CHAPTER 676a. GO FORE IT Sec.
676a.1. Definitions.
676a.2. Go Fore It table physical characteristics.
676a.3. Cards; number of decks.
676a.4. Opening of the table for gaming.
676a.5. Shuffle and cut of the cards.
676a.6. Go Fore It rankings.
676a.7. Wagers.
676a.8. Procedure for dealing the cards from a manual dealing shoe.
676a.9. Procedure for dealing the cards from the hand.
676a.10. Procedures for dealing the cards from an automated dealing shoe.
676a.11. Procedures for completion of each round of play.
676a.12. Payout odds.
676a.13. Irregularities.Authority The provisions of this Chapter 676a issued under 4 Pa.C.S. § § 1202(b)(30), 13A02(1), (2), (4) and (7) and 13A23(a), unless otherwise noted.
Source The provisions of this Chapter 676a adopted August 26, 2016, effective August 27, 2016, 46 Pa.B. 5540, unless otherwise noted.
§ 676a.1. Definitions.
The following words and terms, when used in this chapter, have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
Albatross—All four of the player’s cards with a total point value of 8 or less.
Back 9 Wager—An additional wager that a player shall make to remain in play after the player reviews the first two cards of his hand.
Birdie—All four of the player’s cards with a total point value of between 14 and 18.
Eagle—All four of the player’s cards with a total point value of between 9 and 13.
Fold—The withdrawal of a player from a round of play by not making a Back 9 Wager.
Front 9 Wager—A wager that a player shall make to participate in a round of play.
Gopher Wager—An optional wager that at least one of the player’s four cards will contain an ace.
Hand—The four-card hand that is held by each player and the dealer after the cards are dealt.
Hole cards—Two of the player’s four cards dealt face down that are not viewed until after the dealer exposes his hand.
Par—All four of the player’s cards with a total point value of between 19 and 24.
Skins Wager—An optional wager a player may make to compete against the dealer’s four cards.§ 676a.2. Go Fore It table physical characteristics.
(a) Go Fore It shall be played at a table having betting positions for no more than six players on one side of the table and a place for the dealer on the opposite side of the table.
(b) The layout for Go Fore It 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 betting areas designated for the placement of the Skins, Gopher, Front 9 and Back 9 Wagers for each player.
(3) Inscriptions that advise patrons of 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 for all permissible wagers shall be posted at each Go Fore It table.
(4) An inscription indicating that the Skins Wager will be lost if the dealer’s hand and the player’s hand ties. If the information is not inscribed on the layout, a sign which sets forth the required information shall be posted at each Go Fore It table.
(c) Each Go Fore It table must have a drop box and a tip box attached on the same side of the table as, but on opposite sides of, the dealer, as approved by the Bureau of Casino Compliance in accordance with § 601a.10(g). The Bureau of Casino Compliance may approve an alternative location for the tip box when a card shuffling device or other table game equipment prevents the placement of the drop box and tip box on the same side of the gaming table as, but on opposite sides of, the dealer.
(d) Each Go Fore It table must have a discard rack securely attached to the top of the dealer’s side of the table.
§ 676a.3. Cards; number of decks.
(a) Except as provided in subsection (b), Go Fore It shall be played with one deck of cards that are identical in appearance and one cover card.
(b) If an automated card shuffling device is utilized, Go Fore It may be played with two decks of cards in accordance with the following requirements:
(1) The cards in each deck must be of the same design. The backs of the cards in one deck must be of a different color than the cards included in the other deck.
(2) One deck of cards shall be shuffled and stored in the automated card shuffling device while the other deck is being used to play the game.
(3) Both decks of cards shall be continuously alternated in and out of play, with each deck being used for every other round of play.
(4) The cards from only one deck shall be placed in the discard rack at any given time.
(c) The decks of cards used in Go Fore It shall be changed at least every:
(1) Four hours if the cards are dealt by hand.
(2) Eight hours if the cards are dealt from a manual or automated dealing shoe.
§ 676a.4. Opening of the table for gaming.
(a) After receiving one deck or two decks of cards at the table, the dealer shall inspect the cards for defects. The floorperson assigned to the table shall verify the inspection.
(b) After the cards are inspected, the cards shall be spread out face up on the table for visual inspection by the first player to arrive at the table. The cards shall be spread in horizontal fan shaped columns by deck according to suit and in sequence.
