How To Play
Prior to receiving any cards, the player must place a wager. Once the wager is made, the player is dealt two cards face up. The dealer is also dealt two cards but they are placed face down. All face cards are valued at ten and the cards from 2-10 are valued as indicated. Aces can be valued at either one or eleven; if counting the Ace as eleven would put the hand over twenty-one, the Ace is automatically counted as one instead. You do not need to specify which value the Ace has as it's always assumed to have the value that makes the best hand. The value of a hand is the sum of the values of the individual cards. For example, a hand containing a Jack, 3, and 4 has a value of 17. If the total value of the player's cards is closer to 21 than the dealer, the player wins as much as he wagered. The player wins if the dealer goes over 21.
Your chips are stacked by denomination (£1, £5, £25, £100, £500) at the bottom of the screen above your User label. Select the amount you would like to wager on a given hand by clicking the left mouse button on the chip of that denomination. The amount wagered per hand may be increased or decreased by placing the mouse on the stack that you wish to add or subtract to your bet. Each time you click the left mouse button you will add a chip from that pile to your planned wager amount. Likewise by clicking on the right mouse button you can decrease your planned wager amount. You may repeat your last bet by simply hitting the "0" button of your numeric keyboard. Other keyboard shortcuts are summarized below. If you place a wager that is lower than the minimum table bet limit, your bet amount will be automatically adjusted to the minimum bet amount.
To Start
You begin a hand of Pontoon by placing a bet on the table as described above. You will then receive two cards face up. The dealer will receive two cards face down. Once you have been dealt your two cards (and based on the nature of these cards) you can do the following by clicking with the left mouse button on the appropriate button :
Twist (Hit)
Any time but player must twist (hit) if they have a total of 14 or less before sticking (standing). The player should not be able to twist (hit) if they have 5 cards non-busted (under 21 total); it should automatically go to the next player.
Stick (Stand)
Requests that you receive no more cards. The hand as it currently stands will be judged against the dealer's. You must have 5 cards or total of 15 or more total, non-busted (under 21 total)
Buy (Double)
Any time but only once per individual hand, hit after buy (double down) allowed until you bust or stick (stand). Example if you split your hand 3 times you will be able to buy (double down) 3 times, once for each hand. This option will be active all of the time and you will be dealt a minimum of one card after selecting buy button. You must still twist (hit) if you have a total of 14 or less before sticking (standing).
Split
If you have any two cards of equal rank (two identical cards independent of suit), a Split button will appear. This option will only be active immediately after you receive your first two cards. You can split your cards into two hands and play each hand separately. Your original bet will be duplicated for the new hand. Each hand will be played out as usual. You can split up to 3 hands max. A white box displaying your card total will appear over each hand indicating which hand is active. Split Aces are allowed and treated as if they are any other pair, you are allowed to twist (hit), buy (double down) or play. Just like if it was a pair of 8's. This is different than regular Black Jack.
Pontoon
Dealer will peek at their cards and check for a Pontoon (like blackjack 21) before any player action is available. If the dealer has a Pontoon it will be turned over and the dealer will collect all wagers and cards.
Turbo Button - For your convenience, you can use the turbo button to speed up game play. You may turn this on or off at any time by clicking the turbo button on the screen.
Card Values
Suits of the cards have no meaning in the game. Cards 2 through 10 are the face value, Jacks, Queens and Kings are all valued at 10. Aces can count as either 1 or 11.
Ranking of Hands
- Pontoon (Ace and any 10-point card, including after splitting)
- 5-card trick that has not busted
- Non-busted hand with 4 cards or less, these are all ranked according to closest to 21 without busting
Examples
- 5-card trick will beat a 21 in 3-4 cards
- 3-card 18 with beat a 4-card 16
- Pontoon by dealer will beat any hand
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