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PA Bulletin, Doc. No. 13-953

PROPOSED RULEMAKINGS

PENNSYLVANIA GAMING CONTROL BOARD

[ 58 PA. CODE CHS. 465a, 639a, 641a, 643a, 645a, 647a, 649a, 653a, 655a AND 657a ]

Table Games Rules of Play

[43 Pa.B. 2827]
[Saturday, May 25, 2013]

 The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (Board), under the general authority in 4 Pa.C.S. § 1202(b)(30) (relating to general and specific powers) and the specific authority in 4 Pa.C.S. § 13A02(1) and (2) (relating to regulatory authority), proposes to amend Chapters 465a, 639a, 641a, 643a, 645a, 647a, 649a, 653a, 655a and 657a to read as set forth in Annex A.

Purpose of the Proposed Rulemaking

 This rulemaking proposes to add: an alternative to the daily counting of table inventory containers that were not open for gaming; the Five Card Hand Bonus Wager, as a linked progressive, to Caribbean Stud Poker, Four Card Poker, Let It Ride Poker and Texas Hold 'Em Bonus Poker, Three Card Poker, Ultimate Texas Hold 'Em Poker, Mississippi Stud and Crazy 4 Poker; the Five-Card Progressive Payout Wager to Three Card Poker; and a variation of Pai Gow Poker, EZ Pai Gow Poker and four additional side wagers when EZ Pai Gow Poker is being offered including the Queen's Dragon Wager, Dynasty Wager, Protection Wager and the Red/Black Wager.

Explanation

Table inventories

 The regulations currently require that operators open and count table inventory containers on a daily basis. This rulemaking proposes to allow operators to utilize an alternative procedure, provided that they update their internal controls, whereby a floorperson or above completes a Closed Table form instead of counting the table inventory container on a daily basis. This Closed Table form is necessary for revenue audit purposes to ensure that all table game drop boxes were, in fact, collected and counted daily.

Five Card Hand Bonus Wager

 The Five Card Hand Bonus Wager is an optional side wager that the player's five-card hand will contain a flush or better. This side wager may be offered on a single table (such as one Four Card Poker table), on multiple tables of the same type (a bank of Four Card Poker tables) or across multiple games within the same licensed facility (Four Card Poker, Crazy 4 Poker and Let It Ride Poker tables, for example). The purpose of linking multiple tables and games together is to increase the number of individuals contributing to and playing for the progressive jackpot amount.

 With this proposed rulemaking, the Five Card Hand Bonus Wager may be played on any of the following games: Caribbean Stud Poker; Four Card Poker; Let It Ride Poker; Texas Hold 'Em Bonus Poker; Three Card Poker; Ultimate Texas Hold 'Em Poker; Mississippi Stud; and Crazy 4 Poker. For these games, definitions of ''Magic Card Bonus'' and ''Lucky Bonus'' are proposed to be added. Language is proposed to be added specifying that if a facility were to offer a linked progressive, the table game system must have an electronic wagering system and must comply with proposed § 605a.8 (relating to linked progressive table games). See 43 Pa.B. 2312 (April 27, 2013). For those games that did not previously include a payout based on a five-card Poker hand, hand rankings are proposed to be added. A description of the Five Card Hand Bonus Wager is proposed to be added to the regulations regarding wagers. The procedure for dealing the cards is proposed to be updated in the regulations concerning procedures and detail how the wager is to be settled and when it is to be settled. The payout odds and amounts are proposed to be added to the regulations regarding payout odds.

 Proposed amendments to §§ 647a.11 and 653a.11 (relating to procedure for completion of each round of play; and procedures for completion of each round of play) ensure that only the player's two cards and the first three community cards (the Flop) may be used to form the best five-card Poker hand for purposes of the Five Card Hand Bonus Wager. This clarifying language is included because allowing players to create the best five-card Poker hand from the seven cards dealt (the player's two cards and all five community cards) would create an advantage to players at Ultimate Texas Hold 'Em Poker and Texas Hold 'Em Poker if those players were vying for the linked progressive jackpot against players at tables in which only the player's first five cards were used to create the best possible hand.

 Proposed amendments to §§ 649a.8—649a.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) specify that if a player places a Five Card Hand Bonus Wager the dealer shall deal an additional two community cards face down on the table. The cards are not taken into account for any other wager placed on the table and are revealed only after all other wagers have been settled. This additional procedure is also applicable if the operator is offering the Five-Card Progressive Payout Wager.

EZ Pai Gow Poker

 In Chapter 645a (relating to Pai Gow Poker), a variation of Pai Gow in which vigorish is not collected is proposed to be added. If the certificate holder is offering EZ Pai Gow Poker, the layout must indicate that if the dealer's hand is a Queen's Dragon (all different ranks but does not contain a pair, straight, flush, straight flush or royal flush), the player's wager pushes and is returned. The definition of ''Queen's Dragon'' is proposed to be added in § 645a.1 (relating to definitions). Layout requirements are proposed to be added to § 645a.2 (relating to Pai Gow Poker table; Pai Gow Poker shaker; physical characteristics). A description of all wagers applicable to the play of EZ Pai Gow Poker is proposed to be added to § 645a.7 (relating to wagers). Dealing procedures are proposed to be updated in §§ 645a.8—645a.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). How the wager is to be settled and when it is to be settled is proposed to be added to § 645a.11 (relating to procedures for completion of each round of play). The payout odds and amounts are proposed to be added in § 645a.13 (relating to payout odds; Envy Bonus; rate of progression; payout limitation).

Five-Card Progressive Payout Wager

 The Five-Card Progressive Payout Wager is proposed to be added to Chapter 649a (relating to Three Card Poker). This progressive side wager may be linked to Caribbean Stud Poker, Four Card Poker, Let It Ride Poker, Texas Hold 'Em Bonus Poker, Ultimate Texas Hold 'Em Poker, Mississippi Stud and Crazy 4 Poker.

 Definitions of ''Envy Bonus'' and ''Envy Bonus Qualifying Hand'' are proposed to be added to § 649a.1 (relating to definitions). In § 649a.2 (relating to Three Card Poker table physical characteristics), language is proposed to be added specifying that if a facility were to offer a linked progressive, the table game system must comply with § 605a.8. A description of the Progressive Payout Wager is proposed to be added in § 649a.7 (relating to wagers), how the wager is to be settled and when it is to be settled is proposed to be added in § 649a.11 (relating to procedures for completion of each round of play) and the payout odds and amounts are proposed to be added in § 649a.12 (relating to payout odds; Envy Bonus; rate of progression).

