Pontoon Rules | Vernons.com

Pontoon is basically the British version of blackjack played with eight decks of cards. As in blackjack the goal of the game is to build a hand closer in value to 21 than the dealer’s hand without going over.

You and the dealer are each dealt two cards. If after checking the dealer does not have a winning pontoon hand then the game proceeds. You can hit, stand (with a hand above 15), double or split. Only when you’re done is the dealer’s hand played.

 

• Both pontoon (an ace plus a ten value card) and a five card trick (when you have a five card hand without going bust, regardless of the value of the hand) beat a 21.


• The dealer’s cards remain face down until you choose to either stand or bust.


• You cannot stand with a hand under 15.


• There is no insurance option in pontoon.


• You can draw as many cards as you want after doubling.


• Cards of equal value can be split, so for example two nines can be split as can a Queen and King which are both valued at ten.


• A ten/face card plus an ace in a split hand counts as pontoon.


• The dealer wins if there’s a tie.


• The dealer checks his cards at the beginning of each round. If the dealer has pontoon the cards are turned over and you lose your bet.

 

• Must hit on a soft 17 or lower.


• Must stand on a hard 17 or higher.


• Wins if there’s a push.

 

Face cards are each worth ten points, aces either 1 or 11 points, and number cards their face value (so that a 4 is worth four points, a 5 five points, etc.).

 

• From highest to lowest

  Pontoon	2 to 1
  Five card trick	2 to 1
  21	Even
  High total	Even
  Bust	Lose