Australian Capital Territory

Casino Control (Poker - Canberra Poker) Approval 2017 (No 1)
Notifiable Instrument NI2017—193
made under the
Casino Control Act 2006, s 97 (Amendment of Rules for Authorised Games).

1	Name of instrument
	This instrument is the Casino Control (Poker - Canberra Poker) Approval 2017 (No 1).

2	Commencement
	This instrument commences on the day after the date of notification.

3	Revocation
	I revoke NI2016-268 which was notified on the Legislation Register on 2 June 2016.

4	Approval
	I approve the rules for the Authorised Game of “Poker - Canberra Poker” as set out in the attached schedule.

Craig Simmons
Director
Community, Business and Transport Regulation

28 April 2017

RULES OF

POKER - 

CANBERRA POKER

POKER - CANBERRA POKER CONTENTS

A.	DICTIONARY OF TERMS USED IN POKER - CANBERRA POKER	3
B.	RULES OF POKER - CANBERRA POKER	5
1.	POKER - CANBERRA POKER TABLE	5
2.	CARDS	5
3.	MINIMUM AND MAXIMUM WAGERS	7
4.	WAGERS	7
5.	SHUFFLE AND CUT OF THE CARDS	7
6.	DEALING THE CARDS	8
7.	BET OR FOLD	8
8.	PAYOUT ODDS	8
9.	SETTLEMENT OF WAGERS	9
10.	PROGRESSIVE JACKPOT	9
11.        PROGRESSIVE JACKPOT PAYOUTS	10
12.	AUTOMATED SHUFFLING SHOE	11
13.	COLLUSION	12
14.	IRREGULARITIES	12
15.	TABLE CLOSURE	12
16.	GENERAL PROVISIONS	13
17.	TOURNAMENT PLAY	14

A.	DICTIONARY OF TERMS USED IN POKER - CANBERRA POKER

(nb. terms defined in the dictionary are underlined throughout this document.)

Ante 
The initial wager required to participate in a round of play.

Approved
Means approved in writing by the ACT Gambling and Racing Commission.

Bet 
A second wager placed by a player to indicate that the player wishes to continue in that round of play.

Box
An area marked on the layout of the table for a player to place wagers.

Casino Operator
The organisation or person responsible for the conduct of gaming in the casino.

Casino Supervisor
A person responsible for the supervision of the operation of the game.

Dealer
A person responsible for the operation of the game.

Displayed Jackpot Wager
Has the meaning given to that term in rule 3.6.

Fold
Occurs if a player decides not to continue in the round of play by not making a bet and passes in his or her cards.

Round of Play
That part of the game that commences when a card is first removed from the shoe and concludes when all the cards are collected and placed in the discard rack.

Session
A session is the number of rounds of play determined by the structure of the tournament.

Shoe
An approved container from which the dealer deals the cards.

Starting Marker
A marker used to denote which player is to make the first wager for a round of play.  After a round of play the marker shall be moved to the next player in a clockwise direction.

Tournament Chips
Chips that cannot be exchanged for money, are distinguishable from all other casino chips, and are used exclusively for the playing of tournaments.

Tournament Commission
The amount the casino collects from a player or players as payment for conducting the game.

Tournament Director/Assistant
The person responsible for the conduct of the tournament.

Void
A round of play in which neither the player nor the dealer wins.  Any chips wagered or paid shall be returned, as if the round of play had never occurred.

B.	RULES OF POKER - CANBERRA POKER

1.	POKER - CANBERRA POKER TABLE

1.1	A Poker – Canberra Poker table layout shall be approved prior to use.

1.2	The area marked on the layout of the table for a player to place wagers (the box) shall:

(a)	for ante wagers – be marked with the word ‘ante’;

(b)	for bet wagers – be marked with the word ‘bet’; and

(c)	have an area designated for wagers on the progressive jackpot.

2.	CARDS

2.1	Poker - Canberra Poker shall be played with one deck (52 cards), without jokers.  One cutting card shall be used.

2.2	The cards shall be checked each day prior to the commencement of gaming and at or after the conclusion of gaming.

2.3	The casino operator may change any or all of the cards after a round of play.  The casino supervisor and dealer shall check each replacement card prior to its introduction into play.