Fiscal Impact

Commonwealth. The Board does not expect that this proposed rulemaking will have fiscal impact on the Board or any other Commonwealth agency. Testing of local area progressive controllers and progressives and updates to Rules Submissions and internal control procedures will be reviewed by existing Board staff.

Political subdivisions. This proposed rulemaking will not have fiscal impact on political subdivisions of this Commonwealth.

Private sector. This proposed rulemaking will provide certificate holders with additional operational options. If a certificate holder decides to offer the Five-Card Progressive Payout Wager, the Five Card Hand Bonus Wager, EZ Pai Gow Poker or linked progressive jackpots within the licensed facility, the certificate holder will be required to train their dealers on the rules of play and may need to purchase new equipment which will allow for the placement of progressive wagers. Costs incurred to train employees or purchase/lease equipment should be offset by the proceeds of gaming.

 Operators that elect to utilize the alternative procedure for counting table inventory containers that were not open for gaming should see some cost savings in that only one floorperson will be required to complete a Closed Table form instead of opening the inventory container and counting the contents.

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

Paperwork Requirements

 If a certificate holder selects different options for the play of table games, the certificate holder will be required to submit an updated rules submission reflecting the changes. These forms are available and submitted to agency staff electronically.

Effective Date

 The proposed rulemaking will become effective upon final-form publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.

Public Comments

 Interested persons are invited to submit written comments, suggestions or objections regarding the proposed rulemaking within 30 days after the date of publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. Public comments should be addressed to Susan A. Yocum, Assistant Chief Counsel, Attention: Regulation # 125-170 Public Comment, Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, P. O. Box 69060, Harrisburg, PA 17106-9060.

Contact Person

 The contact person for questions about this proposed rulemaking is Susan Yocum, Assistant Chief Counsel, (717) 346-8300.

Regulatory Review

 Under section 5(a) of the Regulatory Review Act (71 P. S. § 745.5(a)), on May 15, 2013, the Board submitted a copy of this proposed rulemaking and a copy of a Regulatory Analysis Form to the Independent Regulatory Review Commission (IRRC) and to the Chairpersons of the House Gaming Oversight Committee and the Senate Community, Economic and Recreational Development Committee. A copy of this material is available to the public upon request and is available on the Board's web site at www.gamingcontrolboard.pa.gov.

 Under section 5(g) of the Regulatory Review Act, IRRC may convey any comments, recommendations or objections to the proposed rulemaking within 30 days of the close of the public comment period. The comments, recommendations or objections must specify the regulatory review criteria which have not been met. The Regulatory Review Act specifies detailed procedures for review, prior to final publication of the rulemaking, by the Department, the General Assembly and the Governor of comments, recommendations or objections raised.

WILLIAM H. RYAN, Jr., 
Chairperson

 (Editor's Note: See the proposed rulemaking published at 43 Pa.B. 2312 (Fiscal Note 125-169) for proposed additions to §§ 641a.2, 641a.7, 641a.11, 641a.12, 643a.7, 643a.11, 643a.12, 647a.2, 647a.7, 647a.11, 647a.12, 657a.7, 657a.11 and 657a.12. In Annex A, proposed subsections and paragraphs to these sections are numbered in accordance with proposed rulemaking published at 43 Pa.B. 2312.)

 (Editor's Note: See 43 Pa.B. 2312 for proposed § 605a.8. This section will be adopted on or before the date of final adoption of this proposed rulemaking.)

 (Editor's Note: See the proposed rulemaking published at 43 Pa.B. 834 (February 9, 2013) (Fiscal Note 125-166) for proposed additions to § 649a.12. In Annex A, a proposed subsection is numbered in accordance with proposed rulemaking published at 43 Pa.B. 834.)

Fiscal Note: 125-170. No fiscal impact; (8) recommends adoption.

Annex A

TITLE 58. RECREATION

PART VII. GAMING CONTROL BOARD

Subpart E. SLOT MACHINES AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT

CHAPTER 465a. ACCOUNTING AND INTERNAL CONTROLS

§ 465a.36. Table inventories.

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 (e) Table Inventory Slips must be two-part forms upon which the following is recorded:

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 (5) The signatures of the dealer or boxperson and floorperson assigned to the gaming table who conducted the count of the table inventory when the gaming table was closed and when the gaming table was opened.

(f) Notwithstanding the requirements in subsection (c), a certificate holder may utilize the following alternative procedure for table games that are not open for gaming activity during the gaming day:

(1) A floorperson or above shall complete a Closed Table form for every table that was not open for gaming during the gaming day.

(2) The table inventory must remain locked during completion of the Closed Table form.

(3) The Closed Table form must contain:

(i) The date and identification of the shift ended.

(ii) The game and table number.

(iii) The date the table was last opened for gaming (the date on the Table Inventory Slip that is locked in the table inventory container).

(iv) The signature and Board-issued credential number of the floorperson or above who completed the Closed Table form.

(4) After completion, the Closed Table form shall be deposited into the drop box and forwarded to revenue audit at the conclusion of the count in accordance with § 465a.25 (relating to counting and recording of slot cash storage boxes and table game drop boxes).

(5) A Table Inventory Slip shall be completed on all tables, in accordance with §§ 465a.37 and 465a.42, every Saturday prior to the commencement of the table game drop for gaming day ending Sunday at 5:59:59 a.m.

Subpart K. TABLE GAMES

CHAPTER 639a. CARIBBEAN STUD POKER

§ 639a.1. Definitions.

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

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Hole card—Any of the four cards dealt face down to the dealer.

Lucky Bonus—An additional payout to a player who placed a Five Card Hand Bonus Wager on:

(i) The player's hand if the player is seated in the position that is randomly selected by the table game system.

(ii) The dealer's hand if the dealer position is randomly selected by the table game system.

Magic Card Bonus—An additional payout to a player who placed a Five Card Hand Bonus Wager on:

(i) The player's hand if one of the player's cards matches the card randomly selected by the table game system.

(ii) The dealer's hand if one of the dealer's cards matches the card randomly selected by the table game system.

Progressive Payout Hand—The term means either of the following:

 (i) A player's five-card Poker hand with a rank of three-of-a-kind or better.

 (ii) If included in the paytable selected by the certificate holder, a two pair or better as defined in § 639a.6(b) (relating to Caribbean Stud Poker rankings).

§ 639a.2. Caribbean Stud Poker table physical characteristics.

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

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 (5) If a certificate holder offers the Five Card Hand Bonus Wager authorized under § 639a.7(d)(4), each betting position must contain an electronic wagering system for the placement of the Five Card Hand Bonus Wager.

