RULES AND REGULATIONS
Title 58—RECREATION
PENNSYLVANIA GAMING CONTROL BOARD
[ 58 PA. CODE CHS. 605a, 639a, 641a,
643a, 647a, 653a, 655a AND 657a ]
Electronic Gaming Tables and Table Games Rules of Play
[44 Pa.B. 5463]
[Saturday, August 16, 2014]The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (Board), under the general authority in 4 Pa.C.S. § 1202(b)(30) (relating to general and specific powers) and the specific authority in 4 Pa.C.S. § 13A02(1) and (2) (relating to regulatory authority), amends Chapters 605a, 639a, 641a, 643a, 647a, 653a, 655a and 657a to read as set forth in Annex A.
Purpose of the Final-Form Rulemaking
This final-form rulemaking adds requirements for progressive table game systems that are linked between multiple tables within the same licensed facility, adds the Progressive Payout Wager to Crazy 4 Poker, Caribbean Stud Poker, Four Card Poker, Let It Ride Poker and Texas Hold 'Em Bonus Poker, and the Bad Beat Wager to Four Card Poker.
Explanation
Progressive table games
Section 605a.7(a)(1) (relating to progressive table games) is amended to require the progressive meter on tables to increase in value based on the wagers. Unlike slot machine progressives, progressive jackpots on table games are player funded (with the exception of the seed amount). Therefore, the meter should always be incrementing every time a player places a progressive wager. For the same reasons, the Board eliminated the option in subsection (b)(4) to place caps or limits on the progressive jackpot amounts.
Subsection (b)(4) now requires that if an operator is going to fund a reserve pool with a portion of the patron's wager on a progressive, the proposed incrimination rate must be included in the operator's submission to the Bureau of Gaming Laboratory Operations.
For clarity, subsection (d)(2) is consolidated into subsection (d)(1). Specificity is added in renumbered subsection (d)(3) regarding what is to happen to a progressive jackpot amount if a meter malfunctions.
New subsection (e) prohibits operators from capping a meter or offering more than one progressive on the same table game (for example, a Five-Card and Four-Card Progressive). The Board believes that having multiple progressives on the same table game will create problems with administering the progressives and will lead to confusion. The Board added a requirement in subsection (e)(3) that if operators were to offer progressives, the required wager amount would have to be a set amount to ensure fairness to all players vying for the progressive jackpot (a percentage of the jackpot meter).
Subsection (e)(4) was added requiring operators to submit internal controls specifying how the licensee would reconcile concurrent jackpot wins from the same progressive meter. Subsection (e)(5) prohibits the removal of a progressive jackpot unless the operator receives written approval from the Board's Executive Director.
Linked progressive tables
A local area progressive (LAP) controller links different games within the same licensed facility together for the purpose of offering a shared progressive jackpot. A definition of ''local area progressive controller'' is added in § 605a.1 (relating to definitions). New § 605a.8 (relating to linked progressive table games) includes key control and general system specifications for LAP controllers.
Additionally, to ensure fairness to players, if a certificate holder is offering a linked progressive, the linked games must have the same probability of hitting the jackpot and the same amount shall be wagered by the players participating in the side bet. See § 605a.8(g).
Progressive Payout Wager
The Progressive Payout Wager (referred to in several of the chapters as the Five-Card Progressive Payout Wager for games that already include a Three or Four-Card Progressive Wager) is an optional side wager that the player's five-card hand will contain a three-of-a-kind or better. This side wager may be offered on a single table (such as one Four Card Poker table), on multiple tables (a bank of Four Card Poker tables) or across multiple games within the same licensed facility (Four Card Poker, Crazy 4 Poker and Let It Ride Poker tables, for example). The purpose of linking multiple tables and games together is to increase the number of individuals contributing to and playing for the progressive jackpot amount.
Under this final-form rulemaking, the Progressive Payout Wager (Five-Card Progressive Payout Wager) may be played on any of the following games: Caribbean Stud Poker; Four Card Poker; Let It Ride Poker; Texas Hold 'Em Bonus Poker; Ultimate Texas Hold 'Em Poker; Mississippi Stud; and Crazy 4 Poker. For these games, language is added specifying that if a facility were to offer a linked progressive, the table game system must comply with the new requirements in § 605a.8. For those games that did not previously include a payout based on a five-card Poker hand, hand rankings are added. A description of the Progressive Payout Wager, how the wager is to be settled and when it is to be settled, and the payout odds and amounts are added.
In addition to the amendments discussed previously, several chapters are also amended to ensure that players wagering on a progressive have the same probability of winning the jackpot.
In Caribbean Stud Poker, the Progressive Payout Wager based on a five-card hand is already included as an optional side wager. However, the Progressive Payouts previously approved in paytables A—C may be utilized only on single table progressives but may not be used for linked table progressives. Therefore, language is added in §§ 639a.11 and 639a.12 (relating to procedure for completion of each round of play; and payout odds; rate of progression) specifying that if operators were to offer linked progressives, only paytable D, which includes an Envy Bonus, could be utilized.
In this final-form rulemaking, paytable E was added and, like paytables A—C, may be utilized only on single table progressives but may not be used on linked table progressives.
Amendments to § 647a.2(c) (relating to Texas Hold 'Em Bonus Poker table physical characteristics) specify that if an operator were to offer the Progressive Payout Wager, the table must be equipped with a progressive table game system. This language is added because other progressive wagers were not previously authorized for Texas Hold 'Em Bonus Poker. As this is the first progressive side wager authorized, additional requirements regarding the use of the progressive table game system are added in §§ 647a.8—647a.10 (relating to procedure for dealing the cards from a manual dealing shoe; procedure for dealing the cards from the hand; and procedure for dealing the cards from an automated dealing shoe).
Amendments to § 653a.11 (relating to procedures for completion of each round of play) ensure that only the player's two cards and the first three community cards (the Flop) may be used to form the best five-card Poker hand for purposes of the Progressive Payout Wager. This clarifying language is included because allowing players to create the best five-card Poker hand from the seven cards dealt (the player's two cards and five community cards) would create an advantage to players at Ultimate Texas Hold 'Em Poker if those players were vying for the linked progressive jackpot against players at tables in which only the player's first five cards were used to create the best possible hand.
In Mississippi Stud, language is amended in § 655a.11(i)(4)(i)(D) (relating to procedures for completion of each round of play) for consistency with the other chapters that offer progressive jackpot payouts.
Amendments to § 657a.11 (relating to procedures for completion of each round of play) specify that for the Five-Card Progressive Payout Wager, the dealer shall consider all five cards dealt to the player to determine a winning hand. This clarifying language is included because other wagers in Crazy 4 Poker are based on the best four-card hand a player can make from the five cards dealt.
Bad Beat Bonus Wager
The Bad Beat Bonus Wager is added to Four Card Poker. The layout requirements are added in § 641a.2(b)(4) (relating to Four Card Poker table physical characteristics), the wager description is added to § 641a.7(d)(6) (relating to wagers), the procedure for payment of winning wagers and the collection of losing wagers is added in § 641a.11(c)(6) (relating to procedures for completion of each round of play) and the payout odds are added in § 641a.12(f) (relating to payout odds; Envy Bonus; rate of progression).
