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Category: California Card Rooms
California Card Room Info
California Card Rooms
There are more than 100 card rooms in California ranging in size from one table to over 200 tables.
California law allows card rooms to play a variety of card games and the card rooms have no stake in the outcome of any of these games.
Players play against each other and pay a fee for use of the facilities. In some locations that fee is waived for players.
The types of games played in card rooms are:
Poker
Variations of poker such as Hold’Em, Omaha and different variations of stud poker.
California Games (also called Asian Games):
Cal Games, are games that are traditionally house banked games, like blackjack.
21st Century Blackjack, which plays like traditional blackjack. Different versions of Blackjack, like California Blackjack, or Spanish 21.
Cal Games also include games like Pai Gow poker (also called two-handed poker, or double hand poker) and Baccarat.
Some card rooms spread Pai Gow Tiles
California law allows player banked games, whereby one player can act as the banker or player/dealer and play against the other players at the table.
This format is used in the California Games, Blackjack type games.
Many of the card rooms have full food and beverage services and are located close to major airports and freeways
Check out the games being played at your local card room, it ‘s not just for poker
For more information on card rooms in California contact: Golden State Gaming Association, 1127 11th Street, Suite 242, Sacramento, CA 95814, USA. Phone: 916/498-9500, Website: http://www.goldenstategaming.org
California No Bust Blackjack: A Variation of Blackjack Created for Card Rooms
Blackjack in California Card Rooms:
It used to be only poker could be played in California card rooms. Gambling against other players is allowed, but traditional house banked games like blackjack were not allowed as they generally required the house to bank and fund the game. Their has been a lot of changes to the card rooms in California. The house is still not allowed to bank the games in card rooms, but the evolution of these games has provided some very effective work arounds. They have created a system in which a corporation banks these traditionally house banked games, so having another player at the table who wants to bank the game is no longer necessary.
Nowadays you can play all different types of house banked games in a card room in California. any type of Blackjack, Baccarat, Pai Gow poker and more.
The First ever version of black jack played in California card rooms was California No Bust. I really liked the game and I liked dealing the game, but it seems to have to become almost extinct with most of the cardrooms playing the more traditional varieties of blackjack and adding all of the other games they currently play. A look back:
California “No Bust” Blackjack
California “No Bust” blackjack or California Blackjack, is a version of blackjack created specifically to be played in California card rooms.
In 1873, the California Legislature enacted Penal Code 330 which outlawed the game of “21” or “blackjack”, throughout the state.
This California statute is still in effect.
Native American Indian casinos currently play “Blackjack” or “21” under authority from the Federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.
For decades, Penal code 330 meant that card rooms across the State of California, could not offer any type of blackjack.
In an effort to circumvent the state statutes, game inventors looked to devise varieties of blackjack to be played in legal card rooms throughout California owned by non-Native American Indians.
In 1989, a man named Roger Wisted changed everything. Wisted invented, patented and trademarked a version of blackjack developed specifically to be played in a card room setting.
He called it California Blackjack, also called California No-Bust Blackjack.
How to Play California Blackjack
One primary difference between Wisted’s card club version and traditional blackjack is the game is played to 22 instead of 21.
The game itself is played with a 53-card deck, adding one joker for each deck in the shoe.
The rules of the game have been tweaked a bit from standard blackjack. The joker paired with an Ace or another joker is a “natural”, and paid 2 to 1, unless the dealer also has a natural.
The joker paired with any other card is automatic “21” and the hand is frozen.
Some Other Rules include:
- A Natural is not the usual two-card 21, instead they include: two jokers, two aces, ace-joker
- A standard two-card 21 is still 21, but just a regular 21 and pays even-money when it wins
- A player with a “natural”, two jokers (or in some locations an Ace-Joker) is paid 2 to 1 (as long as the dealer does not also hold a “natural”)
- A single joker makes any hand 21, and the player must stand
- When the dealer has a face-up joker the hand ends and players lose unless they hold 21, which results in a push
- Players may surrender on their first two cards, but not when the dealer has a joker up – surrender is the loss of half of the player’s wager
- The dealer does not peek at their cards, so if the dealer has a joker as their down card, the player loses their original wager, but not any split or double down wagers.
- Player may double down on any two cards
- Player may split any pair up to three hands
- Player may double down after a split
The No-Bust Part of California Blackjack
It’s not completely no-bust.
The No-bust in the title refers to when the player and dealers hands both bust.
When a player busts the bets remain in the wagering circle until the dealer is done hitting out their own hand. If the dealer also busts and the player’s total is lower than the dealer’s, the hand is a push. If the player’s point total is higher or equal to the dealer, the player loses.
California Blackjack has been licensed to card clubs and casinos throughout California since 1990.
Now that most card rooms spread traditional house games like baccarat, Pai Gow Poker and and so many others, it is becoming hard to find clubs who are playing this game anymore.
As a Cal Games dealer at The Lucky Derby, I dealt California Blackjack until late 2013. The Lucky Derby also offered an optional side bonus bet on this game.