(6) Inscriptions that advise patrons of the payout odds or amounts for all permissible wagers offered by the certificate holder. If the payout odds or amounts are not inscribed on the layout, a sign identifying the payout odds or amounts for all permissible wagers shall be posted at each Caribbean Stud Poker table.

[(6)] (7) An inscription indicating that the Bet Wager will be returned if the dealer has less than an ace/king. If the information is not inscribed on the layout, a sign which sets forth the required information shall be posted at each Caribbean Stud Poker table.

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 (d) If the certificate holder offers the Five Card Hand Bonus Wager authorized under § 639a.7(d)(4), the Caribbean Stud Poker table must have a table game system, in accordance with § 605a.7 and an electronic wagering system in accordance with §§ 605a.2 and 605a.3 (relating to electronic wagering systems; and procedures for buying in to and cashing out of a table game using an electronic wagering system). Each betting position must contain an electronic wagering system for the placement of the Five Card Hand Bonus Wager. The system must include a mechanism, such as a lockout button, that prevents the placement of any Five Card Hand Bonus Wagers that a player attempts to place after the dealer has begun dealing the cards. If the certificate holder is offering a Five Card Hand Bonus Wager on multiple linked tables or games in the same licensed facility, the progressive table game must comply with § 605a.8 (relating to linked progressive table games).

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

[(e)] (f) Each Caribbean Stud Poker table must have a discard rack securely attached to the top of the dealer's side of the table.

§ 639a.7. Wagers.

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 (d) The following wagers may be placed in the game of Caribbean Stud Poker:

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 (3) A certificate holder may, if specified in its Rules Submission under § 601a.2, offer to each player at a Caribbean Stud Poker table the option to make an additional Caribbean Stud Bonus Wager that the player's cards will form a five-card Poker hand with a rank of a pair of 10s or better. After placing an Ante Wager, a player may make the additional Caribbean Stud Bonus Wager by placing a value chip on the designated betting area prior to the dealer announcing ''no more bets.''

(4) If specified in its Rules Submission under § 601a.2, a certificate holder may offer to each player at a Caribbean Stud Poker table the option to make an additional Five Card Hand Bonus Wager that the player's five-card Poker hand or the dealer's five-card Poker hand, or both, will contain a flush or better as defined in § 639a.6(b) (relating to Caribbean Stud Poker rankings). After placing an Ante Wager, a player may make the additional Five Card Hand Bonus Wager on the player's hand or the dealer's hand, or both, by using the electronic wagering device designated for that player. Each player shall be responsible for verifying that the player's Five Card Hand Bonus Wager has been accepted.

 (e) A player may not wager on more than one player position at a Caribbean Stud Poker table.

§ 639a.8. Procedure for dealing the cards from a manual dealing shoe.

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 (b) Prior to dealing the cards, the dealer shall announce ''no more bets'' and, if the Progressive Payout Wager or the Five Card Hand Bonus Wager is being offered, use the progressive table game system or the electronic wagering system to prevent the placement of any additional Progressive Payout or Five Card Hand Bonus Wagers. If any Progressive Payout Wagers have been made, the dealer shall collect the 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.

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§ 639a.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:

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 (3) Prior to dealing any cards, the dealer shall announce ''no more bets'' and, if the Progressive Payout Wager or the Five Card Hand Bonus Wager is being offered, use the progressive table game system or the electronic wagering system to prevent the placement of any additional Progressive Payout or Five Card Hand Bonus Wagers. If any Progressive Payout Wagers have been made, the dealer shall collect the 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.

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§ 639a.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:

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 (2) Prior to the shoe dispensing any stacks of cards, the dealer shall announce ''no more bets'' and, if the Progressive Payout Wager or the Five Card Hand Bonus Wager is being offered, use the progressive table game system or the electronic wagering system to prevent the placement of any additional Progressive Payout or Five Card Hand Bonus Wagers. If any Progressive Payout Wagers have been made, the dealer shall collect the 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.

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§ 639a.11. Procedure for completion of each round of play.

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 (b) After each player has examined his cards, the dealer shall, beginning with the player farthest to the dealer's left and moving clockwise around the table, ask each player if he wishes to make a Bet Wager in an amount equal to two times the amount of the player's Ante Wager or forfeit the Ante Wager and end his participation in the round of play. If a player has placed an Ante Wager and a Caribbean Stud Bonus Wager [or] , a Progressive Payout Wager or a Five Card Hand Bonus Wager but does not make a Bet Wager, the player shall forfeit all wagers except the Five Card Hand Bonus Wager.

 (c) After each player who has placed an Ante Wager has either placed a Bet Wager on the designated area of the layout or forfeited his wager and hand, the dealer shall collect all forfeited wagers and associated cards and place the cards in the discard rack. The dealer shall then reveal the dealer's four hole cards and place the cards so as to form the highest possible ranking five-card Poker hand. After the dealer's cards are turned face up, the dealer shall, beginning with the player farthest to the dealer's right and continuing around the table in a counterclockwise direction, complete the following applicable procedures in succession for each player:

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(6) After settling a player's Ante, Bet and Caribbean Stud Bonus Wagers, the dealer shall settle the Five Card Hand Bonus Wager, if offered by the certificate holder, and any Magic Card or Lucky Bonus payouts. A winning Five Card Hand Bonus Wager shall be paid irrespective of whether the player's hand outranks the dealer's hand. If a player has won a Five Card Hand Bonus or any Magic Card or Lucky Bonus payout, the dealer shall:

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

(ii) Have a floorperson or above verify any Five Card Hand Bonus payout with odds of 500 for 1 or a payout that is a percentage of the jackpot amount on the progressive meter in accordance with approved internal control procedures submitted under § 465a.2 (relating to internal control systems and audit protocols).

(iii) Credit the player's game account for the winning Five Card Hand Bonus Wager or the Magic Card or Lucky Bonus payout in accordance with § 639a.12(e). If a player has won a Five Card Hand Bonus payout that is a percentage of the jackpot amount on the progressive meter, the payout may not be paid to the player's game account. If a player has won a payout that is not being paid to the player's game account, the winning hand must remain on the table until the necessary documentation has been completed.

 (d) After all wagers of the player have been settled, the dealer shall remove all remaining cards from the table and place them in the discard rack in a manner that permits the reconstruction of each hand in the event of a question or dispute.

§ 639a.12. Payout odds; rate of progression.

