Pontoon

Pontoon is a variation of Blackjack, with very subtle differences from its more popular brothers that make it no less exciting to play.

Pontoon introduces us to the five-card-trick, which is another way to win the game.

How to Play

The aim of the game is to get your cards to add up to a higher total than the dealer, without going over 21.

You place your bet in the box in front of you, and then are dealt two cards, face up so everyone can see, while the dealer gives themselves two cards, both face down. In calculating your total, remember, cards from 2-10 are worth their face value, while an Ace can be worth either one or 11, and all picture cards (Jack, Queen and King) are worth 10.
You then decide whether to hit (take another card), stick (stay with your current cards’ total) or double (double your initial bet).

How to Win

After the dealer decides either to stand, or goes bust, those hands which beat the dealers win.

Pontoon Differences

In Pontoon, there are two hands that beat a regular 21: Pontoon (an ace and a ten or picture card) and a Five Card Trick (when the player holds five cards which total 21 or less). Both of these hands pay 2 to 1.
In case of a tie, the dealer wins rather than it being a push.

The player cannot stand until they have a hand of at least 15, but can draw as many cards as they like after they double.

The player can split cards with equal rank, even if they are not the same card, so you can split a queen and a king, both of which rank as 10 points.