cut the cards.

 (c) The cards shall be cut by placing a cover card in the stack at least ten cards in from the top or the bottom of the stack.

 (d) Once the cover card has been inserted into the stack, the dealer shall take all cards above the cover card and the cover card and place them on the bottom of the stack. The dealer shall then insert the second cover card in a position at least 14 cards above the bottom of the stack. The stack of cards shall then be inserted into the dealing shoe for commencement of play.

 (e) After the cards have been cut and before the cards have been placed in the dealing shoe, a floorperson or above may require the cards to be recut if the floorperson or above determines that the cut was performed improperly or in any way that might affect the integrity or fairness of the game. If a recut is required, the cards shall be recut by the next person entitled to cut the cards, as determined by subsection (b). The stack of cards shall then be inserted into the dealing shoe for commencement of play.

 (f) Prior to commencement of play, the dealer shall remove and expose the first card from the dealing shoe and place it, and an additional number of cards, drawn face down, equal to the face value of the first card drawn, in the discard bucket. When determining the face value of the first card removed from the dealing shoe, a 10, jack, queen or king shall count as ten and an ace shall count as one.

§ 631a.6. Value of cards; Point Count of hand.

 (a) The value of the cards in each deck shall be as follows:

 (1) Any card from 2 to 9 shall have its face value.

 (2) Any 10, jack, queen or king shall have a value of zero.

 (3) Any ace shall have a value of one.

 (b) The Point Count of a hand shall be a single digit number from 0 to 9 and determined by totaling the value of the cards in the hand. If the total value of the cards in a hand is a two-digit number, the left digit of the number shall be discarded and the right digit shall constitute the Point Count of the hand. Examples of this rule are as follows:

 (1) A hand composed of an ace, 2 and 4 has a Point Count of 7.

 (2) A hand composed of an ace, 2 and 9 has a total value of 12 but a Point Count of only 2 since the left digit in the number 12 is discarded.

§ 631a.7. Dealing shoe; selection of the player to deal cards.

 (a) Cards used to play Baccarat shall be dealt from a manual dealing shoe specifically designed for that purpose.

 (b) After the cards have been shuffled and placed in the dealing shoe, the dealer calling the game shall offer the dealing shoe to the player in seat number one at the table. If that player rejects the dealing shoe or if there is no one in seat number one, the dealer shall offer the dealing shoe to each of the other players in turn, moving counterclockwise around the table, until one of the players accepts the dealing shoe.

 (c) The player that accepts the dealing shoe shall be designated as the curator.

 (d) Notwithstanding subsections (b) and (c), the dealer may act as the curator if either:

 (1) A player who accepts the dealing shoe and any other player to whom the dealing shoe is relinquished under § 631a.14 (relating to continuation of curator as dealer; selection of a new curator) designates the dealer calling the game as the curator.

 (2) No player to whom the dealing shoe is offered accepts the dealing shoe.

§ 631a.8. Wagers.

 (a) The following are permissible wagers in the game of Baccarat:

 (1) A wager on the Banker's Hand which shall:

 (i) Win if the Banker's Hand has a Point Count higher than that of the Player's Hand unless EZ Baccarat is being played and the Point Counts of the Banker's Hand and the Player's Hand result in a Dragon 7.

 (ii) Lose if the Banker's Hand has a Point Count lower than that of the Player's Hand.

 (iii) Tie and be returned to the player if the Banker's Hand and the Player's Hand have the same Point Count or if EZ Baccarat is being played and the Point Counts of the Banker's Hand and the Player's Hand result in a Dragon 7.

 (2) A wager on the Player's Hand which shall:

 (i) Win if the Player's Hand has a Point Count higher than that of the Banker's Hand.

 (ii) Lose if the Player's Hand has a Point Count lower than that of the Banker's Hand or if EZ Baccarat is being played and the Point Counts of the Banker's Hand and the Player's Hand result in a Dragon 7.

