noun

pontoon

A card game similar to blackjack.

They played pontoon after dinner.

Etymology

The card-game name developed as an English reshaping of French vingt-et-un, meaning twenty-one. The target score remains embedded in that earlier name.

More examples

  • The dealer explained the rules of pontoon.
  • A game of pontoon continued at the table.
  • She compared pontoon with blackjack.

Forms

pontoon

Similar words

blackjack
Blackjack is a closely related card game, but rules differ by version.