(c) After the first player arriving at the table has been afforded an opportunity to visually inspect the cards, the cards shall be turned face down on the table, mixed thoroughly by a washing of the cards and stacked. Once the cards have been stacked, the cards shall be shuffled in accordance with § 676a.5 (relating to shuffle and cut of the cards).
(d) If an automated card shuffling device is utilized and two decks of cards are received at the table, each deck of cards shall be spread for inspection, mixed, stacked and shuffled in accordance with subsections (a)—(c).
(e) If the decks of cards received at the table are preinspected and preshuffled in accordance with § 603a.16(u) or (v) (relating to cards; receipt, storage, inspection and removal from use), subsections (a)—(d) do not apply.
Cross References This section cited in 58 Pa. Code § 676a.5 (relating to shuffle and cut of the cards).
§ 676a.5. Shuffle and cut of the cards.
(a) Immediately prior to commencement of play, unless the cards were preshuffled in accordance with § 603a.16(u) or (v) (relating to cards; receipt, storage, inspection and removal from use), after each round of play has been completed or when directed by a floorperson or above, the dealer shall shuffle the cards, either manually or by use of an automated card shuffling device, so that the cards are randomly intermixed. Upon completion of the shuffle, the dealer or automated shuffling device shall place the deck of cards in a single stack. The certificate holder may use an automated card shuffling device which, upon completion of the shuffling of the cards, inserts the stack of cards directly into a dealing shoe.
(b) If an automated card shuffling device is being used, which counts the number of cards in the deck after the completion of each shuffle and indicates whether 52 cards are present, and the device reveals that an incorrect number of cards are present, the deck shall be removed from the table.
(c) After the cards have been shuffled and stacked, the dealer shall:
(1) If the cards were shuffled using an automated card shuffling device, deal or deliver the cards in accordance with § 676a.8, § 676a.9 or § 676a.10 (relating to procedure for dealing the cards from a manual dealing shoe; procedure for dealing the cards from the hand; and procedures for dealing the cards from an automated dealing shoe).
(2) If the cards were shuffled manually, cut the cards in accordance with subsection (d).
(d) If a cut of the cards is required, the dealer shall place the cover card in the stack at least ten cards in from the top of the stack. Once the cover card has been inserted, the dealer shall take all cards above the cover card and the cover card and place them on the bottom of the stack. The stack of cards shall then be inserted into the dealing shoe for commencement of play.
(e) After the cards have been cut and before any cards have been dealt, a floorperson or above may require the cards to be recut if the floorperson determines that the cut was performed improperly or in any way that might affect the integrity or fairness of the game.
(f) If there is no gaming activity at a Go Fore It table which is open for gaming, the cards shall be spread out on the table face down unless a player requests that the cards be spread face up on the table. After the first player arriving at the table is afforded an opportunity to visually inspect the cards, the procedures in § 676a.4(c) (relating to opening of the table for gaming) and this section shall be completed.
(g) A certificate holder may utilize a dealing shoe or other device that automatically reshuffles and counts the cards provided that the device is submitted to the Bureau of Gaming Laboratory Operations and approved in accordance with § 461a.4 (relating to submission for testing and approval) prior to its use in the licensed facility. If a certificate holder is utilizing the approved device, subsections (d)—(f) do not apply.
Cross References This section cited in 58 Pa. Code § 676a.4 (relating to opening of the table for gaming); 58 Pa. Code § 676a.8 (relating to procedure for dealing the cards from a manual dealing shoe); 58 Pa. Code § 676a.9 (relating to procedure for dealing the cards from the hand); and 58 Pa. Code § 676a.10 (relating to procedures for dealing the cards from an automated dealing shoe).
§ 676a.6. Go Fore It rankings.
The point value assigned to the cards used in Go Fore It shall be:
Card Point Value Ace 1 Jack, queen, king 10 2 through 10 Face value § 676a.7. Wagers.
(a) Wagers at Go Fore It shall be made by placing value chips or plaques 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 Go Fore It 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 Back 9 Wager, shall be placed prior to the dealer announcing ‘‘no more bets’’ in accordance with the dealing procedure in § 676a.8, § 676a.9 or § 676a.10 (relating to procedure for dealing the cards from a manual dealing shoe; procedure for dealing the cards from the hand; and procedures for dealing the cards from an automated dealing shoe). Except as provided in § 676a.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 Go Fore It:
(1) A Front 9 Wager, which is required to participate in a round of play.
