Pontoon

Pontoon is simply one of the most famous variants of Blackjack. A board game par excellence, Blackjack differs, however, from its cousin in certain ways, although they both have the same game structure. The objective of Pontoon, like Blackjack, is to form a hand having a value that is closest to the number 21. To compose such a hand is also an essential step for defeating the dealer, who is your only opponent during the game.

Basic concept

In fact, the term “Pontoon” refers to the best possible combination: a hand having a value of 21. Indeed, in Pontoon Blackjack this is the best hand you can have. Furthermore, the game includes a number of subtleties that are good to know about. Thus, it is sometimes possible to use five cards in your hand. This stage of the game, which consists of “shooting” a certain number of cards in order to approach as closely as possible the value of 21, is being increasingly used in online casinos.

Course of play

• Before starting the game, the player must decide on the table limit he (or she) is going to choose. One can play from €0.25 to sometimes €1000.
• The player, once installed, can begin by deciding on the value of the token or tokens he is going to bet.
• The player has the option of placing bets in the three circles that are arranged on the table.
• The dealer will preliminarily deal two cards, which the player is able to watch.
• He may then raise the initial bet, call, or fold.
• Finally, the results are compared and the winner collects all the money on the table.

Possible actions

When the player’s first two cards have the same value, he (or she) may “cut” them into two separate hands. To do this, he will place a second bet equal in value to that of the initial bet. It is possible in this way to cut up to three hands. Another option is to “double” the bet. But this is possible to do only once per hand. Another card is dealt to the doubled hand. Consequently, “doubling” allows for a final action consisting of “drawing” a new card in the game.

End of the game

• In Pontoon Blackjack, aces count as 1 or 11, the face cards count as 10, and the other cards have their numerical value. If your hand surpasses 21, you’ve simply lost everything.
• If the hands of the player and the dealer are the same, the rules stipulate a tie. In a tie situation, the player loses.
• If the player’s hand is closer to 21 than the dealer’s, he (or she) recovers his earnings and wins one time the value of his original bet.
• If the player has a hand of 5 cards and the dealer does not have “Pontoon,” the player wins double the value of his bet.