Source: https://www.pacode.com/secure/data/058/chapter672a/chap672atoc.html
Timestamp: 2019-03-19 21:40:30
Document Index: 306154669

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 1202', '§ 672', '§ 672', '§ 601', '§ 601', '§ 672', '§ 672', '§ 672', '§ 672', '§ 672', '§ 672', '§ 672', '§ 672', '§ 672', '§ 672', '§ 672', '§ 672', '§ 672', '§ 672', '§ 601', '§ 672', '§ 601', '§ 672', '§ 672', '§ 672', '§ 672', '§ 672', '§ 672', '§ 672', '§ 672', '§ 672', '§ 672', '§ 601', '§ 672', '§ 672', '§ 672', '§ 672', '§ 672', '§ 601', '§ 672', '§ 672', '§ 672', '§ 672', '§ 672', '§ 672', '§ 672', '§ 672', '§ 672', '§ 672', '§ 672', '§ 601', '§ 672', '§ 672', '§ 672', '§ 672']

CHAPTER 672a. FREE BET BLACKJACK
672a.1. Definitions.
672a.2. Free Bet Blackjack table; card reader device; physical characteristics; inspections.
672a.3. Cards; number of decks; value of cards.
672a.4. Opening of the table for gaming.
672a.5. Shuffle and cut of the cards.
672a.6. Wagers.
672a.7. Procedure for dealing the cards; completion of each round of play.
672a.8. Insurance Wager.
672a.9. Double down.
672a.10. Splitting pairs.
672a.11. Payout odds.
672a.12. Irregularities.
The provisions of this Chapter 672a issued under 4 Pa.C.S. § § 1202(b)(30), 13A02(1), (2), (4) and (7) and 13A23(a), unless otherwise noted.
The provisions of this Chapter 672a adopted August 26, 2016, effective August 27, 2016, 46 Pa.B. 5540, unless otherwise noted.
§ 672a.1. Definitions.
§ 672a.2. Free Bet Blackjack table; card reader device; physical characteristics; inspections.
(a) Free Bet Blackjack shall be played at a table having betting positions for no more than six players on one side of the table and a place for the dealer on the opposite side of the table.
(b) The layout for a Free Bet Blackjack 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:
(iv) Blackjack Wagers will push if the dealers hand has a total point count of 22 or other similar language.
(v) Surrender is not available on a Free Bet Blackjack table or other similar language. If the language is not inscribed on the layout, a sign specifying that surrender is not available shall be posted at each Free Bet Blackjack table.
(4) If the certificate holder offers the Push 22 Wager, a separate area designated for the placement of the wager for each player.
(5) Inscriptions that advise patrons of the payout odds or amounts for all permissible wagers offered by the certificate holder. If 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 Free Bet Blackjack table.
(c) Each Free Bet Blackjack table must have a drop box and a tip box attached on the same side of the table as, but on opposite sides of, the dealer, as approved by the Bureau of Casino Compliance in accordance with § 601a.10(g). The Bureau of Casino Compliance may approve an alternative location for the tip box when a card shuffling device or other table game equipment prevents the placement of the drop box and tip box on the same side of the gaming table as, but on opposite sides of, the dealer.
(d) Each Free Bet Blackjack table must have a card reader device attached to the top of the dealers side of the table. The floorperson assigned to the Free Bet Blackjack table shall inspect the card reader device at the beginning of each gaming day to ensure that there has been no tampering with the device and that it is in proper working order.
(e) Each Free Bet Blackjack table must have a discard rack securely attached to the top of the dealers side of the table. The height of each discard rack must either:
§ 672a.3. Cards; number of decks; value of cards.
(a) Except as provided in subsection (b), Free Bet Blackjack shall be played with six or eight deck shoes of cards that are identical in appearance and at least one cover card.
(b) If an automated card shuffling device is utilized, other than a continuous shuffler, Free Bet Blackjack shall be played with at least two shoes of cards in accordance with the following requirements:
(c) The decks of cards opened for use at a Free Bet Blackjack table shall be changed at least once every 24 hours.
§ 672a.4. Opening of the table for gaming.
