Pontoon is not really a variant of blackjack, it is more like its brother. The game is between the dealer and the player and the aim is also to get as close to 21 without going over, but now it is not called a blackjack but a Pontoon. With Pontoon you will not see the cards of the dealer. This might seem a bit complicated in relation to your strategy but once you know the rules of the game it is not that difficult at all. Just focus on your cards and scoring a Pontoon.

How to play Pontoon

Usually Pontoon is played with 8 decks of 52 cards. Pontoon is a single hand game and is between you and the dealer. The pay outs are slightly different in comparison to blackjack, a Pontoon will pay 2:1. You will get the same odds in a 5 card hand. The ranking of the cards is the same as in Blackjack: all numbered cards are worth their number, Ace can count as 1 or 11 and the face cards worth 10 points each.
Pontoon will start when you have placed your bet. The dealer will deal you two cards, face up and will deal himself two cards face down. The dealer has the option to peek at his/her cards to see if he/she has a pontoon. In the case the dealer does have a Pontoon he will immediately turn the cards over and collect all wagers and cards, that game round is finished and you lost. Even in the case that you also have a Pontoon because with Pontoon all ties go to the dealer.
When the dealer does not have a Pontoon there are several options you can do: You can stand on any total that is greater or equal to 15. You can hit another card at any point, also after doubling. You have the option to double on 2 to 4 cards but only once per hand. You can split two cards when they are equal cards, and you may re split once up to a total of three hands. After you have played out your hand the dealer will reveal his/her cards. The dealer has to draw cards until he/she has a total of 17 points or more. An exception is a soft 17, he has to hit another card in that case. The dealer will also stop when he/she has a total of 5 cards. The hand of the dealer will be compared to your hand, you will either win or loose. A tie is always in favour of the dealer, you will always loose a tie.

You can win pontoon when you have of course a Pontoon. A Pontoon is defined as an Ace and 10 valued card, also after splitting. But there is another chance to win. When you have a 5 card hand that is not busted you can also win the game.

Specifications of Pontoon

Here you will find a run down of the specific rules of Pontoon. These are usually the same with all online casino but there can be some differences. Therefore always check out the rules of the game on the website of the online casino.

• Usually 8 decks of 52 cards are being used
• A Pontoon is an Ace and a 10 valued card, also when it comes after a split, it will pay 2:1
• All the ties will go to the dealer
• The dealer has to hit on a hard 16 (for example 9 and 7) and a soft 17 (an Ace and a 6)
• The dealer has to stand on a hard 17 or a soft 18 and also on a 5-card hand
• The player has to hit until he/she has at least 15 points or has a total of 5 cards
• The player may hit up to five times
• The player can double once on the same hand
• The player can split on any pair, but is limited up to three hands
• There is no such thing as Insurance or Surrender