This game, especially when paired with the optional side bet, was a favorite of the long-time card room players. The game was not viewed as favorably by those who were new to card room play. Many guests who came to the card room, most who by now had primarily played at the Nevada or tribal gaming casinos, had a hard time seeing the game as a legitimate blackjack game.
A more in-depth look at California Blackjack: http://freeblackjack.net/free/blackjack/games/california-blackjack/
NOTE:
After inventing California Blackjack, Roger Wisted took the money he earned in licensing agreements and started Blackjack Ranch Vineyards and Winery in Solvang (Santa Barbara County). The outfit’s wine club is known as the High
Rollers Club. For more information, visit
A look at blackjack hands by percentage
Below are two card point total probabilities when playing blackjack.
Players Hand Probabilities:
Blackjack dealt 4.8% (winning hand)
17-20 total 30.0% (automatic stand)
12-16 total 38.7% (decision hands)
4-11 total 26.5% (must hit)
When dealing blackjack, one of the more common complaints I hear from players is “How come you always give me 13 or 14?”
The probability of the player being dealt hands with a point value similar to 13 or 14, is almost 40% and provide a mathematical answer to that very common player question.
Conversely, the odds of the player being dealt a blackjack is 4.8%. At less than 5% of your hands, it is easy to see why players feel like they don’t come around very often.
The word most commonly heard after dealing a player a blackjack is “Finally“.
Some probabilities on the Dealer’s hands:
1) Blackjack or 21 – 12.2% chance.
2) 20 points – 17.6% chance
3) 19 points – 13.5% chance
4) 18 points – 13.8% chance s
5) 17 points – 14.6% chance.
6) Dealer Busts – 28.3% chance.
If the dealer busts 28.3% of the time that means conversely the odds that a dealer will not bust is 71.7%, before any cards are flipped. Something to considering when playing that very popular, optional buster bet bonus.
About California Card Rooms
California Card Rooms
There are more than 100 card rooms in California ranging in size from one table to over 200 tables.
California law allows card rooms to play a variety of card games and the card rooms have no stake in the outcome of any of these games.
Players play against each other and pay a fee for use of the facilities. In some locations that fee is waived for players.
The types of games played in card rooms are:
Poker:
Variations of poker such as Hold’Em, Omaha and different variations of stud poker.
California Games (also called Asian Games):
Also called Cal Games, are games that are traditionally house banked games.
21st Century Blackjack, which plays like traditional blackjack. Different versions of Blackjack, like California Blackjack, or Spanish 21.
Cal Games also include games like Pai Gow poker (also called two-handed poker, or double hand poker) and Baccarat.
strong>Pai Gow Tiles:
California law allows player banked games, whereby one player can act as the banker/dealer and play against the other players at the table.
This format is used in the California Games, Blackjack type games.
Many of the card rooms have full food and beverage services and are located close to major airports and freeways
Check out the games being played at
your local card room , it ‘s not just for poker
For more information on card rooms in California contact: Golden State Gaming Association, 1127 11th Street, Suite 242, Sacramento, CA 95814, USA. Phone: 916/498-9500, Website: http://www.goldenstategaming.org
How to Open a Card Room in California
How to Open a Card Room in California
There are numerous poker rooms throughout the state of California. A poker room is an establishment running poker table games that is
open to the public.
Through the California Gambling Control Commission, a private citizen can apply and, if approved, open a poker/card room in California.
Currently, there is a moratorium on card rooms until the year 2020, therefore no new card room licenses are being issued.
A General Outline of the Steps.
1.- Apply for a Gambling Establishment License from the California Gambling Control Commission. All prospective owners must apply and pass an extensive background check conducted by the Department of Justice, Bureau of Gambling Control. The Bureau’s website states, “suitability is determined by a number of factors including but not limited to the applicant’s honesty, integrity, general character, reputation, habits, and financial and criminal history. Once this step is completed the application is scheduled for the next Commission meeting at which time a decision will be made to approve or deny the application”.
2.- Check local ordinances in your area to ensure no laws will be broken by opening a poker room.
3.- Obtain poker and Cal game approval from the Bureau for each game you wish to spread.
Each game must be individually approved by the Bureau before operations may begin. The Bureau will also check local ordinances to ensure operating a card room does not conflict with any local laws.
4.- Purchase necessary equipment and furniture. Hire employees. Set up the card room.
5.- Direct all employees to apply and be approved for a work permit. The Bureau of Gambling Control states that “any person employed in a gambling establishment as a dealer, secretary, waiter or waitress; floor, security, count room, cage, collection, surveillance or data-processing personnel; appropriate maintenance personnel; or any person whose employment duties require or authorize access to restricted gambling establishment areas must obtain a work permit. The work permit will be issued by the local jurisdiction or the Commission.” Once all work permits, licenses, and approvals are in place, the card room can begin operations.
The link to the State of California Department of Justice web site
http://oag.ca.gov/gambling/card
Each game must be individually approved by the Bureau before operations may begin. The Bureau will also check local ordinances to ensure operating a card room does not conflict with any local laws.
4.- Purchase necessary equipment and furniture. Hire employees. Set up the card room.
