Pennsylvania Code & Bulletin
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA

• No statutes or acts will be found at this website.

The Pennsylvania Bulletin website includes the following: Rulemakings by State agencies; Proposed Rulemakings by State agencies; State agency notices; the Governor’s Proclamations and Executive Orders; Actions by the General Assembly; and Statewide and local court rules.

PA Bulletin, Doc. No. 11-964

RULES AND REGULATIONS

PENNSYLVANIA GAMING CONTROL BOARD

[ 58 PA. CODE CHS. 541, 543, 557,
559, 569 AND 571 ]

Table Game Amendments; Rules of Play; Temporary Regulations

[41 Pa.B. 2962]
[Saturday, June 11, 2011]

 The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (Board), under its general authority in 4 Pa.C.S. § 13A03 (relating to temporary table game regulations), enacted by the act of January 7, 2010 (P. L. 1, No. 1) (Act 1) and the specific authority in 4 Pa.C.S. § 13A02(1) and (2) (relating to regulatory authority), amends temporary regulations in Chapters 541, 543, 557, 559, 569 and 571 to read as set forth in Annex A. The Board's temporary regulations will be added to Part VII (relating to Gaming Control Board) as part of Subpart K (relating to table games).

Purpose of the Temporary Rulemaking

 This temporary rulemaking amends the rules of Minibaccarat, Midibaccarat, Let it Ride Poker, Four Card Poker, Texas Hold 'Em Poker and Mississippi Stud to add additional side wagers and in response to comments received from certificate holders.

Explanation of Chapters 541, 543, 557, 559, 569 and 571

 In Chapters 541 and 543 (relating to Minibaccarat; and Midibaccarat), EZ Baccarat was added as a variation of Minibaccarat and Midibaccarat with no vigorish collected on a winning Banker's Hand. When playing EZ Baccarat, the Banker's Hand is considered a push instead of a win if it has a Point Count of 7 and the Player's Hand has a Point Count of less than 7 with three cards drawn. The Dragon 7 Insurance Wager was added as an optional side wager for EZ Baccarat.

 In Chapters 557, 569 and 571 (relating to Four Card Poker; Ultimate Texas Hold 'Em Poker; and Mississippi Stud), progressive side wagers were added to the games. In addition to the progressive payouts, players may also win an envy bonus if another player at the table has a qualifying hand. Definitions were added in the definition section of each chapter. Table layout and wagering device requirements, dealing procedures and payout odds and amounts were updated to reflect the addition of the progressive payout wager and the envy bonus.

 Lastly, in § 559.14(e) (relating to payout odds; payout limitation), the payouts in tables A—C for the three-card bonus wager were corrected to reflect that the mini-royal pays out at odds of 40 to 1.

Affected Parties

 The amendments in this temporary rulemaking will allow certificate holders additional options on how to conduct table games at their licensed facilities.

Fiscal Impact

Commonwealth. The Board does not expect that the amendments in this temporary rulemaking will have any fiscal impact on the Board or any other Commonwealth agency. Internal control procedures submitted by certificate holders regarding table games rules submissions will be reviewed by existing Board staff.

Political subdivisions. This temporary rulemaking will not have direct fiscal impact on political subdivisions of this Commonwealth. Eventually, host municipalities and counties will benefit from the local share funding that is mandated by Act 1.

Private sector. The amendments in this temporary rulemaking will give certificate holders some additional flexibility as to how they conduct table games.

General public. This temporary rulemaking will not have direct fiscal impact on the general public.

Paperwork Requirements

 If a certificate holder selects different options for the play at table games, the certificate holder shall submit an updated rules submission reflecting the changes.

Effective Date

 This temporary rulemaking will become effective upon publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.

Public Comments

 While this temporary rulemaking will be effective upon publication, the Board is seeking comments from the public and affected parties as to how these temporary regulations might be improved. Interested persons are invited to submit written comments, suggestions or objections regarding this temporary rulemaking within 30 days after the date of publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin to Susan A. Yocum, Assistant Chief Counsel, Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, P. O. Box 69060, Harrisburg, PA 17106-9060, Attention: Public Comment on Regulation #125-150.

Contact Person

 The contact person for questions about this temporary rulemaking is Susan A. Yocum, Assistant Chief Counsel, (717) 265-8356.

Regulatory Review

 Under 4 Pa.C.S. § 13A03, the Board is authorized to adopt temporary regulations which are not subject to sections 201—205 of the act of July 31, 1968 (P. L. 769, No. 240) (45 P. S. §§ 1201—1208), known as the Commonwealth Documents Law (CDL), the Regulatory Review Act (71 P. S. §§ 745.1—745.12) and sections 204(b) and 301(10) of the Commonwealth Attorneys Act (71 P. S. §§ 732-204(b) and 732-301(10)). These temporary regulations expire 2 years after publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.

Findings

 The Board finds that:

 (1) Under 4 Pa.C.S. § 13A03, the temporary regulations are exempt from the Regulatory Review Act, sections 201—205 of the CDL and sections 204(b) and 301(10) of the Commonwealth Attorney Act.

 (2) The adoption of the temporary regulations 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:

 (a) The regulations of the Board, 58 Pa. Code Chapters 541, 543, 557, 559, 569 and 571, are amended by amending §§ 541.1, 541.2, 541.8, 541.12, 541.13, 543.1, 543.2, 543.8, 543.12, 543.13, 557.1, 557.2, 557.7—557.12, 559.14, 569.1, 569.2, 569.7—569.12, 571.1, 571.2 and 571.7—571.12 to read as set forth in Annex A, with ellipses referring to the existing text of the regulations.

 (b) The temporary regulations are effective June 11, 2011.

 (c) The temporary regulations will be posted on the Board's web site and published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.

 (d) The temporary regulations are subject to amendment as deemed necessary by the Board.

 (e) The Chairperson of the Board shall certify this order and Annex A and deposit them with the Legislative Reference Bureau as required by law.

GREGORY C. FAJT, 
Chairperson

 (Editor's Note: See 41 Pa.B. 2952 (June 11, 2011) for the temporary rulemaking adding Chapter 571.)

Fiscal Note: 125-150. No fiscal impact; (8) recommends adoption.

Annex A

TITLE 58. RECREATION

PART VII. GAMING CONTROL BOARD

Subpart K. TABLE GAMES

CHAPTER 541. MINIBACCARAT

§ 541.1. Definitions.

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

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

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

§ 541.2. Minibaccarat table physical characteristics.

*  *  *  *  *

 (c) The layout for a Minibaccarat table shall be approved by the Bureau of Gaming Operations and contain, at a minimum:

*  *  *  *  *

 (4) Numbered areas that correspond to the seat numbers for the purpose of marking vigorish unless the dealer, in accordance with the option selected in the certificate holder's Rules Submission under § 521.2 (relating to table games Rules Submissions), collects the vigorish from a player at the time the winning payout is made or the table is designated for play as an EZ Baccarat table in which vigorish is not collected.