(c) After the first player arriving at the table has been afforded an opportunity to visually inspect the cards, the cards shall be turned face down on the table, mixed thoroughly by a washing of the cards and stacked. Once the cards have been stacked, the cards shall be shuffled in accordance with § 672a.5 (relating to shuffle and cut of the cards).
§ 672a.5. Shuffle and cut of the cards.
(f) A reshuffle of the cards in the shoe shall take place after the cover card is reached in the shoe, as provided in § 672a.7(d) (relating to procedure for dealing the cards; completion of each round of play), except that a floorperson may determine that the cards should be reshuffled after any round of play.
(g) If there is no gaming activity at a Free Bet Blackjack table which is open for gaming, the cards shall be removed from the dealing shoe and the discard rack and spread out on the table face down unless a player requests that the cards be spread face up on the table. After the first player arriving at the table is afforded an opportunity to visually inspect the cards, the cards shall be:
This section cited in 58 Pa. Code § 672a.4 (relating to opening of the table for gaming); 58 Pa. Code § 672a.6 (relating to wagers); 58 Pa. Code § 672a.7 (relating to procedure for dealing the cards; completion of each round of play); and 58 Pa. Code § 672a.12 (relating to irregularities).
§ 672a.6. Wagers.
(a) Wagers at Free Bet Blackjack shall be made by placing value chips, plaques or other Board-approved table game wagering instruments on the appropriate areas of the Free Bet Blackjack layout.
(b) After the cards have been shuffled as required under § 672a.5 (relating to shuffle and cut of the cards), a certificate holder may prohibit any patron, whether seated at the gaming table or not, who does not make a wager on a given round of play from placing a wager on the next round of play and any subsequent round of play at that gaming table until either:
(c) All wagers, except an Insurance Wager under § 672a.8 (relating to Insurance Wager), a wager to double down under § 672a.9 (relating to double down) or a wager on split pairs under § 672a.10 (relating to splitting pairs), shall be placed prior to the first card being dealt for each round of play. A player may not handle, remove or alter any wagers that have been made until a decision has been rendered and implemented with respect to that wager.
(d) A player shall place a Blackjack Wager to participate in a round of play and compete against the dealers hand.
(e) If specified in its Rules Submission under § 601a.2 (relating to table games Rules Submissions), a certificate holder may offer to each player who placed a Blackjack Wager in accordance with subsection (d), the option of placing a Push 22 Wager which shall win if the dealers hand has a total point count of 22.
§ 672a.7. Procedure for dealing the cards; completion of each round of play.
(a) All cards shall be dealt from a dealing shoe which must be located on the table in a location approved by the Bureau of Casino Compliance in accordance with § 601a.10(g) (relating to approval of table game layouts, signage and equipment). Once the procedures under § 672a.5 (relating to shuffle and cut of the cards) have been completed, the stacked cards shall be placed in the dealing shoe by the dealer or by an automated card shuffling device.
(e) After all Blackjack and optional Push 22 Wagers have been placed, the dealer shall, starting with the player farthest to the dealers left and continuing around the table in a clockwise manner, deal the cards as follows:
(f) Immediately after the second card is dealt to each player and the dealer, if the dealers first card is an ace, the dealer shall offer the Insurance Wager or even money in accordance with § 672a.8 (relating to Insurance Wager).
(g) If the dealers first card is an ace or a 10 value card, after the procedures in subsection (f) have been completed, if applicable, the dealer shall determine whether the hole card will give the dealer a Blackjack. The dealer shall insert the hole card into the card reader device by moving the card face down on the layout without exposing it to anyone at the table, including the dealer. If the dealer has a Blackjack, additional cards may not be dealt and if a player:
(1) Has a Blackjack, the dealer shall return the players Blackjack Wager, collect the players Push 22 Wager and pay out any Insurance Wager, if applicable.
(2) Does not have a Blackjack, the dealer shall collect the players Blackjack and Push 22 Wagers and pay out any Insurance Wager, if applicable.
(h) If the dealers up card was not an ace or 10 value card or if the dealers hole card did not give the dealer Blackjack, the dealer shall start with the player farthest to the dealers left and continue around the table in a clockwise direction and if the player:
(1) Has Blackjack, the dealer shall announce and pay the Blackjack in accordance with § 672a.11(a) (relating to payout odds) and remove the players cards. If a player also placed a Push 22 Wager, the dealer shall tuck the players cards under the players Push 22 Wager until it is resolved in accordance with subsection (n).