(2) A Back 9 Wager equal to the player’s Front 9 Wager which is required to continue in the round of play after the player views his first to cards.
(3) An optional Skins Wager to compete against the total point count of the dealer’s hand.
(4) A Gopher Wager that at least one of the player’s four cards will contain an ace.
(e) A player may not wager on more than one player position at a Go Fore It table.
Cross References This section cited in 58 Pa. Code § 676a.8 (relating to procedure for dealing the cards from a manual dealing shoe); 58 Pa. Code § 676a.9 (relating to procedure for dealing the cards from the hand); and 58 Pa. Code § 676a.10 (relating to procedures for dealing the cards from an automated dealing shoe).
§ 676a.8. Procedure for dealing the cards from a manual dealing shoe.
(a) If a manual dealing shoe is used, the dealing shoe must be located on the table in a location approved by the Bureau of Casino Compliance in accordance with § 601a.10(g) (relating to approval of table game layouts, signage and equipment). Once the procedures required under § 676a.5 (relating to shuffle and cut of the cards) have been completed, the stacked deck of cards shall be placed in the dealing shoe by the dealer or by the automated card shuffling device.
(b) Prior to dealing the cards, the dealer shall announce ‘‘no more bets’’ and starting with the player farthest to the dealer’s left and continuing around the table in a clockwise manner, deal one card at a time to each player who placed the required Front 9 Wager in accordance with § 676a.7(d)(1) (relating to wagers) until each player who placed the required Front 9 Wager and the dealer has four cards. The first two cards dealt to the player shall be placed in front of the player. The second two cards dealt to the player shall be dealt behind the front two cards and shall be the player’s hole cards. Each card shall be removed from the dealing shoe with the hand of the dealer that is the closest to the dealing shoe and placed on the appropriate area of the layout with the opposite hand.
(c) After two stacks of two cards have been dealt to each player and four cards to the dealer, the dealer shall remove the stub from the manual dealing shoe and, except as provided in subsection (d), place the stub in the discard rack without exposing the cards.
(d) If an automated card shuffling device, which counts the number of cards in the deck after the completion of each shuffle and indicates whether 52 cards are present, is not being used, the dealer shall count the stub at least once every 5 rounds of play to determine if the correct number of cards are still present in the deck. The dealer shall determine the number of cards in the stub by counting the cards face down on the layout.
(e) If the count of the stub indicates that 52 cards are in the deck, the dealer shall place the stub in the discard rack without exposing the cards.
(f) If the count of the stub indicates that the number of cards in the deck is incorrect, the dealer shall determine if the cards were misdealt. If the cards were misdealt but 52 cards remain in the deck, all hands shall be void and all wagers shall be returned to the players. If the cards were not misdealt, all hands shall be void, all wagers shall be returned to the players and the entire deck of cards shall be removed from the table.
Cross References This section cited in 58 Pa. Code § 676a.5 (relating to shuffle and cut of the cards); 58 Pa. Code § 676a.7 (relating to wagers); and 58 Pa. Code § 676a.11 (relating to procedures for completion of each round of play).
§ 676a.9. Procedure for dealing the cards from the hand.
(a) If the cards are dealt from the dealer’s hand, the following requirements shall be observed:
(1) An automated shuffling device shall be used to shuffle the cards.
(2) After the procedures required under § 676a.5 (relating to shuffle and cut of the cards) have been completed, the dealer shall place the stacked deck of cards in either hand. After the dealer has chosen the hand in which he will hold the cards, the dealer shall continue to use that hand whenever holding the cards during that round of play. The cards held by the dealer shall be kept over the table inventory container and in front of the dealer at all times.
(b) Prior to dealing the cards, the dealer shall announce ‘‘no more bets’’ and starting with the player farthest to the dealer’s left and continuing around the table in a clockwise manner, deal one card at a time to each player who placed the required Front 9 Wager in accordance with § 676a.7(d)(1) (relating to wagers) until each player who placed the required Front 9 Wager and the dealer has four cards. The first two cards dealt to the player shall be placed in front of the player. The second two cards dealt to the player shall be dealt behind the front two cards and shall be the player’s hole cards.
