Pa. Regulators Offer a Table Games Primer

If you're heading out to try your hand at table games at Pennsylvania casinos, you might be surprised to learn that the regulations vary from state to state, and game to game.

KYW's Tony Romeo reports that Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board spokesman Richard McGarvey says it's a good idea to familiarize yourself with the regulations before you play:

"Because they really can be slightly different from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.  As an example, in Pennsylvania, the casino is required to stand on a 17, whereas in New Jersey, they can hit."

Also, Pennsylvania blackjack regulations only require that at least one full deck be used, and it's the casino's option to shuffle by hand or by a machine approved by the gaming board.  But those rules differ for different games.  Card counting, by the way, is not illegal. But casinos do look for it, and they can deny you the privilege of playing for that or any other reason.

To see the regulations for Pennsylvania table games, go to www.pgcb.state.pa.us/files/regulations/Temporary_Table_Games_Regulations.pdf