2.4	A casino supervisor may at any time instruct the dealer to check and verify the number of cards.

2.5	A player’s completed hand shall consist of five cards. All cards shall count in determining the value of a hand.

2.6	The order of hands from highest to lowest shall be as follows:

(a)	Royal flush - the five top cards, ie. A; K; Q; J; 10, all of the same suit;

(b)	Straight flush - five cards of the same suit in sequence, e.g. J; 10; 9; 8; 7, of Hearts. An Ace counts as 1 in a straight flush, e.g. 5; 4; 3; 2; A.  (In the case of the dealer and a player both having a straight flush, the hand with the highest-ranking card shall prevail);

(c)	Four of a kind - e.g. A; A; A; A; 4.  A four of a kind takes its rank from the four cards of the same rank;

(d)	Full house - three cards of the same rank plus another two cards of the same rank, e.g. K; K; K; J; J. A full house takes its rank from the three cards of the same rank;

(e)	Flush - five cards of the same suit but not in sequence, e.g. K; J; 9; 7; 5, of Diamonds.  (In the case of the dealer and a player both having a flush, the hand with the highest-ranking cards shall prevail);

(f)	Straight - any five cards in sequence but not of the same suit, e.g. K (Hearts); Q (Clubs); J (Clubs); 10 (Spades); 9 (Diamonds).  An Ace may count high or low in a straight, e.g. 5; 4; 3; 2; A.  (In the case of the dealer and a player both having a straight, the hand with the highest-ranking card shall prevail);

(g)	Three of a kind - e.g. Q; Q; Q; 8; 5.  A three of a kind takes its rank from the three cards of the same rank;

(h)	Two pairs - e.g. Q; Q; 4; 4; J. (If the dealer and a player have two pairs each, the hand with the highest-ranking pair shall prevail.  If the respective highest-ranking pairs of the dealer and the player are of equal rank, the hand with the next highest-ranking pair shall prevail.  If the respective pairs of the dealer and the player are of equal rank, the hand with the highest-ranking card that is not part of a pair shall prevail);

(i)	One pair - e.g. 10; 10; K; 6; 2. (If the dealer and a player both have one pair, the hand with the highest-ranking pair shall prevail.  If the respective pairs of the dealer and the player are of equal rank, the hand with the highest-ranking cards that are not part of a pair shall prevail);

(j)	In a situation of competing hands of five non-matching, non-sequential cards not of the same suit, the hand with the highest-ranking cards shall prevail.

2.7	The rank of cards from highest to lowest shall be as follows:

	Ace, King, Queen, Jack, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3 and 2;

	except as provided in Rules 2.6 (b) and (f) where the Ace may be counted low.

2.8	For the purposes of 2.6 (e), (i) and (j), highest-ranking cards are determined by:

(a)	the cards as ranked in Rule 2.7; or

(b)	if the highest-ranking card of the dealer and the player are of equal rank, the next highest-ranking card, and so on until a result is determined. 

2.9	The suit of a card does not affect its rank.

3.	MINIMUM AND MAXIMUM WAGERS

3.1	The casino operator shall display the minimum and maximum wagers allowed per box on a sign at or near the table and may change these limits provided that prior notice of the change is given to the players.

3.2	The casino operator may allow a player to wager in excess of the stated box maximum provided that a marker is placed adjacent to the box.

3.3	The multiples of wagers permitted shall be displayed at the table.

3.4	Initially, a wager made by a player that is below the minimum shall be paid or collected and that player shall be advised of the fact that further wagers under the minimum shall be returned.

3.5	Wagers above the displayed maximum shall be paid or collected to the maximum.

3.6	The value of the wager for participation in the progressive jackpot shall be displayed on a sign at or near the table (Displayed Jackpot Wager).

4.	WAGERS

4.1	Prior to the first card being dealt by the dealer, each player shall be given the opportunity:

(a)	to place an ante; and 

(b)	to participate in the progressive jackpot (refer rule 10).

4.2	Rule 4.1(b) does not apply if the equipment for making a wager on the progressive jackpot malfunctions or is not operating.