(2) Does not have Blackjack, the player shall indicate whether he wishes to double down as permitted under § 672a.9 (relating to double down), split pairs as permitted under § 672a.10 (relating to splitting pairs), stand or draw additional cards. Players may not surrender in Free Bet Blackjack.
(j) A player may elect to draw additional cards whenever his point count total is less than 21, except that:
(2) A player electing to double down in accordance with § 672a.9 may draw only one additional card.
(k) After the decisions of each player have been implemented and all additional cards have been dealt, the dealer shall turn the hole card face up.
(l) Except as provided in subsection (m), the dealer shall draw additional cards until he has a hard or soft total of 17, 18, 19, 20 or 21. Any additional cards required to be dealt to the hand of the dealer shall be dealt face up. The dealer shall announce the dealers total point count after each additional card is dealt.
(m) If there are no Push 22 Wagers on the table, a dealer may not draw additional cards to his hand, regardless of the point count, if decisions have been made on all players hands and the point count of the dealers hand will not have an effect on the outcome of the round of play. If there are Push 22 Wagers still on the table and all players hands are in excess of 21 or have Blackjack, the dealer shall draw additional cards to settle the Push 22 Wagers.
(n) After all additional cards have been drawn, if the total point count of the dealers hand:
(1) Is a 22, the dealer shall return all remaining players Blackjack Wagers, collect any Free Bet lammers, as provided in § 672a.9 and § 672a.10, and pay out any Push 22 Wagers in accordance with § 672a.11(c).
(2) Is not a 22, the dealer shall collect any Push 22 Wagers and settle the players Blackjack Wagers and Free Bet lammers in accordance with subsections (o)(q).
(o) A player shall win and be paid in accordance with § 672a.11(a) for the Blackjack Wager and an equivalent amount for each Free Bet lammer, if applicable, if:
(1) The total point count of the players hand is 21 or less and the total point count of the dealers hand is in excess of 21 provided that if the total point count of the dealers hand is 22, the Blackjack Wager shall be returned to the player and any Free Bet lammers shall be collected.
(p) A Blackjack Wager shall tie and be returned to the player and any Free Bet lammers collected if the total point count of the players hand is the same as the total point count of the dealers hand.
(q) A players Blackjack Wager shall lose and any Free Bet lammers shall be collected if:
(1) The total point count of the dealers hand is 21 or less and the total point count of the players hand is in excess of 21.
(2) The total point count of the dealers hand exceeds the total point count of the players hand without exceeding 21.
(r) The dealer shall collect all losing wagers and pay off all winning wagers in accordance with one of the following procedures designated in the certificate holders Rules Submission under § 601a.2 (relating to table games Rules Submissions):
(s) After all wagers have been settled, the dealer shall remove any remaining cards from the table and place them in the discard rack in a manner that permits the reconstruction of each hand in the event of a question or dispute.
(t) Players and spectators may not handle, remove or alter any cards used to play Free Bet Blackjack.
This section cited in 58 Pa. Code § 672a.5 (relating to shuffle and cut of the cards); 58 Pa. Code § 672a.8 (relating to Insurance Wager); and 58 Pa. Code § 672a.9 (relating to double down).
§ 672a.8. Insurance Wager.
(b) An Insurance Wager may be made by placing a value chip on the insurance line of the layout in an amount not more than 1/2 of the players initial Blackjack Wager. A player may wager an amount in excess of 1/2 of the initial Blackjack Wager to the next unit that can be wagered in chips when, because of the limitation of the value of chip denominations, 1/2 the initial Blackjack Wager cannot be bet. Insurance Wagers shall be placed prior to the dealer inserting his hole card into the card reader device.
(c) Winning Insurance Wagers shall be paid in accordance with the payout odds in § 672a.11(b) (relating to payout odds).
(e) Notwithstanding the requirements of subsections (a)(d), if selected in its Rules Submission under § 601a.2 (relating to table games Rules Submissions), a certificate holder may offer a player who has Blackjack the option to be paid even money on the Blackjack Wager instead of making an Insurance Wager. If the player elects to be paid even money, the dealer shall pay out the Blackjack Wager at odds of 1 to 1 and remove the players cards provided that if the player also placed a Push 22 Wager, the dealer shall tuck the players cards under the players Push 22 Wager until it is resolved in accordance with § 672a.7(n) (relating to procedure for dealing the cards; completion of each round of play).
