Pontoon

General Description of Pontoon

Pontoon is an American version of Spanish 21, often confused with British blackjack. That is why the latter can also be found under this title. In this article, we will consider Pontoon, and British blackjack will be discussed in another article.

The 48-card decks without tens and jokers are used in this game version. This principle allows distinguishing two games, called Pontoon since the other variation is played using 52-card decks. The number of decks may vary from four to eight. The croupier uses a shoe or a shuffling machine to deal cards. It is possible to play at any blackjack table.

The aim of Pontoon is to score a 21 or the number of points that is as close to 21 as possible without exceeding it. If the total score is less than twenty-one points, it should exceed the score of the dealer.

The value of cards in Pontoon is similar to their values in blackjack.

The number of players is limited by the number of boxes at the table. However, players can make combined bets on one hand without exceeding the maximum limit.

Pontoon Gameplay

Having shuffled cards and prepared them for the game, the dealer offers players to make bets.

• Then he deals them two cards and places one card face up.
• Players draw cards on the boxes for as long as they want.
• If a Pontoon or 21 is collected, he immediately pays for it.
• If the player exceeds 21, he loses.

Then the dealer starts drawing cards. He hits on up to seventeen points. The dealer hits on a soft (with an ace) 17.

Winning boxes are paid 1 to 1, but for exceptional cases.

Special Payouts in Pontoon

• Pontoon is a two-card initially dealt hand that consists of an ace, and any ten-value card is paid 3:2.
• The five-card hand whose score is 21 is paid 3:2.
• 6, 7, and 8 of different suits are paid 3:2.
• 7, 7, 7 of different suits are paid 3:2.
• The six-card hand whose score is 21 is paid 2:1.
• 6, 7, 8 of one suit (except for spades) is paid 2:1.
• 7, 7, 7 of one suit (except for spades) is paid 2:1.
• The seven-card hand (and more) whose score is 21 is paid 3:1.
• 6, 7, 8 of spades is paid 3:1.
• 7, 7, 7 of spades is paid 3:1.

Bonus payouts are not valid if you have doubled a bet.

Pontoon Additional Rules

Users can also use the additional rules while playing. They resemble the rules of most versions of blackjack and other similar games. Nonetheless, they have some differences.

1. Split - It is allowed to split some cards (it is prohibited to split a king and an ace.)
2. Double - Users may double only on a 9, 10, or 11 if you have any number of cards. If you double on a soft hand, an ace is scored at 1 point. Nevertheless, if the dealer collects a pontoon, he will take only the player's initial bet. It is allowed to double after a split (except for aces).
3. Surrender - It is allowed to surrender before hitting in case of any dealer's upcard. Regardless, if the dealer has a face-up ace or any ten-value card, a unique marker will be placed on this box, and the remaining half of the bet can not be withdrawn till the end of the round. If the dealer collects a pontoon, the bet will be lost entirely. Users can also surrender if they have doubled their bets. In this case, the dealer collects an amount equal to the initial bet.

Versions of Pontoon

According to the rules for Pontoon, at different casinos, the dealer can draw two cards (one of them face down). The number of splits can be limited. The re-split of aces can be prohibited.

There are also special rules for doubling the bet.

Pontoon Math

If you play according to the basic strategy in the game with the rules mentioned above, you can reduce the house edge to 0.4%, which is much lower than in classic blackjack.