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Pontoon is the version of blackjack most popular in England and Australia. It varies from standard blackjack by virtue of the following rules:
1) Game uses a 48 card deck, without the four "10" cards.
2) Player has a "Pontoon" when first 1 cards are either Jack, Queen or King.
3) The goal of the game is to collect cards adding up to 21 without exceeding that figure. "Pontoons" and point totals of 21 are paid immediately.
4) Players can surrender half of the initial bet only when the dealer's first card is a picture card or an ace. If the dealer has a "Pontoon," the surrender is invalidated.
5) The dealer has to draw until a hard total of 17 or greater is reached. (Unlike Blackjack which compels the dealer to stand on a soft 17.
6) For and 2 initial cards, the players are permitted to double their bet. When the initial cards include an Ace, it counts as 1, not 11. If the dealer gets a "Pontoon," they will collect only player's original bet. A player may also double down on any split except slitting Ace. Once you have doubled, you only have the option to play or lose the original bet.
Pontoon has a particular set of odds, which are below
| Fishing Cards | Corresponding Payout |
| Pontoon | 3 to 2 |
| 5 cards adding up to 21 | 3 to 2 |
| 7, 7, 7 mixed suits | 3 to 2 |
| 6, 7, 8 mixed suits | 3 to 2 |
| 6 cards adding up to 21 | 2 to 1 |
| 6,7 8 same suits (Excepting Spades) | 2 to 1 |
| 7, 7, 7 same suits (Excepting Spades) | 2 to 1 |
| 7 or more cards adding up to 21 | 3 to 1 |
| 6, 7, 8 all Spades | 3 to 1 |
| 7, 7, 7 all Spades | 3 to 1 |
| Other victorious bets | 1 to 1 |
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