 (iii) Tie and be returned to the player if the Point Counts of the Banker's Hand and the Player's Hand are equal.

 (3) A Tie Wager which shall:

 (i) Win if the Point Counts of the Banker's Hand and the Player's Hand are equal.

 (ii) Lose if Point Counts of the Banker's Hand and the Player's Hand are not equal.

 (4) If offered by a certificate holder, a Dragon Bonus Wager on the Player's Hand or Banker's Hand, or both, which shall:

 (i) Win if the selected hand is:

 (A) A Natural and the other hand is not a Natural.

 (B) A Natural 9 and the other hand is a Natural 8.

 (C) Not a Natural and has a Point Count that exceeds the Point Count of the other hand by four or more points.

 (ii) Lose if the selected hand is:

 (A) A Natural 8 and the other hand is a Natural 9.

 (B) Not a Natural and has a Point Count less than or equal to the Point Count of the other hand.

 (C) Not a Natural and has a Point Count that exceeds the Point Count of the other hand by less than four points.

 (iii) Tie and be returned to the player if the selected hand is a Natural and the other hand is a Natural of equal Point Count.

 (5) A Dragon 7 Insurance Wager, if the table is designated for play as an EZ Baccarat table, which shall:

 (i) Win if the Point Counts of the Banker's Hand and the Player's Hand result in a Dragon 7.

 (ii) Lose if the Point Counts of the Banker's Hand and the Player's Hand do not result in a Dragon 7.

 (b) Wagers at Baccarat shall be made by placing value chips or plaques on the appropriate areas of the Baccarat layout. Verbal wagers accompanied by cash may be accepted provided that the verbal wagers are confirmed by the dealer and the cash is expeditiously converted into value chips or plaques.

 (c) A wager may not be made, increased or withdrawn after the dealer has announced ''no more bets.''

§ 631a.9. Hands of player and banker; procedure for dealing initial two cards to each hand.

 (a) There shall be two hands dealt in the game of Baccarat, one of which shall be designated the Player's Hand and the other designated the Banker's Hand.

 (b) After the dealer calling the game announces ''no more bets,'' the dealer calling the game shall instruct the curator to commence dealing the cards by announcing ''cards.''

 (c) The curator shall deal an initial four cards from the dealing shoe face down to the areas designated for the placement of the Player's Hand and the Dealer's Hand. The first and third cards dealt shall constitute the first and second cards of the Player's Hand. The second and fourth cards dealt shall constitute the first and second cards of the Banker's Hand. Except as provided in subsection (d), after the cards are dealt to each hand, the dealer calling the game shall place the cards face up in front of himself. Any third cards that are required to be dealt shall first be dealt face up to the Player's Hand and then to the Banker's Hand by the curator.

 (d) A certificate holder may, if specified in its Rules Submission under § 601a.2 (relating to table games Rules Submissions), elect to use the following procedures in lieu of the procedures in subsection (c) and § 631a.10(a) (relating to procedure for dealing a third card), after all four cards have been dealt:

 (1) The curator shall place the Banker's Hand underneath the right corner of the dealing shoe.

 (2) The dealer calling the game shall then hand the two cards of the Player's Hand, face down, to the player with the highest wager on the Player's Hand. After viewing the Player's Hand, the player shall return the two cards, face up, to the dealer calling the game, who shall place the cards face up on the area designated for the Player's Hand and announce the Point Count of the Player's Hand.

 (3) The dealer calling the game shall then hand the two cards of the Banker's Hand, face down, to the player with the highest wager on the Banker's Hand. After viewing the Banker's Hand, the player shall return the two cards, face up, to the dealer calling the game, who shall place the cards face up on the area designated for the Banker's Hand and announce the Point Count of the Banker's Hand.

 (4) Any third card required to be dealt to the Player's Hand shall be placed face down on the area designated for the Player's Hand. The dealer calling the game shall then hand the card, face down, to the player who was handed and returned the Player's Hand. After viewing the card, the player shall return the card, face up, to the dealer calling the game, who shall place the card face up on the area designated for the Player's Hand.

