Discover the ins and outs of Pontoon Blackjack, from its rules and strategic gameplay to an exciting opportunity to play for free.

Among the various major software providers, you will find that online casinos offer a version of Pontoon today. Interestingly enough, it is believed that blackjack evolved from this very game.

  • Microgaming
  • Playtech
  • BetSoft
  • Real Time Gaming
  • Cryptologic
  • Galewind Software

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Experience a thrilling and interactive game of Pontoon Blackjack that you can actually play!

The advantage held by the casino in the game of Pontoon

The house edge in Pontoon from Playtech, RTG, Cryptologic, and Galewind Software is 0.38%. The house edge in Microgaming’s Pontoon game is 0.39%.

In the exciting realm of online casinos, a delightful twist on the classic blackjack has emerged, known as Pontoon. This modern version infuses the game with a dash of thrill and introduces a handful of alterations, particularly in the fundamental rules. In the forthcoming section titled 'How Pontoon is Different from Regular Blackjack', we shall delve into these intriguing disparities.

Mastering the Art of Pontoon Blackjack: A Comprehensive Guide

Playing pontoon at an online casino can be quite the exciting experience. The game itself offers a delightful blend of strategy and luck, keeping players on their toes. Unlike its cousin, blackjack, pontoon has its own set of rules and terminology that adds a unique twist to the gameplay. One of the most thrilling aspects of pontoon is the chance to achieve the best hand in the game, known as a 'pontoon'. This coveted combination of cards can lead to exhilarating victories and extraordinary payouts. When it comes to the number of card decks used in a game, it can vary between 2 and 8, depending on the specific online casino and the software provider they utilize. With such flexibility, players have the opportunity to choose a game that suits their preferences and style of play. So, whether you're an experienced pontoon player or new to the game, the exhilaration and potential rewards of this casino classic are waiting for you. Join in the fun and who knows, you might just find yourself with a 'pontoon' in your hand, celebrating a memorable win!

The card rankings remain unchanged, mirroring those of a typical blackjack game.

  • Cards numbered 2 through 9 hold a value equal to their face value.
  • A total of 10 points is assigned to each card with the rank of 10.
  • The value of Ace can be either 1 or 11, depending on the cards held.

Instructions on playing pontoon at an internet-based casino.

  • Make wagers to kickstart the negotiation.
  • The game starts with the player being dealt two cards that are placed in an upward position.
  • The playing cards of the dealer are distributed with their faces hidden.
  • The croupier sneaks a glimpse at his cards to see if he has a 'pontoon'. The dealer's pontoon triumphs over a player's hand, bringing the game to a close.
  • Depending on the cards held by the player, there are several possible actions they can take.
    • HitAdd another card to improve the current set of cards.
    • StandRemain in your current position while holding onto the original hand.
    • Double downIncrease the original bet by two times and then take an additional card; subsequently, the player must remain in their current position.
    • SplitDivide a pair of cards with the same value into separate hands, allowing for separate betting and independent gameplay.

After the player has made their move, it's now the dealer's turn to take action. The dealer then proceeds to expose their hand and continues drawing cards until they reach a hand value of at least 17. Once the dealer's hand is finalized, the person with the highest-ranking hand emerges as the victor of the game. In the event that players succeed in winning, they receive a payout proportionate to the strength of their hand.

The Distinctions between Pontoon and Traditional Blackjack

Pontoon and traditional blackjack have several fundamental distinctions.

  • An increased amount of card decks leads to a reduction in the advantage held by the casino.
  • The dealer's hand is concealed with face-down cards.
  • Once the cards are distributed, the dealer secretly checks for a pontoon.
  • The strategy is greatly affected as the dealer makes their move only after the player finishes their hand. This means that the player's decision to double down or split may result in them being defeated by a stronger hand or Pontoon held by the dealer.
  • Player suffers a loss when the game ends in a draw.
  • If a player receives a 2-card hand valued at 21 after splitting Aces, it is known as a 'pontoon'. However, in certain games, this hand may have a value of 21 without being recognized as a pontoon.

The Hierarchy of Hands in the Card Game of Pontoon

Pontoon has a variety of hand rankings, with the major ones listed below.

  • The top-ranking hand in the game is known as pontoon, which consists of an Ace and a card with a value of ten.
  • The subsequent highest hand entails a 5-card maneuver. It encompasses any 5-card combination that remains below the 21 limit without going over, thus avoiding busting. All 5-card trick hands are considered identical in value, disregarding the specific hand's individual value.
  • The ranking of a hand in blackjack is determined by the individual values of the different 4-card hands, with a maximum of 4 cards allowed for a hand of 21.
  • A damaged hand worth no less than 22.

Pontoon Rules

The game of pontoon varies from blackjack not only in its initial deal, but also in several of its regulations.