Comment and Response Summary
Notice of proposed rulemaking was published at 43 Pa.B. 2312 (April 27, 2013). The Board did not receive comments on the proposed rulemaking from the public, regulated community or the Independent Regulatory Review Commission (IRRC).
Affected Parties
Slot machine licensees will be impacted by this final-form rulemaking as operators will have a greater number of side wagers to offer at their facilities.
Fiscal Impact
Commonwealth. The Board does not expect that this final-form rulemaking will have fiscal impact on the Board or other Commonwealth agencies. Testing of LAP controllers and progressives and updates to Rules Submissions and internal control procedures will be reviewed by existing Board staff.
Political subdivisions. This final-form rulemaking will not have fiscal impact on political subdivisions of this Commonwealth.
Private sector. This final-form rulemaking will provide certificate holders with additional operational options. If a certificate holder decides to offer the Progressive Payout Wager, the Bad Beat Bonus Wager or linked progressive jackpots within the licensed facility, the certificate holder will be required to train their dealers on the rules of play and may need to purchase new equipment which will allow for the placement of progressive wagers. Costs incurred to train employees or purchase or lease equipment should be offset by the proceeds of gaming.
General public. This final-form rulemaking will not have fiscal impact on the general public.
Paperwork Requirements
If a certificate holder selects different options for the play of table games, the certificate holder will be required to submit an updated Rules Submission reflecting the changes. These forms are available and submitted to Board staff electronically.
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 April 15, 2013, the Board submitted a copy of the notice of proposed rulemaking, published at 43 Pa.B. 2312, to IRRC and the Chairpersons of the House Gaming Oversight Committee and the Senate Community, Economic and Recreational Development Committee for review and comment.
Under section 5(c) of the Regulatory Review Act, IRRC and the House and Senate Committees were provided with copies of the comments received during the public comment period, as well as other documents when requested. In preparing the final-form rulemaking, the Department has considered all comments from IRRC, the House and Senate Committees and the public.
Under section 5.1(j.2) of the Regulatory Review Act (71 P. S. § 745.5a(j.2)), on July 9, 2014, 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 July 10, 2014, and approved the final-form rulemaking.
Findings
The Board finds that:
(1) Public notice of intention to adopt these amendments was given under sections 201 and 202 of the act of July 31, 1968 (P. L. 769, No. 240) (45 P. S. §§ 1201 and 1202) and the regulations thereunder, 1 Pa. Code §§ 7.1 and 7.2.
(2) The final-form rulemaking is necessary and appropriate for the administration and enforcement of 4 Pa.C.S. Part II (relating to gaming).
Order
The Board, acting under 4 Pa.C.S. Part II, orders that:
(1) The regulations of the Board, 58 Pa. Code Chapters 605a, 639a, 641a, 643a, 647a, 653a, 655a and 657a, are amended by adding § 605a.8 and by amending §§ 605a.1, 605a.7, 639a.1, 639a.2, 639a.11, 639a.12, 641a.1, 641a.2, 641a.6, 641a.7, 641a.11, 641a.12, 643a.1, 643a.2, 643a.6, 643a.7, 643a.11, 643a.12, 647a.1, 647a.2, 647a.7—647a.12, 653a.2, 653a.11, 653a.12, 655a.2, 655a.11, 657a.1, 657a.2, 657a.6, 657a.7, 657a.11 and 657a.12 to read as set forth in Annex A, with ellipses referring to the existing text of the regulations.
(2) The Chairperson of the Board shall certify this order and Annex A and deposit them with the Legislative Reference Bureau as required by law.
(3) 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 44 Pa.B. 5156 (July 26, 2014).)
Fiscal Note: Fiscal Note 125-169 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 605a. ELECTRONIC GAMING TABLES § 605a.1. Definitions.
The following words and terms, when used in this chapter, have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
Electronic wagering system—A computer or server and any related hardware, software or other device that permits wagering to be conducted at a gaming table.
Game account—The funds that are available to a player for use at an electronic gaming table.
Local area progressive controller—The hardware and software used to configure, maintain and operate a shared link between progressive table games within a licensed facility.
§ 605a.7. Progressive table games.
(a) Each progressive on a fully automated electronic gaming table, electronic gaming table or live table game must have:
(1) A progressive meter visible from the front of the gaming table, which must increase in value based upon wagers, that advises the players of the amount which can be won if the player receives the corresponding outcome.
(2) A meter that accumulates the total value of credits paid as a result of progressive awards paid directly by a fully automated electronic gaming table or electronic gaming table.
(3) A meter that accumulates the total value of credits paid as a result of progressive awards paid directly by an attendant as a result of progressive awards that are not capable of being paid by a fully automated electronic gaming table or electronic gaming table.
(4) A cumulative progressive payout meter that continuously and automatically records the total value of progressive jackpots paid directly by a fully automated electronic gaming table, electronic gaming table, or attendant.
(5) A key and keyed switch to reset the progressive meter or meters or other reset mechanism.
(6) A key locking the compartment housing the progressive meter or meters or other means by which to preclude unauthorized alterations to the progressive meters. The key or alternative security method must be different than the key or reset mechanism in paragraph (5).
(b) A table game that offers a progressive jackpot may not be placed on the gaming floor until the certificate holder or, if applicable, the progressive system operator, has submitted the following to the Bureau of Gaming Laboratory Operations for review and approval, in accordance with § 461a.4 (relating to submission for testing and approval):
(1) The initial and reset amounts at which the progressive meter or meters will be set.
(2) The proposed system for controlling the keys and applicable logical access controls to the table games.
(3) The proposed rate of progression for each progressive jackpot.
(4) The proposed incrementation rate for a reserve pool, if any, to fund the next reset amount.
(c) A table game that offers either a new progressive jackpot or a modification of an existing progressive jackpot may not be made available for play by the public until the table game has been tested by the Bureau of Gaming Laboratory Operations and approved in accordance with § 461a.4 and § 461a.26 (relating to testing and software installation on the live gaming floor).
(d) Progressive meters may not be turned back to a lesser amount or removed unless one of the following occurs:
(1) The amount indicated has been paid to a winning patron and the amount won has been recorded in accordance with a system of internal controls approved under § 465a.2 (relating to internal control systems and audit protocols).
(2) The progressive jackpot has, upon written approval in accordance with § 461a.4, been transferred to another progressive table game.
(3) A table game or progressive meter malfunctions, in which case, a written explanation shall be sent to the Bureau of Gaming Laboratory Operations and the entire progressive jackpot amount shall be placed back onto the progressive jackpot meter.
(e) A certificate holder that offers progressive jackpots:
(1) May not place a limit or cap on the progressive jackpot amount.
(2) May not offer more than one progressive jackpot on the same table game.
(3) Shall require that on any table with a linked progressive, the same progressive wager amount be invested to entitle the player a chance at winning the progressive jackpot. The progressive wager amount required may not be changed unless the certificate holder updates its Rules Submission in accordance with § 601a.2 (relating to table games Rules Submissions).
(4) Shall submit internal controls in accordance with § 465a.2 specifying how the licensee will reconcile simultaneous or multiple progressive meter wins from the same progressive meter.