4.3	All wagers shall be made by placing gaming chips on the appropriate area of the layout on the box.

4.4	One player only may wager on a box and no player may wager on more than one box.

4.5	Once the first card has been dealt, no player shall handle, remove or alter his or her ante or place an additional wager until the dealer has received five cards.

5.	SHUFFLE AND CUT OF THE CARDS

5.1	The dealer shall shuffle the cards in preparation for each round of play.

5.2	After shuffling, the dealer shall cut the cards once and place the cards in the shoe.  The cut shall be made more than one card from either end of the deck.

6.	DEALING THE CARDS

6.1	Cards shall be dealt from a shoe.

6.2	Cards shall be dealt face downwards, except for the dealer's last card, which shall be dealt face upwards.

6.3	The dealer shall deal the cards in a clockwise direction in the following manner:

(a)	one card to each box containing an ante;

(b)	one card to the dealer; and

(c)	continue dealing this sequence until the players and the dealer have each received five cards.

7.	BET OR FOLD

7.1	After the dealer receives the last card, each player may pick up his or her cards and decide whether to bet or fold.

7.2	If a player decides to bet, a wager that is exactly twice the ante must be placed on top of his or her cards, which shall be placed face downwards on the appropriate area of the layout on the box.

7.3	If a player decides to fold, the player loses his or her ante and any wager on the progressive jackpot. 

7.4 	The dealer shall verify the number of cards of each player who has folded prior to placing them in the discard rack.

8.	PAYOUT ODDS

8.1	Winning wagers shall be paid as follows:

ANTE

	All antes		1 to 1

	BET

One pair or less	1 to 1				(up to maximum payout)
Two pairs		2 to 1				(up to maximum payout)
Three of a Kind	3 to 1				(up to maximum payout)
Straight		4 to 1				(up to maximum payout)
Flush			5 to 1				(up to maximum payout)
Full House		7 to 1				(up to maximum payout)
Four of a Kind	20 to 1			(up to maximum payout)
Straight Flush	50 to 1			(up to maximum payout)
Royal Flush		250 to 1			(up to maximum payout)

8.2	The maximum payout on each table shall be displayed at the table.

9.	SETTLEMENT OF WAGERS

9.1	The dealer shall set his or her cards in accordance with Rules 2.6 and 
2.7.

9.2	For the dealer to participate in a round of play, the dealer's hand must have an Ace and King or higher.

9.3	If the dealer's hand does not have an Ace and King or higher, the antes of each player shall win.

9.4	If the dealer's hand does have an Ace and King or higher, the bets of each player with a hand higher than the dealer’s hand and the associated antes shall win in accordance with Rules 2.6 and 2.7.

9.5	If the dealer's hand does have an Ace and King or higher, the antes and bets of a player shall lose if he or she has a lower hand than the dealer’s in accordance with Rules 2.6 and 2.7.

9.6	If the dealer’s hand and any player’s hand are of equal value in accordance with Rules 2.6 and 2.7, the ante and bet wagers shall be void.

9.7	The dealer shall verify the number of cards in each hand prior to placing them in the discard rack.

9.8	Hands qualifying for a progressive jackpot payout shall be settled in accordance with rule 11. 

10.	 PROGRESSIVE JACKPOT

10.1	A player may wager on the progressive jackpot only if that player has placed an ante for that round of play. A wager on the progressive jackpot can only be placed on the player’s box.

10.2	A player choosing to wager on the progressive jackpot shall be responsible for ensuring that the wager has been accepted (meaning the sensor pad on the layout has been illuminated).

10.3	The current value of the jackpot prize pool shall be displayed on a prize meter display at or near the table.

10.4	A player is responsible for declaring his or her hand as qualifying for a progressive jackpot payout prior to the collection of the cards by the dealer. 

10.5	A player who has placed a wager on the progressive jackpot and receives a hand which has been declared by the dealer as qualifying for a progressive jackpot payout shall win and be paid in accordance with Rule 11, irrespective of whether the dealer’s hand has an Ace and a King or higher.

10.6	Wagers on the progressive jackpot shall form part of either a jackpot prize pool or a reserve prize pool. The distribution of wagers to the prize pools, shall be approved. 

10.7	The following hands (as further described in Rule 2.6), shall qualify for a progressive jackpot payout:

(a)	Royal Flush;

(b)	Straight Flush;

(c)	Four of a Kind;

(d)	Full House; and

(e)	Flush.

