1. (1) Poker shall be played at a table having on one side positions for the players and on the opposite side a place for the dealer.

2. (2) The layout for a poker table shall include, at a minimum:

   1. (i) the name and/or logo of the gaming facility;
   2. (ii) designated areas for the placement of wagers, including a designated area for the placement of a progressive payout wager, if offered by the gaming facility; and

   3. (iii) inscriptions describing the payout odds of permissible wagers offered by the gaming facility for each game. If payout odds or amounts are not inscribed on the layout, a sign identifying the payout odds or amounts for all permissible wagers of the game shall be posed at each corresponding table.

      (b) Cards; number of decks.

3. (1) Except as otherwise provided, poker games shall be played with one deck of cards with backs of the same color and design and one additional cover card. The cover card shall be a solid color readily distinguishable from the color of the backs and edges of the playing cards, as approved by the commission in writing. A gaming facility may in accordance with its approved system of internal controls use additional cover cards.

4. (2) In addition to the requirements set forth in section 5324.2(g) of this Part, when an automated card shuffling device is used, the gaming facility shall be permitted to use a second deck of cards to play the game, provided that:

   1. (i) each deck of cards complies with the requirements of paragraph (1) of this subdivision;
   2. (ii) the backs of the cards in the two decks are of different color;
   3. (iii) one deck is being shuffled by the automated card shuffling device while the other deck is being dealt or used to play the game;
   4. (iv) both decks are continuously alternated in and out of play, with each deck being used for every other round of play; and

   5. (v) the cards from one deck only shall be placed in the discard rack at any given time.

      (c) Counting the stub.

5. (1) The dealer shall be required to count the stub at least once every five rounds of play in order to determine that the correct number of cards is still present in the deck. The dealer shall determine the number of cards in the stub by counting the cards face down on the layout.

   1. (i) If the count of the stub indicates that 52, plus any jokers if applicable, cards are in the deck, the dealer shall place the stub in the discard rack without exposing the cards.
   2. (ii) If the count of the stub indicates that the number of cards in the deck is incorrect, the dealer shall determine if the cards were misdealt. If the cards have been misdealt but 52 cards, plus any jokers, if applicable, remain in the deck, all hands shall be void. If the cards have not been misdealt, all hands shall be considered void and the entire deck of cards shall be removed from the table.
6. (2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1) of this subdivision, the counting of the stub shall not be required if an automated card shuffling device is used that counts the number of cards in the deck after the completion of each shuffle and indicates whether 52, plus any jokers, if applicable, cards are still present. If the automated card shuffling device reveals that an incorrect number of cards is present, the deck shall be removed from the table.
7. (d) If a player requests assistance in the setting of such player’s hands, the dealer may inform the requesting player of the manner in which the gaming facility requires the hands of the dealer to be set as set forth in the gaming facility’s approved system of internal controls. Once each player has set a hand and placed the cards face down on the appropriate area of the layout, the player shall not touch the cards again.

(a) Equipment and layout.