Md. Code Regs. 36.05.02.17

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 22, November 1, 2024

Section 36.05.02.17 - Dealing Shoes and Automated Card Shuffling Devices

A. In this regulation, the following terms have the meanings indicated.

B. Terms Defined.

(1) "Base plate" means an interior shelf of a dealing shoe on which a card rests.

(2) "Face plate" means the front wall of the dealing shoe against which the next card to be dealt rests and which typically contains a cutout.

C. A manual dealing shoe must be designed and constructed to maintain the integrity of the game at which the shoe is used, and shall include these features:

(1) At least the first 4 inches of the base plate shall be white;

(2) The sides of the shoe below the base plate shall:

(a) Be transparent, have a transparent sealed cutout, or be otherwise constructed to prevent any object from being placed into or removed from the portion of the dealing shoe below the base plate; and

(b) Permit the inspection of this portion of the shoe; and

(3) A stop underneath the top of the face plate that precludes the next card to be dealt from being moved upwards more than 1/8 inch.

D. In addition to the requirements of §C of this regulation, a manual dealing shoe used in minibaccarat, midibaccarat or baccarat must also meet these specifications:

(1) Have a removable lid that is opaque from the point where it meets the face plate to a point at least 4 inches from the face plate;

(2) The sides and back above the base plate must be opaque; and

(3) Have a device within the shoe which, when engaged, prevents the cards from moving backward in the shoe.

E. An automated card shuffling device that has been submitted, and approved by the Commission may be used in addition to a manual or automated dealing shoe.

F. An automated shuffling device must meet a 95 percent confidence level using a standard chi-squared test for goodness of fit.

G. An automated card shuffling device may not provide any information that can be used to aid a player in:

(1) Projecting the outcome of a game;

(2) Tracking the cards played and cards remaining to be played;

(3) Analyzing the probability of the occurrence of an event relating to a game; or

(4) Analyzing the strategy for playing or betting to be used in a game.

H. Tampering.

(1) At the beginning of each gaming day and before a card is placed in them, the floorperson assigned to the table shall inspect the dealing shoes and automated card shuffling devices to be used for gaming to ensure that they have not been tampered with.

(2) Evidence of tampering shall be immediately reported to a Commission compliance representative in a written report that shall include:

(a) The date and time when the tampering was discovered;

(b) The name and signature of the individual who discovered the tampering;

(c) A description of the evidence of tampering;

(d) The table number where the dealing shoe or shuffler was used; and

(e) The name and signature of the person assigned to directly operate and conduct the game and the supervisor assigned the responsibility for supervising the operation and conduct of the game.

Md. Code Regs. 36.05.02.17

Regulations .17 adopted as an emergency provision effective 40:6 Md. R. 471, eff.3/1/2013 ; adopted permanently effective 40:12 Md. R. 1044, eff.6/24/2013