CHAPTER 686a. OVER/UNDER Sec.
686a.1. Definitions.
686a.2. Over/Under table; physical characteristics; inspections.
686a.3. Cards; number of decks; value of cards.
686a.4. Opening of the table for gaming.
686a.5. Shuffle and cut of the cards.
686a.6. Wagers.
686a.7. Procedure for dealing the cards; completion of each round of play.
686a.8. Payout odds.
686a.9. Irregularities.Authority The provision of this Chapter 686a added under 4 Pa.C.S. § § 1202(b)(30) and 13A02(1) and (2), unless otherwise noted.
Source The provisions of this Chapter 686a adopted May 28, 2021, effective May 29, 2021, 51 Pa.B. 2975, unless otherwise noted.
§ 686a.1. Definitions.
The following words and terms, when used in this chapter, have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
Ante Wager—The wager that a player is required to make prior to any cards being dealt to participate in the round of play.
Bonus Wager—An optional wager a player shall make prior to any cards being dealt to compete against a posted payout table.
Hand—The three cards dealt to the player.
Over 23 Wager—An additional wager made by the player after the first card is dealt to his hand if the player opts to remain in the round of play.
Surrender—When the player opts to forfeit his ante wager after being dealt the first card of the hand in a round of play.
Under 18 Wager—An additional wager made by the player after the first card is dealt to his hand if the player opts to remain in the round of play.§ 686a.2. Over/Under table; physical characteristics; inspections.
(a) Over/Under 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 an Over/Under 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) A separate betting area designated for the Ante Wager, Over 23 Wager and Under 18 Wager for each player.
(3) Three rectangular areas in front of each player’s position where the player’s three-card hand will be placed.
(4) The following inscriptions:
(i) All bets pay even money except for Bonus wagers.
(ii) House wins on 18—23.
(iii) Aces are always counted as 11.
(5) If the certificate holder offers the optional Bonus Wager authorized under § 686a.6 (relating to wagers), a separate area designed for the placement of the Bonus Wager for each player.
(6) Inscriptions that advise patrons of the payout odds or amounts 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 or amounts for all permissible wagers shall be posted at each Over/Under table.
(c) Each Over/Under table must have a drop box and 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 Over/Under table must have a discard rack securely attached to the top of the dealer’s side of the table. The height of each discard rack must either:
(1) Equal the height of the cards, stacked one on top of the other, in the total number of decks that are to be used in the dealing shoe at that table.
(2) Be taller than the height of the total number of decks being used if the discard rack has a distinct and clearly visible mark on its side to show the exact height for a stack of cards equal to the total number of cards in the number of decks to be used in the dealing shoe at that table.
Cross References This section cited in 58 Pa. Code § 686a.7 (relating to procedure for dealing the cards; completion of each round of play).
§ 686a.3. Cards; number of decks; value of cards.
(a) Except as provided in subsection (b), Over/Under shall be played with a six-deck batch of cards that are identical in appearance and at least one cover card. The decks shall consist of 52 cards. The cards may be dealt from a multi-deck shoe or a continuous shuffler.
(b) If an automated card shuffling device is utilized, other than a continuous shuffler, Over/Under shall be played with two batches of cards in accordance with the following requirements:
(1) The cards shall be separated into two batches with six decks included in each batch, with each batch containing the same number of decks.
(2) The cards in each batch must be of the same design but the backs of the cards in one batch must be of a different color than the cards in the other batch.
(3) One batch of cards shall be shuffled and stored in the automated card shuffling device while the other batch is being used to play the game.
(4) Both batches of cards shall be continuously alternated in and out of play, with each batch being used for every other dealing shoe.
(5) The cards from only one batch shall be placed in the discard rack at any given time.
(c) The decks of cards opened for use at an Over/Under table shall be changed at least once every 24 hours.
(d) The value of the cards shall be as follows:
(1) Any card from 2 to 10 shall have its face value.
(2) Any jack, queen or king shall have a value of 10.
(3) An ace shall have a value of 11.
§ 686a.4. Opening of the table for gaming.
(a) After receiving the decks of cards at the table, the dealer shall inspect the cards for any defects. The floorperson assigned to the table shall verify the inspection.
(b) After the cards are inspected, the cards shall be spread out face up on the table for visual inspection by the first player to arrive at the table. The cards shall be spread in horizontal fan shaped columns by deck according to suit and in sequence.
(c) After the first player arriving at the table has been afforded an opportunity to visually inspect the cards, the cards shall be turned face down on the table, mixed thoroughly by a washing of the cards and stacked. Once the cards have been stacked, the cards shall be shuffled in accordance with § 686a.5 (relating to shuffle and cut of the cards).
