What is the objective of the game?
Pontoon is similar in many ways to the game of Blackjack.
The objective is to achieve a total that is greater than the Dealer's and which does not exceed 21.
Pontoon is played with a modified deck from which the 10s have been removed.
How do I play?
1. After placing a wager in the betting box, each Player receives two cards from the Dealer, who is also dealt a card.
2. All hands that achieve Pontoon are paid immediately, regardless of the Dealer's first card.
3. In turn, each player must decide whether or not to draw further cards. Players have the following options:
- Double their wager when their two-card total is 9, 10 or 11, or
- Split any pair of the same face value to form two separate hands, or
- Stand on their two-card total or simply draw further cards.
4. You win if your total is higher than the Dealer's or if the Dealer goes over 21 ("busts"). If your total is the same as the Dealer's a 'stand off' is called and you neither win nor lose. If you go over 21 or the Dealer's total is greater, then the Dealer wins.
5. The Dealer must draw another card if their total is 16 or less, or a 'soft' total of 17.
6. All hands that achieve 21 are paid out immediately, regardless of the Dealer's first card. Higher odds will be paid out on some wagers totalling 21, depending on the specific combination of cards that make up the total. Refer to the signs at the table or ask your table dealer for more information.
What are the values of the cards?
- Picture Cards (Jack, Queen and King) each count as a 10
- An Ace counts as 1 or 11 (eg. An Ace and a 6 is called a 'soft' total of 17)
- All other cards have their numerical value.
Pontoon terminology
Surrender
When the Dealer has an Ace or a Jack, Queen or King as their first card, Players have the option to 'surrender' half their original wager.
Players may surrender at the completion of the initial deal or during the subsequent deal when the Dealer is announcing the Player's two-card total.
Should the Dealer achieve Pontoon the surrender shall be void and the Player will lose their entire wager.
Forfeit
After doubling, a Player with a hand of less than 21, has the option to remove the doubled portion of their bet and 'forfeit' their original wager.
Perfect Pairs
An optional side bet that wins if the first two cards dealt to a box are a 'Mixed Pair' (5-1), a 'Coloured Pair' (10-1) or, best of all, an exact match or 'Perfect Pair' (25-1).
A Player may only place a wager on Perfect Pairs if they have a bet in the corresponding box.
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