205 Mass. Reg. 146.13

Current through Register 1523, June 7, 2024

Section 146.13 - Blackjack Table; Card Reader Device; Physical Characteristics; Inspections

(1) Blackjack shall be played at a table having on one side places for the players and on the opposite side a place for the dealer. A true-to-scale rendering and a color photograph of the layout(s) shall be submitted to the Bureau prior to utilizing the layout design.

(2) The layout for a blackjack table shall contain, at a minimum:

(a) The name or trade name of the gaming licensee offering the game; and

(b) Specific areas designated for the placement of wagers, which betting areas shall not exceed seven in number.

(3) The following inscriptions shall appear on the blackjack layout:

(a) Blackjack pays 3 to 2 or 6 to 5;

(b) The draw rules of one of the following options:

1. Dealer must draw to 16 and stand on all 17s;

2. Dealer must hit on soft 17s; or

(c) Insurance pays 2 to 1.

(4) If a gaming licensee offers blackjack rule variations, the blackjack layout shall have imprinted on it the appropriate rules or payout odds observed for the particular version of blackjack being offered, which may include:

(a) Blackjack pays 1 to 1;

(b) Dealer must draw to 16 and stand on all 17s or Dealer must hit on soft 17s;

(c) Dealer's hole card dealt face up; or

(d) Other similar language approved by the Assistant Director of the IEB.

(5) Each blackjack table shall have a drop box and a tip box attached to it with the location of said boxes on the same side of the gaming table, but on opposite sides of the dealer, or an area approved by the Assistant Director of the IEB.

(6) If a gaming licensee offers one of the permissible additional wagers pursuant to the authorized Rules of the Game of blackjack, the blackjack layout shall have designated areas for the placement of the additional wager and shall have the payout odds for the additional wager imprinted on the layout or a separate sign located at the table containing the payout odds for the additional wager.

(7) A blackjack table may have attached to it an approved card reader device which permits the dealer to read their hole card in order to determine if the dealer has a blackjack in accordance with the authorized Rules of the Game of blackjack. If a blackjack table has an approved card reader device attached to it, the floor person assigned to the table shall inspect the card reader device at the beginning of each gaming day to insure that there has been no tampering with the device and that it is in proper working order. A card reader device may not be used on a blackjack table offering a progressive blackjack wager pursuant to the authorized Rules of the Game of blackjack.

(8) Notwithstanding the requirements of 205 CMR 146.13(2), if a gaming licensee offers multiple action blackjack in accordance with the authorized Rules of the Game of blackjack, the blackjack layout shall contain, at a minimum:

(a) Three separate designated betting areas for each player position at the table with each separate betting area being numbered one through three; provided, however, that the number of player positions at each table shall not exceed six;

(b) A separate designated area on the layout for each player position for the placement of insurance wagers;

(c) A separate designated area on the layout for each player position for the placement of double down wagers;

(d) A separate designated area on the layout for each player position for the placement of split pair wagers; and

(e) Three separate areas designated for the placement of the dealer's original face up card with each separate area being numbered one through three.

(9) In order to collect the cards at the conclusion of a round of play as required by the authorized Rules of the Game of blackjack and at such other times as provided in 205 CMR 146.49, each blackjack table shall have a discard rack securely attached to the top of the dealer's side of the table. The height of each discard rack shall equal the height of the cards, stacked one on top of the other, contained in the total number of decks that are to be used to play the game at that table; provided, however, that a taller discard rack may be used if such rack has a distinct and clearly visible mark on its side to show the exact height for a stack of cards equal to the total number of cards contained in the number of decks to be used to play the game at that table. Whenever a double shoe is used at a blackjack table, the same number of decks shall be used in each side of the double shoe, and the height and marking requirements for that table's discard rack shall be determined from the number of decks used in one side of the shoe.

(10) If a gaming licensee offers a progressive blackjack wager pursuant to the authorized Rules of the Game of blackjack, the blackjack layout shall have designated areas for the placement of the progressive blackjack wager and shall contain the following equipment:

(a) A separate acceptor device for the placement of a progressive wager. Each acceptor device shall have a light which shall illuminate upon placement and acceptance of a gaming chip;

(b) A method to ensure that only one progressive blackjack wager is made per spot, per round of play;

(c) A device or method to indicate that a progressive blackjack wager has been won;

(d) A sign describing the winning wagers and the payouts to be awarded on winning progressive blackjack wagers at a location near or on the table;

(e) A table controller panel which shall be equipped with a "lock-out" button which, once activated by the dealer, will prevent any player's gaming chip from being recognized in the acceptor device; and

(f) A mechanical, electrical or electronic table inventory return device which shall permit all gaming chips deposited into the acceptor devices to be collected and immediately returned to a designated area within the table inventory container prior to the dealing of a hand. The table inventory return device shall be designed and constructed to contain any feature the Bureau may require to maintain the security and integrity of the game. The procedures for the operation of all functions of the table inventory return device shall be submitted to the Bureau.

