Knowledge (XXG)

Pontoon (banking game)

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297:, receives double stakes from all who stand, except those who also have 21, with whom it is a drawn game. When any opponent has 21, but the dealer does not, the dealer pays double stakes. If no-one has 21, the dealer pays a single stake to those whose score is higher than the dealer's and receives a single stake from those whose score is lower. Any player with the same score as the dealer neither pays nor receives a stake. If the dealer exceeds 21, the dealer pays all who have not 'thrown up' their cards. 351:, the dealer declares it and collects double stakes. Otherwise the dealer proceeds as before, inviting players to stand or call for more cards, one by one. A player exceeding 21 is said to be 'overdrawn'. When the dealer has gone around everyone else, the dealer's own cards are turned face up and he or she may stand or add further cards as well. Those scoring the same or less, pay the dealer their stake; those scoring more receive the same amount as their stake from the dealer and those who have a 455:, double stakes from any player who has 21 or "five and under" and treble stakes from the others. If the dealer has 12 or "five and under", a single stake is claimed from any player who has the same, and double stakes from the rest. Otherwise the dealer pays double to anyone with 21 or "five and under" and single stakes to any player whose total is better. The dealer receives single stakes from anyone who scores less than him. A player with the same score also has to pay. 1198: 1188: 492:. A player may not buy a fifth card unless already holding at least 12 points, but may, however, twist. Players do not pay for twisted cards, but may not buy after having twisted. Players who have busted, lose their stake and pass their cards to the banker who places them face down under the pack. Players do not show their cards during this process. Players may only split if they have two (or more) Aces. 1218: 35: 1238: 1228: 290:(on the dealer's left), whether they want to 'stand' or choose another card. In the latter case, the dealer gives the player the top card from the pack. The player may continue to ask for more cards until 21 is reached or exceeded or the player decides to stand. If 21 is exceeded, the player immediately throws the cards up and pays the stake laid to the dealer. 1208: 1139: 164:, the name apparently being a soldier's corruption of its former French name. The game has no official rules and varies widely from place to place. It is a popular family game, but also widely played by children, students, and members of the armed forces. In 1981, Pontoon was the third most popular card game in Britain after 443:
Player are now asked whether they wish to 'buy' or 'twist' any more cards. Players may buy cards by giving as many counters for them as they like (e.g. "buy one for two"), up to their original stake; the card is then passed to them face down. Players may ask for a twisted card ("twist me one"), which
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The game may be played by two or more players, six or eight being best according to "Trumps" and five or six according to Arnold, who sets an upper limit of ten players. Phillips and Westall suggest the use of a second pack if more than seven play. "Trumps" merely states that two or more packs may be
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After the dealer has dealt the first card each, face down, each player places a stake on it; it may be as low as a single counter. At this point, the dealer looks at the dealer's card and may announce "double", which doubles all the stakes, before distributed the second card to each player and,
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and appears to be a soldier's corruption of Vingt-Un. It is recorded as such in 1917 by an American soldier who served with the British during the First World War, where he describes Pontoon as one of the pastimes played by "Tommy" when off duty and equates it to the American "Black Jack or
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Vingt-Un is first recorded in the second half of the 18th century in France, Britain and Prussia, but its first rules were published in 1800 in Britain, and elaborations of this simple game were developed over the course of the 19th century. The name "Pontoon" appeared during the
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The first player to draw a Jack becomes the dealer or banker. Players place stakes of any value between the agreed lower and upper limits after looking at their first card. The banker may not look at his or her own cards or double the stakes. Any player who holds a
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The first dealer is chosen by any agreed method, e.g. the first player to turn up an Ace becomes the dealer. It is likely that deal and play were clockwise and that players staked a fixed amount before the deal, but the rules are vague on these points.