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

 (6) If a certificate holder offers the Dragon Bonus Wager:

 (i) A separate area designated for the placement of the Dragon Bonus Wager.

 (ii) Inscriptions that advise patrons of the payout odds for the Dragon Bonus Wager. If the payout odds are not inscribed on the layout, a sign identifying the payout odds for the Dragon Bonus Wager shall be posted at each Minibaccarat table.

 (7) If a certificate holder offers EZ Baccarat:

 (i) A separate area designated for the placement of the Dragon 7 Insurance Wager for each player.

 (ii) Inscriptions that advise patrons that a wager on the Banker's Hand that results in a Dragon 7 shall tie and be returned to the player.

 (iii) Inscriptions that advise patrons of the payout odds for the Dragon 7 Insurance Wager. If the payout odds are not inscribed on the layout, a sign identifying the payout odds shall be posted at each EZ Baccarat table.

*  *  *  *  *

§ 541.8. Wagers.

 (a) The following wagers shall be permitted to be made by a player at the game of Minibaccarat:

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

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

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

 (iii) Tie if the Banker's Hand and the Player's Hand have the same Point Count and either:

 (A) Be returned to the player.

 (B) If the licensee charges vigorish in accordance with § 541.13(h) (relating to payout odds; vigorish), be charged a vigorish equal to 25% of the wager.

 (iv) Returned to the player if EZ Baccarat is being played and the Point Counts of the Banker's Hand and the Player's Hand result in a Dragon 7.

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

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

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

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

 (3) A Tie Wager which shall:

*  *  *  *  *

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

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

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

 (b) Wagers at Minibaccarat shall be made by placing gaming chips or plaques on the appropriate areas of the Minibaccarat layout. A verbal wager, accompanied by cash may be accepted provided the verbal wager is confirmed by the dealer calling the game and the cash is expeditiously converted into gaming chips or plaques.

 (c) No wager at Minibaccarat may be made, increased or withdrawn after the dealer has announced ''no more bets.''

§ 541.12. Announcement of result of round; payment and collection of wagers.

 (a) After each hand has received all the cards to which it is entitled under §§ 541.9, 541.10 and 541.11 (relating to hands of player and banker; procedure for dealing initial two cards to each hand; procedure for dealing a third card; and rules for determining whether a third card shall be dealt), the dealer shall announce the final Point Count of each hand indicating which hand has won the round. If the two hands have equal Point Counts, the dealer shall announce ''Tie Hand.'' If the table is designated for play as an EZ Baccarat table and the Point Counts of the Banker's Hand and the Player's Hand result in a Dragon 7, the dealer shall announce ''Dragon 7.''

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

 (c) At the conclusion of a round of play, all cards on the layout shall be picked up by the dealer and placed in the discard rack, in order and in a way so that they can be readily arranged to indicate the Player's Hand and the Banker's Hand in case of a question or dispute.

§ 541.13. Payout odds; vigorish.

*  *  *  *  *

 (c) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (h), a winning wager made on the Banker's Hand shall be paid off by a certificate holder at odds of 1 to 1, except that the certificate holder shall extract a vigorish from the winning players in an amount equal to the amount specified in the Rules Submission under § 521.2 (relating to table games Rules Submissions) of either 4% or 5% of the amount won unless the certificate holder is offering EZ Baccarat in which vigorish is not collected.

*  *  *  *  *

 (e) A winning Dragon 7 Insurance Wager shall be paid out by a certificate holder at odds of 40 to 1.

 (f) When collecting the vigorish, the certificate holder may round off the vigorish to 5 cents or the next highest multiple of 5 cents.

 (g) A dealer, in accordance with the option selected in the certificate holders Rules Submission under § 521.2, may collect the vigorish from a player at the time the winning payout is made or may defer it to a later time; provided, however, that outstanding vigorish shall be collected prior to reshuffling the cards in a dealing shoe or when the player leaves the gaming table, whichever occurs first. The amount of any vigorish not collected at the time of the winning payouts shall be tracked by placing a coin or marker button containing the amount of the vigorish owed in a rectangular space in front of the dealer on the layout imprinted with the number of the player owing the vigorish. The coin or marker button may not be removed from the layout until the vigorish owed is collected.

 (h) A certificate holder may, in its Rules Submission under § 521.2, elect to charge every player at a Minibaccarat table a vigorish equal to 25% of the player's wager on the Banker's Hand if the Point Counts of the Banker's Hand and the Player's Hand are equal. The vigorish authorized by this subsection shall be collected at the end of the round of play and prior to any cards being dealt for the next round of play. If a certificate holder elects to charge the vigorish authorized by this subsection, the vigorish otherwise required by subsection (c) may not be collected.

 (i) The type and percentage of vigorish charged at a Minibaccarat table applies to all players at that table. The same type and percentage of vigorish shall be used for all Minibaccarat tables located within a licensed facility.

CHAPTER 543. MIDIBACCARAT

§ 543.1. Definitions.

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

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

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

§ 543.2. Midibaccarat table physical characteristics.

*  *  *  *  *

 (c) The layout for a Midibaccarat table shall be approved by the Bureau of Gaming Operations and contain, at a minimum:

*  *  *  *  *

 (4) Numbered areas that correspond to the seat numbers for the purpose of marking vigorish unless the dealer, in accordance with the option selected in the certificate holder's Rules Submission under § 521.2 (relating to table games Rules Submissions), collects the vigorish from a player at the time the winning payout is made or the table is designated for play as an EZ Baccarat table in which vigorish is not collected.

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

 (6) If a certificate holder offers the Dragon Bonus Wager:

 (i) A separate area designated for the placement of the Dragon Bonus Wager.

 (ii) Inscriptions that advise patrons of the payout odds for the Dragon Bonus Wager. If the payout odds are not inscribed on the layout, a sign identifying the payout odds for the Dragon Bonus Wager shall be posted at each Midibaccarat table.

 (7) If a certificate holder offers EZ Baccarat:

 (i) A separate area designated for the placement of the Dragon 7 Insurance Wager for each player.

 (ii) Inscriptions that advise patrons that a wager on the Banker's Hand that results in a Dragon 7 shall tie and be returned to the player.

 (iii) Inscriptions that advise patrons of the payout odds for the Dragon 7 Insurance Wager. If the payout odds are not inscribed on the layout, a sign identifying the payout odds shall be posted at each EZ Baccarat table.

