Pontoon - Blackjack Game

Number of Players:

The card game - Pontoon can be played at its best with five or eight players.

Objective:

The aim of the player in this game should be to make a high score of 21 points, and not more than that.

Rules for Playing :

From a pack of cards, the players keep on drawing one card turn wise until one of them draws a jack and is nominated as the banker. The banker distributes one card to each of the player, with the card's face upside down and the opponent can check up his card.

The players in this game should be to attain a total of 21 points (the value of aces being 11 or 1 as per holder's choice, always face cards count 10, and the remaining cards count for their face value). The holder decides upon the chance to achieve 21 points and accordingly bets before the distribution of next card. A player having an ace and a card counting 10(this card is known as Pontoon) must reveal it to his co players. This player if has two aces, can split them to start two different hands.

There are three options for non-dealer in this game, which are as follows -

1.       He can choose to stick without receiving any extra card subject to the condition that he possesses minimum 15 points, or

2.       purchase a card by an increase in his betting but not exceeding it, or

3.       twist, requesting the dealer to supply a new card with its face up at no additional betting.

If a player is lacking a Pontoon or a strong & like two tens (to score 20) he is most likely to trump for a hand of five-card. This consists of five cards having a combined value not superceding 21. After the player is contended with his hand or has scored more than 21(i.e., gone bust), the dealer avails his turn.

The player immediately wins the game if he reveals his cards and it turns out to be a Pontoon. Or else the player can choose to stick, or twist, till he exceeds 21 points or is contended with his hand. He has no option to split his hand & play two. Now, its opponent's turn to expose his cards, the one having the score nearest to 21 is the winner, except that a player possesses a 5-card trick, which beats everything except pontoon.

If a player gets two cards of similar value, he can split them & play two cards.

Result :

The dealer wins means he will take money in stake.

The dealer loses means the opponent will get back an amount equal to double his betting.

If the dealer loses to a Pontoon, then he has to pay double the betting amount plus an amount equal to the actual bet.

A Pontoon maker by default is nominated as the banker for next turn.