(11) If a gaming licensee offers a blackjack bonus wager pursuant to the authorized Rules of the Game of blackjack, the blackjack layout shall have designated areas for the placement of the blackjack bonus wager, and shall contain the following equipment:

(a) A table controller located in an area of the table or the pit which area shall be secured by dual locking mechanisms, which are unique from one another. One locking mechanism shall be maintained and controlled by a gaming establishment security supervisor, and the second locking mechanism shall be maintained and controlled by a table games supervisor;

1. One table controller shall control no more than four blackjack tables. Procedures for the operation, security and control of the table controller shall be submitted to the Bureau prior to implementation;

2. Whenever it is required that a table controller or any device connected thereto which may affect the operation of the blackjack bonus system be accessed or opened, certain information shall be recorded on a form entitled "Controller Access Authorization Log", which shall include, at a minimum, the date, time, purpose of accessing or opening the controller or device, and the signature of the authorized employee accessing or opening the machine or device. The Controller Access Authorization Log shall be maintained in the same secured location as the table controller, and shall have recorded thereon a sequential number and the manufacturer's serial number or the asset number of the controller;

(b) A blackjack bonus button, which shall be located at the table by the dealer, and used by each player with a winning blackjack bonus wager to generate a bonus amount to be won by that player. The blackjack bonus button shall be attached to the table in a manner that will enable the dealer to place the blackjack bonus button directly in front of each winning player;

(c) A blackjack bonus display, which shall be located at the table and shall display the amount of the winning blackjack bonus on both sides of the device, so that the amount is visible to all players, the dealer and supervisory personnel; and

(d) A sign containing the amount of the blackjack bonus wager, as well as the minimum and maximum possible blackjack bonus amounts to be awarded, pursuant to 205 CMR 147.03: Notice and Patron Access.

(12) If a gaming licensee offers a streak wager pursuant to the authorized Rules of the Game of blackjack, the blackjack table shall also contain:

(a) A layout which shall include, at a minimum:

1. Four additional separate designated betting areas for each of the player positions at the table, which areas shall be numbered "2" through "5"; and

2. The inscriptions "Two consecutive wins pays 3 to 1", "Three consecutive wins pays 7 to 1", "Four consecutive wins pays 17 to 1", and "Five consecutive wins pays 37 to 1"; and

(b) The following equipment:

1. Marker buttons ("lammers") with the gaming licensee's name or logo, to indicate how many consecutive blackjack hands a patron has won or another device or method approved by the Bureau; and

2. A sign containing the permissible amount of the streak wager, posted pursuant to 205 CMR 147.03: Notice and Patron Access.

(13) If a gaming licensee offers a Match-the-dealer wager pursuant to the authorized Rules of the Game of blackjack, the blackjack table shall contain:

(a) A layout which shall include, at a minimum, an additional designated betting area bearing the inscription "Match-the-dealer" at each of the player positions at the table; and

(b) A layout inscription or sign posted at the blackjack table indicating the payout odds for the Match-the-dealer wager.

(14) If a gaming licensee offers the 20-point bonus wager pursuant to the authorized Rules of the Game of blackjack, the layout otherwise required by 205 CMR 146.13 shall also include, at a minimum, an additional designated betting area for the 20-point bonus wager at each of the player positions at the table. The blackjack table shall also contain a sign setting forth the payout odds for the 20-point bonus wager.

(15) If a gaming licensee offers the option set forth in the authorized Rules of the Game of blackjack that requires the dealer to draw additional cards on a soft 17, the blackjack layout shall have imprinted on it, at a minimum, the following inscription instead of the inscription set forth in 205 CMR 146.13(3)(b): "Dealer must draw to 16 and soft 17 and stand on hard 17's and all 18's."

(16) If a gaming licensee offers the optional bonus wager pursuant to the authorized Rules of the Game of blackjack, the layout otherwise required by 205 CMR 146.13 shall include, at a minimum, an additional designated betting area for such wager at each of the player positions at the table. In addition, payout odds for the optional bonus wager shall be inscribed on the layout or posted on a sign at each such blackjack table.

(17) If a gaming licensee requires a hand fee, the approved layout otherwise required by 205 CMR 146.13 shall include, at a minimum, an additional designated area at each player position for the placement of the hand fee.