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(e) If a certificate holder offers the Five Card Hand Bonus Wager:

(1) The certificate holder shall pay out winning Five Card Hand Bonus Wagers at the odds in the following paytable:

Hand Payout
Royal flush 100% of meter
Straight flush 10% of meter
Four-of-a-kind 500 for 1
Full house 100 for 1
Flush 50 for 1

(2) A player shall receive the payout for only the highest ranking five-card Poker hand formed. If a player placed a Five Card Bonus Wager on both the dealer's hand and the player's hand, the player shall receive a payout in accordance with paragraph (1) for both the highest ranking five-card Poker hand of the dealer and the highest ranking five-card Poker hand of the player. If the dealer's hand qualifies for a payout that is a percentage of the jackpot amount on the progressive meter and if more than one player wagered on the dealer's hand, the jackpot will be divided equally among the number of players who wagered on the dealer's hand.

(3) The certificate holder may pay a Magic Card or Lucky Bonus in accordance with the odds in the following paytable:

Hand Payout
Magic Card 20 for 1
Lucky Bonus 5 for 1

(4) The rate of progression for the meter used for the progressive payout in paragraph (1) must be in the certificate holder's Rules Submission filed in accordance with § 601a.2. The initial and reset amount must also be in the certificate holder's Rules Submission and must be at least $10,000.

CHAPTER 641a. FOUR CARD POKER

§ 641a.1. Definitions.

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

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Hand—The Four Card Poker hand that is held by each player and the dealer after the cards are dealt.

Lucky Bonus—An additional payout to a player who placed a Five Card Hand Bonus Wager on:

(i) The player's hand if the player is seated in the position that is randomly selected by the table game system.

(ii) The dealer's hand if the dealer position is randomly selected by the table game system.

Magic Card Bonus—An additional payout to a player who placed a Five Card Hand Bonus Wager on:

(i) The player's hand if one of the player's cards matches the card randomly selected by the table game system.

(ii) The dealer's hand if one of the dealer's first five cards matches the card randomly selected by the table game system.

Play Wager—An additional wager that a player shall make if the player opts to remain in competition against the dealer after the player reviews his hand.

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§ 641a.2. Four Card Poker table physical characteristics.

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

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(5) If a certificate holder offers the Five Card Hand Bonus Wager authorized under § 641a.7(d)(7), each betting position must contain an electronic wagering system for the placement of the Five Card Hand Bonus Wager.

[(4)] (6) Inscriptions that advise patrons of the payout odds or amounts for all permissible wagers offered by the certificate holder. If payout odds or amounts are not inscribed on the layout, a sign identifying the payout odds or amounts for all permissible wagers shall be posted at each Four Card Poker table.

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 (d) If the certificate holder offers the Five Card Hand Bonus Wager authorized under § 641a.7(d)(7), the Four Card Poker table must have a table game system, in accordance with § 605a.7 and an electronic wagering system in accordance with §§ 605a.2 and 605a.3 (relating to electronic wagering systems; and procedures for buying in to andcashing out of a table game using an electronic wagering system). The system must include a mechanism, such as a lockout button, that prevents the placement of any Five Card Hand Bonus Wagers that a player attempts to place after the dealer has begun dealing the cards. If the certificate holder is offering a Five Card Hand Bonus Wager on multiple linked tables or games in the same licensed facility, the progressive table game must comply with § 605a.8 (relating to linked progressive table games).

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

[(e)] (f) Each Four Card Poker table must have a discard rack securely attached to the top of the dealer's side of the table.

§ 641a.7. Wagers.

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

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(7) If specified in its Rules Submission under § 601a.2, a certificate holder may offer to each player at a Four Card Poker table the option to make an additional Five Card Hand Bonus Wager that the player's five-card Poker hand or the dealer's five-card Poker hand, or both, will contain a flush or better as defined in § 641a.6(d) (relating to Four Card Poker rankings). After placing an Ante Wager, a player may make the additional Five Card Hand Bonus Wager on the player's hand or the dealer's hand, or both, by using the electronic wagering device designated for that player. Each player shall be responsible for verifying that the player's Five Card Hand Bonus Wager has been accepted.

 (e) A certificate holder shall specify in its Rules Submission under § 601a.2 the number of adjacent boxes on which a player may place a wager in one round of play.

§ 641a.8. Procedures for dealing the cards from a manual dealing shoe.

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 (b) Prior to dealing any cards, the dealer shall announce ''no more bets'' and, if the Progressive Payout Wager or the Five Card Hand Bonus Wager is being offered, use the progressive table game system or the electronic wagering system to prevent the placement of any additional Progressive Payout or Five Card Hand Bonus Wagers. If any Progressive Payout Wagers have been made, the dealer shall collect the 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.

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§ 641a.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:

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 (3) Prior to dealing any cards, the dealer shall announce ''no more bets'' and, if the Progressive Payout Wager or the Five Card Hand Bonus Wager is being offered, use the progressive table game system or the electronic wagering system to prevent the placement of any additional Progressive Payout or Five Card Hand Bonus Wagers. If any Progressive Payout Wagers have been made, the dealer shall collect the 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.

*  *  *  *  *

§ 641a.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:

*  *  *  *  *

 (2) Prior to the shoe dispensing any stacks of cards, the dealer shall announce ''no more bets'' and, if the Progressive Payout Wager or the Five Card Hand Bonus Wager is being offered, use the progressive table game system or the electronic wagering system to prevent the placement of any additional Progressive Payout or Five Card Hand Bonus Wagers. If any Progressive Payout Wagers have been made, the dealer shall collect the 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.

*  *  *  *  *

§ 641a.11. Procedures for completion of each round of play.

*  *  *  *  *

 (c) After each player who has placed an Ante Wager has either placed a Play Wager on the designated area of the layout or forfeited his Ante Wager and hand, the dealer shall collect all forfeited wagers and associated cards and place the cards in the discard rack. The dealer shall then reveal the dealer's cards and select the four cards that form the highest possible ranking Four Card Poker hand. After the dealer's cards are turned face up, the dealer shall, beginning with the player farthest to the dealer's right and continuing around the table in a counterclockwise direction, complete the following applicable procedures in succession for each player:

*  *  *  *  *

(7) After settling a player's Aces Up Wagers, the dealer shall settle the Five Card Hand Bonus Wager, if offered by the certificate holder, and anyMagic Card or Lucky Bonus payouts. The dealer shall form the highest ranking five-card Pokerhand of the player and the dealer. For the dealer's hand, the dealer shall form the highest ranking five-card Poker hand from the first five cards dealt to the dealer. A winning Five Card Hand Bonus Wager shall be paid irrespective of whether the player's hand outranks the dealer's hand. If a player has won a Five Card Hand Bonus or any Magic Card or Lucky Bonus payout, the dealer shall:

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

(ii) Have a floorperson or above verify any Five Card Hand Bonus payout with odds of 500 for 1 or a payout that is a percentage of the jackpot amount on the progressive meter in accordance with approved internal control procedures submitted under § 465a.2 (relating to internal control systems and audit protocols).