(d) If an automated shuffling device is utilized, other than a continuous shuffler, all the decks in one batch of cards shall be spread for inspection, mixed, stacked and shuffled in accordance with subsections (a)—(c) separate from the decks in the other batch of cards.
(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) and (c)—(e) do not apply.
Cross References This section cited in 58 Pa. Code § 686a.5 (relating to shuffle and cut of the cards).
§ 686a.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 shoe of cards is dealt or when directed by a floorperson or above, the dealer shall shuffle the cards, either manually or by use of an automated card shuffling device, so that the cards are randomly intermixed. Upon completion of the shuffle, the dealer or device shall place the decks 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) After the cards have been shuffled and stacked, the dealer shall offer the stack of cards to be cut, with the backs facing away from the dealer, to the player determined under subsection (c). If no player accepts the cut, the dealer shall cut the cards.
(c) The cut of the cards shall be offered to players in the following order:
(1) The first player arriving at the table, if the game is just beginning.
(2) The player on whose betting area the cover card appeared during the last round of play.
(3) If the cover card appeared on the dealer’s hand during the last round of play, the player at the farthest position to the right of the dealer. If this player refuses, the offer to cut the cards shall rotate to each player in a counterclockwise manner.
(4) If the reshuffle was initiated at the direction of the floorperson or above, the player at the farthest position to the right of the dealer. If this player refuses, the offer to cut the cards shall rotate to each player in a counterclockwise manner.
(d) The player or dealer making the cut shall place the cover card in the stack at least ten cards from the top or bottom of the stack. Once the cover card has been inserted, the dealer shall take all cards on top of the cover card and place them on the bottom of the stack. The dealer shall then insert the cover card in the stack at a position at least 1/4 of the way in from the bottom of the stack. The stack of cards shall then be inserted into the dealing shoe for commencement of play.
(e) After the cards have been cut and before the cards have been placed in the dealing shoe, a floorperson or above may require the cards to be recut if the floorperson determines that the cut was performed improperly or in any way that might affect the integrity or fairness of the game. If a recut is required, the cards shall be recut either by the player who last cut the cards or by the next person entitled to cut the cards, as determined under subsection (c). The stack of cards shall then be inserted into the dealing shoe for commencement of play.
(f) A reshuffle of the cards in the shoe shall take place after the cover card is reached in the shoe, as provided in § 686a.7(d) (relating to procedure for dealing the cards; completion of each round of play), except that a floorperson may determine that the cards should be reshuffled after any round of play.
(g) If there is no gaming activity at an Over/Under table which is open for gaming, the cards shall be removed from the dealing shoe and the discard rack and spread out on the table face down unless the first player arriving at the table 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 § 686a.4 (relating to opening of the table for gaming) and this section shall be completed.
(h) 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 (b)—(g) do not apply.
Cross References This section cited in 58 Pa. Code § 686a.4 (relating to opening of the table for gaming); 58 Pa. Code § 686a.6 (relating to wagers); 58 Pa. Code § 686a.7 (relating to procedure for dealing the cards; completion of each round of play); and 58 Pa. Code § 686a.9 (relating to irregularities).
§ 686a.6. Wagers.
(a) Wagers at Over/Under shall be made by placing value chips, plaques, or other Board-approved table gaming wagering instruments on the appropriate areas of the Over/Under layout. Verbal wagers accompanied by cash may be accepted provided that they are confirmed by the dealer and the cash is expeditiously converted into value chips or plaques.
(b) After the cards have been shuffled as required by § 686a.5 (relating to shuffle and cut of the cards), a certificate holder may prohibit any patron, whether seated at the gaming table or not, who does not make a wager on a given round of play from placing a wager on the next round of play and any subsequent round of play at that gaming table until either:
(1) The certificate holder chooses to permit the player to begin wagering again.
(2) A reshuffle of the cards has occurred.
(c) All wagers, except an Over 23 Wager or Under 18 Wager shall be placed prior to the first card being dealt for each round of play. A player may not handle, remove or alter any wagers that have been made until a decision has been rendered and implemented with respect to that wager.
(d) A player must place an Ante Wager to participate in a round of play.
(e) If specified in its Rules Submission under § 601a.2 (relating to table games Rules Submissions), a certificate holder may offer to each player who placed an Ante Wager in accordance with subsection (d), the option of placing a Bonus Wager.
(f) The certificate holder shall specify in its Rules Submission under § 601a.2 the number of adjacent boxes on which a player may place an Ante Wager in one round of play.
Cross References This section cited in 58 Pa. Code § 686a.2 (relating to Over/Under table; physical characteristics; inspections).
§ 686a.7. Procedure for dealing the cards; completion of each round of play.