221:. Unlike the latter, however, it has no official rules and consequently its manner of play varies widely from place to place. It is very much an informal family game, but is also popular with children, students, workers and members of the armed forces. 153:," a game first recorded in 17th-century Spain, but which spread to France, Germany and Britain in the late 18th century, and America during the early 19th century. It is neither a variant of nor derived from Blackjack. Both are descended from 304:
takes over as the next dealer and earns a double stake from all players except those who also have one, who need not pay anything. The new dealer reshuffles the pack and deals afresh. Otherwise, the cards must be dealt out in succession, the
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As before, the banker then asks each player in turn what they wish to do: stand or 'stick', buy or twist. A player may not stand on a score of lower than 16. A player may buy up to 5 cards, which beats everything except a
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After the first card is dealt, players look at their cards before placing a stake of their choosing up to an agreed limit. Again, the dealer may double the stakes after looking at his or her card. Any player who has a
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receive double. If by drawing, exactly 21 is scored, the dealer receives double stakes, excepting any ties and those who have already thrown up. If 21 is exceeded, the dealer pays all who stand, paying any
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is passed face upwards. After twisting, a player cannot subsequently buy a card. Once satisfied with their cards, players announce "stand". A player who exceeds 21 is 'busted' and must declare the same.
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score their face value. If the two cards dealt to a player (excluding any subsequently drawn) are an Ace and a court card or an Ace and a Ten, they score 21 exactly and the combination is called a
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It is not entirely clear whether the players may look at their first card and place a stake of their choosing up to a certain limit, or whether they all place a fixed stake on the face down card.
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with the name Pontoon being given as an alternative. The game's popularity continued unabated such that, by 1981, it had become the 3rd most popular card game in Britain after
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clears the board of stakes (one or two counters levied on each player at the start of the game) or takes the amount of the limit (e.g. 6d) from each player, as agreed.
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themselves. Otherwise the dealer may stand or deal himself more cards, but may not split. If the dealer has a five-card hand, this beats all other hands except a
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The rules of modern Pontoon vary widely. Those below are based on a description by Arnold of the standard rules. All is as in the 1939 rules except as follows.
381:, e.g. two Kings, that person may 'go on both' and play them as separate hands. Likewise if the 3rd card is of the same rank, three hands may be played. 424:
The player who draws the highest card becomes the first dealer and is known as the Banker. The game is played for stakes: money, counters or matches.
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as it was played around 1800, to the more elaborated rules developed during the 19th century and finally to Pontoon as it is typically played today.
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This appears to conflict with the earlier rule that stakes are laid after the first card has been dealt, but would suggest that stakes were fixed.
913: 892: 803: 1241: 313:) collecting the cards that have been played and shuffling them until the pack is exhausted, whereupon the same dealer re-deals. 1267: 1211: 190:
Twenty-One", adding that "the banker is the only winner." Another name that was probably also a mispronunciation was
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formed by the top and bottom cards of the pack. These cards are thrown out and mixed with those collected by the
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The dealer deals two cards to each player, one at a time, before asking players, in rotation and beginning with
1127: 936: 1262: 962: 484:(Ace and 10-point card) on being dealt a second card, declares it immediately and places it on the table. 150: 126: 26: 432:
on receiving a second card, declares it immediately, exposes the cards and, unless the dealer also has a
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The following is a summary of the earliest known rules for Vingt-Un, published in the 1800 edition of
1046: 1030: 98: 507:. The banker wins all ties. If busted, the dealer pays all those still in the game. A player with a 1191: 1036: 855: 851: 841: 837: 400: 371:, as in the 1800 rules, receive a double stake from each player, but only settles with the dealer. 1113: 1076: 306: 495:
Having gone around all the players, the banker now exposes his or her two cards. If they make a
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pack, without Jokers. The values of the cards are as follows: an Ace scores 1 or 11 as desired;
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The following rules give a brief illustration of the development of Pontoon from its progenitor
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is paid double, unless it is part of a split hand. The banker is not paid double for a
48: 1256: 1168: 1081: 1056: 901: 881: 876: 865: 562: 436:, is paid treble and takes the Bank for the next deal. If more than one player has a 310: 244: 197:
It took time for the new name to be established; in 1939 it was still referred to as
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Note that ties do not 'stand off' as in the 1800 rules, unless the player has a
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takes over the deal is an "old mode of play" that many still adhered to. If the
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Players who are busted, pay their stake to the dealer. If the dealer has a
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Pairs may be played as two separate hands by announcing "split", but the
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family for three to ten players and the "British domestic version of
678: 676: 674: 672: 670: 668: 522:, may take over the deal if desired. If two or more players have a 499:, the dealer claims all remaining stakes, even from players with a 1173: 1101: 206: 202: 169: 165: 954: 958: 451:, the dealer receives single stakes from any player who has a 538:
or Black Jack is the American descendant of British Vingt-Un.
