N.J. Admin. Code § 13:69E-1.10

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 19, October 7, 2024

Section 13:69E-1.10 - Blackjack table; card reader device; physical characteristics; inspections

(a) 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) referenced in this section shall be submitted to the Division's principal office located in Atlantic City, New Jersey, prior to utilizing the layout design.

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

1. The name or trade name of the casino licensee offering the game; and

2. Specific areas designated for the placement of wagers, which betting areas shall not exceed seven in number, with the exception of the 6 to 5 blackjack variation, which shall contain no more than six betting areas.

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

1. Blackjack pays 3 to 2;

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

3. Insurance pays 2 to 1.

(d) If a casino licensee offers blackjack rule variations in accordance with the requirements of these rules, the blackjack layout have imprinted on it, at a minimum, the following inscriptions instead of the inscriptions set forth in (c) above:

1. Blackjack pays 1 to 1;

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

3. Dealer's hole card dealt face up.

(e) 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, as previously approved by the Division.

(f) If a casino licensee offers one of the additional wagers authorized by 13:69F-2.17, the blackjack layout shall have designated areas for the placement of the additional wager. If a casino licensee offers the additional wager authorized by 13:69F-2.17(a)1, the layout shall also have the payout odds for the additional wager imprinted thereon. If a casino licensee offers the additional wager authorized by 13:69F-2.17(a)3, the layout or a separate sign located at the table shall contain the payout odds for the additional wager.

(g) A blackjack table may have attached to it, an approved card reader device which permits the dealer to read his or her hole card in order to determine if the dealer has a blackjack in accordance with 13:69F-2.6. If a blackjack table has an approved card reader device attached to it, the floorperson assigned to the table shall inspect the card reader device at the beginning of each gaming day. The purpose of this inspection shall be 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 13:69F-2.19.

(h) Notwithstanding the requirements of (b) above, if a casino licensee offers multiple action blackjack in accordance with the requirements of 13:69F-2.18, the blackjack layout shall contain and shall contain, at a minimum:

1. 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;

2. A separate designated area on the layout, for each player position, for the placement of insurance wagers;

3. A separate designated area on the layout, for each player position, for the placement of double down wagers;

4. A separate designated area on the layout, for each player position, for the placement of split pair wagers; and

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

(i) In order to collect the cards at the conclusion of a round of play as required by 13:69F-2.6(i) and at such other times as provided in the rules of the Division, 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 as set forth above for that table's discard rack shall be determined from the number of decks used in one side of the shoe.

(j) If a casino licensee offers a progressive blackjack wager pursuant to 13:69F-2.19, the blackjack layout the blackjack layout shall have designated areas for the placement of the progressive blackjack wager and shall contain the following equipment in addition to the requirements of N.J.A.C. 19:45-1.39B:

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

2. A method to ensure that only one progressive blackjack wager is made per person, per round of play;

3. A device or method to indicate that a progressive blackjack wager has been won;

4. A sign describing the winning wagers and the payouts to be awarded on winning progressive blackjack wagers at a location near the table;

5. A table controller panel which shall be equipped with a "lock-out" button which, once activated by the dealer, will prevent any player from depositing a gaming chip in the acceptor device; and

6. A mechanical, electrical or electronic table inventory return device which shall permit all gaming chips deposited into the acceptor devices referenced in (j)1 above 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 Division 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 Division.

(k) If a casino licensee offers a blackjack bonus wager pursuant to 13:69F-2.20, the blackjack layout shall have designated areas for the placement of the blackjack bonus wager, and shall contain the following equipment:

1. 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 casino security supervisor, and the second locking mechanism shall be maintained and controlled by a casino supervisor;

i. 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 Division prior to implementation;

ii. 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;

2. 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;

3. 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

4. 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 13:69F-8.3.

(l) If a casino licensee offers a streak wager pursuant to 13:69F-2.22, the blackjack table shall also contain:

1. A layout which shall include, at a minimum:

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

ii. 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

2. The following equipment:

i. Marker buttons ("lammers") with the casino licensee's name or logo, to indicate how many consecutive blackjack hands a patron has won. A casino licensee may use another device or method approved by the Division; and

ii. A sign containing the permissible amount of the streak wager, posted pursuant to 13:69F-8.3.

(m) If a casino licensee offers a match-the-dealer wager pursuant to 13:69F-2.23, the blackjack table shall contain:

1. 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

2. A sign approved by the Division setting forth the payout odds for the match-the-dealer wager.

(n) If a casino licensee offers the 6 to 5 blackjack variation:

1. The layout shall have imprinted on it, at a minimum, the following inscriptions:

i. Blackjack pays 6 to 5;

ii. Dealer must draw to 16 and soft 17; and

iii. Insurance pays 2 to 1; and

2. A notice shall be posted in accordance with 13:69F-8.3 indicating that all wagers shall be made in increments of $ 5.00 as required by 13:69F-2.3(d).

(o) If a casino licensee offers the twenty point bonus wager pursuant to 13:69F-2.24, the layout otherwise required by this section shall also include, at a minimum, an additional designated betting area for the twenty 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 twenty point bonus wager.

(p) If a casino licensee offers the option set forth in 13:69F-2.12(b)2 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 (c)2 above:

1. Dealer must draw to 16 and soft 17 and stand on hard 17's and all 18's.

(q) If a casino licensee offers the optional bonus wager pursuant to 13:69F-2.25, the layout otherwise required by this section 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.

(r) If a casino licensee requires a hand fee, the approved layout otherwise required by this section shall include, at a minimum, an additional designated area at each player position for the placement of the hand fee.

(s) If a casino licensee offers the in-between wager pursuant to 13:69F-2.26, the layout otherwise required by this section shall also include, at a minimum, an additional designated betting area for the in-between wager at each of the player positions at the table. If not inscribed on the layout, the blackjack table shall also contain a sign setting forth the payout odds and the card rankings for the in-between wager.

N.J. Admin. Code § 13:69E-1.10