Chapter 5.52 — CARD CLUBS—CHEATING ACTIVITIES

As used in this chapter, unless otherwise defined in this chapter or clearly required by the context, all terms shall have the same meanings as are ascribed to such terms in Chapter 5.48.

(Ord. 323 §1, 1983).

For the purposes of this chapter, the words and phrases hereinafter set forth shall have the following meanings ascribed to them unless the content clearly requires to the contrary:

(a)

"Blind cut" or "false cut" means a maneuver which appears to cut the deck, but does not in fact do so.

(b)

"Blind shuffle" means to false shuffle, or to give the deceptive impression of intermixing playing cards, while actually retaining the same sequence of all or a group of cards.

(c)

"Burn" is a discard in accordance with the rules of the game, made before the draw when playing draw poker.

(d)

"Capping the deck" means to place cards on to the top of the deck.

(e)

"Cooler" means a deck of cards, secretly prearranged in a known sequence or marked to be substituted for the deck in play.

(f)

"Daubing" means to mark cards by applying a faintly visible substance to the back of the cards.

(g)

"Greek deal" or "second bottom" means to deal a card which is second from the bottom of the deck.

(h)

"Hand mucking" means the surreptitious switching of cards from those that are dealt to a player.

(i)

"Hold-out" means a mechanical device used for the purpose of surreptitiously switching or retaining cards.

(j)

"Hopping the cut" means to surreptitiously nullify the cutting of the deck.

(k)

"Middle dealing" means to deal a card from the center section of the deck.

(l)

"Punching" means to mark the back of the cards by creating a dimple or indentation thereon.

(m)

"Roughing fluid" means a liquid chemical applied to the back of the cards for the purpose of marking them by roughening the surface.

(n)

"Run-up" or "stacking" or "stocking" means to shuffle the cards in such a fashion as to surreptitiously arrange the sequence of known cards.

(o)

"Sanding" means to mark cards by applying an abrasive substance to the cards.

(p)

"Shiner" means a mirror or other reflecting device used for the purpose of enabling a player to see cards which the player is not entitled to see under the rules of the game being played.

(q)

"Slick sleeve" or "mohair sleeve" means a long sleeve on a clothing garment to assist in holding out a playing card.

(r)

"Slug" means a group of cards.

(s)

"Transmitter" means an electronic or radio device used for the purpose of transmitting signals or information to another player, who receives such signals or information by use of a "receiver."

(t)

"White flash" means a form of daubing whereby a chemical is used to create a "white on white" marking on the back of the cards.

(Ord. 323 §2, 1983).

It is unlawful for any person as a player or dealer to deal, draw, distribute, or burn any playing cards other than the top card of a deck. The "top card" is defined as the uppermost face down card of a face down deck. It is therefore unlawful to deal or cause to be dealt what is known as a second, bottom or to engage in greek dealing or middle dealing.

(Ord. 323 §3, 1983).

It is unlawful for any person as a player, dealer, employee or agent to shuffle or cause to be shuffled any playing cards that are to be used or are being used in a licensed card game, other than in a random

manner. It is unlawful to predetermine, or prearrange the sequence of playing cards by value or suit, or to retain or hold back a card or cards either individually, or as a group or slug as an effort to circumvent a random mixing of the playing cards. Any blind shuffle, run-up, stacking or stocking of the deck to gain an unfair advantage in play, whether or not an advantage is gained, is prohibited.

(Ord. 323 §4, 1983).

It is unlawful for any player or dealer to palm, hold-out, or conceal any card or cards during a card game, whether by sleight of hand, mechanical apparatus, or by clothing such as a slick sleeve. It is also unlawful for any person, player, or dealer to switch, exchange, or cause to be exchanged any playing card, or cards, as a means of deception. The deceptive practices known as hand mucking, capping the deck, introducing additional cards into a game, or switching the deck with a "cooler" are prohibited.

(Ord. 323 §5, 1983).

It is unlawful for any person to use any technique in a card game, designed to accomplish a "blind" or false cut, or to use a fraudulent technique to nullify a cut once performed by a player, or to influence or indicate to another person to cut the deck at a specific location.

(Ord. 323 §6, 1983).

It is unlawful for any person, player, or dealer to deliberately mark or alter any card or cards when there is a likelihood that such cards will be used in licensed game, or when such cards are in play. It is unlawful to knowingly use any altered or marked cards in a card game. "Marking and altering", as used herein, includes sanding, daubing, white flash, white on white, punching, adding to, removing from, or blocking out the existing design whether on the face, backside, or edge of any card or cards.

Any deliberate crimping, warping, bending, cutting, trimming, shaving, or alteration by any means that would or may cause an advantage for any player over other players, whether or not such advantage is gained, is unlawful.

(Ord. 323 §7, 1983).

The use of any mechanical or electrical apparatus or other device so as to gain any advantage, or to gain information that would enable a player or dealer to deceive others is prohibited. Such devices include, but are not limited to, hold-outs, table bugs, shiners, transmitters, receivers, punches, chemical solutions, shading, roughing fluids, inks or dyes.

(Ord. 323 8, 1983).

It is unlawful for any person to knowingly aid or abet another in any cheating action prohibited by this chapter.

(Ord. 323 §9, 1983).

It is unlawful for any person or persons to use any of the cheating techniques prohibited by this chapter, whether or not such techniques are successful. The licensee or management shall immediately notify the sheriff's department upon the detection of any person(s) suspected of cheating.

(Ord. 323 §10, 1983).

It shall be the responsibility of the licensee, management and their employees to fully cooperate with card game surveillance and protection personnel in the detection, apprehension and identification of those persons involved in cheating or fraudulent accounting practices. Management shall retain and deliver to the sheriff's department as evidence in arrests or detention all playing cards and implements suspected of involvement in cheating. Management shall cooperate with casino surveillance personnel whether provided by a governmental policing agency, a city-contracted service, city-administered, or licensee-assigned.

(Ord. 323 §11, 1983).

The sheriff's department, upon being notified by cardroom personnel or game surveillance personnel that a person or persons are being detained for cheating at play, shall respond to the cardroom. The sheriff's department shall ascertain the identity of those involved in the cheating, the circumstances involved and decide what police action, if any, is deemed appropriate. The sheriff's department shall assist as legally required in any citizen's arrest.

(Ord. 323 12, 1983).

The licensee shall keep a current copy of this chapter in its administrative office on the card club premises at all times. The licensee shall also post on the premises, in a location where it is easily accessible to be read by all persons, a notice stating that this chapter is available for inspection in the administrative office during normal business hours.

(Ord. 507 §23, 1995: Ord. 323 §13, 1983).

Notwithstanding other provisions of law, any persons committing an unlawful act as specified in this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and punishable as provided in the Municipal Code for a misdemeanor violation of that code.

(Ord. 323 §14, 1983).

Any licensee under Chapter 5.48 who commits an unlawful act as specified in this chapter shall be subject to the penalties provided in Sections 5.48.210 and 5.48.211.

(Ord. 366 §3, 1985).