N.J. Admin. Code § 13:69F-7.5

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

Section 13:69F-7.5 - Shuffle and cut of the cards

(a) Immediately prior to the commencement of play, unless the cards were pre-shuffled pursuant to N.J.A.C. 13:69E-1.18(r), and after each shoe of cards is completed, the dealer shall shuffle the cards so that they are randomly intermixed.

(b) After the cards have been shuffled, the casino licensee shall require the dealer, at its option, to either:

1. Leave the entire stack of cards intermixed but not entirely squared off ("feathered") so that the floorperson can verify that the shuffle did not result in any uneven distribution of cards; or

2. Lace approximately one deck of cards so that they are evenly dispersed into the remaining stack.

i. After lacing the cards, the casino licensee may, as an additional option, require the dealer to shuffle some or all of the cards again.

ii. A casino licensee shall not initiate or terminate the use of this reshuffling option unless the casino licensee provides its surveillance department and the Division with at least 30 minutes prior written notice.

(c) Any shuffling or lacing option chosen for use by a casino licensee pursuant to (b) above shall be implemented at all tables within a pit.

(d) After shuffling or lacing the cards and, where applicable, reshuffling them, the dealer shall offer the stack of cards, with backs facing away from the dealer, to the participants to be cut. The dealer shall begin with the participant seated in the highest number position at the table and, working clockwise around the table, shall offer the stack to each participant until a participant accepts the cut. If no participant accepts the cut, the dealer shall cut the cards.

(e) The cards shall be cut by placing the cutting card in the stack at least 10 cards in from either end.

(f) Once the cutting card has been inserted into the stack, the dealer shall take all cards in front of the cutting card and place them to the back of the stack. The dealer shall then insert one cutting card in a position at least 14 cards in from the back of the stack, and the second cutting card at the end of the stack. The stack of cards shall then be inserted into the dealing shoe for commencement of play. Prior to commencement of play, the dealer shall remove the first card from the shoe and place it, and an additional amount of cards equal to the amount on the first card drawn, in the discard rack after all cards have been shown to the participants. Face cards and 10s count as 10s. Aces count as one.

(g) After the cards have been cut and before any cards have been dealt, a casino supervisor may require the cards to be recut if he or she 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, at the casino licensee's option, by the player who last cut the cards, or by the next person entitled to cut the cards, as determined by (d) above.

(h) If there is no gaming activity at a mini-baccarat table which is open for gaming, the cards shall be removed from the dealing shoe and the discard rack, and spread out on the table either face up or face down. If the cards are spread face down, they shall be turned face up once a player arrives at the table. After the first player is afforded an opportunity to visually inspect the cards, the cards shall be turned face downward on the table.

1. If there is no automated shuffling device in use, the cards shall be mixed thoroughly by a washing or chemmy shuffle of the cards, stacked, then shuffled and cut in accordance with this section.

2. If an automated shuffling device is in use, the cards shall be stacked and placed into the automated shuffling device to be shuffled. The batch of cards already in the shuffler shall then be removed. Unless a player so requests, the batch of cards removed from the shuffler need not be spread for inspection and reshuffled prior to being dealt, if:

i. The automated card shuffling device stores a single batch of shuffled cards inside the shuffler in a secure manner in accordance with the casino licensee's internal control procedures; and

ii. The shuffled cards have been secured, released and prepared for play in accordance with the casino licensee's internal control procedures.

N.J. Admin. Code § 13:69F-7.5