5.- Direct all employees to apply and be approved for a work permit. The Bureau of Gambling Control states that “any person employed in a gambling establishment as a dealer, secretary, waiter or waitress; floor, security, count room, cage, collection, surveillance or data-processing personnel; appropriate maintenance personnel; or any person whose employment duties require or authorize access to restricted gambling establishment areas must obtain a work permit. The work permit will be issued by the local jurisdiction or the Commission.” Once all work permits, licenses, and approvals are in place, the card room can begin operations.
The link to the State of California Department of Justice web site
Blackjack Hand Busting Percentages
Players starting hand busting percentage:
The left side of this chart contatins the busting percentages for the player’s starting hand. The players staring hand is the first two cards dealt to the player, and this percentage changes after the player hits.
Dealers busting percentge showing one card:
The right side of the chart contains the dealers busting percentage with a certain up card, before the hole card is revealed or the dealer hits.
California Law that provides for Cal Games in Card Rooms
The law that provides for card room blackjack.
PENAL CODE SECTION 330.11
California cardroom blackjack
330.11. “Banking game” or “banked game” does not include a controlled game if the published rules of the game feature a player-dealer position and provide that this position must be continuously and systematically rotated amongst each of the participants during the play of the game, ensure that the player-dealer is able to win or lose only a fixed and limited wager during the play of the game, and preclude the house, another entity, a player, or an observer from maintaining or operating as a bank during the course of the game. For purposes of this section it is not the intent of the Legislature to mandate acceptance of the deal by every player if the division finds that the rules of the game render the maintenance of or operation of a bank impossible by other means. The house shall not occupy the player-dealer position.
Insider Term: Dealer Tokes
Insider Term: Dealer Tokes
Dealer tokes or tips are gratuities, given to dealers as “tokens of appreciation”.
Dealers are paid minimum wage and rely on tips to make a living. A toke can be given to a dealer in a couple of different ways.
The most common way for a player or guest to tip a dealer is to make a “toke” bet for the dealer by placing an additional bet, directly in the front of the player’s bet. This is the preferred method for most dealers, or at least this dealer anyway. You may also just lay a chip on the felt and tell the dealer “this is for you”.
Why tip a dealer?
There are a variety of reasons why a guest might tip the dealer. One reason would be that they are winning, but that is not the only reason a guest may tip.
Guests do not need to be winning to tip, you could also tip because the dealer…
Deals the game noting some of your preferences.
Is engaging and entertaining
Is Good natured when you are either winning or losing
Meets your needs or preferences consistently.
Maintains table etiquette
Advises the guests when another player has either added a hand or taken one out
Mindful of keeping your area clean and your glass full
In other words, guests may tip the dealer, or bet for the dealer, when either winning, or losing, if they give great customer service..
“Go for your own” vs. “pooled/shared” Tokes:
Go for your own:
Generally speaking, blackjack/cal games dealers in a cardroom , “go for their own” tokes.
“Go for their own” simply means, whatever tips they generate that day are theirs to keep and they do not share or pool with other dealers. (In some instances they are required to give the Cal Games Floor person a percentage)
In some cases, Card Room dealers who “go for their own”, can also let their tips ride, meaning, if you win the hand, they can let all or a portion of the winning toke bet ride on the next hand, resulting in a larger tip.
Tip Pooling or Sharing:
Many of California’s Tribal gaming casinos and Nevada Casinos “pool” or “share” dealers tokes, in one of the following ways:
Splitting tips by the day:
In this method all of the tips generated by all dealers in a 24 hour period are marshaled together and then divided by the number of dealer hours on the floor that day. This gives you an hourly toke rate. The casino will pay the dealer the tokes earned on their checks for every hour the dealer worked that day.
Splitting tips by the shift:
The three classified shifts that casinos dealers work are Day shift, Swing shift or Graveyard shift. When casino’s use the “split tips by shift” method, the tips generated by dealers are kept separate, by shift. At the end of each shift, tokes are counted, divided between only those dealers that worked that day and on that shift. The tokes earned are put on the dealers paychecks.
When “pooling” tips, dealers are not allowed to let tips ride, in effect they would be wagering other people’s money, so the casino doesn’t allow that. If you place a toke bet for a dealer who shares tips, they will pick up the winning toke bet and place it in the toke box at the conclusion of each hand.
Casinos that pool tips can also require dealers to share their tokes with Floor Persons.
“Go for your own” or “Sharing” Dealer Tokes and its Impact on Customer Service:
Do guests receive better service with the “go for your own” method or the “pooling” method?
In regards to customer service, there are some pros and cons for each.
The tip pooling method can reward dealers who might not give the best customer service The dealers receive the same amount, regardless of the amount of tokes they generate. The motivation to provide great customer service may be compromised using this method.
Card room dealers who “go for their own”,try and give the customers who tip individual and personalized service. Cal games dealers that “go for their own” in a card room generally provide a richer experience for those who tip. The question with this method is, do the customers who do not tip, or do not tip well receive great customer service?
Tipping in a card room:
If you are new to the Card room environment, just approach a dealer and feel free to ask them any questions you may have. If they provide a favorable experience for you, be sure and give them a tip or place a “toke” bet for them.
Cardroom Insider 