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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
Placing Bets:
Players place their initial bets before any cards are dealt.
Dealing Cards:
Each player is dealt two cards face down.
The dealer also receives two cards, one face up and one face down.
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.
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.
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).
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.