(5) May not remove a progressive jackpot from the gaming floor without written approval from the Board's Executive Director.
§ 605a.8. Linked progressive table games.
(a) Two or more table games that are located within the same licensed facility and offer a shared progressive jackpot must be linked using an approved local area progressive (LAP) controller.
(b) The LAP controller:
(1) Must be capable of uniquely identifying each linked progressive table game.
(2) Must become inoperable if any of the following errors occur:
(i) RAM failures.
(ii) Power failures.
(iii) Self-check errors.
(iv) Incorrect configurations.
(v) Lost jackpot configurations.
(3) Must be designed to:
(i) Recover from an error or communication failure and, when recovered, to return to the state it was in prior to the error or communication failure.
(ii) Automatically and accurately calculate the progressive jackpot amount based on a configured rate of progression and to continuously update the required displays and meters.
(iii) Accurately identify and record the order of winning progressive jackpots when two or more linked progressive table games achieve the same winning game outcome at nearly the same time.
(iv) Complete a self-check when powered-up. A LAP controller must be designed so that it becomes operational only if it has successfully passed a self-check. A self-check must include an authentication of the LAP controller software by means of, at a minimum, a 16-bit cyclical redundancy check.
(4) May not allow progressive parameter changes while a progressive link is in operation.
(c) Progressives connected to a LAP controller must become unplayable when the LAP controller is disabled or inoperable or if the progressive loses communication with the LAP controller.
(d) The certificate holder shall specify in its internal controls required under § 465a.2 (relating to internal control systems and audit protocols):
(1) The mechanism by which the certificate holder and the patrons will be notified if the LAP controller or the linked progressive on a table game becomes inoperable.
(2) The secure location within the licensed facility where the LAP controller will be stored.
(3) An access matrix containing a list of users and a description of their access rights to the LAP controller software.
(4) Key controls over the cabinet or rack which houses the LAP controller.
(e) A certificate holder is required to physically house, in each location where a LAP controller is stored, an entry authorization log that documents each time a LAP controller is accessed. The log must:
(1) Contain the date, time, purpose for accessing the LAP controller and the signature and license or permit number of the person accessing the LAP controller.
(2) Be maintained in the location where the LAP controller unit is housed.
(3) Have recorded a sequence number and the manufacturer's serial number of the LAP controller.
(f) A certificate holder seeking to utilize a linked progressive on a table game shall submit for approval the location and manner of installing a progressive meter display mechanism.
(g) Two or more table games within the same licensed facility that are linked to a common progressive meter for the purpose of offering a shared progressive jackpot must:
(1) Have the same probability of hitting the combination that will award the progressive jackpot as every other table game linked to the common progressive meter.
(2) Require that the same progressive wager amount be invested to entitle the player a chance at winning the progressive jackpot. Progressive wager amounts may not be changed unless the certificate holder updates its Rules Submission in accordance with § 601a.2 (relating to table games Rules Submissions).
(h) Table games that offer a linked progressive jackpot may not be made available for play by the public until the LAP controller and the linked progressive table games have been tested by the Bureau of Gaming Laboratory Operations and approved in accordance with §§ 461a.4 and 461a.26 (relating to submission for testing and approval; and testing and software installation on the live gaming floor).
CHAPTER 639a. CARIBBEAN STUD POKER § 639a.1. Definitions.
The following words and terms, when used in this chapter, have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
Bet Wager—An additional wager that a player shall make if the player opts to remain in competition against the dealer after the player reviews his hand.
Envy Bonus—An additional fixed sum payout made to a player who placed a Progressive Payout Wager when another player at the Caribbean Stud Poker table is the holder of an Envy Bonus Qualifying Hand.
Envy Bonus Qualifying Hand—A player's five-card Poker hand with a rank of a straight flush or better as defined in § 639a.6(b) (relating to Caribbean Stud Poker rankings).
Fold—The withdrawal of a player from a round of play by not making a Bet Wager.
Hand—The five-card hand that is held by each player and the dealer after the cards are dealt.
Hole card—Any of the four cards dealt face down to the dealer.
Progressive Payout Hand—The term means either of the following:
(i) A player's five-card Poker hand with a rank of three-of-a-kind or better.
(ii) If included in the paytable selected by the certificate holder, a two pair or better as defined in § 639a.6(b).
§ 639a.2. Caribbean Stud Poker table physical characteristics.
* * * * * (c) If a certificate holder offers a Progressive Payout Wager in accordance with § 639a.7(d)(2), the Caribbean Stud Poker table must have a progressive table game system, in accordance with § 605a.7 (relating to progressive table games), for the placement of Progressive Payout Wagers. If the certificate holder is offering a Progressive Payout Wager on multiple linked tables or games in the same licensed facility, the progressive table game system must comply with § 605a.8 (relating to linked progressive table games). The progressive table game system must include:
* * * * * § 639a.11. Procedure for completion of each round of play.
(a) After the dealing procedures required under § 639a.8, § 639a.9 or § 639a.10 (relating to procedure for dealing the cards from a manual dealing shoe; procedures for dealing the cards from the hand; and procedures for dealing the cards from an automated dealing shoe) have been completed, each player shall examine his cards subject to the following limitations:
(1) Each player who wagers at Caribbean Stud Poker shall be responsible for his own hand and no person other than the dealer and the player to whom the cards were dealt may touch the cards of that player.
(2) Each player shall keep the five cards in full view of the dealer at all times.
(3) After each player has made a decision regarding the Bet Wager as required under subsection (b), the player's cards shall be placed face down on the appropriate area of the layout and the player may not touch the cards again.
(b) After each player has examined his cards, the dealer shall, beginning with the player farthest to the dealer's left and moving clockwise around the table, ask each player if he wishes to make a Bet Wager in an amount equal to two times the amount of the player's Ante Wager or forfeit the Ante Wager and end his participation in the round of play. If a player has placed an Ante Wager and a Caribbean Stud Bonus Wager or Progressive Payout Wager but does not make a Bet Wager, the player shall forfeit all wagers but does not forfeit the right to receive an Envy Bonus Payout, if applicable.
(c) After each player who has placed an Ante Wager has either placed a Bet Wager on the designated area of the layout or forfeited his wager and hand, the dealer shall collect all forfeited wagers and associated cards and place the cards in the discard rack. The dealer shall then reveal the dealer's four hole cards and place the cards so as to form the highest possible ranking five-card Poker hand. After the dealer's cards are turned face up, the dealer shall, beginning with the player farthest to the dealer's right and continuing around the table in a counterclockwise direction, complete the following applicable procedures in succession for each player:
(1) The dealer shall turn the five cards of each player face up on the layout.
(2) The dealer shall examine the cards of the player and form the highest possible ranking five-card Poker hand for each player.
(3) If the dealer's highest ranking five-card Poker hand:
(i) Is lower than an ace-king, the dealer shall return each player's Bet Wager and pay out the player's Ante Wager made by the player in accordance with the payout odds in § 639a.12(a) and (b) (relating to payout odds; rate of progression).