389:. After the cards have been cut, the dealer may look for the 628: 626: 347:
The dealer now looks at his or her own cards. If there is a
750: 748: 746: 744: 160:. In Britain, it first became known as Pontoon during the 655: 653: 293:
The dealer may also draw additional cards and, on taking
209:, a phenomenon possibly helped by the prominence of its 300:
The first player in rotational order who declares a
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The Oxford Guide to card Games: a Historical Survey
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Onze et Demi is a French game played to 11½ points.
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or Vingt-et-Un is the French ancestor of the group.
336:occurs in the first round, the dealer is allowed a 321:By 1850, the rules had been elaborated as follows: 120: 112: 104: 94: 86: 78: 70: 62: 54: 44: 880: 735: 556:or Trente-Un is an older game played to 31 points. 176:and one which anyone can learn in a few minutes." 464:is not known. The Bank does not pass on a split 682: 565:is a similar Italian game played with 40 cards. 328:occurs. The custom that the player holding the 440:, the one nearest the dealer's left takes it. 970: 243:The game is played with a standard, 52-card, 8: 1017:(Banker and Broker, Dutch Bank, Honest John) 459: 404: 390: 384: 19: 659: 977: 963: 955: 571:is an old French game played to 15 points. 421:are based on Phillips and Westall (1939). 823:Glücksspiele mit Kugel, Würfel und Karten 798:(2nd ed.). London: Chambers Harrap. 367:but the dealer does not, the player does 324:The deal rotates clockwise every time a 718: 644: 632: 622: 581: 377:. If a player or the dealer turns up a 172:. It has been described as "an amusing 938:Cassino, Vingt-Un, Brag, and All-Fours 754: 706: 18: 950:. Leeds: Waddingtons Playing Card Co. 766: 694: 518:A player who beats the banker with a 7: 1207: 778: 1237: 1232:WikiProject Board & Table Games 1227: 870:The Oxford Dictionary of Card Games 862:2nd revised edition. A Signet Book. 267:combined "if the party is large". 14: 340:(reprieve) and retains the deal. 1236: 1226: 1216: 1206: 1197: 1196: 1187: 1186: 1137: 33: 928:The Complete Book of Card Games 526:, positional priority applies. 58:Vingt-Un (obsolete), Twenty-one 39:An ace and ten score twenty-one 906:The Penguin Book of Card Games 846:The New Complete Hoyle Revised 1: 941:. London: Milner and Sowerby. 155:the early British version of 948:National Playing Card Survey 887:, Oxford University Press, 825:, Wiesbaden: Falken Verlag. 683:Phillips & Westall 1939 1284: 946:Waddingtons (April 1981). 1182: 1135: 125: 32: 24: 926:; Westall, B.C. (1939). 417:The following rules for 829:Jones, Charles (1800). 813:Bohn, Henry G. (1850). 1268:British gambling games 860:Hoyle’s Rules of Games 840:, Richard L. Frey and 831:Hoyle’s Games Improved 815:The Hand-Book of Games 794:Arnold, Peter (2011). 