 (5) Any third card required to be dealt to the Banker's Hand shall be placed face down on the area designated for the Banker's Hand. The dealer calling the game shall then hand the card, face down, to the player who was handed and returned the Banker's Hand. After viewing the card, the player shall return the card, face up, to the dealer calling the game, who shall place the card face up on the area designated for the Banker's Hand.

 (6) If two or more players wager an equally high amount on the Player's Hand, the player making the wager who is closest to the dealer calling the game, moving counterclockwise around the table, shall be handed the Player's Hand and any third card required to be dealt. If two or more players wager an equally high amount on the Banker's Hand, the player making the wager who is closest to the dealer calling the game, moving counterclockwise around the table, shall be handed the Banker's Hand and any third card required to be dealt.

 (7) In the event there are no wagers on the Player's Hand, the dealer calling the game shall turn the Player's Hand face up and any additional card required to be dealt. In the event there are no wagers on the Banker's Hand, the dealer calling the game shall turn the Banker's Hand face up and any additional card required to be dealt.

 (e) The dealer or floorperson assigned to the table may require any player to relinquish the right to turn over the cards in accordance with subsection (d) if the player unreasonably delays the game. If the voluntary or compulsory relinquishment of that right occurs, the dealer shall offer it to the player immediately to the right of the previous player. If the player does not accept it or there is not a player in that position, the dealer shall offer it to each of the other players in turn, moving counterclockwise around the table for the remainder of that round of play. If no player accepts the cards, the dealer shall turn the cards over and place them on the designated areas of the layout.

§ 631a.10. Procedure for dealing a third card.

 (a) Except as provided in §  631a.9(d) (relating to hands of player and banker; procedure for dealing initial two cards to each hand), after the initial four cards have been dealt and the dealer calling the game places the cards face up in front of himself, the dealer calling the game shall announce the Point Count of the Player's Hand and the Banker's Hand.

 (b) Following the announcement of the Point Counts of each hand, the dealer calling the game shall instruct the curator whether to deal a third card to either or both hands in accordance with § 631a.11 (relating to rules for determining whether a third card shall be dealt). Any third cards required shall be dealt as provided in § 631a.9(c) or (d).

 (c) In no event may more than one additional card be dealt to either hand.

 (d) If the cover card appears as the first card in the dealing shoe at the beginning of a round of play or appears during play, the cover card shall be removed and placed to the side and the hand will be completed. Upon completion of that hand, the dealer calling the game shall announce ''last hand.'' At the completion of one more hand, the cards shall be replaced with new decks of cards.

§ 631a.11. Rules for determining whether a third card shall be dealt.

 (a) If either the Player's Hand or the Banker's Hand is a Natural, no more cards may be dealt to either hand.

 (b) If the Point Count of the Player's Hand and the Banker's Hand is 0 to 7 on the first two cards, the Player's Hand shall:

 (1) Draw (take a third card) if the Player's Hand has a Point Count of less than 6.

 (2) Stay (not take a third card) if the Player's Hand has a Point Count of 6 or more.

 (c) If the Point Count of the Player's Hand and the Banker's Hand is 0 to 7 on the first two cards, the Banker's Hand shall draw or stay in accordance with the following requirements:

 (1) If the Player's Hand does not receive a third card, the Banker's Hand shall be dealt a third card if the Point Count of the Banker's Hand is 5 or less.

 (2) If the Player's Hand is dealt a third card and:

 (i) The Banker's Hand has a Point Count of less than 3, the Banker's Hand shall be dealt a third card.

 (ii) The Banker's Hand has a Point Count of 7, the Banker's Hand may not be dealt a third card.

