How to Play Pontoon

Pontoon is the British variant of blackjack. You play against the dealer with a goal of reaching 21 without going over. Two differences change the game: both dealer cards stay face down until you finish, and a Five Card Trick (five cards without busting) beats any regular hand except a Pontoon.

How to Play

1. Place your bet.
2. You receive two cards face up. The dealer receives two cards face down.
3. Choose an action: Twist (take a card), Stick (keep your hand, only on 15+), Buy (double your bet for one more card), or Split (if you hold a pair).
4. You must twist on 14 or below. You cannot stick below 15.
5. After you finish, the dealer reveals both cards and plays by fixed rules (hits soft 17).
6. Closest to 21 wins. Ties go to the dealer.

Hand Rankings

• Pontoon (Ace + 10-value card): beats all other hands. Pays 2:1.
• Five Card Trick (5+ cards without busting): beats any non-Pontoon hand. Pays 2:1.
• 21 from 3-4 cards: beats the dealer's 21 from 3-4 cards only by card count.
• Regular win: pays 1:1.
• Dealer wins all ties. No push.

Key Differences from Blackjack

• Both dealer cards are hidden until you finish your hand.
• Five Card Trick pays 2:1 and beats regular 21.
• Pontoon pays 2:1 (blackjack pays 3:2).
• You can Buy (double) on any number of cards, not just the first two.
• Dealer hits soft 17. Dealer wins ties.

Side Bets (8 Available)

• 21+3: Your two cards + dealer's up-card form a three-card poker hand. Suited Trips 100:1, Straight Flush 40:1, Three of a Kind 25:1, Straight 10:1, Flush 5:1.
• Perfect Pairs: First two cards form a pair. Perfect Pair (same suit) 25:1, Colored Pair (same colour) 12:1, Mixed Pair 6:1.
• Lucky Ladies: First two cards total 20. Queen of Hearts pair + dealer Pontoon pays 200:1. QH pair 125:1. Matched 20 pays 19:1. Suited 20 pays 9:1. Unsuited 20 pays 4:1.
• Lucky Lucky: Your two cards + dealer's up-card evaluated. Suited 7-7-7 pays 200:1. 6-7-8 suited 100:1. Other combinations pay 6:1 to 50:1.
• Royal Match: First two cards are the same suit (2.5:1). King-Queen suited pays 25:1.
• Match the Dealer: One or both of your cards match the dealer's up-card in rank. Suited match 18:1. Non-suited match 4:1.
• Super Sevens: Based on 7s in your hand. First card 7 pays 3:1. Two unsuited 7s 50:1. Two suited 7s 100:1. Three unsuited 7s 500:1. Three suited 7s 5000:1.
• Insurance: Available when the dealer's face-up card is an Ace. Pays 2:1 if the dealer has Pontoon.

Millionaire Mode

An optional side bet. If the suited Pontoon bonus triggers during a Millionaire hand, you win from the prize pool, up to $1,000,000.