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

 (e) Each Midibaccarat table must have a drop box and a tip box attached to it on the same side of the gaming table as, but on opposite sides of, the dealer, in locations approved by the Bureau of Gaming Operations. The Bureau of Gaming Operations 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 Minibaccarat table must have a discard bucket on the dealer's side of the table in a location approved by the Bureau of Gaming Operations

§ 543.8. Wagers.

 (a) The following wagers shall be permitted to be made by a player at the game of Midibaccarat:

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

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

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

 (iii) Tie if the Banker's Hand and the Player's Hand have the same Point Count and either:

 (A) Be returned to the player.

 (B) If the licensee charges vigorish in accordance with § 543.13(h) (relating to payout odds; vigorish), be charged a vigorish equal to 25% of the wager.

 (iv) Returned to the player if EZ Baccarat is being played and the Point Counts of the Banker's Hand and the Player's Hand result in a Dragon 7.

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

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

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

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

 (3) A Tie Wager which shall:

*  *  *  *  *

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

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

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

 (b) Wagers at Midibaccarat shall be made by placing gaming chips or plaques on the appropriate areas of the Midibaccarat layout. A verbal wager, accompanied by cash may be accepted provided the verbal wager is confirmed by the dealer calling the game and the cash is expeditiously converted into gaming chips or plaques.

 (c) No wager at Midibaccarat may be made, increased or withdrawn after the dealer has announced ''no more bets.''

§ 543.12. Announcement of result of round; payment and collection of wagers.

 (a) After each hand has received all the cards to which it is entitled under §§ 543.9, 543.10 and 543.11 (relating to hands of player and banker; procedure for dealing initial two cards to each hand; procedure for dealing a third card; and rules for determining whether a third card shall be dealt), the dealer shall announce the final Point Count of each hand indicating which hand has won the round. If two hands have equal Point Counts, the dealer shall announce ''tie hand.'' If the table is designated for play as an EZ Baccarat table and the Point Counts of the Banker's Hand and the Player's Hand result in a Dragon 7, the dealer shall announce ''Dragon 7.''

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

 (c) At the conclusion of a round of play, all cards on the layout shall be picked up by the dealer and placed in the discard bucket.

§ 543.13. Payout odds; vigorish.

*  *  *  *  *

 (c) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (h), a winning wager made on the Banker's Hand shall be paid off by a certificate holder at odds of 1 to 1, except that the certificate holder shall extract a vigorish from the winning players in an amount equal to the amount specified in the Rules Submission under § 521.2 (relating to table games Rules Submissions) of either 4% or 5% of the amount won unless the certificate holder is offering EZ Baccarat in which vigorish is not collected.

*  *  *  *  *

 (e) A winning Dragon 7 Insurance Wager shall be paid out by a certificate holder at odds of 40 to 1.

 (f) When collecting the vigorish, the certificate holder may round off the vigorish to 5 cents or the next highest multiple of 5 cents.

 (g) A dealer, in accordance with the option selected in the certificate holders Rules Submission under § 521.2, may collect the vigorish from a player at the time the winning payout is made or may defer it to a later time; provided, however, that outstanding vigorish shall be collected prior to beginning play with a new dealing shoe of cards or when the player leaves the gaming table, whichever occurs first. The amount of any vigorish not collected at the time of the winning payouts shall be tracked by placing a coin or marker button containing the amount of the vigorish owed in a rectangular space in front of the dealer on the layout imprinted with the number of the player owing the vigorish. The coin or marker button shall not be removed from the layout until the vigorish owed is collected.

 (h) A certificate holder may, in its Rules Submission under § 521.2, elect to charge every player at a Midibaccarat table a vigorish equal to 25% of the player's wager on the Banker's Hand if the Point Counts of the Banker's Hand and the Player's Hand are equal. The vigorish authorized by this subsection shall be collected at the end of the round of play and prior to any cards being dealt for the next round of play. If a certificate holder elects to charge the vigorish authorized by this subsection, the vigorish otherwise required by subsection (c) may not be collected.

 (i) The type and percentage of vigorish charged at a Midibaccarat table shall apply to all players at that table. The same type and percentage of vigorish shall be used for all Midibaccarat tables located within a licensed facility.

CHAPTER 557. FOUR CARD POKER

§ 557.1. Definitions.

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

Aces Up Wager—An optional wager that a player may make prior to any cards being dealt that the player's best Four Card Poker hand will be a pair of aces or better.

Envy Bonus—An additional fixed sum payout made to a player who placed a Progressive Payout Wager when another player at the Four Card Poker table is the holder of an Envy Bonus Qualifying Hand.

Envy Bonus Qualifying Hand—A player's Four Card Poker hand with a rank of four aces, four-of-a-kind or, if included in the paytable selected by the certificate holder in its rules submission required under § 521.2 (relating to table games Rules Submissions), a straight flush, as defined in § 557.6(b) (relating to Four Card Poker rankings).

Hand—The best Four Card Poker hand that can be formed by each player and the dealer from the cards they are dealt.

Play Wager—An additional wager that a player is required to make if the player opts to remain in competition against the dealer.

Progressive payout hand—A player's Four Card Poker hand with a rank of a three-of-a-kind or better as defined in § 557.6(b).

Round of play—One complete cycle of play during which all wagers have been placed, all cards have been dealt and all remaining wagers have been settled in accordance with the rules of this chapter.

§ 557.2. Four Card Poker table physical characteristics.

*  *  *  *  *

 (b) The layout for a Four Card Poker table shall be approved by the Bureau of Gaming Operations and contain, at a minimum:

*  *  *  *  *

 (5) If a certificate holder offers the Progressive Payout Wager, a separate area designated for the placement of the Progressive Payout Wager for each player.

 (6) An inscription identifying the payout odds or amounts for all authorized wagers unless the payout odds are posted as required by subsection (c).

*  *  *  *  *

 (f) If a certificate holder offers the Progressive Payout Wager, in accordance with § 557.7 (relating to wagers), the Four Card Poker table shall have a progressive table game system, in accordance with § 524.7 (relating to progressive table game systems), for the placement of Progressive Payout Wagers. The progressive table game system must include:

 (1) A wagering device at each betting position that acknowledges or accepts the placement of the Progressive Payout Wager.

 (2) A device that controls or monitors the placement of the 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.''

§ 557.7. Wagers.

 (a) The following wagers may be placed in the game of Four Card Poker:

 (1) A player may compete solely against the dealer by placing an Ante Wager in an amount within the posted minimum and maximum wagers posted at the table and then placing a Play Wager in an amount from one to three times the amount of the Ante Wager.

 (2) A player may compete solely against a posted payout table by placing an Aces Up Wager in any amount within the minimum and maximum wagers posted at the table.

 (3) A player may compete against both the dealer and the posted payout table by placing wagers in accordance with the requirements in paragraphs (1) and (2).