(iii) Credit the player's game account for the winning Five Card Hand Bonus Wager or the Magic Card or Lucky Bonus payout in accordance with § 641a.12(g). If a player has won a Five Card Hand Bonus payout that is a percentage of the jackpot amount on the progressive meter, the payout may not be paid to the player's game account. If a player has won a payout that is not being paid to the player's game account, the winning hand must remain on the table until the necessary documentation has been completed.

 (d) After all wagers of the player have been settled, the dealer shall remove all remaining cards from the table and place them in the discard rack in a manner that permits the reconstruction of each hand in the event of a question or dispute.

§ 641a.12. Payout odds; Envy Bonus; rate of progression.

*  *  *  *  *

(g) If a certificate holder offers the Five Card Hand Bonus Wager:

(1) The certificate holder shall pay out winning Five Card Hand Bonus Wagers at the odds in the following paytable:

Hand Payout
Royal flush 100% of meter
Straight flush 10% of meter
Four-of-a-kind 500 for 1
Full house 100 for 1
Flush 50 for 1

(2) A player shall receive the payout for only the highest ranking five-card Poker hand formed. If a player placed a Five Card Bonus Wager on both the dealer's hand and the player's hand, the player shall receive a payout in accordance with paragraph (1) for both the highest ranking five-card Poker hand of the dealer and the highest ranking five-card Poker hand of the player. If the dealer's hand qualifies for a payout that is a percentage of the jackpot amount on the progressive meter and if more than one player wagered on the dealer's hand, the jackpot will be divided equally among the number of players who wagered on the dealer's hand.

(3) The certificate holder may pay a Magic Card or Lucky Bonus in accordance with the odds in the following paytable:

Hand Payout
Magic Card 20 for 1
Lucky Bonus 5 for 1

(4) The rate of progression for the meter used for the progressive payout in paragraph (1) must be in the certificate holder's Rules Submission filed in accordance with § 601a.2. The initial and reset amount must also be in the certificate holder's Rules Submission and must be at least $10,000.

CHAPTER 643a. LET IT RIDE POKER

§ 643a.1. Definitions.

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

*  *  *  *  *

Let It Ride—When a player does not withdraw a wager as permitted under § 643a.11(b) and (d) (relating to procedures for completion of each round of play).

Lucky Bonus—An additional payout to a player who placed a Five Card Hand Bonus Wager if the player is seated in the position that is randomly selected by the table game system.

Magic Card Bonus—An additional payout to a player who placed a Five Card Hand Bonus Wager if one of the player's three cards or the two community cards match the card randomly selected by the table game system.

*  *  *  *  *

§ 643a.2. Let It Ride Poker table physical characteristics.

*  *  *  *  *

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

*  *  *  *  *

 (8) If a certificate holder offers the Five Card Hand Bonus Wager authorized under § 643a.7(i), each betting position must contain an electronic wagering system for the placement of the Five Card Hand Bonus Wager.

(9) Inscriptions that advise patrons of the payout odds or amounts for all permissible wagers offered by the certificate holder. If payout odds or amounts are not inscribed on the layout, a sign identifying the payout odds or amounts for all permissible wagers shall be posted at each Let It Ride Poker table.

[(9)] (10) An inscription indicating the payout limit per hand established by the certificate holder under § 643a.12(e) (relating to payout odds; payout limitation) or a generic inscription indicating the game is subject to the posted payout limit. If the payout limit is not inscribed on the layout, a sign which sets forth the required information shall be posted at each Let It Ride Poker table.

*  *  *  *  *

 (e) If the certificate holder offers the Five Card Hand Bonus Wager authorized under § 643a.7(i), the Let It Ride Poker table must have a table game system, in accordance with § 605a.7 and an electronic wagering system in accordance with §§ 605a.2 and 605a.3 (relating to electronic wagering systems; and procedures for buying in to and cashing out of a table game using an electronic wagering system). Each betting position must contain an electronic wagering system for the placement of the Five Card Hand Bonus Wager. The system must include a mechanism, such as a lockout button, that prevents the placement of any Five Card Hand Bonus Wagers that a player attempts to place after the dealer has begun dealing the cards. If the certificate holder is offering a Five Card Hand Bonus Wager on multiple linked tables or games in the same licensed facility, the progressive table game must comply with § 605a.8 (relating to linked progressive table games).

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

[(f)] (g) Each Let It Ride Poker table must have a discard rack securely attached to the top of the dealer's side of the table.

§ 643a.7. Wagers.

*  *  *  *  *

(i) If specified in its Rules Submission under § 601a.2, a certificate holder may offer to each player at a Let It Ride Poker table the option to make an additional Five Card Hand Bonus Wager that the player's five-card Poker hand will contain a flush or better as defined in § 643a.6(b) (relating to Let It Ride Poker rankings). After placing an Ante Wager, a player may make the additional Five Card Hand Bonus Wager by using the electronic wagering device designated for that player. Each player shall be responsible for verifying that the player's Five Card Hand Bonus Wager has been accepted.

[(h)] (j) A Five Card Bonus Wager, Three Card Bonus Wager, a Five Card Hand Bonus Wager and Progressive Payout Wager do not have a bearing on any other wagers made by the player.

[(i)] (k) A certificate holder shall specify in its Rules Submission under § 601a.2 the number of adjacent boxes on which a player may place a wager in one round of play.

§ 643a.8. Procedure for dealing the cards from a manual dealing shoe.

*  *  *  *  *

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

*  *  *  *  *

 (2) If the Progressive Payout Wager is being offered, 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.

(3) If the Five Card Hand Bonus Wager is being offered, use the electronic wagering system to prevent the placement of additional Five Card Hand Bonus Wagers.

 (c) 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.

*  *  *  *  *

§ 643a.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) Prior to dealing any cards, the dealer shall announce ''no more bets'' and:

*  *  *  *  *

 (ii) If the Progressive Payout Wager is being offered, 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.

(iii) If the Five Card Hand Bonus Wager is being offered, use the electronic wagering system to prevent the placement of additional Five Card Hand Bonus Wagers.

 (b) The dealer shall deal each card by holding the deck of cards in the chosen hand and use the other hand to remove the top card of the deck and place it face down on the appropriate area of the layout. The dealer shall, starting with the player farthest to the dealer's left and continuing around the table in a clockwise manner, deal the cards as follows:

*  *  *  *  *

§ 643a.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:

*  *  *  *  *

 (2) Prior to the shoe dispensing any stacks of cards, the dealer shall announce ''no more bets'' and:

*  *  *  *  *

 (ii) If the Progressive Payout Wager is being offered, 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 inventorycontainer, 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.