10.7	Any progressive jackpot payout to a player shall be in addition to any payment made for an ante or bet wager by the player on that round of play.

11.	PROGRESSIVE JACKPOT PAYOUTS

11.1	Where a player’s hand qualifies for a progressive jackpot payout, the amount of the payout shall be paid as follows:

(a)	Royal Flush - $10,000 or 100% of the jackpot prize pool  whichever is greater;

(b)	Straight Flush - $1,000 or 10% of the jackpot prize pool  whichever is the greater;  

(c)	Four of a Kind – an amount calculated according to the following formula: 

500 multiplied by the Displayed Jackpot Wager;

(d)	Full House - an amount calculated according to the following formula: 

150 multiplied by the Displayed Jackpot Wager; and

(e)	Flush - an amount calculated according to the following formula: 

100 multiplied by the Displayed Jackpot Wager.

11.2	Progressive jackpot payouts shall be made from right to left beginning with the box to the immediate right of the dealer. 

11.3	If two or more player's hands qualify for a progressive jackpot payout during the same round of play: 

(a)	with a Royal Flush, the winners shall share the jackpot as an aggregate or shall each receive $10,000, whichever is the greater amount;  

(b)	with a Straight Flush, the winners shall each be paid an equal share of the aggregate of the 10% payouts from each subsequent jackpot total or each receive $1,000, whichever is the greater amount. 

11.4	Where a hand containing a Royal Flush and a hand containing a Straight Flush qualify for a progressive jackpot in the same round of play, the player with the Straight Flush shall be paid first. 
	
12.	AUTOMATED SHUFFLING SHOE

12.1	Where an automated shuffling shoe is in use, this Rule 12 shall replace Rules 2.1, 5 and 6.

12.2	Poker - Canberra Poker shall be played with two (52 card) decks.  The two decks shall be of different colours.  Each deck shall be without Jokers, with backs of the same colour and design.  Only one deck shall be used for each round of play.

12.3	The dealer shall shuffle the cards and place them into the automated shuffling shoe in preparation for the first round of play. 

12.4	The dealer shall deal five cards to each box containing an ante and five cards to the dealer.  The dealer shall turn the top card of their hand face up.

12.5	Once the dealer announces bet or fold, each player may then pick up and view his or her cards.

12.6	In the event that the automated shuffling shoe malfunctions the round of play shall be void.

12.7	At the completion of the round of play, the automated shuffling shoe may, if necessary, be replaced and new cards shall be used in accordance with these rules.  If the replacement shoe is not an automated shuffling shoe, Rule 12 does not apply.

12.8	For the purposes of Rule 12.6, malfunction means any mechanical or electrical fault that either prevents or impedes the automated shuffling process or renders the cards unfit for use.

13.	COLLUSION

13.1	A player shall protect the identity of his or her cards, and these cards shall remain within the playing area in view of both the dealer and the casino supervisor.

13.2	A player may not:

(a)	exchange cards; or

(b)	exchange or communicate or cause to exchange or communicate information regarding his or her hand.

Any violation of this rule may result in a player being excluded from that round of play or cause that round of play to be void.

14.	IRREGULARITIES

14.1	Two or less exposed cards being dealt in a round of play shall not constitute a misdeal.  In such a case the dealer shall turn the exposed cards over and continue to deal the game.  However, three or more cards incorrectly exposed in a round of play shall result in that round of play being declared void. 

14.2	If the dealer exposes one of his or her first four cards, that card shall be used as the face up card and the fifth card shall be dealt face down.

14.3	In the event of a round of play being dealt not in accordance with Rule 6.3 or 12.4, that round of play shall be deemed void.

14.4	If a player’s hand or part thereof enters the discard rack before that player has acted on his or her hand or the hand requires verification, the player’s hand shall be reconstructed if possible.

14.5	In the event of a malfunction with the electronic equipment used for the progressive jackpot, a casino supervisor shall be immediately notified. The game may continue to be played only after the approval of the casino supervisor.

15.	TABLE CLOSURE

15.1	The hours of gaming shall be determined under the provisions of the 
Casino Control Act 2006.

15.2	Subject to Rule 15.1, the casino operator may close any table before the close of gaming provided that notice is given to the players.