(ii) Is an ace-king or better, and the player's highest ranking five-card Poker hand:
(A) Is ranked lower than the dealer's five-card Poker hand, the dealer shall immediately collect the Ante and Bet Wagers made by the player.
(B) Is ranked higher than the dealer's five-card Poker hand, the dealer shall pay the Ante and Bet Wagers made by the player in accordance with the payout odds in § 639a.12(a) and (b).
(C) Is equal in rank to the dealer's five-card hand, the dealer shall return the Ante and Bet Wagers made by the player.
(4) The dealer shall settle any Caribbean Stud Bonus Wager made by the player by determining whether the player's five-card Poker hand qualifies for a payout in accordance with § 639a.12(c). A winning Caribbean Stud Bonus Wager shall be paid irrespective of whether the player's five-card Poker hand outranks the dealer's hand.
(5) After settling a player's Ante, Bet and Caribbean Stud Bonus Wagers, the dealer shall then settle the Progressive Payout Wager, if offered by the certificate holder. A winning Progressive Payout Wager shall be paid irrespective of whether the player's five-card Poker hand outranks the dealer's hand. If a player has won a progressive payout, the dealer shall:
(i) Verify that the hand is a winning hand.
(ii) Verify that the appropriate light on the progressive table game system has been illuminated.
(iii) Have a floorperson or above validate the progressive payout in accordance with the certificate holder's approved internal control procedures.
(iv) Pay the winning Progressive Payout Wager in accordance with the payout odds in § 639a.12(d). If a player has won a progressive payout that is a percentage of the jackpot amount on the progressive meter, the progressive payout may not be paid from the table inventory container. If a player has won a progressive payout that is not being paid from the table inventory container, the cards of that player shall remain on the table until the necessary documentation has been completed.
(v) Pay any Envy Bonus won in accordance with § 639a.12(d)(6) if Paytable D in § 639a.12(d)(1) is selected by the certificate holder. Players making a Progressive Payout Wager shall receive an Envy Bonus when another player at the same Caribbean Stud Poker table is the holder of an Envy Bonus Qualifying Hand. Players are entitled to multiple Envy Bonuses if more than one other player is the holder of an Envy Bonus Qualifying Hand. A player is not entitled to an Envy Bonus for his own hand or the hand of the dealer.
(d) After all wagers of the player have been settled, the dealer shall remove all remaining cards from the table and place them in the discard rack in a manner that permits the reconstruction of each hand in the event of a question or dispute.
§ 639a.12. Payout odds; rate of progression.
(a) A certificate holder shall pay each winning Ante Wager at odds of 1 to 1.
(b) A certificate holder shall pay winning Bet Wagers in accordance with the following odds:
Hand Paytable Royal flush 100 to 1 Straight flush 50 to 1 Four-of-a-kind 20 to 1 Full house 7 to 1 Flush 5 to 1 Straight 4 to 1 Three-of-a-kind 3 to 1 Two pair 2 to 1 A pair or less 1 to 1 (c) If a certificate holder offers the Caribbean Stud Bonus Wager, the certificate holder shall pay each winning Caribbean Stud Bonus Wager at the odds in one of the following paytables selected by the certificate holder in its Rules Submission filed in accordance with § 601a.2 (relating to table games Rules Submissions):
Hand Paytable A Paytable B Paytable C Royal flush 1,000 to 1 1,000 to 1 1,000 to 1 Straight flush 200 to 1 200 to 1 200 to 1 Four-of-a-kind 100 to 1 100 to 1 100 to 1 Full house 50 to 1 50 to 1 50 to 1 Flush 40 to 1 40 to 1 40 to 1 Straight 25 to 1 25 to 1 20 to 1 Three-of-a-kind 7 to 1 6 to 1 6 to 1 Two pair 3 to 1 3 to 1 3 to 1 A pair of 10s or
better1 to 1 1 to 1 1 to 1 (d) If a certificate holder offers the Progressive Payout Wager:
(1) A player placing a Progressive Payout Wager shall be paid at the odds in one of the following payout tables selected by the certificate holder in its Rules Submission filed in accordance with § 601a.2:
Hand Paytable A Paytable B Paytable C Royal flush 100% of meter 100% of meter 100% of meter Straight flush 5,000 for 1 10% of meter 10% of meter Four-of-a-kind 500 for 1 500 for 1 200 for 1 Full house 100 for 1 100 for 1 50 for 1 Flush 50 for 1 50 for 1 40 for 1 Straight 10 for 1 10 for 1 30 for 1 Three-of-a-kind 3 for 1 3 for 1 9 for 1 Two pair 2 for 1 2 for 1 N/A
Hand Paytable D Paytable E Royal flush 100% of meter 100% of meter Straight flush 10% of meter 10% of meter Four-of-a-kind 300 for 1 500 for 1 Full house 50 for 1 100 for 1 Flush 40 for 1 50 for 1 Straight 30 for 1 N/A Three-of-a-kind 9 for 1 N/A (2) A player shall receive the payout for only the highest ranking five-card Poker hand formed.
(3) Paytables A, B, C and E may not be selected by the certificate holder if the Progressive Payout Wager is offered on multiple linked games with a shared progressive jackpot.
(4) The rate of progression for the meter used for the progressive payout in paragraph (1) must be in the certificate holder's Rules Submission filed in accordance with § 601a.2. The initial and reset amount must also be in the certificate holder's Rules Submission and may not be less than $10,000.
(5) Winning Progressive Payout Hands shall be paid in accordance with the amount on the meter when it is the player's turn to be paid in accordance with § 639a.11(c)(5) (relating to procedure for completion of each round of play).
(6) If the certificate holder selects Paytable D, Envy Bonus payouts shall be made according to the following payouts for Envy Bonus Qualifying Hands based upon the amount of the Progressive Payout Wager placed by the player receiving the Envy Bonus:
$1 Progressive Payout Wager
Hand Envy Bonus Royal flush $1,000 Straight flush $300
$5 Progressive Payout Wager
Hand Envy Bonus Royal flush $5,000 Straight flush $1,500
CHAPTER 641a. FOUR CARD POKER § 641a.1. Definitions.
The following words and terms, when used in this chapter, have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
Aces Up Wager—The wager that a player is required to make prior to any cards being dealt to compete against a posted paytable, regardless of whether the player's hand outranks the dealer's hand.
Five-Card Envy Bonus—An additional fixed sum payout made to a player who placed a Five-Card Progressive Payout Wager when another player at the Four Card Poker table is the holder of a Five-Card Envy Bonus Qualifying Hand.
Five-Card Envy Bonus Qualifying Hand—A player's five-card Poker hand with a rank of a straight flush or better, as defined in § 641a.6(d) (relating to Four Card Poker rankings).
Five-Card Progressive Payout Hand—A player's five-card Poker hand with a rank of three-of-a-kind or better as defined in § 641a.6(d).
Four-Card Envy Bonus—An additional fixed sum payout made to a player who placed a Four-Card Progressive Payout Wager when another player at the Four Card Poker table is the holder of a Four-Card Envy Bonus Qualifying Hand.
Four-Card Envy Bonus Qualifying Hand—A player's Four Card Poker hand with a rank of four-of-a-kind or better or a straight flush or better, as defined in § 641a.6(b), depending on the paytable selected by the certificate holder.
