Pennsylvania Code
Title 58 - RECREATION
Part VII - GAMING CONTROL BOARD
Subpart K - Table games
Chapter 688a - FACE UP PAI GOW POKER
Section 688a.5 - Shuffle and cut of the cards; procedures for determining the starting position for dealing cards

(a) Immediately prior to commencement of play, unless the cards were preshuffled in accordance with § 603a.16(u) or (v) (relating to cards; receipt, storage, inspection and removal from use), after each round of play has been completed or when directed by the floorperson or above, the dealer shall shuffle the cards, either manually or by use of an automated card shuffling device, so that the cards are randomly intermixed. Upon completion of the shuffle, the dealer or device shall place the deck of cards in a single stack. The certificate holder may use an automated card shuffling device which, upon completion of the shuffling of the cards, inserts the stack of cards directly into a dealing shoe.

(b) After the cards have been shuffled and stacked, the dealer shall:

(c) Upon completion of a manual shuffle, the dealer shall place the stack of cards on top of one of the cover cards. The dealer shall offer the stack of cards to be cut, with the backs facing away from the dealer, to the player determined under subsection (d). If no player accepts the cut, the dealer shall cut the cards.

(d) The cut of the cards shall be offered to players in the following order:

(e) The player or dealer making the cut shall place the second cover card in the stack at least ten cards from the top or the bottom of the deck. Once the second cover card has been inserted, the dealer shall take the second cover card and all the cards on top of the second cover card and place them on the bottom of the stack. The dealer shall then remove the first cover card and place it on the bottom of the stack. The dealer shall remove one of the cover cards and either place it in the discard rack or use it as an additional cover card to be inserted four cards from the bottom of the deck. The dealer shall then determine the starting position in accordance with subsection (i) and deal the cards in accordance with §§ 688a.8, 688a.9 or 688a.10.

(f) After the cards have been cut and before the cards have been dealt, a floorperson or above may require the cards to be recut if the floorperson determines that the cut was performed improperly or in any way that might affect the integrity or fairness of the game. If a recut is required, the cards shall be recut either by the player who last cut the cards, or by the next person entitled to cut the cards, as determined under subsection (d).

(g) If there is no gaming activity at a Face Up Pai Gow Poker table which is open for gaming, the cards shall be removed from the dealing shoe and discard rack and spread out on the table face down unless the first player arriving at the table requests that the cards be spread face up on the table. After the first player arriving at the table is afforded an opportunity to visually inspect the cards:

(h) A certificate holder may utilize a dealing shoe or other device that automatically reshuffles and counts the cards provided that the device is submitted to the Bureau of Gaming Laboratory Operations and approved in accordance with § 461a.4 (relating to submission for testing and approval) prior to its use in the licensed facility.

(i) To determine the starting position for the dealing of cards, the certificate holder shall use one of the following:

(j) After the starting position for a round of play has been determined, a certificate holder may mark that position with an additional cover card or similar object approved in accordance with § 601a.10(a) (relating to approval of table game layouts, signage and equipment).