16.	GENERAL PROVISIONS

16.1	A person shall not, with respect to a game or any part thereof, either alone or in concert with any other person, use or intend to use any device for the purpose of recording, projecting or analysing an outcome or the changing probabilities or the playing strategies to be used

16.2	The casino operator may invalidate the outcome of a game prior to its completion if the game is disrupted by civil commotion, fire, riot, brawl, robbery, or any like disturbance.

16.3	If a person has contravened any provision of these rules, the casino operator may:

(a)	declare any wager made by a player void; and

(b)	direct that the player be excluded from further participation in the game.

16.4	The casino operator may declare a round of play void if it is impractical to continue or a person commits a fraudulent act that affects the outcome for that particular round of play.

16.5	The casino operator’s decision in any dispute arising from these rules is final, subject to a review by the ACT Gambling and Racing Commission if requested.

16.6	An employee of the casino operator shall:

(a)	not advise a player on how to play, except to ensure compliance with these rules;

(b)	not give or allow any advantage to a person, or cause or allow a change in any probabilities of the game by any means, other than that covered by these rules; and

(c)	commensurate with their responsibilities, ensure that the game is conducted in accordance with the approved procedures.

16.7	A seated player who abstains from placing wagers for three consecutive rounds of play, while all other seats at that table are in use, may be required to vacate that seat.

16.8	A person shall not hinder, harass, intimidate or interfere in any way with another person’s playing of a game, or with any employee of the casino operator performing duties related to a game. 

16.9	A person shall not instruct or influence another player's decisions of play.

16.10	Players are not permitted to have side wagers with each other.

16.11	A copy of these rules shall be made available by the casino operator, upon request. 

17.	TOURNAMENT PLAY

17.1	During tournament play, the rules for playing Poker – Canberra Poker shall apply, except where the rules are inconsistent with the rules for tournament play in this rule 17, in which case the rules for tournament play shall prevail. 

17.2	Prior to a tournament, involving one or more sessions of Canberra Poker, being conducted, and entries being taken, the casino operator shall:  

(a)	in accordance with rule 17.3, document the tournament conditions;

(b)	make the tournament conditions available to patrons; and

(c)	notify and provide the ACT Gambling and Racing Commission with a copy of the tournament conditions.

17.3	The tournament conditions, referred to in rule 17.2, shall include:

(a)	information pertaining to:

(i)	the tournament starting date and time and the method to enter the tournament (including any criteria that determines eligibility to enter);
(ii)	how the tournament will be structured, including:

(A)	the number and/or duration of sessions, or the basis on which the number and/or duration of sessions will be determined;

(B)	the number of gaming tables to be active in a session, or the basis on which the number of gaming tables to be active in a session  will be determined. In the case of a tournament which is to have a “sit-and-go” format, information will be provided as to when a session of the tournament is to commence and how players will be allocated to a gaming table during the conduct of the tournament;

(C)	if applicable, the method of progression from session to session;

(D)	if applicable, whether tournament players are to compete in a number of sessions of Canberra Poker, or  session(s) of Canberra Poker and session(s) of other authorised games, and be allocated points, and/or awarded prizes, at the conclusion of a session;

(E)	if applicable, whether a repechage or catch-up session may or shall be offered and details of how a player qualifies to participate in a repechage or catch-up session; and/or
(F)	whether there is one or more opportunities for an eliminated player to buy back into the tournament, and the method and timing of those opportunities;
(iii)	the entry fee and tournament commission (if any);
(iv)	the amount of tournaments chips each player will receive for the entry fee at the commencement of a session;
(v)	the minimum and maximum number of players;
	
(vi)	restrictions on player groups;

(vii)	restrictions (if any) regarding wagers on the progressive jackpot; 

(viii)	the table limits; and

(ix)	where tournament players are to compete against each other to progress from session to session:

(A)	the criteria for how tournament players may be eliminated from the tournament; and 

(B)	how the place-getter(s) in a session of the tournament shall be determined in the event of two or more players holding an equal value of tournament chips at the completion of the session; 

