N.J. Admin. Code § 13:69F-2.2 - Cards; number of decks; value of cards

(a) Blackjack shall be played with at least one deck of cards. All decks of cards used to play blackjack shall comply with the requirements of N.J.A.C. 13:69E-1.17 and, except as otherwise provided in this section, all decks of cards shall be identical in appearance. Blackjack shall also be played with one additional cutting card or, if blackjack is dealt from the hand, two additional cutting cards, which shall be opaque and in a solid color readily distinguishable from the color of the backs and edges of the playing cards in use at the table. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the minimum number of decks used to play blackjack shall be:

1. One or two, if blackjack is dealt from the hand;

2. Two, if the 20 point bonus wager authorized by N.J.A.C. 13:69F-2.24 or the in-between wager authorized by N.J.A.C. 13:69F-2.26 is offered;

3. Four, if the additional wager authorized by N.J.A.C. 13:69F-2.17(a)3 or the progressive blackjack wager authorized by N.J.A.C. 13:69F-2.19 is offered; or

4. Six or eight, if the match-the-dealer wager authorized by N.J.A.C. 13:69F-2.23 or the optional bonus wager authorized by N.J.A.C. 13:69F-2.25 is offered.

(b) The value of the cards contained in each deck shall be as follows:

1. Any card from two to 10 shall have its face value;

2. Any Jack, Queen or King shall have a value of 10;

3. An ace shall have a value of:

i. Eleven, unless that value would give a player or the dealer a score in excess of 21, in which case, it shall have a value of one; or

ii. One, if the ace is one of the initial two cards dealt to a player in determination of the additional wager authorized by N.J.A.C. 13:69F-2.17(a)1; provided, however, that the value of such ace for all other purposes under this subchapter shall be governed by (b)3i above.

(c) An automated card shuffling device shall be utilized for any blackjack game authorized to be dealt by hand. The device shall shuffle and store one deck or a set of two decks of cards while the other deck or set of two decks is being dealt or used to play the game. Each deck or set of two decks of cards shall be alternated for use, with the deck or set of two decks in use to be shuffled upon completion of the round of play after reaching the cutting card.

(d) When an automated card shuffling device is utilized and blackjack is played with at least two decks of cards, the game shall be played in accordance with the following requirements:

1. The cards shall be separated into two batches, with an equal number of decks included in each batch;

2. The cards in each batch shall be identical in appearance, but the backs of the cards in each batch shall be of a different color than the cards included in the other batch;

3. One batch of cards shall be shuffled and stored in the automated card shuffling device while the other batch is being dealt or used to play the game;

4. Both batches of cards shall be continuously alternated in and out of play, with each batch being used for every other dealing shoe; and

5. The cards from only one batch shall be placed in the discard rack at any given time.

Notes

N.J. Admin. Code § 13:69F-2.2