550:is the German variant. 460: 405: 391: 385: 251:score 10 each and the 1130:, Between the Sheets) 821:Grupp, Claus (1976). 419:Vingt-et-Un (Pontoon) 1242:WikiProject Gambling 930:. London: Witherby. 908:. London: Penguin. 856:Geoffrey Mott-Smith 852:Morehead, Albert H. 842:Geoffrey Mott-Smith 838:Morehead, Albert H. 817:. London: Harrison. 796:Chambers Card Games 781:, pp. 317–321. 769:, pp. 229–231. 757:, pp. 270–274. 685:, pp. 193–197. 25:British version of 21: 1192:Card game category 1147:Banking game links 1114:Trente et Quarante 993:Banking card games 709:, p. 270/271. 635:, p. 592-594. 375:Pairs and Triplets 363:If a player has a 344:lastly, to self. 137:, formerly called 1250: 1249: 1202:Gambling category 935:"Trumps" (1870). 915:978-0-141-03787-5 894:978-0-19-214165-1 738:, pp. 12–18. 721:, pp. 78/79. 548:Siebzehn und Vier 132: 131: 55:Alternative names 1275: 1240: 1239: 1230: 1229: 1220: 1210: 1209: 1200: 1199: 1190: 1189: 1141: 1087:Silesian Lottery 1082:Seven and a Half 979: 972: 965: 956: 951: 942: 931: 924:Phillips, Hubert 919: 897: 886: 834: 818: 809: 805:978-0550-10179-2 782: 776: 770: 764: 758: 752: 739: 733: 722: 716: 710: 704: 698: 692: 686: 680: 663: 660:Waddingtons 1981 657: 648: 642: 636: 630: 611: 608: 602: 595: 589: 586: 463: 408: 397:natural vingt-un 394: 388: 365:natural vingt-un 349:natural vingt-un 334:natural vingt-un 330:natural vingt-un 326:natural vingt-un 302:Natural Vingt-Un 261:natural vingt-un 37: 22: 1283: 1282: 1278: 1277: 1276: 1274: 1273: 1272: 1253: 1252: 1251: 1246: 1178: 1142: 1133: 988: 983: 945: 934: 922: 916: 900: 895: 875: 828: 812: 806: 793: 790: 785: 777: 773: 765: 761: 753: 742: 734: 725: 717: 713: 705: 701: 693: 689: 681: 666: 658: 651: 643: 639: 631: 624: 620: 615: 614: 609: 605: 596: 592: 587: 583: 578: 532: 474: 415: 319: 317:Vingt-Un (1850) 273: 271:Vingt-Un (1800) 241: 227: 213:forms known as 187:First World War 182: 162:First World War 40: 17: 12: 11: 5: 1281: 1279: 1271: 1270: 1265: 1255: 1254: 1248: 1247: 1245: 1244: 1234: 1224: 1214: 1204: 1194: 1183: 1180: 1179: 1177: 1176: 1171: 1166: 1164:Game of chance 1161: 1156: 1150: 1148: 1144: 1143: 1136: 1134: 1132: 1131: 1121: 1116: 1111: 1105: 1099: 1094: 1089: 1084: 1079: 1074: 1069: 1064: 1059: 1054: 1049: 1044: 1039: 1034: 1028: 1023: 1018: 1012: 1007: 1002: 996: 994: 990: 989: 984: 982: 981: 974: 967: 959: 953: 952: 943: 932: 920: 914: 902:Parlett, David 898: 893: 877:Parlett, David 873: 866:Parlett, David 863: 849: 835: 826: 819: 810: 804: 789: 786: 784: 783: 771: 759: 740: 723: 711: 699: 687: 664: 649: 637: 621: 619: 616: 613: 612: 603: 590: 580: 579: 577: 574: 573: 572: 566: 560: 557: 551: 545: 539: 531: 528: 473: 472:Pontoon (2011) 470: 414: 413:Pontoon (1939) 411: 318: 315: 272: 269: 240: 237: 226: 223: 181: 178: 130: 129: 123: 122: 118: 117: 114: 110: 109: 106: 102: 101: 96: 92: 91: 