Pennsylvania Code
Title 58 - RECREATION
Part VII - GAMING CONTROL BOARD
Subpart K - Table games
Chapter 633c - BLACKJACK SIDE WAGERS AND VARIATIONS
Section 633c.4 - Switch hands and Blackjack premium

Universal Citation: 58 PA Code ยง 633c.4

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 44, November 2, 2024

(a) If the certificate holder offers switch hands, the table layout 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 in addition to the requirements in § 633a.2 (relating to Blackjack table; card reader device; physical characteristics; inspections) shall contain:

(1) A separate area for each player designated for the placement of the switch hands ante which contains the inscription "ante $1 for every $5 bet."

(2) A separate area for each player designed for the placement of the switch hand cards.

(3) An inscription advising that "switch hands colored or suited Blackjacks pay 2 to 1."

(b) A Blackjack wager placed in accordance with § 633a.6(d) (relating to wagers) shall be placed in $5 increments.

(c) In addition to the Blackjack wager required under § 633a.6(d), a player shall place a switch hands ante equal to $1 for every $5 Blackjack wager placed.

(d) After placing a Blackjack wager, the switch hands ante and any optional wagers offered by the certificate holder, the dealer shall deal, starting with the player farthest to the dealer's left and continuing around the table in a clockwise manner:

(1) One switch hands card, face down, on the designated area of the table layout.

(2) A second switch hands card, face down on the designated area of the table layout.

(e) After dealing the player's switch hands cards, the dealer shall deal the player's Blackjack hand in accordance with § 633a.7(a)-(f) (relating to procedure for dealing the cards; completion of each round of play).

(f) Prior to any other cards being dealt or before any card reader device is utilized, the dealer shall, starting with the player farthest to the dealer's right and continuing around the table in a counterclockwise direction, ask if the player would like to discard the player's two upcards and play the two face-down cards or discard the two face-down switch hand cards. For each player who chooses to play:

(1) The two face-up cards, the dealer shall collect the two face-down cards and place them, unexposed, in the discard rack.

(2) The two face-down cards, the dealer shall collect the two face-up cards and place them in the discard rack. The dealer shall then turn over the two face-down cards and place them face up on the table.

(g) After the procedures in subsection (f) have been completed, the dealer shall complete the dealing procedures in § 633a.7(g)-(t) provided that a winning Blackjack wager shall be paid in accordance with the payout odds in subsection (i).

(h) A player may surrender on the initial two cards dealt or a switch hand, may double down or split pairs in accordance with §§ 633a.9-633a.11 (relating to surrender; Double Down wager; and splitting pairs).

(i) For players who:

(1) Did not switch hands, the certificate holder shall pay each winning Blackjack wager at odds of 1 to 1 with the exception of player Blackjack which shall be paid at odds of 3 to 2.

(2) Did switch hands, the certificate holder shall pay each winning Blackjack wager in accordance with paragraph (1) provided that:
(i) If the player has a winning hand containing a same suit or same color Blackjack, the winning Blackjack wager shall be paid out at odds of 2 to 1.

(ii) If specified in its Rules Submission required under § 601a.10(a), if both the player and dealer have Blackjack, instead of returning the player's Blackjack wager, the certificate holder may pay a tie Blackjack at odds of 1 to 2.

(j) Notwithstanding the requirements in subsections (d) and (e), a certificate holder may deal the two switch hands cards as provided in subsection (d) after dealing the Blackjack hands in accordance with subsection (e).

(k) If specified in its Rules Submission under § 601a.10(a), the certificate holder may offer Blackjack premium in which a player may play, on the same gaming table, either switch hand in accordance with previous subsections (a)-(j) or elect to not place a switch hand ante and play only Blackjack in accordance with Chapter 633a (relating to Blackjack). A player who elects to play only Blackjack may not elect to switch hands after the dealer has started dealing the cards.

(l) If offering Blackjack premium, the switch hand ante is optional and shall remain on the layout until the dealer has dealt the cards in accordance with subsections (d) and (e). If a player elects to switch hands, the dealer shall collect the player's two face-up cards, placing them in the discard rack.

(m) After the procedures in subsection (l) have been completed, the dealer shall complete the dealing procedures in § 633a.7(h)-(t) provided that a winning Blackjack wager shall be paid in accordance with the payout odds in subsection (o).

(n) A player may surrender on the initial two cards dealt or a switch hand, may double down or, split pairs in accordance with §§ 633a.9-633a.11.

(o) The certificate holder shall pay out a winning Blackjack wager at odds of 1 to 1 and player Blackjack at odds of 3 to 2 unless both the dealer and player have Blackjack which shall pay out at odds of 1 to 2 provided that if the player placed a switch hands ante, the certificate holder shall pay a same suit or same color Blackjack at odds of 2 to 1.

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