Four-Card Progressive Payout Hand—A player's Four Card Poker hand with a rank of three-of-a-kind or better as defined in § 641a.6(b).
Hand—The Four Card Poker hand that is held by each player and the dealer after the cards are dealt.
Play Wager—An additional wager that a player shall make if the player opts to remain in competition against the dealer after the player reviews his hand.
§ 641a.2. Four Card Poker table physical characteristics.
(a) Four Card Poker shall be played at a table having betting positions for no more than seven players on one side of the table and a place for the dealer on the opposite side of the table.
(b) The layout for a Four Card Poker table shall be submitted to the Bureau of Gaming Operations and approved in accordance with § 601a.10(a) (relating to approval of table game layouts, signage and equipment) and contain, at a minimum:
(1) The name or logo of the certificate holder.
(2) Three separate betting areas designated for the placement of Ante, Play and Aces Up Wagers for each player.
(3) If the certificate holder offers either the Four or Five-Card Progressive Payout Wager authorized under § 641a.7(d)(4) or (5) (relating to wagers), a separate area designated for the placement of the Progressive Payout Wager for each player.
(4) If the certificate holder offers the optional Bad Beat Bonus Wager authorized under § 641a.7(d)(6), a separate area designated for the placement of the Bad Beat Bonus Wager for each player.
(5) Inscriptions that advise patrons of the payout odds or amounts for all permissible wagers offered by the certificate holder. If payout odds or amounts are not inscribed on the layout, a sign identifying the payout odds or amounts for all permissible wagers shall be posted at each Four Card Poker table.
(c) If a certificate holder offers either the Four or Five-Card Progressive Payout Wager in accordance with § 641a.7(d)(4) or (5), the Four Card Poker table must have a progressive table game system, in accordance with § 605a.7 (relating to progressive table games), for the placement of Progressive Payout Wagers. If the certificate holder is offering a Progressive Payout Wager on multiple linked tables or games in the same licensed facility, the progressive table game system must comply with § 605a.8 (relating to linked progressive table games). The progressive table game system must include:
(1) A wagering device at each betting position that acknowledges or accepts the placement of the Progressive Payout Wager.
(2) A device that controls or monitors the placement of Progressive Payout Wagers at the gaming table, including a mechanism, such as a lock-out button, that prevents the recognition of any Progressive Payout Wager that a player attempts to place after the dealer has announced ''no more bets.''
(d) Each Four Card Poker table must have a drop box and a tip box attached on the same side of the gaming table as, but on opposite sides of, the dealer, as approved by the Bureau of Casino Compliance in accordance with § 601a.10(g). The Bureau of Casino Compliance may approve an alternative location for the tip box when a card shuffling device or other table game equipment prevents the placement of the drop box and tip box on the same side of the gaming table as, but on opposite sides of, the dealer.
(e) Each Four Card Poker table must have a discard rack securely attached to the top of the dealer's side of the table.
§ 641a.6. Four Card Poker rankings.
(a) The rank of the cards used in Four Card Poker, in order of highest to lowest rank, shall be: ace, king, queen, jack, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3 and 2. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an ace may be used to complete a straight flush or a straight with a 2, 3 and 4 but may not be combined with any other sequence of cards (for example: king, ace, 2 and 3). All suits shall be equal in rank.
(b) The permissible Poker hands in the game of Four Card Poker, in order of highest to lowest rank, shall be:
(1) A four-of-a-kind, which is a hand consisting of four cards of the same rank, with four aces being the highest ranking four-of-a-kind and four 2s being the lowest ranking four-of-a-kind.
(2) A straight flush, which is a hand consisting of four cards of the same suit in consecutive ranking, with an ace, king, queen and jack being the highest ranking straight flush and an ace, 2, 3 and 4 being the lowest ranking straight flush.
(3) A three-of-a-kind, which is a hand consisting of three cards of the same rank, with three aces being the highest ranking three-of-a-kind and three 2s being the lowest ranking three-of-a-kind.
(4) A flush, which is a hand consisting of four cards of the same suit, regardless of rank.
(5) A straight, which is a hand consisting of four cards of more than one suit and of consecutive rank, with ace, king, queen and jack being the highest ranking straight and an ace, 2, 3 and 4 being the lowest ranking straight.
(6) Two pairs, which is a hand consisting of two pairs with two aces and two kings being the highest ranking two pair and two 3s and two 2s being the lowest ranking two pair.
(7) A pair, which is a hand consisting of two cards of the same rank, with two aces being the highest ranking pair and two 2s being the lowest ranking pair.
(c) When comparing two Poker hands that are of identical rank under subsection (b), or that contain none of the hands listed in subsection (b), the hand that contains the highest ranking card under subsection (a), which is not contained in the other hand, shall be considered the higher ranking hand. If the hands are of equal rank after the application of this section, the hands shall be considered a tie.
(d) When the certificate holder offers a payout based on the rank of a five-card Poker hand, the rank of the hands must be:
(1) A royal flush, which is a hand consisting of an ace, king, queen, jack and 10 of the same suit.
(2) A straight flush, which is a hand, other than a royal flush, consisting of five cards of the same suit in consecutive ranking.
(3) A four-of-a-kind, which is a hand consisting of four cards of the same rank.
(4) A full house, which is a hand consisting of a three-of-a-kind and a pair.
(5) A flush, which is a hand consisting of five cards of the same suit, not in consecutive order.
(6) A straight, which is a hand consisting of five cards of more than one suit and of consecutive rank.
(7) A three-of-a-kind, which is a hand consisting of three cards of the same rank.
§ 641a.7. Wagers.
(a) Wagers at Four Card Poker shall be made by placing value chips, plaques or other Board-approved table game wagering instruments on the appropriate areas of the table layout. Verbal wagers accompanied by cash may not be accepted.
(b) Only players who are seated at a Four Card Poker table may wager at the game. Once a player has placed a wager and received cards, that player shall remain seated until the completion of the round of play. If a player leaves the table during a round of play, any wagers made by the player may be considered abandoned and may be treated as losing wagers.
(c) All wagers, except the Play Wager, shall be placed prior to the dealer announcing ''no more bets'' in accordance with the dealing procedures in § 641a.8, § 641a.9 or § 641a.10 (relating to procedures for dealing the cards from a manual dealing shoe; procedures for dealing the cards from the hand; and procedures for dealing the cards from an automated dealing shoe). Except as provided in § 641a.11(b) (relating to procedures for completion of each round of play), a wager may not be made, increased or withdrawn after the dealer has announced ''no more bets.''
(d) The following wagers may be placed in the game of Four Card Poker:
(1) A player may compete solely against the dealer's Four Card Poker hand by placing an Ante Wager then a Play Wager, in accordance with § 641a.11(b), in an amount from one to three times the amount of the player's Ante Wager.
(2) A player may compete solely against a posted paytable by placing an Aces Up Wager.
(3) A player may compete against both the dealer's Four Card Poker hand and the posted paytable by placing an Ante Wager and an Aces Up Wager in accordance with paragraphs (1) and (2).