(iii) If the Five Card Hand Bonus Wager is being offered, use the electronic wagering system to prevent the placement of any additional Five Card Hand Bonus Wagers.

 (b) The dealer shall deliver the first stack of cards dispensed by the automated dealing shoe face down to the player farthest to the dealer's left who has placed the three required Let It Ride Poker Wagers in accordance with § 643a.7(d) (relating to wagers). As the remaining stacks are dispensed to the dealer by the automated dealing shoe, the dealer shall, moving clockwise around the table, deliver a stack face down to each of the other players who has placed the three required wagers in accordance with § 643a.7(d). The dealer shall then deliver a stack of three cards face down to the area designated for the placement of the community cards and spread the stack within the designated area so that the top card is to the dealer's right and the bottom card is to the dealer's left. The dealer shall then remove the community card that is to his left and place that card in the discard rack without exposing the card.

*  *  *  *  *

§ 643a.11. Procedures for completion of each round of play.

*  *  *  *  *

 (f) After the second community card is turned face up, the dealer shall, beginning with the player farthest to the dealer's right and continuing around the table in a counterclockwise direction, complete the following applicable procedures in succession for each player:

*  *  *  *  *

 (3) The dealer shall first settle all Let It Ride Poker Wagers of that player by collecting losing wagers and paying winning wagers in accordance with § 643a.12(a) (relating to payout odds; payout limitation). After settling the player's Let It Ride Poker Wagers, the dealer shall settle any Five Card Bonus Wagers, Three Card Bonus Wagers [or] , Progressive Payout Wagers or Five Card Hand Bonus Wagers as follows:

*  *  *  *  *

(v) If a player placed a Five Card Hand Bonus Wager, the dealer shall settle any Magic Card or Lucky Bonus payouts and any winning Five Card Hand Bonus wagers as follows:

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

(B) Have a floorperson or above verify any Five Card Hand Bonus payout with odds of 500 for 1 or a payout that is a percentage of the jackpot amount on the progressive meter in accordance with approved internal control procedures submitted under § 465a.2 (relating to internal control systems and audit protocols).

(C) Credit the player's game account for the winning Five Card Hand Bonus Wager or the Magic Card or Lucky Bonus payout in accordance with § 643a.12(f). If a player has won a Five Card Hand Bonus payout that is a percentage of the jackpot amount on the progressive meter, the payout may not be paid to the player's game account. If a player has won a payout that is not being paid to the player's game account, the winning hand must remain on the table until the necessary documentation has been completed.

 (g) After all wagers of the player have been settled, the dealer shall remove all remaining cards from the table and place them in the discard rack in a manner that permits the reconstruction of each hand in the event of a question or dispute.

§ 643a.12. Payout odds; payout limitation.

 (a) Subject to the payout limitation in subsection [(d)] (g), a certificate holder shall pay out winning Let It Ride Poker Wagers at the odds in one of the following paytables selected by the certificate holder in its Rules Submission filed in accordance with § 601a.2 (relating to table games Rules Submissions):

*  *  *  *  *

(f) If a certificate holder offers the Five Card Hand Bonus Wager:

(1) The certificate holder shall pay out winning Five Card Hand Bonus Wagers at the odds in the following paytable:

Hand Payout
Royal flush 100% of meter
Straight flush 10% of meter
Four-of-a-kind 500 for 1
Full house 100 for 1
Flush 50 for 1

(2) A player shall receive the payout for only the highest ranking five-card Poker hand formed.

(3) The certificate holder may pay a Magic Card or Lucky Bonus in accordance with the odds in the following paytable:

Hand Payout
Magic Card 20 for 1
Lucky Bonus 5 for 1

(4) The rate of progression for the meter used for the progressive payout in paragraph (1) must be in the certificate holder's Rules Submission filed in accordance with § 601a.2. The initial and reset amount must also be in the certificate holder's Rules Submission and must be at least $10,000.

[(e)] (g) Notwithstanding the payout odds in subsection (a), a certificate holder may establish in its Rules Submission under § 601a.2 a maximum amount that is payable to a player on a single hand. The maximum amount shall be at least $50,000 or the maximum amount that one patron could win per round when betting the minimum permissible wager, whichever is greater. Any maximum payout limit established by a certificate holder shall apply only to payouts of Let It Ride Poker Wagers placed under § 643a.7(d) (relating to wagers) but may not apply to payouts of Five Card Bonus Wagers placed under § 643a.7(e), Three Card Bonus Wagers placed under § 643a.7(f) [or] , Progressive Payout Wagers placed under § 643a.7(g) or Five Card Hand Bonus Wagers under § 643a.7(i).

CHAPTER 645a. PAI GOW POKER

§ 645a.1. Definitions.

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

*  *  *  *  *

Co-banking—When the bank and the dealer each cover 50% of all winning Pai Gow Poker Wagers.

EZ Pai Gow Poker—A variation of Pai Gow Poker in which vigorish is not collected.

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

*  *  *  *  *

Qualifying Wager—An Emperor's Treasure Wager [or a] , Fortune Bonus Wager or a Dynasty Bonus Wager of at least $5 which may entitle a player to an Envy Bonus.

Queen's Dragon—The dealer's seven cards of different ranks which do not form a straight, a flush, a straight flush or a royal flush but contain a queen high card.

Setting the hands—The process of forming a high hand and low hand from the seven cards dealt.

§ 645a.2. Pai Gow Poker table; Pai Gow Poker shaker; physical characteristics.

*  *  *  *  *

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

*  *  *  *  *

 (9) If a certificate holder offers EZ Pai Gow Poker:

(i) Separate areas designated for the following optional wagers, if offered by the certificate holder:

(A) Queen's Dragon Wager authorized under § 645a.7(e)(5)(i).

(B) Dynasty Bonus Wager authorized under § 645a.7(e)(5)(ii).

(C) Protection Wager authorized under § 645a.7(e)(5)(iii).

(D) Red/Black Wager authorized under § 645a.7(e)(5)(iv).

(ii) Inscriptions that advise patrons that if the dealer's hand is a Queen's Dragon, the player's wager shall push and be returned to the player.

(10) Inscriptions that advise patrons of the payout odds or amounts for all permissible wagers offered by the certificate holder. If the payout odds or amounts are not inscribed on the layout, a sign identifying the payout odds or amounts for all permissible wagers shall be posted at each Pai Gow Poker table.