(c) After two stacks of two cards have been dealt to each player and four cards to the dealer, except as provided in subsection (d), the dealer shall remove the stub from the manual dealing shoe and place the stub in the discard rack without exposing the cards.
(d) If the automated card shuffling device does not count the number of cards in the deck after the completion of each shuffle and indicate whether 52 cards are present, the dealer shall count the stub at least once every 5 rounds of play to determine if the correct number of cards are still present in the deck. The dealer shall determine the number of cards in the stub by counting the cards face down on the layout.
(e) If the count of the stub indicates that 52 cards are in the deck, the dealer shall place the stub in the discard rack without exposing the cards.
(f) If the count of the stub indicates that the number of cards in the deck is incorrect, the dealer shall determine if the cards were misdealt. If the cards were misdealt but 52 cards remain in the deck, all hands shall be void and all wagers shall be returned to the players. If the cards were not misdealt, all hands shall be void, all wagers shall be returned to the players and the entire deck of cards shall be removed from the table.
Cross References This section cited in 58 Pa. Code § 676a.5 (relating to shuffle and cut of the cards); 58 Pa. Code § 676a.7 (relating to wagers); and 58 Pa. Code § 676a.11 (relating to procedures for completion of each round of play).
§ 676a.10. Procedures for dealing the cards from an automated dealing shoe.
(a) If the cards are dealt from an automated dealing shoe, the following requirements shall be observed:
(1) After the procedures required under § 676a.5 (relating to shuffle and cut of the cards) have been completed, the cards shall be placed in the automated dealing shoe.
(2) Prior to the dealer delivering any stacks of cards dispensed by the automated dealing shoe, the dealer shall announce ‘‘no more bets.’’
(b) The dealer shall deliver the first stack of four cards dispensed by the automated dealing shoe face down to the player farthest to the dealer’s left who has placed the required Front 9 Wager in accordance with § 676a.7(d)(1) (relating to wagers). The dealer shall then move the top two cards and place them face down behind the player’s front two cards. The top two cards shall be the player’s hole cards. Moving clockwise around the table, as the remaining stacks are dispensed to the dealer by the automated dealing shoe, the dealer shall repeat the dealing procedure outlined above to each of the other players who has placed a Front 9 Wager in accordance with § 676a.7(d)(1). The dealer shall then deliver a stack of four cards face down as the dealer’s hand.
(c) After each stack of four cards has been dispensed and delivered in accordance with subsection (b), the dealer shall remove the remaining cards from the automated dealing shoe and, except as provided in subsection (d), place the stub in the discard rack without exposing the cards.
(d) If the automated card shuffling device does not count the number of cards in the deck after the completion of each shuffle and indicate whether 52 cards are present, the dealer shall count the stub at least once every 5 rounds of play to determine if the correct number of cards are still present in the deck. The dealer shall determine the number of cards in the stub by counting the cards face down on the layout.
(e) If the count of the stub indicates that 52 cards are in the deck, the dealer shall place the stub in the discard rack without exposing the cards.
(f) If the count of the stub indicates that the number of cards in the deck is incorrect, the dealer shall determine if the cards were misdealt. If the cards were misdealt but 52 cards remain in the deck, all hands shall be void and all wagers shall be returned to the players. If the cards were not misdealt, all hands shall be void, all wagers shall be returned to the players and the entire deck of cards shall be removed from the table.
Cross References This section cited in 58 Pa. Code § 676a.5 (relating to shuffle and cut of the cards); 58 Pa. Code § 676a.7 (relating to wagers); and 58 Pa. Code § 676a.11 (relating to procedures for completion of each round of play).
§ 676a.11. Procedures for completion of each round of play.
(a) After the dealing procedures required under § 676a.8, § 676a.9 or § 676a.10 (relating to procedure for dealing the cards from a manual dealing shoe; procedure 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 the player’s closest two cards subject to the following limitations:
(1) Each player who wagers at a Go Fore It table 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 cards in full view of the dealer at all times.
(b) After each player has examined his first two 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 Back 9 Wager in an amount equal to the player’s Front 9 Wager or fold and forfeit the player’s Front 9 Wager.
(c) After each player who placed a Front 9 Wager has either placed a Back 9 Wager on the designated area of the layout or forfeited his Front 9 Wager, the dealer shall collect all forfeited Front 9 Wagers and if the player:
(1) Did not place a Skins or Gopher Wager, collect the player’s cards and place them face down in the discard rack.