(4) A certificate holder may, if specified in its Rules Submission under § 601a.2 (relating to table games Rules Submissions), offer to each player at a Four Card Poker table the option to make an additional Four-Card Progressive Payout Wager that the player will receive a Four-Card Progressive Payout Hand. After placing an Ante Wager or an Aces Up Wager, or both, a player may make the additional Four-Card Progressive Payout Wager by placing a value chip onto the progressive wagering device designated for that player. Each player shall be responsible for verifying that the player's respective Four-Card Progressive Payout Wager has been accepted.
(5) If specified in its Rules Submission under § 601a.2, a certificate holder may offer to each player at a Four Card Poker table the option to make an additional Five-Card Progressive Payout Wager that the player will receive a Five-Card Progressive Payout Hand. After placing an Ante Wager or an Aces Up Wager, or both, a player may make the additional Five-Card Progressive Payout Wager by placing a value chip onto the progressive wagering device designated for that player. Each player shall be responsible for verifying that the player's respective Five-Card Progressive Payout Wager has been accepted.
(6) If specified in its Rules Submission under § 601a.2, a certificate holder may offer to each player at a Four Card Poker table the option to make an additional Bad Beat Bonus Wager that either the player's hand contains a two pair or better and the dealer's hand outranks the player's hand, or the dealer's hand contains a two pair or better and the player's hand outranks the dealer's hand. After placing an Ante Wager or an Aces Up Wager, or both, a player may make the additional Bad Beat Bonus Wager by placing a value chip onto the designated area of the layout for that player. Winning wagers shall be paid out based on the rank of the losing hand.
(e) A certificate holder shall specify in its Rules Submission under § 601a.2 the number of adjacent boxes on which a player may place a wager in one round of play.
§ 641a.11. Procedures for completion of each round of play.
(a) After the dealing procedures required under § 641a.8, § 641a.9 or § 641a.10 (relating to procedures for dealing the cards from a manual dealing shoe; procedures for dealing the cards from the hand; and procedures for dealing the cards from an automated dealing shoe) have been completed, each player shall examine his cards subject to the following limitations:
(1) Each player who wagers at Four Card Poker shall be responsible for his own hand and no person other than the dealer and the player to whom the cards were dealt may touch the cards of that player.
(2) Each player shall keep his five cards in full view of the dealer at all times.
(b) After each player has examined his cards and placed the cards face down on the layout, the dealer shall, beginning with the player farthest to the dealer's left and moving clockwise around the table, ask each player who placed an Ante Wager if he wishes to make a Play Wager in an amount from one to three times the amount of the player's Ante Wager or forfeit the Ante Wager and end his participation in the round of play. If a player:
(1) Has placed an Ante Wager and an Aces Up Wager but does not make a Play Wager, the player shall forfeit the Ante Wager but may not forfeit the Aces Up Wager.
(2) Has placed an Ante Wager and a Four or Five-Card Progressive Payout Wager but does not make a Play Wager, the player shall forfeit both the Ante Wager and the Progressive Payout Wager but may not forfeit the eligibility to receive an Envy Bonus under § 641a.12(d) or (e) (relating to payout odds; Envy Bonus; rate of progression).
(c) After each player who has placed an Ante Wager has either placed a Play Wager on the designated area of the layout or forfeited his Ante Wager and hand, the dealer shall collect all forfeited wagers and associated cards and place the cards in the discard rack. The dealer shall then reveal the dealer's cards and select the four cards that form the highest possible ranking Four Card Poker hand. After the dealer's cards are turned face up, the dealer shall, beginning with the player farthest to the dealer's right and continuing around the table in a counterclockwise direction, complete the following applicable procedures in succession for each player:
(1) The dealer shall turn the five cards of each player face up on the layout.
(2) The dealer shall examine the cards of the player and select the four cards that form the highest possible ranking Poker hand for each player.
(3) If a player's highest ranking Four Card Poker hand is ranked:
(i) Lower than the dealer's Four Card Poker hand, the dealer shall immediately collect the Ante and Play Wagers made by the player.
(ii) Higher than or equal to the dealer's Four Card Poker hand, the dealer shall pay the Ante and Play Wagers and any Ante Bonus in accordance with the payout odds in § 641a.12(a) and (b).
(4) After settling a player's Ante and Play Wagers, the dealer shall settle any Aces Up Wagers by determining whether the player's Four Card Poker hand qualifies for a payout in accordance with § 641a.12(c). A winning Aces Up Wager shall be paid irrespective of whether the player's Four Card Poker hand outranks the dealer's hand.
(5) The dealer shall then settle the player's Four or Five-Card Progressive Payout Wager, if offered by the certificate holder. For the Five-Card Progressive Wager, the dealer shall form the highest ranking five-card Poker hand from the five cards dealt to each player. A winning Progressive Payout Wager shall be paid irrespective of whether the player's hand outranks the dealer's hand. If a player has won a progressive payout, the dealer shall:
(i) Verify that the hand is a winning hand.
(ii) Verify that the appropriate light on the progressive table game system has been illuminated.
(iii) Have a floorperson or above validate the progressive payout in accordance with the certificate holder's approved internal control procedures.
(iv) Pay the winning Four-Card Progressive Payout Wager in accordance with the payout odds in § 641a.12(d) or the winning Five-Card Progressive Payout Wager in accordance with the payout odds in § 641a.12(e). If a player has won a progressive payout that is a percentage of the jackpot amount on the progressive meter, the progressive payout may not be paid from the table inventory container. If a player has won a progressive payout that is not being paid from the table inventory container, the cards of that player must remain on the table until the necessary documentation has been completed.
(v) Pay any Envy Bonus as follows:
(A) A player making a Four-Card Progressive Payout Wager shall receive a Four-Card Envy Bonus when another player at the same Four Card Poker table is the holder of a Four-Card Envy Bonus Qualifying Hand. Players are entitled to multiple Four-Card Envy Bonuses if more than one other player is the holder of a Four-Card Envy Bonus Qualifying Hand. A player is not entitled to a Four-Card Envy Bonus for his own hand or the hand of the dealer. Four-Card Envy Bonus payouts shall be made in accordance with the payouts in § 641a.12(d)(5).
(B) A player making a Five-Card Progressive Payout Wager shall receive a Five-Card Envy Bonus when another player at the same Four Card Poker table is the holder of a Five-Card Envy Bonus Qualifying Hand. Players are entitled to multiple Five-Card Envy Bonuses if more than one other player is the holder of a Five-Card Envy Bonus Qualifying Hand. A player is not entitled to a Five-Card Envy Bonus for his own hand or the hand of the dealer. Five-Card Envy Bonus payouts shall be made in accordance with the payouts in § 641a.12(e)(5).
(6) After settling any Aces Up Wagers, the dealer shall settle a player's Bad Beat Bonus Wager. A player shall win a Bad Beat Bonus payout, in accordance with § 641a.12(f), based on the rank of the losing hand if:
(i) The player's hand contains a two pair or better and the dealer's hand outranks the player's hand.
(ii) The dealer's hand contains a two pair or better and the player's hand outranks the dealer's hand.
(d) After all wagers of the player have been settled, the dealer shall remove all remaining cards from the table and place them in the discard rack in a manner that permits the reconstruction of each hand in the event of a question or dispute.