(a) All cards shall be dealt from a dealing shoe which 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 under § 686a.5 (relating to shuffle and cut of the cards) have been completed, the stacked cards shall be placed in the dealing shoe by the dealer or by an automated card shuffling device.
(b) Each card shall be removed from the dealing shoe with the hand of the dealer that is closest to the dealing shoe and placed on the appropriate area of the layout with the opposite hand. The dealer may deal cards to the two betting positions closest to the dealing shoe with the same hand.
(c) After each full batch of cards is placed in the shoe, the dealer shall remove the first card and place it in the discard rack. Each new dealer who comes to the table shall also remove one card and place it in the discard rack before dealing any cards to the players.
(d) If the cover card appears as the first card in the dealing shoe at the beginning of a round of play or appears during play, the cover card shall be removed and placed to the side and the hand will be completed. The dealer shall then:
(1) Collect and reshuffle the cards by removing the cards remaining in the shoe and placing them in the discard rack to ensure that no cards are missing.
(2) Shuffle the cards so that they are randomly intermixed.
(e) After all Ante and Bonus Wagers have been placed, the dealer shall, starting with the player farthest to the dealer’s left and continuing around the table in a clockwise manner, deal one card face up in the rectangular box described in § 686a.2(b)(3) (relating to Over/Under table; physical characteristics; inspections) closest to the player of each position on the layout in which an Ante Wager is placed.
(f) Immediately after the first card is dealt to each player, but prior to any additional cards being dealt the dealer shall start with the player farthest to the dealer’s left and continue around the table in a clockwise direction and determine the decision of each player.
(g) Each player when asked by the dealer may elect to either:
(1) Place an Over 23 Wager equal to the amount of the player’s Ante Wager.
(2) Place an Under 18 Wager equal to the amount of the player’s Ante Wager.
(3) Surrender the Ante Wager, which shall then be collected by the dealer.
(h) A player’s decision to surrender and forfeit the Ante Wager does not also forfeit the player’s Bonus Wager, if made, and the Bonus Wager shall be settled in accordance with subsection (k).
(i) After a player indicates his decision, the dealer shall deal face up the two additional cards to the player’s hand, even if the player decides to surrender his hand and has not placed a Bonus Wager.
(j) After the two additional cards have been dealt to a player, the dealer shall settle the player’s wagers placed prior to and during the round of play, remove the cards and place them in the discard rack, and then move to the next player.
(k) A player shall win and be paid in accordance with § 686a.8 (relating to payout odds) if:
(1) The player placed an Ante Wager and an Over 23 Wager, and the total point count of the player’s hand is 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32 or 33.
(2) The player placed an Ante Wager and an Under 18 Wager, and the total point count of the player’s hand is 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 or 17.
(l) A player’s Ante Wager and Over 23 Wager or Under 18 Wager shall lose and shall be collected if the total point count of the player’s hand is 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 or 23.
(m) A player’s Bonus Wager shall win and be paid in accordance with § 686a.8 if the player’s point total is 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32 or 33, and shall lose if the total point count of the player’s hand is 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25 or 26.
(n) After all player hands have been settled, the dealer shall remove any 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.
(o) Players and spectators may not handle, remove or alter any cards used to play Over/Under.
Cross References This section cited in 58 Pa. Code § 686a.5 (relating to shuffle and cut of the cards).
§ 686a.8. Payout odds.
(a) The certificate holder shall pay out each winning Ante Wager, Over 23 Wager and Under 18 Wager at odds of 1 to 1.
(b) The certificate holder shall pay out winning Bonus Wagers at the odds in the following paytable:
Paytable Point Total Pay 6 or 33 50 to 1 7 or 32 10 to 1 8 or 31 5 to 1 9 or 30 4 to 1 10 or 29 3 to 1 11 or 28 2 to 1 12 or 27 1 to 1
Cross References This section cited in 58 Pa. Code § 686a.7 (relating to procedure for dealing the cards; completion of each round of play).
§ 686a.9. Irregularities.
(a) A card found face up in the shoe may not be used in that round of play and shall be placed in the discard rack.
(b) If there are insufficient cards remaining in the shoe to complete a round of play, all of the cards in the discard rack shall be shuffled and cut in accordance with the procedures in § 686a.5 (relating to shuffle and cut of the cards). The first card shall be drawn face down and placed in the discard rack and the dealer shall complete the round of play.
(c) If after receiving the first card, the dealer fails to deal the additional two cards to a player, then, at the player’s option, the dealer shall either deal the additional cards after all other players have received their additional cards and complete the round of play, or call the player’s hand dead and return the player’s initial Ante Wager.
(d) 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.
(e) If an automated shuffling device malfunctions and cannot be used, the device must be covered or have a sign indicating that it is out of order placed on the device before any other method of shuffling may be utilized at that table.
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