 (4) If the certificate holder offers the Progressive Payout Wager, after placing an Ante Wager, a player may also place a Progressive Payout Wager of $1 or $5, as specified in the certificate holder's rules submission under § 521.2 (relating to table games Rules Submissions), on whether the player is dealt a Progressive Payout Hand. A Progressive Payout Wager shall be made by placing a value chip into the progressive wagering device designated for that player. Each player shall be responsible for verifying that the player's respective Progressive Payout Wager has been accepted.

 (b) All wagers at Four Card Poker shall be made by placing gaming chips or plaques on the appropriate betting areas of the table layout or, if the certificate holder offers the Progressive Payout Wager, by placing a value chip into the progressive wagering device at the player's betting position. A verbal wager accompanied by cash may not be accepted.

 (c) 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 player, any wagers made by the player may be considered abandoned and may be treated as losing wagers.

 (d) Ante Wagers, Aces Up Wagers and Progressive Payout Wagers shall be placed prior to the dealer announcing ''no more bets'' in accordance with the dealing procedures in § 557.8, § 557.9 or § 557.10 (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 for Play Wagers, a wager may not be made, increased or withdrawn after the dealer has announced ''no more bets.'' All Play Wagers shall be placed in accordance with § 557.11(b) (relating to Play Wagers; procedures for completion of each round of play).

 (e) A certificate holder may, if specified in the certificate holder's Rules Submission under § 521.2, permit a player to simultaneously play and place wagers at two adjacent betting positions during a round of play.

§ 557.8. Procedures for dealing the cards from a manual dealing shoe.

*  *  *  *  *

 (b) Prior to dealing the cards and after all Ante Wagers, Aces Up Wagers and Progressive Payout Wagers are placed, the dealer shall announce ''no more bets'' and, if the certificate holder offers the Progressive Payout Wager, use the progressive table game system to prevent the placement of any additional Progressive Payout Wagers. The dealer shall then collect any Progressive Payout Wagers and, on the layout in front of the table inventory container, verify that the number of value chips wagered equals the number of Progressive Payout Wagers accepted by the progressive table game system. The dealer shall then place the value chips into the table inventory container.

*  *  *  *  *

§ 557.9. Procedures for dealing the cards from the hand.

 (a) If the cards are dealt from the dealer's hand, the following requirements shall be observed:

*  *  *  *  *

 (3) The dealer shall then announce ''no more bets'' and, if the certificate holder offers the Progressive Payout Wager, use the progressive table game system to prevent the placement of any additional Progressive Payout Wagers. The dealer shall then collect any Progressive Payout Wagers and, on the layout in front of the table inventory container, verify that the number of value chips wagered equals the number of Progressive Payout Wagers accepted by the progressive table game system. The dealer shall then place the value chips into the table inventory container. The dealer shall then deal each card by holding the deck of cards in the chosen hand and using the other hand remove the top card of the deck.

*  *  *  *  *

§ 557.10. 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 § 557.5 (relating to shuffle and cut of the cards) have been completed, the cards shall be placed in the automated dealing shoe.

 (2) The dealer shall then announce ''no more bets'' and, if the certificate holder offers the Progressive Payout Wager, use the progressive table game system to prevent the placement of any additional Progressive Payout Wagers. The dealer shall then collect any Progressive Payout Wagers and, on the layout in front of the table inventory container, verify that the number of value chips wagered equals the number of Progressive Payout Wagers accepted by the progressive table game system. The dealer shall then place the value chips into the table inventory container.

*  *  *  *  *

§ 557.11. Play Wagers; procedures for completion of each round of play.

*  *  *  *  *

 (c) The dealer shall, starting with the player farthest to the left of the dealer and continuing clockwise around the table, offer each player who has placed an Ante Wager the option to either make a Play Wager or forfeit his Ante Wager. A Play Wager shall be made in an amount from one to three times the amount of the player's Ante Wager. If a player 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 does not forfeit the Aces Up Wager. If a player has placed an Ante Wager and a Progressive Payout Wager but does not make a Play Wager, the player shall forfeit the Ante Wager and the Progressive Payout Wager but may not forfeit the eligibility to receive an Envy Bonus under § 557.12 (relating to payout odds; progressive payout; Envy Bonus; rate of progression).

 (d) After each player has either placed a Play Wager on the designated area of the layout or forfeited his Ante Wager, the dealer shall collect all forfeited Ante Wagers. The dealer shall collect the cards of any player who forfeited his Ante Wager and also did not make an Aces Up Wager, and place the cards in the discard rack unless the player made a Progressive Payout Wager in which the cards shall be left on the table until all wagers are resolved in accordance with subsection (e).

 (e) The dealer shall then reveal the dealer's cards and select the four cards that form the highest possible ranking hand. The dealer shall then, starting with the player farthest to the dealer's right whose hand is still active and continuing counterclockwise around the table, reveal the cards of each player and select the four cards that form the highest possible ranking hand for each player. The dealer shall then collect all losing Ante, Play and Aces Up Wagers.

 (f) The dealer shall then settle the winning wagers remaining on the table, in accordance with the payout odds in § 557.12. All winning Progressive Payout Wagers shall be paid after the player's other Four Card Poker wagers are settled. If a player has won the progressive payout that is 100% of the jackpot amount on the progressive meter under § 557.12(a)(4), the progressive payout shall not be paid from the table inventory container. All other winning Progressive Payout Wagers shall be paid from the table inventory container. Prior to making a payout for a Progressive Payout Wager, the dealer shall:

 (1) Verify that the hand is a winning hand.

 (2) Verify that the appropriate light on the progressive table game system has been illuminated.

 (3) Have a floorperson or above validate the progressive payout in accordance with the certificate holder's approved internal control procedures.

 (g) A player's winning hand shall remain face up on the layout until the winning wagers are paid. After paying the winning wagers, the dealer shall immediately collect the cards of all winning players. 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.

 (h) All cards collected by the dealer shall be picked up in order and placed in the discard rack in a way so that the cards can be readily arranged to reconstruct each hand in the event of a question or dispute.

§ 557.12. Payout odds; progressive payout; Envy Bonus; rate of progression.

 The payout types are:

*  *  *  *  *

 (4) If a certificate holder offers the Progressive Payout Wager, the certificate holder shall pay each winning Progressive Payout Wager at the odds specified in the certificate holder's Rules Submission under § 521.2, which shall be no less than the odds in one of the following pay tables:

Hand Table A Table 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

 (i) A player shall receive the payout for only the highest ranking hand formed.

