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Official Pontoon Rules

Pontoon, also known as Twenty-One, is a British card game similar to Blackjack but with some key differences.

Objective

The goal of Pontoon is to achieve a hand total of 21 or as close to 21 as possible without exceeding it, while having a higher total than the dealer.

Setup

Card Values:

  • Number cards (2-10): face value

  • Face cards (Jack, Queen, King): 10 points each

  • Aces: 1 or 11 points (player's choice)

Terminology:

  • Pontoon: A hand totaling 21 with an Ace and a 10-point card.

  • Five Card Trick: A hand consisting of five cards totaling 21 or less.

  • Twist: Requesting an additional card (similar to "hit" in Blackjack).

  • Stick: Keeping the current hand and ending the turn (similar to "stand" in Blackjack).

  • Buy: Doubling the initial bet and receiving an additional card (similar to "double down" in Blackjack).

Gameplay

  1. Placing Bets:

    • Players place their initial bets before any cards are dealt.

  2. Dealing Cards:

    • Each player is dealt two cards face down.

    • The dealer also receives two cards, one face up and one face down.

  3. Player Actions:

    • Twist: Players can request additional cards one at a time until they decide to stick or their hand exceeds 21.

    • Stick: Players can choose to keep their current hand and end their turn.

    • Buy: Players can double their initial bet and receive one additional card. This option is typically available after the initial two cards are dealt.

    • Split: If a player’s initial two cards are of the same value, they can split them into two separate hands by placing an additional bet equal to the original bet.

  4. Dealer's Turn:

    • The dealer reveals the face-down card.

    • The dealer must twist on a hand total of 16 or less and stick on a hand total of 17 or more.

  5. Winning Conditions:

    • Pontoon: The best possible hand, consisting of an Ace and a 10-point card, pays 2:1.

    • Five Card Trick: If a player has five cards totaling 21 or less, this hand usually pays 2:1.

    • Higher Total: If a player’s hand total is higher than the dealer’s without exceeding 21, the player wins and is paid even money (1:1).

    • Dealer Bust: If the dealer’s hand exceeds 21, all remaining players win and are paid even money (1:1).

  6. Pushing and Losing:

    • If both the player and the dealer have hands with the same total, the dealer wins.

    • If a player's hand exceeds 21, they lose their bet immediately.

Payouts

  • Pontoon: 2:1

  • Five Card Trick: 2:1

  • Standard win: 1:1

Strategy

Basic Strategy

  • Hit on 16 or less: Generally, if your hand total is 16 or less, it's advisable to hit (draw another card).

  • Stand on 17 or more: If your hand total is 17 or more, it's usually best to stand (not draw another card).

  • Double Down: Doubling down is often a good option with totals of 9, 10, or 11. However, the specific decision depends on the dealer's upcard.

  • Splitting Pairs: Splitting pairs of 8s and Aces is generally recommended. Splitting other pairs depends on the dealer's upcard.

Advanced Strategy

  • Dealer's Upcard: The dealer's upcard significantly influences your decisions. For instance, if the dealer shows a weak card (2-6), you might be more inclined to hit. Conversely, if the dealer shows a strong card (7-Ace), you might be more inclined to stand.

  • Card Counting: While not as effective in Pontoon as in Blackjack due to fewer decks, some players believe card counting can provide an edge.

  • Insurance: Some Pontoon variations offer insurance, but it's generally not recommended as it has a high house edge.

Pontoon offers various strategic options for players, making it an exciting and challenging game.

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