[(10)] (11) An inscription indicating the payout limit per hand established by the certificate holder under [§ 645a.13(f)] § 645a.13(j) (relating to payout odds; Envy Bonus; rate of progression; payout limitation) or a generic inscription indicating the game is subject to the posted payout limit. If the payout limit is not inscribed on the layout, a sign which sets forth the required information shall be posted at each Pai Gow Poker table.

*  *  *  *  *

§ 645a.6. Pai Gow Poker rankings.

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 (f) If a certificate holder offers the optional Progressive Payout Wager under § 645a.7(e)(4), the following seven-card hands shall be used to determine the amount of the progressive payout to a winning player:

*  *  *  *  *

 (6) A full house, which is a hand consisting of a three-of-a-kind and a pair.

(g) If the certificate holder offers the optional Dynasty Bonus Wager under § 645a.7(e)(5)(ii), in addition to the hands described in subsection (b), the following hands shall also be used to determine the amount of the Dynasty Bonus or Envy Bonus payout to a winning player:

(1) An ace/five natural straight flush and a natural ace/queen suited, which is a hand consisting of an ace, 2, 3, 4 and 5, without a joker, and an additional ace and queen of the same suit without a joker.

(2) A seven-card natural straight flush, which is a hand consisting of seven cards of the same suit in consecutive ranking, without a joker used to complete the straight flush.

(3) A natural royal flush and a natural ace/king suited, which is a hand consisting of an ace, king, queen, jack and a 10 of the same suit, without a joker, and an additional ace and queen of the same suit without a joker.

(4) A seven-card straight flush, which is a hand consisting of seven cards of the same suit in consecutive ranking, with a joker used to complete the straight flush.

(5) An ace/five natural straight flush, which is a hand consisting of an ace, 2, 3, 4 and 5, without a joker.

§ 645a.7. Wagers.

*  *  *  *  *

 (e) A certificate holder may, if specified in its Rules Submission under § 601a.2 (relating to table games Rules Submissions), offer to each player who placed a Pai Gow Poker Wager, in accordance with subsection (d), the option of placing the following additional wagers:

*  *  *  *  *

 (4) A Progressive Payout Wager that the seven cards dealt to the player will form a seven-card Poker hand with a rank of a full house or better as described in § 645a.6(f).

(5) If EZ Pai Gow Poker is being played, a certificate holder may offer the following additional wagers:

(i) The Queen's Dragon Wager that the dealer's hand will create a Queen's Dragon.

(ii) The Dynasty Bonus Wager that the seven cards dealt to the player will form a hand with a rank of a three-of-a-kind or better as described in § 645a.6(b) and (g).

(iii) The Protection Wager that the seven cards dealt to the player will form a hand that does not contain a pair or better, as described in § 645a.6(b), but contain a high card of a 9, 10, jack, queen, king or ace.

(iv) The Red/Black Wager that four or more of the cards in the player's hand will be of the player's chosen color.

 (f) Except as provided in § 645a.12(f) (relating to player bank; co-banking; selection of bank; procedures for dealing), a certificate holder may, if specified in its Rules Submission under § 601a.2, permit a player to wager on two adjacent betting areas at a Pai Gow Poker table. If a certificate holder permits a player to wager on adjacent betting areas, the cards dealt to each betting area shall be played separately. If the two wagers are not equal, the player shall rank and set the hand with the larger wager before ranking and setting the other hand. If the amounts wagered are equal, each hand shall be played separately in a counterclockwise rotation with the first hand being ranked and set before the player proceeds to rank and set the second hand. Once a hand has been ranked, set and placed face down on the layout, the hands may not be changed.

§ 645a.8. Procedures for dealing the cards from a manual dealing shoe.

*  *  *  *  *

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

 (1) If the Fortune Bonus Wager [or] , Emperor's Treasure Wager or Dynasty Bonus Wager is being offered and a player makes a Qualifying Wager, the dealer shall place an Envy lammer next to that player's wager.

*  *  *  *  *

§ 645a.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) Prior to dealing any cards, the dealer shall announce ''no more bets'' and:

 (i) If the Fortune Bonus Wager [or] , Emperor's Treasure Wager or Dynasty Bonus Wager is being offered and a player makes a Qualifying Wager, the dealer shall place an Envy lammer next to that player's wager.

*  *  *  *  *

§ 645a.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:

*  *  *  *  *

 (2) Prior to the shoe dispensing any stacks of cards, the dealer shall announce ''no more bets'' and:

 (i) If the Fortune Bonus Wager [or] , Emperor's Treasure Wager or Dynasty Bonus Wager is being offered and a player makes a Qualifying Wager, the dealer shall place an Envy lammer next to that player's wager.

*  *  *  *  *

§ 645a.11. Procedures for completion of each round of play.

*  *  *  *  *

 (d) Unless a player has placed an optional wager authorized under § 645a.7(e)(1)—[(4)] (5) (relating to wagers), a player may surrender his wager after the hands of the dealer or the bank have been set. The player shall announce his intention to surrender prior to the dealer exposing either of the two hands of that player as provided in subsection (e). Once the player has announced his intention to surrender, the dealer shall immediately collect the Pai Gow Poker Wager from that player and collect the seven cards dealt to that player without exposing the cards to anyone at the table. If any Qualifying Wagers have been placed, the cards of the player shall remain on the table until collected in accordance with subsection (h). The dealer shall verify that seven cards were collected by counting them face down on the layout prior to placing them in the discard rack.

*  *  *  *  *

 (f) A Pai Gow Poker Wager will:

 (1) Lose and will immediately be collected if:

*  *  *  *  *

 (iv) The two hands of the player were not otherwise set correctly in accordance with this chapter.

(v) Notwithstanding subparagraphs (i)—(iv), if the table is designated for play as an EZ Pai Gow Poker table in which vigorish is not collected and if the dealer has a Queen's Dragon, the player's Pai Gow Poker Wager shall push and be returned to the player.

 (2) Tie and will be returned to the player if:

 (i) The high hand of the player is higher in rank than the high hand of the dealer, but the low hand of the player is identical in rank to the low hand of the dealer or lower in rank than the low hand of the dealer.

 (ii) The high hand of the player is identical in rank to the high hand of the dealer or lower in rank than the high hand of the dealer, but the low hand of the player is higher in rank than the low hand of the dealer.

(iii) The dealer has a Queen's Dragon and the table is designated for play as an EZ Pai Gow Poker table in which vigorish is not collected.

