commodore casino

PONTOON

Main Game Screen

Game Details

Pontoon is the English version of the popular table game Blackjack. While Pontoon follows the same general structure as Blackjack, there are a few major changes to the rules that make Pontoon stand alone as a challenging and distinct table game.

How to Play

The main objective in Pontoon is to draw cards until your hand comes as close to 21 as possible, without going over. If your first two cards total 21 points, you have the best hand possible, which is known as “Pontoon.” In Pontoon you also have the option of winning with a “Five Card Trick,” in which you draw (“TWIST”) to five cards without hitting 21. A Five Card Trick is the second best hand in Pontoon, and beats all other hands except for a Pontoon hand. As the player in Pontoon, you are always competing against the dealer.

Rules

Aces count as either 1 or 11, face cards as 10, and all remaining cards count as their numbered values. If your hand total exceeds 21, you have “BUST” and you lose your wager. If, at the end of the game, your hand total is equal to the dealer’s hand, the game is considered a tie, and you lose. Pontoon (first two cards total 21) beats a combined card score of 21.

If, at the end of the game, your hand is closer to 21 than the dealer’s hand, you win the same amount as you wagered. If you make a Five Card Trick and the dealer does not have Pontoon, you win 2:1 the value of your wager. If you have Pontoon, you win 2:1 the value of your wager, unless the dealer also has Pontoon. In that case the game is a tie and you lose. You must twist if your hand totals 14 or less.

Betting

Before you begin a game, you must first decide on the table’s limits. These can be found in the drop-down menu beside the Table Games menu. You can decide to play for as little as $0.25 and as much as $1,000.00.

To place a bet, select a chip value using the left mouse button. Either drag it to the desired place on the table, or click where you wish to place your wager. To add multiples of the same chip value, left-click until you have reached the desired amount. You can remove chips from the table by right-clicking on them or selecting “Clear,” which will remove all bets.

HAND PAYS
Winning Hand 1:1
Pontoon (two-card 21) 2:1 (anytime)
Five Card Trick (total 21 or less) 2:1
Tie Dealer Wins

To make the most of each game, you can choose to place wagers in all three circles on the table and play up to three hands at a time. Each hand functions as an individual game, with the player pitted against the dealer. Your winnings will appear over each hand, as well as combined at the bottom of the screen.

Rules for the Dealer

The dealer must adhere to certain guidelines when drawing cards (“TWIST”) or staying with his current cards (“STICK”). Being familiar with these rules will benefit your game greatly.

The dealer must twist until he has at least 17, and must stick at 17 or higher. So if the dealer gets 16, he must take another card. The dealer must also twist on a soft 17. The dealer will not decide to twist or stick based on your hand, and must strictly abide only by the dealer rules. As the player, your strategy should be based on what cards you have in your hand while taking into consideration what card the dealer has showing.

Split

If your first two cards are of the same value, you may “split” them into two separate hands, placing a second wager of equal value. You then proceed to twist as usual. You can split up to three hands. If you split Aces, they are treated as if they were any other pair. You can twist, buy or play just like they were a pair of eights.

Buy (Double)

You can Buy (double your wager) at any time, but only once per individual hand. After you buy, you can twist until you decide to stick, or until you bust. You will be dealt a minimum of one additional card after you buy.

Game Buttons

DEAL: Deals the cards once you have placed your wager(s)
CLEAR: Clears the table of bets
TWIST: Instructs the dealer to deal you another card
STICK: Instructs the dealer that you do not want another card
BUY: Doubles your wager at any time during a hand
SPLIT: Split your hand into 2 separate hands
NEW GAME: Starts a new game
LAST BET: Places the same bet(s) as in your previous game