§ 641a.12. Payout odds; Envy Bonus; rate of progression.
(a) A certificate holder shall pay each winning Ante Wager and Play Wager at odds of 1 to 1.
(b) A player placing an Ante Wager and a Play Wager shall be paid a bonus on the Ante Wager, at the odds in the following paytable, regardless of whether the player's Four Card Poker hand outranks the dealer's hand:
Hand Paytable Four-of-a-kind 25 to 1 Straight flush 20 to 1 Three-of-a-kind 2 to 1 (c) A player placing an Aces Up Wager shall be paid at the odds in one of the following paytables selected by the certificate holder in its Rules Submission filed in accordance with § 601a.2 (relating to table games Rules Submissions):
Hand Paytable A Paytable B Paytable C Four-of-a-kind 50 to 1 50 to 1 50 to 1 Straight flush 30 to 1 30 to 1 40 to 1 Three-of-a-kind 9 to 1 7 to 1 8 to 1 Flush 6 to 1 6 to 1 5 to 1 Straight 4 to 1 5 to 1 4 to 1 Two pair 2 to 1 2 to 1 3 to 1 Pair of aces 1 to 1 1 to 1 1 to 1
Hand Paytable D Paytable E Paytable F Four-of-a-kind 50 to 1 50 to 1 50 to 1 Straight flush 40 to 1 30 to 1 40 to 1 Three-of-a-kind 8 to 1 8 to 1 7 to 1 Flush 6 to 1 6 to 1 5 to 1 Straight 4 to 1 4 to 1 4 to 1 Two pair 2 to 1 2 to 1 3 to 1 Pair of aces 1 to 1 1 to 1 1 to 1 (d) If a certificate holder offers a Four-Card Progressive Payout Wager:
(1) A player placing a Four-Card Progressive Payout Wager shall be paid at the odds in one of the following paytables selected by the certificate holder in its Rules Submission filed in accordance with § 601a.2:
Hand Paytable A Paytable B Four aces 100% of meter 100% of meter Four-of-a-kind 300 for 1 300 for 1 Straight flush 100 for 1 100 for 1 Three-of-a-kind 9 for 1 15 for 1 (2) A player shall receive the payout for only the highest ranking Four Card Poker hand formed.
(3) The rate of progression for the meter used for the progressive payout in paragraph (1) must be in the certificate holder's Rules Submission filed in accordance with § 601a.2. The initial and reset amount must also be in the certificate holder's Rules Submission and be at least $5,000 for paytable A and $1,000 for paytable B.
(4) Winning Four-Card Progressive Payout Hands shall be paid the amount on the meter when it is the player's turn to be paid in accordance with § 641a.11(c)(5) (relating to procedures for completion of each round of play).
(5) Four-Card Envy Bonus payouts shall be made according to one of the following payouts, selected by the certificate holder in its Rules Submission filed in accordance with § 601a.2, for Four-Card Envy Bonus Qualifying Hands based upon the amount of the Four-Card Progressive Payout Wager placed by the player receiving the Envy Bonus:
$1 Progressive Payout Wager
Hand Paytable A
Envy BonusPaytable B
Envy BonusFour aces $100 $100 Four-of-a-kind $10 $25 Straight flush $5 N/A
$5 Progressive Payout Wager
Hand Paytable A
Envy BonusPaytable B
Envy BonusFour aces $500 $500 Four-of-a-kind $50 $125 Straight Flush $25 N/A (e) If a certificate holder offers the Five-Card Progressive Payout Wager:
(1) A player placing a Five-Card Progressive Payout Wager shall be paid at the following odds:
Hand Paytable Royal flush 100% of meter Straight flush 10% of meter Four-of-a-kind 300 for 1 Full house 50 for 1 Flush 40 for 1 Straight 30 for 1 Three-of-a-kind 9 for 1 (2) A player shall receive the payout for only the highest ranking five-card Poker hand formed.
(3) The rate of progression for the meter used for the progressive payout in paragraph (1) must be in the certificate holder's Rules Submission filed in accordance with § 601a.2. The initial and reset amount must also be in the certificate holder's Rules Submission and be at least $10,000.
(4) Winning Five-Card Progressive Payout Hands shall be paid in accordance with the amount on the meter when it is the player's turn to be paid in accordance with § 641a.11(c)(5).
(5) Five-Card Envy Bonus payouts shall be made according to the following payouts for Five-Card Envy Bonus Qualifying Hands based upon the amount of the Five-Card Progressive Payout Wager placed by the player receiving the Envy Bonus:
$1 Progressive Payout Wager
Hand Envy Bonus Royal flush $1,000 Straight flush $300
$5 Progressive Payout Wager
Hand Envy Bonus Royal flush $5,000 Straight flush $1,500 (f) If a certificate holder offers the Bad Beat Bonus Wager, the certificate holder shall pay out winning Bad Beat Wagers at the amounts in one of the following paytables selected by the certificate holder in its Rules Submission filed in accordance with § 601a.2:
Hand Paytable A Paytable B Four-of-a-kind 25,000 to 1 10,000 to 1 Straight flush 10,000 to 1 5,000 to 1 Three-of-a-kind 100 to 1 100 to 1 Flush 25 to 1 25 to 1 Straight 15 to 1 15 to 1 Two pair 4 to 1 4 to 1
CHAPTER 643a. LET IT RIDE POKER § 643a.1. Definitions.
The following words and terms, when used in this chapter, have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
Community card—A card which is used by all players to form a five-card Poker hand.
Five-Card Envy Bonus—An additional fixed sum payout made to a player who placed a Five-Card Progressive Payout Wager when another player at the Let It Ride Poker table is the holder of a Five-Card Envy Bonus Qualifying Hand.
Five-Card Envy Bonus Qualifying Hand—A player's five-card Poker hand with a rank of a straight flush or better, as defined in § 643a.6(b) (relating to Let It Ride Poker rankings).
Five-Card Progressive Payout Hand—A player's five-card Poker hand with a rank of three-of-a-kind or better as defined in § 643a.6(b).
Hand—The five-card Poker hand formed for each player by combining the three cards dealt to the player and the two community cards.
Let It Ride—When a player does not withdraw a wager as permitted under § 643a.11(b) and (d) (relating to procedures for completion of each round of play).
Three-Card Envy Bonus—An additional fixed sum payout made to a player who placed a Three-Card Progressive Wager when another player at the Let It Ride Poker table is the holder of a Three Card Envy Bonus Qualifying Hand.
Three-Card Envy Bonus Qualifying Hand—A mini-royal, as defined in § 643a.6(d), formed using the three cards dealt to a player.
Three-Card Progressive Payout Hand—A player's three cards with a rank of a three-of-a-kind or better or a straight or better, as defined in § 643a.6(d), depending on the paytable selected by the certificate holder.
§ 643a.2. Let It Ride Poker table physical characteristics.
(a) Let It Ride Poker shall be played at a table having betting positions for no more than seven players on one side of the table and a place for the dealer on the opposite side of the table.
