Pontoon is the British version of the internationally popular banking card game Twenty-one, perhaps now best known in the form of the American Casino version Blackjack. The game Pontoon and its name are derived from the French Vingt-et-un (21). The variation Shoot Pontoon makes the betting more interesting, by incorporating the betting mechanism of Shoot. Pontoon can be played by any number of players from two upwards - it works well with five to eight players - using a standard 52-card deck. For a large number of players, say eight or more, two 52-card decks can be mixed together. The players also need a supply of money or chips for betting. The cards have values: ace is worth 1 or 11 at the holder's choice, kings, queens, jacks and tens are worth ten, and the remaining cards are worth their pip value. Each player's basic aim is to form a hand whose total value is as near as possible to 21, without going above 21. Research Pontoon
Abbreviations
Recreation
Research Pontoon