Pontoon Rules
- The game is played with eight 52-card decks.
- All cards have the same value as in blackjack.
- The ranking value of hands in pontoon is as follows:
- A pontoon, which is defined as an ace and any 10-point card, including after splitting
- A five-card trick, which is defined as any 5-card hand that has not busted. All five-card tricks are of the same value, the point total does not matter.
- A non-busted hand of 21 points of less with 4 or less cards. Hands will be ranked within this group according to the total number of points.
- A busted hand of 21 points or more.
- A busted hand of 21 points or more.
- The dealer will deal each player two cards face up and two cards face down to the dealer.
- The dealer will peek at his cards for a pontoon. If the dealer has a pontoon he will immediately turn it over and collect all wagers and cards.
- The player may stand on any total greater or equal to 15, or on any 5-card hand.
- The player may hit at any point, including after doubling.
- The player may double on 2 to 4 cards, but only once per hand. The option includes after splitting, and once for each split hand.
- The player may split two cards of equal rank. The player may re-split once, up to a total of three hands. When the player splits the first card dealt to each hand shall be automatic.
- If the player busts he immediately loses and forfeits his cards and total wager.
- After all players have played out their hands the dealer shall expose his two cards. Then the dealer shall continue to draw cards until he has a total of 17 points or more, except the dealer shall hit a soft 17. The dealer will also stop with any five-card hand.
- The dealer shall compare his hand to each player hand. A winning player pontoon or five-card hand shall pay 2 to 1. All other player wins shall pay 1 to 1 (even money).
