Pontoon is a card game popular in the UK, as well as Australia that is quite similar to standard casino blackjack. Pontoon utilizes two standard decks of playing cards for its shoe, and features a banker.
The best online casino banker deals one card to each player in the face down position, which leads into a round of betting. Players make wagers based on their down card within the limits of the game. The banker then deals a second down card to each player, which they may again look at. The cards hold true face value, and the object of the game is to come as close to twenty-one as possible without busting, while beating the dealer. In the event the banker and player have a hand of the same value, the banker wins.
Noteworthy Hands in Pontoon
Pontoon is achieved when a player holds a face card with an ace. This is the same as blackjack, essentially. Pontoon is paid at a rate of two to one.
If a player draws five cards without exceeding twenty-one it is called a five-card trick. The five-card trick is inferior to pontoon; however, it is of higher value than a twenty-one by way of three or four cards. The five-card trick pays out two to one at the conclusion of the hand.
The next highest hand is a twenty-one by way of three or four cards, followed then by cards totaling twenty or less.
Additional Cards in Pontoon
For players wishing to draw cards, they have options. One such option is “buying” a card. When buying a card, you must make an additional wager. The dealer will provide the buying player a card face down. The player may continue buying cards until satisfied with the total.
Instead of buying a card, a player may wish to receive a card without buying. This is known as twisting. The twisted card is distributed face up and takes on no additional risk with respect to additional wagers. Players may continue to twist cards until satisfied with the total.
Splitting of cards at the same value is permitted in Pontoon. To split the cards, they are turned face up with bets on each card. The hands play individually in the regular Pontoon manner.
The Banker’s Action
Once play cycles through each player, the banker may act. The banker adds cards face up to his hand until content. The players have kept their hands face down, so the banker does not know the value of any of the player’s hands – the exception being when a player goes bust or hits twenty-one. Once satisfied, the banker sticks and showdown occurs. Players are paid out if they beat the banker, and the banker takes the bets from those who push (ties lose), or are beat.