Placing Bets:

• Players place their initial bets before any cards are dealt.

Dealing Cards:

• Each player is dealt two cards face down.

• The dealer also receives two cards, one face up and one face down.

Player Actions:

• Twist: Players can request additional cards one at a time until they decide to stick or their hand exceeds 21.

• Stick: Players can choose to keep their current hand and end their turn.

• Buy: Players can double their initial bet and receive one additional card. This option is typically available after the initial two cards are dealt.

• Split: If a player’s initial two cards are of the same value, they can split them into two separate hands by placing an additional bet equal to the original bet.

Dealer's Turn:

• The dealer reveals the face-down card.

• The dealer must twist on a hand total of 16 or less and stick on a hand total of 17 or more.

Winning Conditions:

• Pontoon: The best possible hand, consisting of an Ace and a 10-point card, pays 2:1.

• Five Card Trick: If a player has five cards totaling 21 or less, this hand usually pays 2:1.

• Higher Total: If a player’s hand total is higher than the dealer’s without exceeding 21, the player wins and is paid even money (1:1).

• Dealer Bust: If the dealer’s hand exceeds 21, all remaining players win and are paid even money (1:1).

Pushing and Losing:

• If both the player and the dealer have hands with the same total, the dealer wins.

• If a player's hand exceeds 21, they lose their bet immediately.