Pontoon is a card game that is similar to Blackjack and is often played in the United Kingdom, Australia, and some other parts of the world. The goal of the game is to have a hand value as close to 21 as possible without exceeding it. Here are the basic rules for playing Pontoon:
Number of Players: Pontoon can be played with 2 or more players, but it's typically played with a larger group.
Card Values:
Number cards (2-10) are worth their face value.
Face cards (Jack, Queen, King) are each worth 10 points.
Aces can be worth 1 or 11 points, depending on what's more advantageous for the player.
Setup:
Use a standard deck of 52 playing cards.
Determine the dealer. Players can take turns being the dealer, or you can assign one player to be the dealer for a certain number of rounds.
Shuffle the deck and have the dealer deal two face-down cards to each player, including themselves.
Gameplay:
Players look at their cards and try to get as close to 21 points as possible without exceeding it.
Players take turns in clockwise order, starting to the dealer's left. During their turn, players can choose to "twist" (take another card) or "stick" (not take any more cards).
If a player's hand exceeds 21 points, they have "bust" and lose the round.
Special Hands:
Pontoon: If a player is dealt an Ace and a 10-point card (10, Jack, Queen, King) as their initial two cards, they have a "Pontoon" and immediately win the round. The round ends, and they receive a higher payout.
Five Card Trick: If a player has five cards in their hand that total 21 or less, they have a "Five Card Trick," which beats any other hand of 21 or less (except Pontoon).
Dealer's Turn:
After all players have completed their turns, the dealer reveals their own cards.
If the dealer has 16 points or less, they must twist and take additional cards until they have 17 or more.
If the dealer busts (exceeds 21 points), all remaining players who didn't bust win the round.
If the dealer has 21 or less and didn't bust, their hand is compared to each player's hand, and those with a higher hand value than the dealer win.
Winning:
Players win by having a hand value closer to 21 than the dealer without going over 21.
If a player gets a Pontoon, they win immediately with a higher payout.
If multiple players have hands closer to 21 than the dealer, they win, and their winnings are typically paid out at even money.
Variations: There are many regional variations of Pontoon, so it's essential to agree on the specific rules before starting a game.
Pontoon is an enjoyable card game that combines strategy and luck. Remember that the rules may vary slightly depending on where and with whom you are playing, so it's always a good idea to clarify the rules before starting a game.