(x)	where tournament players are to compete against each other in a number of sessions of Canberra Poker, or session(s) of Canberra Poker and sessions(s) of other authorised games:

(A)	if applicable, any criteria for how tournament players may be eliminated from the tournament; and

(B)	in the event of two or more players holding an equal value of tournament chips at the completion of a session, how the respective places of those players in the session shall be determined, or, as applicable, whether the points allocated to a particular finishing place in the session shall be combined and divided equally between those players;

(xi)	the breakdown of the prize pool or a description of how the prize pool shall be calculated; and

(xii)	details for how the prize pool for the tournament shall be distributed, including, in the event of two or more players:

(A)	holding an equal value of tournament chips at the completion of a final session; or 

(B)	having the same cumulative points total with respect to the sessions played, 

and contesting the same distribution(s) of the prize pool, whether:

(C)	the relevant prize(s) shall be combined and divided equally between those players; or

(D)	the players are to be given additional rounds of play to determine their respective places in the tournament; and

(b)	a statement that the tournament shall be conducted by the Tournament Director/Assistant in accordance with the tournament conditions and the applicable rules of the game and that, in the event of any inconsistency, the rules prevail.

17.4	The Gaming Shift Manager shall nominate a person, known as the Tournament Director/Assistant.

17.5	The Tournament Director/Assistant may require each tournament player to agree in writing with the applicable rules and tournament conditions prior to accepting entry into the tournament. 

17.6	Subject to rule 17.3(a)(ii)(F), the Tournament Director/Assistant shall allow players one entry only into the tournament.

17.7	The Tournament Director/Assistant shall allocate each player for a session, a table and seat position by ballot before the commencement of that session, and the player is restricted to playing in the assigned position for the duration of that session. The Tournament Director/Assistant may alter the starting time of any session, if reasonable notice has been given of the change.

17.8	The Tournament Director/Assistant shall determine the number of players allocated to any one table.

17.9	Where a player does not take their allocated seat prior to the specified starting time for the commencement of their session, the player shall be deemed to have forfeited their position.  The entry fee paid by the entrant is forfeited and remains as part of the prize pool.

17.10	Where a player has not taken their seat prior to the commencement of their first session in a tournament, the Tournament Director/Assistant may offer that seat to a reserved player on payment of the specified entry fee for the tournament.

17.11	Approval for a substitute player shall be at the discretion of the Tournament Director/Assistant.

17.12	All tournament chips shall remain in full view of the players and the Tournament Director/Assistant while the tournament is in progress.

17.13	Players shall not remove, add to, exchange or reduce their amount of tournament chips other than in accordance with these rules.

17.14	All players shall wager and risk at least the table minimum for each round of play.  Any player who cannot wager at least the table minimum before the commencement of a round of play shall be eliminated from the tournament and must vacate their seat.

17.15	A starting marker shall be used to indicate the player who must make the first ante for that round of play.  Other players shall place their antes in order and in a clockwise direction from the first player.  Once an ante has been placed and a player’s opportunity to wager (refer Rule 17.16) has been completed the ante may not be changed.  An ante placed out of order shall stand and the player in question shall be advised that further infringement may result in the ante being declared void.

17.16	A player’s opportunity to wager begins when they are asked by the dealer to place an ante and ends when the dealer asks the next player to place their ante.

17.17	Players shall not seek advice from other tournament players or persons not involved in the tournament. 

17.18	The Tournament Director/Assistant may offer the players the opportunity to take a break during the tournament and shall specify the amount of time allowed for the break.

17.19	The Tournament Director/Assistant may determine the speed at which the tournament shall be played and may give direction to players in order to achieve that rate of play.

17.20	The Tournament Director/Assistant shall be responsible for calculating and awarding the places.

17.21	The casino operator shall return 100% of the prize pool to the players by way of prizes.

17.22	The casino operator may charge an entry fee for the tournament and may retain an amount of the total entry fees as tournament commission. The casino operator shall offer the balance of the entry fees (i.e. the entry fees less any commission) as prize money in accordance with the notified tournament conditions.

17.23	All entry fees and tournament commissions are non-refundable.  The casino operator reserves the right to cancel the tournament without liability.  In the event of cancellations, the casino operator shall refund all entry fees and tournament commissions in full.