 (ii) Players making a Progressive Payout Wager shall receive an Envy Bonus when another player at the same Four Card Poker table is the holder of an Envy Bonus Qualifying Hand. Players are entitled to multiple Envy Bonuses if more than one player is the holder of an Envy Bonus Qualifying Hand provided, however, that a player is not entitled to an Envy Bonus for his own hand or the hand of the dealer. Envy Bonus payouts shall be made according to the following payout schedules 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 Table A Envy Bonus Table B Envy Bonus
Four Aces $100 $100
Four-of-a-kind $10 $25
Straight Flush $5 N/A

$5 Progressive Payout Wagers

Hand Table A Envy Bonus Table B Envy Bonus
Four Aces $500 $500
Four-of-a-kind $50 $125
Straight Flush $25 N/A

 (iii) The rate of progression for the progressive meter used for the Progressive Payouts must be in the certificate holder's Rules Submission filed in accordance with § 521.2. The initial and reset amount shall also be in the certificate holder's Rules Submission and be no less than $5,000 for Table A and $1,000 for Table B.

 (iv) 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 § 557.11 (relating to Play Wagers; procedures for completion of each round of play).

CHAPTER 559. LET IT RIDE POKER

§ 559.14. Payout odds; payout limitation.

*  *  *  *  *

 (e) A certificate holder shall pay off each winning Three Card Bonus Wager at the odds specified in the certificate holder's Rules Submission under § 521.2, which shall be no less than the odds in one of the following alternative pay tables:

Hand Type Table A Table B Table C
Mini-royal 40 to 1 40 to 1 40 to 1
Straight flush 40 to 1 40 to 1 40 to 1
Three-of-a-kind 30 to 1 30 to 1 30 to 1
Straight 6 to 1 5 to 1 6 to 1
Flush 4 to 1 4 to 1 3 to 1
Pair 1 to 1 1 to 1 1 to 1
Hand Type Table D Table E Table F
Mini-royal 50 to 1 50 to 1 50 to 1
Straight flush 40 to 1 40 to 1 40 to 1
Three-of-a-kind 30 to 1 30 to 1 30 to 1
Straight 6 to 1 5 to 1 6 to 1
Flush 4 to 1 4 to 1 3 to 1
Pair 1 to 1 1 to 1 1 to 1

CHAPTER 569. ULTIMATE TEXAS HOLD 'EM POKER

§ 569.1. Definitions.

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

Ante Wager—An initial wager required to be made prior to any cards being dealt to participate in the round of play.

Blind Wager—An initial wager required to be made prior to any cards being dealt to participate in the round of play.

Burn—To remove the top or next card from the deck and place it face down in the discard rack without revealing it to anyone.

Check—Waiving the right to place a Play Wager but remaining in the round of play.

Community card—Any of the five cards dealt face up in the center of the table, all of which may be used by each player and the dealer together with the player's or dealer's own two cards to form the best possible five-card poker hand.

Envy Bonus—An additional fixed sum payout made to a player who placed a Progressive Payout Wager when another player at the Ultimate Texas Hold 'Em Poker table is the holder of an Envy Bonus Qualifying Hand.

Envy Bonus Qualifying Hand—An Ultimate Texas Hold 'Em Poker hand with a rank of a royal flush or a straight flush as defined in § 569.6 (relating to Ultimate Texas Hold 'Em Poker hand rankings).

Flop—The first three community cards dealt face up in the area designated for the placement of the community cards.

Fold—The withdrawal of a player from a round of play by not making a Play Wager.

Hand—Five-cards formed from any combination of the five community cards and the two cards dealt to a player or the dealer.

Play Wager—A wager made after two cards have been dealt to each player and the dealer, and before the dealer reveals his two cards.

Progressive Payout Hand—An Ultimate Texas Hold 'Em Poker hand with a rank of a three-of-a-kind or better as defined in § 569.6 (relating to Ultimate Texas Hold 'Em Poker hand rankings).

Rank or ranking—The relative position of a card or group of cards as set forth in § 569.6 (relating to Ultimate Texas Hold 'Em Poker hand rankings).

Round of play or round—One complete cycle of play during which all players playing at the table have been dealt cards, have wagered or folded, and have had their wagers paid or collected in accordance with this chapter.

Trips Wager—An optional wager that a player may make prior to any cards being dealt, that the player's best five-card hand will be a three-of-a-kind or better.

§ 569.2. Ultimate Texas Hold 'Em Poker table; physical characteristics.

*  *  *  *  *

 (b) The layout for an Ultimate Texas Hold 'Em Poker table shall be approved by the Bureau of Gaming Operations and contain, at a minimum:

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

 (2) Four separate designated betting areas at each player position for the placement of Ante, Blind, Play and Trips Wagers, configured with the Trips Wager area closest to the dealer, the Play Wager area farthest from the dealer, the Ante Wager area arrayed between the Trips Wager area and the Play Wager area, and the Blind Wager area to the right of the Ante Wager area and separated from the Ante Wager area by an ''='' symbol.

 (3) If the certificate holder offers the Progressive Payout Wager, a separate area designated for the placement of the Progressive Payout Wager for each player.

 (4) A separate designated area for the placement of the five community cards, located in the center of the table between the table inventory container and the player betting areas.

 (5) A separate designated area for the placement of the dealer's two cards, located between the table inventory container and the designated area for the five community cards.

 (6) An inscription indicating that an Ante Wager must tie if the dealer has less than a pair.

 (7) Except as permitted under subsection (c), an inscription at each player position describing the following:

 (i) The payout odds for Blind and Trips Wagers.

 (ii) A Blind Wager may not be paid unless the player's hand ranks higher than the dealer's hand.

 (iii) The rules governing the required amount of a Play Wager as a multiple of the player's Ante Wager.

 (iv) The payout odds and amounts for the Progressive Payout Wager and Envy Bonus, if offered by the certificate holder.

*  *  *  *  *

 (f) If a certificate holder offers the Progressive Payout Wager, in accordance with § 569.7 (relating to wagers), the Ultimate Texas Hold 'Em Poker table shall have a progressive table game system, in accordance with § 524.7 (relating to progressive table game systems), for the placement of Progressive Payout Wagers. The progressive table game system shall 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.''

§ 569.7. Wagers.

 (a) Wagers at Ultimate Texas Hold 'Em Poker shall be made by placing value chips or gaming plaques on the appropriate betting areas of the table layout or, if the certificate holder offers the Progressive Payout Wager, by placing a value chip into the progressive wagering device at the player's betting position. A verbal wager accompanied by cash may not be accepted.

 (b) Ante, Blind, Trips and Progressive Payout Wagers shall be placed prior to the dealer announcing ''no more bets'' in accordance with the dealing procedure in § 569.8, § 569.9 or § 569.10 (relating to procedure for dealing cards from a manual dealing shoe; procedure for dealing cards from the hand; and procedures for dealing the cards from an automated dealing shoe). Except as provided in § 569.11 (relating to procedures for completion of each round of play; collection and payment of wagers), no wager may be made, increased, or withdrawn after the dealer has announced ''no more bets.''