88: 84: 83: 80: 76: 75: 72: 68: 67: 64: 60: 59: 56: 52: 51: 49:United Kingdom 46: 42: 41: 38: 30: 29: 15: 13: 10: 9: 6: 4: 3: 2: 1280: 1269: 1266: 1264: 1263:Banking games 1261: 1260: 1258: 1243: 1235: 1233: 1225: 1223: 1219: 1215: 1213: 1205: 1203: 1195: 1193: 1185: 1184: 1181: 1175: 1172: 1170: 1169:Game of skill 1167: 1165: 1162: 1160: 1157: 1155: 1152: 1151: 1149: 1145: 1140: 1129: 1125: 1122: 1120: 1117: 1115: 1112: 1110:(German Faro) 1109: 1106: 1104:(Jewish Faro) 1103: 1100: 1098: 1095: 1093: 1090: 1088: 1085: 1083: 1080: 1078: 1077:Rouge et Noir 1075: 1073: 1070: 1068: 1065: 1063: 1060: 1058: 1057:Onze et demie 1055: 1053: 1050: 1048: 1045: 1043: 1040: 1038: 1035: 1032: 1029: 1027: 1026:Chemin de Fer 1024: 1022: 1019: 1016: 1013: 1011: 1008: 1006: 1003: 1001: 998: 997: 995: 991: 987: 986:Banking games 980: 975: 973: 968: 966: 961: 960: 957: 949: 944: 940: 939: 933: 929: 925: 921: 917: 911: 907: 903: 899: 896: 890: 885: 884: 878: 874: 871: 867: 864: 861: 857: 853: 850: 847: 843: 839: 836: 832: 827: 824: 820: 816: 811: 807: 801: 797: 792: 791: 787: 780: 775: 772: 768: 763: 760: 756: 751: 749: 747: 745: 741: 737: 736:"Trumps" 1870 732: 730: 728: 724: 720: 715: 712: 708: 703: 700: 696: 691: 688: 684: 679: 677: 675: 673: 671: 669: 665: 661: 656: 654: 650: 646: 641: 638: 634: 629: 627: 623: 617: 607: 604: 600: 594: 591: 585: 582: 575: 570: 567: 564: 563:Sette e Mezzo 561: 558: 555: 552: 549: 546: 543: 540: 537: 534: 533: 530:Related games 529: 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542:Vingt-Un 395:i.e., a 360:double. 353:vingt-un 295:Vingt-un 232:Vingt-Un 192:Van John 157:Vingt-Un 139:Vingt-Un 1212:Commons 1108:Tempeln 1067:Pontoon 524:pontoon 520:pontoon 513:pontoon 509:pontoon 505:pontoon 501:pontoon 497:pontoon 490:pontoon 482:pontoon 466:Natural 453:Natural 449:Natural 438:Natural 434:Natural 430:Natural 257:natural 180:History 147:banking 145:of the 141:, is a 135:Pontoon 71:Players 20:Pontoon 1124:Yablon 1072:Quinze 1005:Basset 912:  891:  802:  569:Quinze 461:brulet 406:Brulet 392:brulet 386:Brulet 113:Chance 99:French 79:Skills 45:Origin 1174:Poker 1102:Stuss 1047:Macao 1031:Ferme 401:poney 259:or a 239:Cards 225:Rules 207:Whist 203:Rummy 170:Whist 166:Rummy 87:Cards 1037:Faro 910:ISBN 889:ISBN 854:and 800:ISBN 379:pair 307:pone 205:and 168:and 116:High 105:Play 95:Deck 63:Type 369:not 217:or 194:. 1259:: 743:^ 726:^ 667:^ 652:^ 625:^ 515:. 468:. 403:. 279:. 263:. 90:52 1126:( 978:e 971:t 964:v 918:. 808:. 697:. 662:. 601:. 309:(

Index

Twenty-one

United Kingdom
French
Twenty-One
card game
banking
Twenty-One
the early British version of Vingt-Un
First World War
Rummy
Whist
round game
First World War
Rummy
Whist
casino game
Blackjack
Twenty-One
Vingt-Un
French-suited
court cards
pip cards
eldest hand
pone
youngest hand
pair
poney
Blackjack
Vingt-Un

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