 (iii) The Banker's Hand has a Point Count of 3, 4, 5 or 6, the Banker's Hand shall be dealt or not dealt a third card in accordance with Table 1 as follows:

Table 1

Value of the Third Card Drawn by Player's Hand

Point Count of Banker's Hand After Two Cards	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9
3	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	S	D
4	S	S	D	D	D	D	D	D	S	S
5	S	S	S	S	D	D	D	D	S	S
6	S	S	S	S	S	S	D	D	S	S

 (d) In Table 1, the first vertical column labeled ''Point Count of Banker's Hand After Two Cards'' refers to the Point Count of the Banker's Hand after the first two cards have been dealt to the Banker's Hand.

 (e) In Table 1, the first horizontal row at the top labeled ''Value of the Third Card Drawn by Player's Hand'' refers to the value of the third card drawn by the Player's Hand, not the Point Count of the Player's Hand.

 (f) In Table 1, the letter ''D'' means that the Banker's Hand shall draw a third card and the letter ''S'' means that the Banker's Hand shall stay.

 (g) To use Table 1, first find the Point Count of the Banker's Hand in the first vertical column and trace that horizontally across the table until it intersects the vertical column that corresponds to the value of the third card drawn by the Player's Hand. The symbol located where the intersection occurs determines whether the Banker's Hand shall draw a third card or stay. For example, if the Point Count of the Banker's Hand after two cards is 5 and the value of the third card drawn by the Player's Hand is 4, the table shows that the Banker's Hand shall draw a third card.

§ 631a.12. Announcement of result of round; payment and collection of wagers.

 (a) After each hand has received all the cards to which it is entitled under §§ 631a.9, 631a.10 and 631a.11 (relating to hands of player and banker; procedure for dealing initial two cards to each hand; procedure for dealing a third card; and rules for determining whether a third card shall be dealt), the dealer calling the game shall announce the final Point Count of each hand indicating which hand has won the round. If the two hands have equal Point Counts, the dealer shall announce ''tie hand.'' If the table is designated for play as an EZ Baccarat table and the Point Counts of the Banker's Hand and the Player's Hand result in a Dragon 7, the dealer shall announce ''Dragon 7.''

 (b) After the result of the round is announced, the dealer or dealers responsible for the wagers on the table shall first collect each losing wager. After the losing wagers are collected, the dealer or dealers responsible for the wagers on the table shall, starting at the highest numbered player position at which a winning wager is located, pay that player's winning wager and immediately thereafter mark or collect the vigorish owed by that player unless the table is designated for play as an EZ Baccarat table in which vigorish is not collected. The dealer shall then proceed in descending order to the next highest numbered player position at which a winning wager is located and repeat this procedure until each winning wager is paid and the vigorish owed by each player, if any, is either marked or collected.

 (c) At the conclusion of a round of play, the dealer shall remove all cards from the table and place the cards in the discard bucket.

§ 631a.13. Payout odds; vigorish.

 (a) A winning wager made on the Player's Hand shall be paid at odds of 1 to 1.

 (b) A winning Tie Wager shall be paid at odds of at least 8 to 1.

 (c) A winning wager made on the Banker's Hand shall be paid at odds of 1 to 1, except that the certificate holder shall extract a vigorish from the winning players in an amount equal to 5% of the amount won, unless the certificate holder is offering EZ Baccarat in which vigorish is not collected. When collecting the vigorish, the certificate holder may round off the vigorish to 25¢ or the next highest multiple of 25¢.

 (d) A dealer shall collect the vigorish from a player in accordance with one of the following procedures selected by the certificate holder in its Rules Submission under §  601a.2 (relating to table game Rules Submissions):

 (1) At the time the winning payout is made.

 (2) At a later time, provided that:

 (i) The outstanding vigorish shall be collected prior to beginning play with a new dealing shoe of cards or when the player leaves the gaming table, whichever occurs first.

 (ii) The amount of the vigorish shall be tracked by placing a coin or marker button, which contains the amount of the vigorish owed, in the rectangular space on the layout that is imprinted with the number of the player owing the vigorish.