*  *  *  *  *

 (f) If the certificate holder offers the Progressive Payout Wager, after placing an Ante Wager and a Blind Wager, a player may also place a Progressive Payout Wager of $1 or $5, as specified in the certificate holder's rules submission under § 521.2 (relating to table games Rules Submissions), on whether the player will be dealt a Progressive Payout Hand. A Progressive Payout Wager shall be made by placing a value chip into the progressive wagering device designated for that player. Each player shall be responsible for verifying that the player's respective Progressive Payout Wager has been accepted.

 (g) Only players who are seated at the Ultimate Texas Hold 'Em Poker table may place a 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.

 (h) A player may not simultaneously play and wager on more than one player position at an Ultimate Texas Hold 'Em Poker table.

§ 569.8. Procedure for dealing the cards from a manual dealing shoe.

*  *  *  *  *

 (b) Prior to dealing the cards and after all Ante, Blind, Trips and Progressive Payout Wagers are placed, the dealer shall announce ''no more bets'' and, if the certificate holder offers the Progressive Payout Wager, use the progressive table game system to prevent the placement of any additional Progressive Payout Wagers. The dealer shall then collect any Progressive Payout Wagers and, on the layout in front of the table inventory container, verify that the number of value chips wagered equals the number of Progressive Payout Wagers accepted by the progressive table game system. The dealer shall then place the value chips into the table inventory container.

*  *  *  *  *

§ 569.9. 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:

*  *  *  *  *

 (3) The dealer shall announce ''no more bets'' and, if the certificate holder offers the Progressive Payout Wager, use the progressive table game system to prevent the placement of any additional Progressive Payout Wagers. The dealer shall then collect any Progressive Payout Wagers and, on the layout in front of the table inventory container, verify that the number of value chips wagered equals the number of Progressive Payout Wagers accepted by the progressive table game system. The dealer shall then place the value chips into the table inventory container. The dealer shall then deal each card by holding the deck of cards in the chosen hand and using the other hand remove the top card of the deck and place it face down on the appropriate area of the layout.

*  *  *  *  *

§ 569.10. 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 § 569.5 (relating to shuffle and cut of the cards) have been completed, the cards shall be placed in the automated dealing shoe.

 (2) The dealer shall then announce ''no more bets'' prior to dispensing any stacks of cards and, if the certificate holder offers the Progressive Payout Wager, use the progressive table game system to prevent the placement of any additional Progressive Payout Wagers. The dealer shall then collect any Progressive Payout Wagers and, on the layout in front of the table inventory container, verify that the number of value chips wagered equals the number of Progressive Payout Wagers accepted by the progressive table game system. The dealer shall then place the value chips into the table inventory container.

*  *  *  *  *

§ 569.11. Procedures for completion of each round of play; collection and payment of wagers.

*  *  *  *  *

 (e) After the final two community cards have been dealt, the dealer shall, starting with the player farthest to his left and proceeding in a clockwise manner around the table, ask each player who has not yet placed a Play Wager whether he wishes to fold or place a Play Wager equal in amount to his Ante Wager.

 (1) If a player places a Play Wager, the wager shall be placed in the designated Play Wager betting area.

 (2) If a player folds, the Ante and Blind Wagers of the player shall be collected by the dealer and placed in the table inventory container.

 (i) If the player has also placed a Trips Wager, the dealer shall place the cards of the player face down underneath the player's Trips Wager pending its resolution at the conclusion of the round of play.

 (ii) If the player has not placed a Trips Wager, the dealer shall immediately spread the cards of the folded hand face down and then place them in the discard rack unless the player made a Progressive Payout Wager in which the cards shall be left on the table until all wagers are settled in accordance with subsection (h).

 (f) After each player has either folded or placed a Play Wager, the dealer shall remove the cover card from the top of the dealer's cards and place it on the table layout. The dealer shall then turn his two cards face up, position the combination of the dealer's cards and either three, four or five of the community cards that can be used to form the best possible five-card hand and announce the dealer's hand to the players.

 (g) If the dealer's best possible five-card hand is lower than a pair, the dealer shall, starting with the player farthest to the dealer's right who has placed a Play Wager and proceeding in a counterclockwise manner around the table, return each player's Ante Wager and resolve all other wagers in accordance with subsection (h).

 (h) If the dealer's best possible five-card hand is a pair or above, the dealer shall, starting with the player farthest to the dealer's right who has placed a Play Wager and proceeding in a counterclockwise manner around the table, turn the two cards of each player who has placed a Play Wager face up and announce the best possible five-card poker hand that can be formed using the player's two cards and the five community cards. The wagers of each player shall be resolved one player at a time regardless of outcome. After all wagers placed by a player are settled, the player's cards shall then be immediately collected by the dealer and placed in the discard rack unless the player made a Progressive Payout Wager in which the cards shall be left on the table until all wagers are resolved.

 (1) If the player's five-card hand is ranked lower than the dealer's five-card hand, the player shall lose and the dealer shall immediately collect the Ante, Blind and Play Wagers made by the player and place the wagers in the table inventory container.

 (2) If the player's five-card hand is ranked higher than the dealer's five-card hand, the player shall win and the dealer shall pay the Ante, Blind and Play Wagers made by the player in accordance with the payout odds in § 569.12 (relating to payout odds; progressive payout; Envy Bonus; rate of progression); provided, however, that the Blind Wager may not be paid unless the player's winning hand has a rank of straight or higher.

 (3) If the player's five-card hand and the dealer's five-card hand are of equal rank, the hand shall be a tie. In this case, the dealer may not collect or pay the player's Ante, Blind or Play Wagers.

 (4) After settling a player's Ante, Blind and Play Wagers, the dealer shall settle any Trips Wager made by the player by determining whether the player's five-card hand qualifies for a payout in accordance with § 569.12(d). A winning Trips Wager shall be paid without regard to the outcome of any other wager made by the player.

 (5) All winning Progressive Payout Wagers shall be paid after the player's other Ultimate Texas Hold 'Em Poker wagers are settled. If a player has won the progressive payout that is 100% of the jackpot amount on the progressive meter under § 569.12(f), the progressive payout shall not be paid from the table inventory container. All other winning Progressive Payout Wagers shall be paid from the table inventory container. Prior to making a payout for a Progressive Payout Wager, 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.

 (6) A player's winning hand shall remain face up on the layout until the winning wagers are paid. After paying the winning wagers, the dealer shall immediately collect the cards of all winning players. 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.

 (i) All cards collected by the dealer shall be picked up in order and placed in the discard rack in a way that the cards can be readily arranged to reconstruct each hand in the event of a question or dispute.

§ 569.12. Payout odds; progressive payout; Envy Bonus; rate of progression.