 (3) Win if the high hand of the player is higher in rank than the high hand of the dealer and the low hand of the player is higher in rank than the low hand of the dealer provided that if the table is designated for play as an EZ Pai Gow Poker table and the dealer has a Queen's Dragon, the player's Pai Gow Poker Wager shall push and be returned to the player. The dealer shall pay the winning Pai Gow Poker Wager in accordance with the payout odds in § 645a.13(a) (relating to payout odds; Envy Bonus; rate of progression; payout limitation).

*  *  *  *  *

 (h) After settling the player's Pai Gow Poker Wager, the dealer shall rearrange the seven cards of any player who placed an optional wager, in accordance with § 645a.7(e)(1)—[(4)] (5), to form the highest ranking hand and be responsible for creating the hand for purposes of all optional wagers offered by the certificate holder. If any player at the table has placed a Qualifying Wager, the dealer shall rearrange the cards of all players regardless of whether the player placed a Fortune Bonus [Wager or an] , Emperor's Treasure or Dynasty Bonus Wager. After rearranging the player's seven cards, the dealer shall:

*  *  *  *  *

 (4) Settle the player's Progressive Payout Wager. If a player:

 (i) Does not have a full house or better, as described in § 645a.6(f), the dealer shall collect the Progressive Payout Wager and place the cards of the player in the discard rack.

 (ii) Has a full house or better, the dealer shall:

*  *  *  *  *

 (D) Pay the winning Progressive Payout Wager in accordance with the payout odds in § 645a.13(e). If a player has won a progressive payout that is a percentage of the progressive meter, the progressive payout may not be paid from the table inventory container. If a player has won a progressive payout that is not being paid from the table inventory, the cards of that player shall remain on the table until the necessary documentation has been completed.

(5) Settle the player's Queen's Dragon Wager. If the dealer does not have Queen's Dragon, the dealer shall collect the Queen's Dragon Wager and place the cards of the player in the discard rack. If the dealer has a Queen's Dragon, the dealer shall pay the winning wager in accordance with § 645a.13(f).

(6) Settle the player's Dynasty Bonus Wager as follows:

(i) If a player:

(A) Does not have a three-of-a-kind or better as described in § 645a.6(b) and (g), the dealer shall collect the Dynasty Wager and place the cards of the player in the discard rack.

(B) Has a three-of-a-kind or better, the dealer shall pay the winning Dynasty Wager in accordance with § 645a.13(g). If the player has an Envy Bonus Qualifying Hand and any player at the table placed a Qualifying Wager, the dealer shall verbally acknowledge the Envy Bonus Qualifying Hand and leave the cards of the player face up on the table.

(C) Did not place a Dynasty Wager but has an Envy Bonus Qualifying Hand and another player at the table placed a Qualifying Wager, the dealer shall verbally acknowledge the Envy Bonus Qualifying Hand and leave the cards of the player face up on the table.

(ii) After all Dynasty Bonus Wagers have been settled, if any player is the holder of an Envy Bonus Qualifying Hand, the dealer shall pay an Envy Bonus in accordance with § 645a.13(g) to each player who has an Envy lammer at the player's betting position. Players are entitled to multiple Envy Bonuses when another player at the same Pai Gow Poker table is the holder of an Envy Bonus Qualifying Hand. A player is not entitled to an Envy Bonus for his own hand or the hand of the dealer.

(7) Settle the player's Protection Wager. If the player's hand does not contain a high card of a 9, 10, jack, queen, king or ace, or the hand contains a pair or better, as described in § 645a.6(b), the dealer shall collect the Protection Wager and place the cards of the player in the discard rack. If the player's hand does not contain a pair or better but contains a high card of a 9, 10, jack, queen, king or ace, the dealer shall pay the winning wager in accordance with § 645a.13(h).

(8) Settle the player's Red/Black Wager. If the player wagered on red and the player's hand does not contain four or more red cards, or if the player wagered on black and the player's hand does not contain four or more black cards, the dealer shall collect the Red/Black Wager and place the cards of the player in the discard rack. If a player's hand does contain four or more of the cards of the player's chosen color, the dealer shall pay the winning Red/Black Wager in accordance with § 645a.13(i).

 (i) Notwithstanding the requirements in subsection (h), if the certificate holder offers more than one optional wager, the dealer shall settle all of the player's optional wagers before placing the player's cards in the discard rack.

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§ 645a.13. Payout odds; Envy Bonus; rate of progression; payout limitation.

 (a) A certificate holder shall pay each winning Pai Gow Poker Wager at odds of 1 to 1, except that the certificate holder shall extract a vigorish from the winning players in an amount equal to 5% of the amount won, provided that if EZ Pai Gow Poker is being plated, vigorish may not be collected. When collecting the vigorish, the certificate holder may round off the vigorish to 25¢ or the next highest multiple of 25¢. A certificate holder shall collect the vigorish from a player at the time the winning payout is made.

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 (f) The certificate holder shall pay out winning Queen's Dragon Wagers at odds of 50 to 1.

(g) The certificate holder shall pay out winning Dynasty Bonus Wagers and Envy Bonus payouts at the odds and amounts in the following paytable:

Hand Payout Envy
Bonus
Ace/five natural straight  flush and a natural  ace/queen suited 2,000 to 1 $500
Seven-card natural  straight flush 2,000 to 1 $400
Natural royal flush and  natural ace/queen  suited 1,000 to 1 $300
Seven-card straight  flush 1,000 to 1 $200
Five aces 500 to 1 $100
Ace/five natural straight  flush 120 to 1 $75
Royal flush 120 to 1 $50
Straight flush 50 to 1 $20
Four-of-a-kind 25 to 1 $5
Full house 5 to 1
Flush 4 to 1
Three-of-a-kind 3 to 1
Straight 2 to 1

(h) The certificate holder shall pay out winning Protection Wagers at the odds in the following paytable:

Hand Payout
Ace/five natural straight flush 120 to 1
Nine-high 100 to 1
Ten-high 25 to 1
Jack-high 15 to 1
Queen-high 7 to 1
King-high 5 to 1
Ace-high 3 to 1

(i) The certificate holder shall pay out winning Red/Black Wagers at the odds in the following paytable:

Hand Payout
Seven cards of the chosen color 5 to 1
Six cards of the chosen color 1 to 1
Five cards of the chosen color 1 to 1
Four cards of the chosen color 1 to 1

(j) Notwithstanding the payout odds in subsections (b)—[(e)] (i), a certificate holder may, in its Rules Submission under § 601a.2, establish a maximum amount that is payable to a player on a single hand. The maximum payout amount shall be at least $50,000 or the maximum amount that one player could win per round when betting the minimum permissible wager, whichever is greater. Any maximum payout limit established by a certificate holder may not apply to Envy Bonus payouts.

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