  • Participants are permitted to remain in an upright position solely if they possess any of the subsequent:
    • A hand worth more than 15 points.
    • A 5-card hand
  • As long as the total does not exceed the limit, players have the freedom to score any hand value.
  • Continuing to strike is permissible subsequent to doubling down.
  • Doubling is permitted for a range of 2 to 4 cards, but limited to a single opportunity per hand.
  • The player is given the opportunity to double down even after splitting, enabling them to do so once for each split hand.
  • Dividing is permitted solely when holding a pair of cards with identical worth.
  • After a player divides Aces, they have the option to perform any of the subsequent actions:
  • In the Microgaming version of Pontoon, there is a unique rule regarding drawing cards: players are limited to drawing only one card per hand after splitting Aces.
  • Double down
  • Pontoon permits the act of re-splitting.
  • In a game, a participant has the opportunity to re-split their cards up to three times.
  • Splitting Aces can be done again.
  • The dealer will continue to draw cards until the sum of their hand reaches at least 17.
  • In Microgaming's version of Pontoon, the dealer's strategy differs as they choose to stand on a soft 17 rather than hitting.
  • The dealer maintains their position with a hand that achieves a 5-card trick.

Pontoon payouts may differ slightly in terms of rules.

  • A pontoon hand rewards players at a ratio of 2 to 1.
  • A hand consisting of 5 cards yields a payout ratio of 2:1.
  • Every other set of hands provides a payout of the same amount, which is equivalent to a 1:1 ratio.

The rules mentioned above may differ depending on the game's software provider, which in turn affects the house edge.

  • Playing Pontoon with two decks of cards results in a 0.35% increase in the casino's advantage.
  • The house edge decreases by 0.47% when the dealer chooses to stand on a soft 17.
  • If there is no draw for split Aces, the increase in the house edge amounts to 0.49%.
  • If a player is dealt an Ace and a 10-value card that does not result in a pontoon, the house edge increases by 0.49%.

Pontoon Strategy

Strategy plays a crucial role in determining your success, just like in every game of blackjack and its variations.

  • A viable choice is to divide a pair of 8s in blackjack.
  • Splitting Aces can be a favorable choice in games that count a split Ace hand valued at 21 as a pontoon. However, in Microgaming games where this rule is not implemented, it may not be recommended to split Aces.

Here are the strategy charts for various Pontoon games.

Pontoon Strategy for Microgaming Pontoon

This is a diagram illustrating exact sums.

Number of Cards

Hand Totals 4 3 2
21 S S S
20 S S S
19 S S S
18 S S S
17 H S S
16 DH S S
15 DH S S
14 DH H H
13 DH H H
12 DH H H
11 DH DH DH
10 DH DH DH
9 DH DH H
8 DH H H
7 DH H H
6 DH H H
5 DH H H
4 DH H H

Listed below is a graphical representation of soft totals.

Total number of playing cards in one's possession per turn

Player Totals 4 3 2
A, 10 DH DS S
A, 9 DH DH S
A, 8 DH DH S
A, 7 DH H H
A, 6 DH H H
A, 5 DH H H
A, 4 DH H H
A, 3 DH H H
A, 2 H H
A, A H
8, 8 PS

The meaning of the terms in the charts is as follows:

  • H: Hit
  • S: Stand
  • DHIncrease the bet if allowed, otherwise take another card.
  • DSDouble if it is allowed, otherwise choose to Stand.
  • PSDivide if allowed, otherwise remain standing.

Strategy Charts for Pontoon from RTG, Cryptologic, Playtech, and Galewind Software

The subsequent game plan diagram is designed for solid overall values.

                 Number of Cards

Player Totals 4 3 2
21 S S S
20 S S S
19 S S S
18 S S S
17 H S S
16 DH S S
15 DH S S
14 DH H H
13 DH H H
12 DH H H
11 DH DH DH
10 DH DH DH
9 DH DH H
8 DH H H
7 H H
6 H H
5 H
4 H

Below is a visual representation showcasing soft totals.

Quantity of Cards in Each Hand

Player Totals 4 3 2
A, 10 DH DS S
A, 9 DH DH S
A, 8 DH DH S
A, 7 DH H H
A, 6 DH H H
A, 5 DH H H
A, 4 DH H H
A, 3 DH H H
A, 2 H H
A, A PH
8, 8 PS

Regarding the charts provided above, the terms can be defined as follows:

  • H: Hit
  • S: Stand
  • DHIf feasible, double the amount; otherwise, choose to hit.
  • DSIf feasible, go for the double; otherwise, remain in a standing position.
  • PHDivide if allowed, otherwise strike.
  • PSDivide if allowed, otherwise remain upright.

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