*  *  *  *  *

 (f) If a certificate holder offers the Progressive Payout Wager, the certificate holder shall pay each winning Progressive Payout Wager in accordance with the following odds:

Hand Payout
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

 (1) A player shall receive the payout for only the highest ranking hand formed.

 (2) Players making a Progressive Payout Wager shall receive an Envy Bonus when another player at the same Ultimate Texas Hold 'Em Poker table is the holder of an Envy Bonus Qualifying Hand. Players are entitled to multiple Envy Bonuses if more than one player is the holder of an Envy Bonus Qualifying Hand provided, however, that a player is not entitled to an Envy Bonus for his own hand or the hand of the dealer. Envy Bonus payouts shall be made according to the following payout schedules 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

 (3) The rate of progression for the progressive meter used for the Progressive Payouts must be in the certificate holder's Rules Submission filed in accordance with § 521.2. The initial and reset amount must also be in the certificate holder's Rules Submission and be no less than $10,000.

 (4) 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 § 557.11 (relating to Play Wagers; procedures for completion of each round of play).

CHAPTER 571. MISSISSIPPI STUD

§ 571.1. Definitions.

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

Ante Wager—An initial wager that shall be made by a player prior to any cards being dealt to participate in the round of play.

Bet Wager—A 3rd Street, 4th Street or 5th Street Wager made by a player.

Community card—Any of the three cards that are initially dealt face down in the designated area in front of the table inventory container and once revealed are used by each player to form a five-card hand.

Envy Bonus—An additional fixed sum payout made to a player who placed a Progressive Payout Wager when another player at the Mississippi Stud table is the holder of an Envy Bonus Qualifying Hand.

Envy Bonus Qualifying Hand—A Mississippi Stud hand formed using the two player cards and three community cards with a rank of a royal flush or a straight flush as defined in § 571.6 (relating to Mississippi Stud hand rankings).

5th Street Wager—An additional wager made by a player, in an amount equal to one, two or three times the player's Ante Wager, after the second community card is revealed by the dealer.

Fold—The withdrawal of a player from a round of play by discarding the player's two cards prior to placing a bet wager.

4th Street Wager—An additional wager made by a player, in an amount equal to one, two or three times the player's Ante Wager, after the first community card is revealed by the dealer.

Progressive Payout Hand—A Mississippi Stud hand formed using the two player cards and three community cards with a rank of a three-of-a-kind or better as defined in § 571.6.

Push—A player's hand that results in neither payment on nor collection of the player's wagers.

Rank or ranking—The relative position of a card or group of cards as set forth in § 571.6.

Round of play or round—One complete cycle of play during which all players playing at the table have been dealt a hand, folded or wagered upon their hands and had their wagers paid or collected or returned in accordance with the rules of this chapter.

3rd Street Wager—An additional wager made by a player, in an amount equal to one, two or three times the player's Ante Wager, after the player has been dealt the initial two cards.

§ 571.2. Mississippi Stud table; physical characteristics.

*  *  *  *  *

 (b) The layout for a Mississippi Stud table shall be approved by the Bureau of Gaming Operations and, at a minimum, contain:

*  *  *  *  *

 (4) If the certificate holder offers the Progressive Payout Wager, a separate area designated for the placement of the Progressive Payout Wager for each player.

 (5) Except as permitted under subsection (c), an inscription at each player position describing:

 (i) The payout odds or amounts for all authorized wagers.

 (ii) The rules governing the required amount of the 3rd Street, 4th Street or 5th Street Wager as a multiple of the player's Ante Wager.

*  *  *  *  *

 (f) If a certificate holder offers the Progressive Payout Wager, in accordance with § 571.7 (relating to wagers), the Mississippi Stud table shall have a progressive table game system, in accordance with § 524.7 (relating to progressive table game systems), for the placement of Progressive Payout Wagers. The progressive table game system shall 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.''

§ 571.7. Wagers.

 (a) Wagers at Mississippi Stud shall be made by placing value chips or plaques on the appropriate betting areas of the table layout or, if the certificate holder offers the Progressive Payout Wager, by placing a value chip into the progressive wagering device at the player's betting position. A verbal wager accompanied by cash may not be accepted.

 (b) All Ante Wagers, 3rd Street, 4th Street and 5th Street Wagers and Progressive Payout Wagers shall be placed prior to the dealer announcing ''no more bets'' in accordance with the dealing procedure in § 571.8, § 571.9 or § 571.10 (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).

 (c) To participate in a round of play, a player shall place an Ante Wager. A 3rd Street, 4th Street or 5th Street Wager shall be made in accordance with § 571.11 (relating to procedure for completion of each round of play; collection and payment of wagers).

 (d) If the certificate holder offers the Progressive Payout Wager, after placing an Ante Wager, a player may also place a Progressive Payout Wager of $1 or $5, as specified in the certificate holder's rules submission under § 521.2 (relating to table games Rules Submissions), on whether the player will be dealt a Progressive Payout Hand. A Progressive Payout Wager shall be made by placing a value chip into the progressive wagering device designated for that player. Each player shall be responsible for verifying that the player's respective Progressive Payout Wager has been accepted.

 (e) Only players who are seated at the Mississippi Stud table may place a 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.

 (f) A player may not simultaneously play and wager on more than one player position at a Mississippi Stud table.

§ 571.8. Procedure for dealing the cards from a manual dealing shoe.

*  *  *  *  *

 (b) Prior to dealing the cards, the dealer shall announce ''no more bets'' and, if the certificate holder offers the Progressive Payout Wager, shall use the progressive table game system to prevent the placement of any additional Progressive Payout Wagers. The dealer shall then collect any Progressive Payout Wagers and, on the layout in front of the table inventory container, verify that the number of value chips wagered equals the number of Progressive Payout Wagers accepted by the progressive table game system. The dealer shall then place the value chips into the table inventory container.

*  *  *  *  *

§ 571.9. 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:

*  *  *  *  *

 (3) The dealer shall announce ''no more bets'' and, if the certificate holder offers the Progressive Payout Wager, use the progressive table game system to prevent the placement of any additional Progressive Payout Wagers. The dealer shall then collect any Progressive Payout Wagers and, on the layout in front of the table inventory container, verify that the number of value chips wagered equals the number of Progressive Payout Wagers accepted by the progressive table game system. The dealer shall then place the value chips into the table inventory container. The dealer shall then deal each card by holding the deck of cards in the chosen hand and using the other hand remove the top card of the deck and place it face down on the appropriate area of the layout.

*  *  *  *  *

§ 571.10. Procedure for dealing the cards from an automated dealing shoe.

 (a) If the cards are dealt from an automated dealing shoe, the following requirements shall be observed:

 (1) After the procedures required under § 571.5 (relating to shuffle and cut of the cards) have been completed, the cards shall be placed in the automated dealing shoe.

