N.J. Admin. Code § 13:69F-14.13A

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 24, December 18, 2024

Section 13:69F-14.13A - Mambo stud poker; procedures for dealing the cards; completion of each round of play

(a) Each casino licensee shall be required to observe the procedures set forth in this section for mambo stud high-low split six or better poker offered in its casino room or casino simulcasting facility.

(b) Each poker table shall be restricted to 11 players or such lesser number as may be determined by the casino licensee. Each player who elects to participate in a round of play may be required to place an ante. The rule governing the placement of an ante and the amount of the ante, if any, shall be posted on a sign at each poker table in accordance with N.J.A.C. 13:69F-8.3.

(c) Starting with the first player to the left of the dealer and continuing in a clockwise rotation around the poker table, the dealer shall deal one round of cards face down and one round of cards face up to each player.

(d) Once each player has received two cards in accordance with (c) above, the first round of betting shall commence by comparing the up-card of each player. The player with the lowest ranked up-card shall be required to place a forced bet. The lowest ranked up-card shall be determined in accordance with the poker card rankings set forth at N.J.A.C. 13:69F-14.3(a); provided, however, that if the lowest ranked up-card is held by two or more players, the lowest ranked up-card shall then be determined by suit. For the purposes of this subsection and (f) below, the rank of the suits, in order of highest to lowest rank, shall be: spades, hearts, diamonds, and clubs.

(e) Following the placement of the forced bet required by (d) above, each subsequent player may, proceeding in a clockwise rotation from the player who placed the forced bet, fold, call, or raise the bet. After each player has either folded or called in response to the most recent bet, the betting round shall be considered complete.

(f) Upon completion of the first betting round, the dealer shall burn the top card of the deck and then, starting with the first remaining player to his or her left, deal a third card face down to each player who made or called the last wager. The next betting round shall commence by comparing the up-card of each remaining player. The player with the highest ranked up-card shall be required to bet or check. The highest ranked up-card shall be determined in accordance with the poker card rankings set forth at N.J.A.C. 13:69F-14.3(a); provided, however, that if the highest ranked up-card is held by two or more players, the highest ranked up-card shall then be determined by suit. For purposes of this subsection, the rank of suits is set forth in (d) above.

(g) Following the initial bet or check required by (f) above, each subsequent player, proceeding in a clockwise rotation, shall fold, call, raise, or, if none of the preceding players have made a bet, check. Each player may check until a bet has been made. If a bet is made, the next player in a clockwise rotation shall fold, call, or raise. After each player has folded or called in response to the most recent bet or, if no bet has been made, each player has checked, the betting round shall be considered complete.

(h) Upon completion of the betting round required by (g) above, the dealer shall again burn the top card of the deck and then deal a community card face up in the center of the table. The final betting round shall commence as follows:

1. The player with the highest ranking "one pair" that can be formed with his or her up-card and the community card or, if no pair can be formed, the player who has the highest ranked up-card, shall be required to bet or check. The highest ranked "one pair" or up-card shall be determined in accordance with the high poker hand and card rankings set forth at N.J.A.C. 13:69F-14.3(c) or (a), respectively.

2. If the highest ranking "one pair" or up-card determined pursuant to (h)1 above is held by two or more players, the player with such hand or card who is closest to the left of the dealer shall be required to bet or check.

(i) Following the initial bet or check required by (h) above, the final betting round shall be completed in accordance with the betting procedures set forth in (g) above.

(j) If more than one player remains in the round of play after the final betting round has been completed, a showdown shall be used to determine the winners of the pot. Each player remaining in the game shall form a three-card poker hand by using any combination of the player's three cards and the community card. The winners of the pot shall be the player with the highest ranking three-card high poker hand and, subject to the provisions of (k) below, the player with the highest ranking three-card low poker hand, who shall divide the pot equally.

1. If a pot cannot be divided equally, the excess amount, which shall not exceed $ 1.00, shall be given to the player with the highest ranking high poker hand.

2. If a tie exists between two or more players for the highest ranking high poker hand, the high poker hand share of the pot shall be divided equally among the tied players. If the high poker hand share of the pot cannot be divided equally among tied players, the excess amount, which shall not exceed $ 1.00, shall be given to the player with the highest ranking high poker card by suit.

3. If a tie exists between two or more players for the highest ranking low poker hand, the low poker hand share of the pot shall be divided equally among the tied players. If the low poker hand share of the pot cannot be divided equally among the tied players, the excess amount, which shall not exceed $ 1.00, shall be given to the player with the lowest ranking low poker card by suit.

4. For the purposes of this subsection, the rank of the suits, in order of highest to lowest rank, shall be: spades, hearts, diamonds, and clubs.

(k) A winning low poker hand may not contain any cards of equal rank or a seven, eight, nine, 10, jack, queen, or king. This defines the qualifying clause known as "six or better." In the event that none of the hands of the remaining players satisfies this requirement, the entire pot shall be awarded to the player with the highest ranking high poker hand.

(l) Notwithstanding (j) above, a player may form two different hands of three cards using the player's three cards and the community card, enabling that player to contend for both the high poker hand and the low poker hand share of the pot. An ace may be used concurrently as a low card to satisfy a low poker hand and as a high card to satisfy a high poker hand. Alternatively, a player may use the same three-card combination as both a high poker hand and a low poker hand. For example:

1. A three-card hand consisting of a two, three, and four would qualify as a straight for purposes of the high poker hand and as a high ranking low poker hand; or

2. A three-card hand consisting of ace, four, and five of the same suit would qualify as a flush for purposes of the high poker hand and as a high ranking low poker hand.

N.J. Admin. Code § 13:69F-14.13A