N.J. Admin. Code § 13:69F-14.6 - Poker overview; general dealing procedures for all types of poker

(a) Poker shall be conducted in a separate and distinct area of the casino floor or the casino simulcasting facility approved by the Division.

(b) Poker shall be played by a minimum of two players and a maximum of 11 players. Poker shall be dealt by a dealer at a poker table. For all types of poker set forth in N.J.A.C. 13:69F-14.8, the dealer shall not participate in the playing or outcome of the game in any way except as otherwise authorized in this subchapter.

(c) A player shall wager on the cards that the player holds in his or her hand. All bets by a player shall be placed by the dealer in the designated area of the table known as the pot. A player may be required to ante or place a blind bet prior to the receipt of any cards. After each round of cards is dealt, a betting round shall be conducted. Each player shall decide whether to continue contending for the pot by calling or raising the bet of the other players.

(d) The object of the game shall be for a player to win the pot either by making a bet that no other player elects to call, or by having the hand of highest rank at the showdown in accordance with the provisions of N.J.A.C. 13:69F-14.3. If two or more players are still in contention for a pot after all cards have been dealt and the final betting round has been completed, there shall be a showdown among the players still in contention to determine which player has the hand of highest rank. Based on the type of poker being played, the winning player may be the player who holds the highest ranking high poker hand, the highest ranking low poker hand or both the highest ranking high and low poker hands.

(e) The following procedures shall be utilized by the dealer when dealing the game of poker:

1. The dealer shall choose the hand in which he or she will hold the cards. Once the dealer has chosen a hand, the dealer must use that hand whenever holding the cards. The cards held by the dealer shall, at all times, be held in front of the dealer, as level as possible and over the poker table. If during a round of play, the deck must be set down to handle a transaction, the dealer shall place a marker button on top of the deck until the transaction has been completed.

2. The dealer shall verbalize or physically indicate the action which is occurring at the poker table with regard to the conduct of the game and instruct each player as to his or her various turns to act and options.

3. All burn cards required by this subchapter shall be kept separate from the pile of discarded cards.

4. The dealer shall be required to count the entire deck of cards at least once every 15 minutes in order to determine that 52 cards are present; provided, however, that the dealer may count the stub in the games of hold 'em poker and omaha poker. In the alternative, a casino licensee may utilize an automated card shuffling device approved by the Division that has the capability of counting the cards in a deck as it shuffles them. If a count reveals an incorrect number of cards, the deck shall be removed from the table in accordance with N.J.A.C. 13:69E-1.18(n).

5. At the completion of a round of play, the dealer shall award the pot to the winning player or players after a showdown or to the last remaining player if all other players have folded. Prior to pushing the pot to the winner and collecting the winning hand, the dealer shall first collect the cards from all losing players.

6. All side pots shall be awarded before the dealer awards the pot in the center of the poker table.

7. All discarded hands shall be counted by the dealer to determine that the proper number of cards has been returned.

8. The dealer shall collect the rake in accordance with N.J.A.C. 13:69F-14.14.

9. The dealer shall collect, if applicable, any amount required to be contributed to a bad beat payout fund in accordance with N.J.A.C. 13:69F-14.19.

Notes

N.J. Admin. Code § 13:69F-14.6