 (2) The dealer shall then announce ''no more bets'' prior to dispensing any stacks of cards and, if the certificate holder offers the Progressive Payout Wager, use the progressive table game system to prevent the placement of any additional Progressive Payout Wagers. The dealer shall then collect any Progressive Payout Wagers and, on the layout in front of the table inventory container, verify that the number of value chips wagered equals the number of Progressive Payout Wagers accepted by the progressive table game system. The dealer shall then place the value chips into the table inventory container.

*  *  *  *  *

§ 571.11. Procedure for completion of each round of play; collection and payment of wagers.

 (a) After the dealing procedures required under § 571.8, § 571.9 or § 571.10 (relating to procedure for dealing the cards from a manual dealing shoe; procedure for dealing cards from the hand; and procedure for dealing the cards from an automated dealing shoe) have been completed, each player shall examine his cards without exposing them to any other person and replace the cards face down on the layout. The dealer shall then, starting with the player farthest to his left and proceeding in a clockwise manner around the table, ask each player if the player wishes to place a 3rd Street Wager in an amount equal to one, two or three times the amount of the player's Ante Wager in the designated 3rd Street betting area or fold. If a player folds, the Ante Wager shall be immediately collected and placed in the table inventory container and the folded hand collected and placed in the discard rack unless the player made a Progressive Payout Wager in which the cards shall be left on the table until all wagers are resolved in accordance with subsection (h).

 (b) Once all players have either placed a 3rd Street Wager or folded, the dealer shall turn over and reveal the first community card.

 (c) Each player shall then either place a 4th Street Wager in an amount equal to one, two or three times the amount of the player's Ante Wager in the designated 4th Street betting area or fold. If a player folds, the Ante Wager and 3rd Street Wager shall be immediately collected and placed in the table inventory container and the folded hand collected and placed in the discard rack unless the player made a Progressive Payout Wager in which the cards shall be left on the table until all wagers are resolved in accordance with subsection (h).

 (d) Once all remaining players have either placed a 4th Street Wager or folded, the dealer shall turn over and reveal the second community card.

 (e) Each player shall then either place a 5th Street Wager in an amount equal to one, two or three times the amount of the player's Ante Wager in the designated 5th Street betting area or fold. If a player folds, the Ante Wager and the 3rd Street and 4th Street Wagers shall be immediately collected and placed in the table inventory container and the folded hand collected and placed in the discard rack unless the player made a Progressive Payout Wager in which the cards shall be left on the table until all wagers are resolved in accordance with subsection (h).

 (f) Once all remaining players have either placed a 5th Street Wager or folded, the dealer shall turn over and reveal the third community card.

 (g) If a player has placed an Ante Wager and a Progressive Payout Wager but does not make a 3rd Street, 4th Street or 5th Street Wager, the player shall forfeit the Ante Wager, the Progressive Payout Wager and, if applicable, the 3rd Street and 4th Street Wagers but shall not forfeit the eligibility to receive an Envy Bonus under § 571.12 (relating to payout odds; progressive payout; Envy Bonus; rate of progression).

 (h) Starting with the player farthest to the dealer's right and proceeding in a counterclockwise manner around the table, the dealer shall turn over and reveal the two player cards. The dealer shall then evaluate and announce the best possible five-card poker hand that can be formed using the two player cards and three community cards. The wagers of each remaining player shall be resolved one player at a time regardless of outcome. All wagers shall be settled as follows:

 (1) All losing wagers shall immediately be collected by the dealer and placed in the table inventory container and the player's cards collected and placed in the discard rack.

 (2) If the player's five-card hand is a pair of 6s, 7s, 8s, 9s or 10s, the player's hand is a push. The dealer may not collect or pay the wagers, but shall immediately collect the cards of that player.

 (3) All winning wagers shall be paid in accordance with the payout odds in § 571.12. All winning Progressive Payout Wagers shall be paid after the player's other Mississippi Stud wagers are settled. If a player has won the progressive payout that is 100% of the jackpot amount on the progressive meter under § 571.12(c), the progressive payout shall not be paid from the table inventory container. All other winning Progressive Payout Wagers shall be paid from the table inventory container. Prior to making a payout for a Progressive Payout Wager, 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.

 (4) A player's winning hand shall remain face up on the layout until the winning wagers are paid. After paying the winning wagers, the dealer shall immediately collect the cards of all winning players. 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.

 (i) All cards collected by the dealer shall be picked up in order and placed in the discard rack in a way that the cards can be readily arranged to reconstruct each hand in the event of a question or dispute.

 (j) Each player shall be responsible for his own hand and another individual, other than the dealer, may not touch the cards of that player. Each player shall be required to keep the two cards in full view of the dealer at all times.

 (k) A player may not exchange or communicate information regarding his hand prior to the dealer revealing all of the community cards. Any violation shall result in a forfeiture of all wagers on that round by that person.

§ 571.12. Payout odds; progressive payout; Envy Bonus; rate of progression.

*  *  *  *  *

 (c) If a certificate holder offers the Progressive Payout Wager, the certificate holder shall pay each winning Progressive Payout Wager in accordance with the following odds:

Hand Payout
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

 (d) A player shall receive the payout for only the highest ranking hand formed from the two player cards and three community cards.

 (e) Players making a Progressive Payout Wager shall receive an Envy Bonus when another player at the same Mississippi Stud table is the holder of an Envy Bonus Qualifying Hand. Players are entitled to multiple Envy Bonuses if more than one player is the holder of an Envy Bonus Qualifying Hand provided, however, that a player is not entitled to an Envy Bonus for his own hand or the hand of the dealer. Envy Bonus payouts shall be made according to the following payout schedules for every Envy Bonus Qualifying Hand based upon the amount of the Progressive Payout Wager placed by the player receiving the Envy Bonus:

$1 Progressive Payout Wager

Hand Envy Bonus
Royal flush $1,000
Straight flush $300

$5 Progressive Payout Wager

Hand Envy Bonus
Royal flush $5,000
Straight flush $1,500

 (f) The rate of progression for the progressive meter used for the progressive payouts in subsection (c) must be in the certificate holder's Rules Submission filed in accordance with § 521.2. The initial and reset amount must also be in the certificate holder's Rules Submission and be no less than $10,000.

 (g) 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 § 571.11 (related to procedure for completion of each round of play; collection and payment of wagers).

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 11-964. Filed for public inspection June 10, 2011, 9:00 a.m.]



No part of the information on this site may be reproduced for profit or sold for profit.

This material has been drawn directly from the official Pennsylvania Bulletin full text database. Due to the limitations of HTML or differences in display capabilities of different browsers, this version may differ slightly from the official printed version.