WAC 230-15-035   Requirements for authorized card games.  (1) In order for a game to be authorized, the game must:

     (a) Be played with standard playing cards or with electronic card facsimiles approved by the director or the director's designee; and

     (b) Offer no more than three separate games with a single hand of cards. We consider bonus features and progressive jackpots separate games. If a player does not have to place a separate wager to participate, we do not consider it a separate game. An example of this is an "envy" or "share the wealth" pay out when another player achieves a specific hand; and

     (c) Not allow side bets between players.

     (2) Card game licensees may use more than one deck of cards for a specific game. They also may remove cards to comply with rules of a specific game, such as Pinochle or Spanish 21.

     (3) Players must:

     (a) Compete against all other players on an equal basis for nonhouse-banked games or against the house for house-banked games. All players must compete solely as a player in the card game; and

     (b) Receive their own hand of cards and be responsible for decisions regarding such hand, such as whether to fold, discard, draw additional cards, or raise the wager; and

     (c) Not place wagers on any other player's or the house's hand or make side wagers with other players, except for:

     (i) An insurance wager placed in the game of Blackjack; or

     (ii) An "envy" or "share the wealth" wager which allows a player to receive a prize if another player wins a jackpot or odds-based wager; or

     (iii) A tip wager made on behalf of a dealer.

     (4) A player's win or loss must be determined during the course of play of a single card game.



[Statutory Authority: RCW 9.46.070. 07-21-116 (Order 617), § 230-15-035, filed 10/22/07, effective 1/1/08; 07-09-033 (Order 608), § 230-15-035, filed 4/10/07, effective 1/1/08.]