This section cited in 58 Pa. Code § 672a.6 (relating to wagers); and 58 Pa. Code § 672a.7 (relating to procedure for dealing the cards; completion of each round of play).
§ 672a.9. Double down.
(a) Except when a player has a Blackjack, a player may elect to double down on the first two cards dealt to him or on the first two cards of any split pair. If the total point count of the players two cards:
(1) Is a hard 9, 10 or 11, the player may double down without placing an additional wager. If a player is doubling down without placing an additional wager, the dealer shall place a Free Bet lammer next to the players original Blackjack Wager.
(2) Is not a hard 9, 10 or 11, the player may place an additional wager next to the players original Blackjack Wager which may not exceed the amount of the players original Blackjack Wager.
(b) If a player elects to double down after splitting pairs, as provided in § 672a.10 (relating to splitting pairs), the player may double down on split pairs as provided in subsection (a).
(c) Upon a players election to double down, the dealer shall deal one additional card face up and place it sideways on the layout.
(d) The dealer shall then complete the procedure in § 672a.7(i)(s) (relating to procedure for dealing the cards; completion of each round of play).
§ 672a.10. Splitting pairs.
(a) If the initial two cards dealt to a player are identical in value, the player may elect to split the hand into two separate hands. For example, if a player has two 7s or a king and a 10, the player may elect to split the hand.
(b) If a player elects to split pairs and the player has:
(1) A pair of 10 value cards (10, jack, queen or king), the player shall place an amount equal to the original Blackjack Wager for the split pair.
(2) Any pair other than 10 value cards, the player may split pairs without placing an additional wager. If a player is splitting pairs without placing an additional wager:
(i) The dealer shall place a Free Bet lammer next to the players original Blackjack Wager.
(ii) The original Blackjack Wager shall move with the first split hand and the Free Bet lammer shall be the wager for the second split hand.
(c) When a player splits pairs, the dealer shall deal a card to and complete the players decisions with respect to the first incomplete hand on the dealers left before proceeding to deal any cards to the second hand. If the first split hand busts and if the players hand:
(1) Does not contain any Free Bet lammers, the dealer shall collect the losing Blackjack Wager and place the players cards in the discard rack.
(2) Contains a Free Bet lammer, the players cards shall be tucked under the original Blackjack Wager until the hand is settled or until the split hand or hands bust as well.
(d) After a second card is dealt to each split pair, the player shall indicate his decision to stand, draw, double down or resplit with respect that hand. A player may resplit any additional pairs, in accordance with subsection (b), for a total of up to four hands.
This section cited in 58 Pa. Code § 672a.6 (relating to wagers); 58 Pa. Code § 672a.7 (relating to procedure for dealing the cards; completion of each round of play); and 58 Pa. Code § 672a.9 (relating to double down).
§ 672a.11. Payout odds.
(a) The certificate holder shall pay each winning Blackjack Wager and any Free Bet lammers at odds of 1 to 1 with the exception of player Blackjack which shall be paid at odds of 3 to 2.
(c) The certificate holder shall pay out winning Push 22 Wagers based on the dealers hand 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):
Same suit 22 50 to 1 50 to 1
Same color 22 20 to 1 20 to 1
Other 22 8 to 1 7 to 1
This section cited in 58 Pa. Code § 672a.7 (relating to procedure for dealing the cards; completion of each round of play); and 58 Pa. Code § 672a.8 (relating to Insurance Wager).
§ 672a.12. Irregularities.
(f) If there are insufficient cards remaining in the shoe to complete a round of play, all of the cards in the discard rack shall be shuffled and cut according to the procedures in § 672a.5 (relating to shuffle and cut of the cards). The first card shall be drawn face down and placed in the discard rack and the dealer shall complete the round of play.
(h) If after receiving the first two cards the dealer fails to deal an additional card to a player who has requested a card, then, at the players option, the dealer shall either deal the additional card after all other players have received their additional cards but prior to the dealer revealing his hole card or call the players hand dead and return the players original Blackjack Wager.