Pontoon
is almost like Blackjack, but it has its own differences. Each player,
including the dealer will be dealt two cards. All of the cards will be
face down. The dealer is allowed to look at his own cards, but they must
remain faced down until all the other players have finished their
hands. If the dealer has a "Pontoon" (an Ace and a ten point card), he
will be spared from this rule. When the dealer has a Pontoon, he will
turn his cards face up.When he does this, all the other players will
lose this hand.
If you were not fortunate enough to have received a Pontoon when you
first accepted your two cards, then your new goal will be to achieve as
close to the total of 21 without exceeding this number. If the score you
have currently is below a score of 15 then you will have to accept more
cards. You can ask for a "hit" or "buy" the next card. When you buy the
card, it will be dealt to you face down. If you requested a hit, the
card will remain face up. You continue to do this until you score past
15, but remember not to exceed past 21 If your score is past 15, you can
ask to "stand" . This means that you are completed and content with the
hand you have now.
After all the other players have used their hands, the player will then
play his own hand. The dealer cannot get a stand until his score exceeds
17 or more.However, if he goes over 21, he will payout to all the other
players. If the dealer's score is a number between 17 and 21, he can
choose to stand.
There are only two hands that you can use that will beat the original
score of 21. You can use the five card hand, or the Pontoon that we used
as an example earlier. A five card hand is when the player receives 5
cards that together, are less than 21. Pontoons and five card hands are
paid out at a 2 to 1 ratio. They will beat the dealer's original score
of 21. The only things they will not beat is if the dealer himself uses
the five card hand or the Pontoon. All the other payouts are even.
The only exception to this game is if the first pair of your cards have
an equal score value. If this occurs, you can split your hand and also
play both the sets of the cards with their own bets and potential
problems. You then play each hand the same way as you would a standard
hand and you are paid out in the same way as well.
Pontoon can be a very exciting quick paced game that is fun for all to
play. You exercise a certain control in the game. It's not that
difficult to win. The dealer has to pay or beat you,this makes the rules
simple to memorize and easier for beginners to learn.
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