(2) Placed a Gopher or Skins Wager, the dealer shall collect the player’s four cards and place them face down under the player’s Skins or Gopher Wagers are until settled in accordance with subsection (d).
(d) The dealer shall then reveal the dealer’s four cards and place them face up on the layout. 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 four cards of each player who placed a Back 9, Skins or Gopher Wager face up on the layout.
(2) The dealer shall add together the point value of all four of the player’s cards.
(3) For all players who placed Front 9 and Back 9 Wagers, if the total point value of all four cards:
(i) Is equal to or less than par, the player shall be paid out on a winning Front 9 Wager in accordance with § 676a.12(a) (relating to payout odds) and a winning Back 9 Wager in accordance with § 676a.12(b).
(ii) Is greater than par, the dealer shall collect the player’s losing Front 9 and Back 9 Wagers.
(4) For all players who placed a Skins Wager, if the total point value of the player’s hand:
(i) Is equal to or greater than the total point value of the dealer’s hand, the dealer shall collect the player’s losing Skins Wager.
(ii) Is less than the total point value of the dealer’s hand, the dealer shall pay the winning Skins Wager in accordance with § 676a.12(c).
(5) For all players who placed a Gopher wager, if the player’s four cards:
(i) Does not contain at least one ace, the dealer shall collect the player’s losing Gopher Wager.
(ii) Contains at least one ace, the dealer shall pay the player’s winning Gopher Wager in accordance with § 676a.12(d).
(e) 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.
Cross References This section cited in 58 Pa. Code § 676a.7 (relating to wagers); and 58 Pa. Code § 676a.13 (relating to irregularities).
§ 676a.12. Payout odds.
(a) A certificate holder shall pay winning Front 9 Wagers at odds of 1 to 1.
(b) A certificate holder shall pay winning Back 9 Wagers in accordance with the following odds:
Hand-Total Point Value Payout Albatross (8 or less) 25 to 1 Eagle (9—13) 5 to 1 Birdie (14—18) 2 to 1 Par (19—24) 1 to 1 (c) A certificate holder shall pay winning Skins Wagers at odds of 1 to 1.
(d) A certificate holder shall pay winning Gopher Wagers at the odds in one of the following paytables selected by the certificate holder in its Rules Submission filed in accordance with § 601a.2 (relating to table games Rules Submissions):
Number of Aces Paytable A Paytable B 4 1,000 to 1 1,000 to 1 3 50 to 1 50 to 1 2 5 to 1 6 to 1 1 2 to 1 2 to 1
Cross References This section cited in 58 Pa. Code § 676a.11 (relating to procedures for completion of each round of play).
§ 676a.13. Irregularities.
(a) A card that is found face up in the shoe or the deck while the cards are being dealt may not be used in that round of play and shall be placed in the discard rack. If more than one card is found face up in the shoe or the deck during the dealing of the cards, all hands shall be void, all wagers shall be returned to the players and the cards shall be reshuffled.
(b) A card drawn in error without its face being exposed shall be used as though it were the next card from the shoe or the deck.
(c) If any player or the dealer is dealt an incorrect number of cards, all hands shall be void, all wagers shall be returned to the players and the cards shall be reshuffled.
(d) If any of the dealer’s cards or the player’s hole cards are inadvertently exposed prior to each player having either folded or placed a Back 9 Wager as provided under § 676a.11 (relating to procedures for completion of each round of play), all hands shall be void, all wagers shall be returned to the players and the cards shall be reshuffled.
(e) If an automated card shuffling device is being used and the device jams, stops shuffling during a shuffle or fails to complete a shuffle cycle, the cards shall be reshuffled.
(f) If an automated dealing shoe is being used and the device jams, stops dealing cards or fails to deal cards during a round of play, the round of play shall be void, all wagers shall be returned to the players and the cards shall be removed from the device and reshuffled with any cards already dealt.
(g) If an automated card shuffling device or automated dealing shoe malfunctions and cannot be used, the automated card shuffling device or automated dealing shoe shall be covered or have a sign indicating that the automated card shuffling device or automated dealing shoe is out of order placed on the device before any other method of shuffling or dealing may be utilized at that table.
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