(b) The layout for a Let It Ride Poker table shall be submitted to the Bureau of Gaming Operations in accordance with § 601a.10(a) (relating to approval of table game layouts, signage and equipment) and contain, at a minimum:
(1) The name or logo of the certificate holder.
(2) Three separate betting areas designated for the placement of the Let It Ride Poker Wagers required under § 643a.7(d) (relating to wagers) for each player.
(3) Separate areas designated for the placement of the cards of each player.
(4) A separate area designated for the placement of the community cards located directly in front of the table inventory container.
(5) If the certificate holder offers the optional Five Card Bonus Wager authorized under § 643a.7(e), a separate area designed for the placement of the Five Card Bonus Wager for each player.
(6) If a certificate holder offers the optional Three Card Bonus Wager authorized under § 643a.7(f), a separate area designated for the placement of the Three Card Bonus Wager for each player.
(7) If the certificate holder offers either the Three or Five-Card Progressive Payout Wager authorized under § 643a.7(g) or (h), a separate area designated for the placement of the Progressive Payout Wager for each player.
(8) Inscriptions that advise patrons of the payout odds or amounts for all permissible wagers offered by the certificate holder. If payout odds or amounts are not inscribed on the layout, a sign identifying the payout odds or amounts for all permissible wagers shall be posted at each Let It Ride Poker table.
(9) An inscription indicating the payout limit per hand established by the certificate holder under § 643a.12(e) (relating to payout odds; payout limitation) or a generic inscription indicating the game is subject to the posted payout limit. If the payout limit is not inscribed on the layout, a sign which sets forth the required information shall be posted at each Let It Ride Poker table.
(c) If a certificate holder offers the Five Card Bonus Wager in accordance with § 643a.7(e), the certificate holder may utilize a table game system, approved by the Bureau of Gaming Laboratory Operations in accordance with § 461a.4 (relating to submission for testing and approval), which includes:
(1) A wagering device at each betting position that acknowledges or accepts the placement of the Five Card Bonus Wager.
(2) A device that controls or monitors the placement of Five Card Bonus Wagers at the gaming table, including a mechanism, such as a lock-out button, that prevents the recognition of any Five Card Bonus Wager that a player attempts to place after the dealer has announced ''no more bets.''
(d) If a certificate holder offers either the Three or Five-Card Progressive Payout Wager in accordance with § 643a.7(g) or (h), the Let It Ride Poker table must have a progressive table game system, in accordance with § 605a.7 (relating to progressive table games), for the placement of Progressive Payout Wagers. If the certificate holder is offering a Progressive Payout Wager on multiple linked tables or games in the same licensed facility, the progressive table game system must comply with § 605a.8 (relating to linked progressive table games). The progressive table game system must include:
(1) A wagering device at each betting position that acknowledges or accepts the placement of the Progressive Payout Wager.
(2) A device that controls or monitors the placement of Progressive Payout Wagers at the gaming table including a mechanism, such as a lock-out button, that prevents the recognition of any Progressive Payout Wager that a player attempts to place after the dealer has announced ''no more bets.''
(e) Each Let It Ride Poker table must have a drop box and a tip box attached on the same side of the table as, but on opposite sides of, the dealer, as approved by the Bureau of Casino Compliance in accordance with § 601a.10(g). The Bureau of Casino Compliance may approve an alternative location for the tip box when a card shuffling device or other table game equipment prevents the placement of the drop box and tip box on the same side of the gaming table as, but on opposite sides of, the dealer.
(f) Each Let It Ride Poker table must have a discard rack securely attached to the top of the dealer's side of the table.
§ 643a.6. Let It Ride Poker rankings.
* * * * * (d) If the certificate holder offers the Three-Card Progressive Payout Wager under § 643a.7(g), the following hands eligible for a payout are:
* * * * * § 643a.7. Wagers.
(a) Wagers at Let It Ride Poker shall be made by placing value chips, plaques or other Board-approved table game wagering instruments on the appropriate areas of the table layout. Verbal wagers accompanied by cash may not be accepted.
(b) Only players who are seated at a Let It Ride Poker table may wager at the game. Once a player has placed a wager and received cards, that player shall remain seated until the completion of the round of play. If a player leaves the table during a round of play, any wagers made by the player may be considered abandoned and may be treated as losing wagers.
(c) All wagers at Let It Ride Poker shall be placed prior to the dealer announcing ''no more bets'' in accordance with the dealing procedures in § 643a.8, § 643a.9 or § 643a.10 (relating to procedure for dealing the cards from a manual dealing shoe; procedure for dealing the cards from the hand; and procedure for dealing the cards from an automated dealing shoe). Except as provided in § 643a.11(b) and (d) (relating to procedures for completion of each round of play), a wager may not be made, increased or withdrawn after the dealer has announced ''no more bets.''
(d) To participate in a round of play, a player shall place three equal but separate Let It Ride Poker Wagers designated as Bet Number 1, Bet Number 2 and Bet Number 3. Bet Number 1 and Bet Number 2 may subsequently be removed by the player in accordance with § 643a.11(b) and (d).
(e) A certificate holder may, if specified in its Rules Submission under § 601a.2 (relating to table games Rules Submissions), offer to each player at a Let It Ride Poker table the option to make an additional Five Card Bonus Wager that the player will have a five-card Poker hand with a rank of a pair of tens or better, two pair or better or three-of-a-kind or better, depending on the paytable selected by the certificate holder in its Rules Submission under § 601a.2. After placing the three wagers required under subsection (d), a player may make an additional Five Card Bonus Wager by placing a value chip onto the designated betting area for that player. If the certificate holder is utilizing a table game system, each player shall be responsible for verifying that the player's respective Five Card Bonus Wager has been accepted.
(f) A certificate holder may, if specified in its Rules Submission under § 601a.2, offer to each player at a Let It Ride Poker table the option to make an additional Three Card Bonus Wager that the three cards dealt to the player will have a rank of a pair or better. After placing the three wagers required under subsection (d), a player may make an additional Three Card Bonus Wager by placing a value chip on the designated betting area prior to the dealer announcing ''no more bets.''
(g) A certificate holder may, if specified in its Rules Submission under § 601a.2, offer to each player the option to make an additional Three-Card Progressive Payout Wager that the player will receive a Three-Card Progressive Payout Hand. After placing the Let It Ride Poker Wagers, a player may make an additional Three-Card Progressive Payout Wager by placing a value chip into the progressive wagering device designated for that player. Each player shall be responsible for verifying that the player's respective Three-Card Progressive Payout Wager has been accepted.
(h) A certificate holder may, if specified in its Rules Submission under § 601a.2, offer to each player the option to make an additional Five-Card Progressive Payout Wager that the player will receive a Five-Card Progressive Payout Hand. After placing the Let It Ride Poker Wagers, a player may make an additional Five-Card Progressive Payout Wager by placing a value chip into the progressive wagering device designated for that player. Each player shall be responsible for verifying that the player's respective Five-Card Progressive Payout Wager has been accepted.
(i) A Five Card Bonus Wager, Three Card Bonus Wager and Progressive Payout Wager do not have a bearing on any other wagers made by the player.
(j) A certificate holder shall specify in its Rules Submission under § 601a.2 the number of adjacent boxes on which a player may place a wager in one round of play.
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