 (iii) The coin or marker button may not be removed from the layout until the vigorish owed is collected.

 (e) If a certificate holder offers the Dragon Bonus Wager, in accordance with § 631a.8(a)(4) (relating to wagers), a vigorish may not be extracted on a winning Dragon Bonus Wager. Winning Dragon Bonus Wagers shall be paid out at the odds in one of the following paytables selected by the certificate holder in its Rules Submission filed in accordance with § 601a.2:

Hand	Paytable A	Paytable B	Paytable C
Win by 9 points	30 to 1	20 to 1	30 to 1
Win by 8 points	10 to 1	8 to 1	10 to 1
Win by 7 points	6 to 1	7 to 1	4 to 1
Win by 6 points	4 to 1	4 to 1	4 to 1
Win by 5 points	2 to 1	3 to 1	2 to 1
Win by 4 points	1 to 1	1 to 1	2 to 1
Natural winner	1 to 1	1 to 1	1 to 1
Natural tie	Push	Push	Push

 (f) A winning Dragon 7 Insurance Wager, as described in § 631a.8(a)(5), shall be paid out at odds of 40 to 1.

§ 631a.14. Continuation of curator as dealer; selection of a new curator.

 (a) The curator, after any round of play, may either pass the dealing shoe or remain as curator except that:

 (1) The curator shall pass the dealing shoe whenever the Banker's Hand loses.

 (2) The dealer calling the game or a floorperson or above may order the curator to pass the dealing shoe if the curator unreasonably delays the game or repeatedly makes invalid deals.

 (b) When a voluntary or compulsory relinquishment of the dealing shoe occurs, the dealer shall offer the dealing shoe to the player immediately to the right of the previous curator and, if that player does not accept the dealing shoe or there is no player in that position, the dealer shall offer the dealing shoe to each of the other players in turn, moving counterclockwise around the table. The first player to accept the dealing shoe when offered shall become the new curator.

§ 631a.15. Irregularities.

 (a) Except as provided in subsection (b), a card drawn in error from the dealing shoe that is not disclosed shall be used as the first card of the next hand of play.

 (b) A third card dealt to the Player's Hand that is not disclosed, when a third card is not authorized under § 631a.11 (relating to rules for determining whether a third card shall be dealt), shall become the third card of the Banker's Hand if the Banker's Hand is required to draw under § 631a.11(c). If the Banker's Hand is required to stay, the card dealt in error shall become the first card of the next hand of play.

 (c) If a third card dealt to the Player's Hand, when a third card is not authorized under § 631a.11, is disclosed at the time it is dealt or is found face up in the dealing shoe, the dealer calling the game shall use the disclosed card as the third card of the Banker's Hand if the Banker's Hand is required to draw under § 631a.11(c). If the Banker's Hand is required to stay, the dealer calling the game shall, in accordance with one of the following procedures designated in the certificate holder's Rules Submission under §  601a.2 (relating to table games Rules Submissions):

 (1) Place the disclosed card and one additional card, drawn face down from the dealing shoe, into the discard bucket without disclosing the additional card.

 (2) Use the disclosed card as the first card of a simulated round of play in which wagers may not be accepted. The cards shall be dealt in accordance with the rules of this chapter and placed in the discard bucket upon completion of the dealing procedures.

 (d) Except as provided in subsection (c), if a card is disclosed at the time it is dealt or a card is found face up in the dealing shoe, the dealer shall use the disclosed card as the first card of a simulated round of play in which wagers may not be accepted. The cards shall be dealt in accordance with this chapter and placed in the discard bucket upon completion of the dealing procedures.

 (e) If there are insufficient cards remaining in the dealing shoe to complete a round of play, that round shall be void and all wagers shall be returned. A new round shall commence after the entire set of cards has been replaced and the new set of cards have been placed in the dealing shoe.

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 12-970. Filed for public inspection May 18, 2012, 9:00 a.m.]

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