Pontoon is usually played with 6-8 regular decks of 52 cards. The best hand is Pontoon (blackjack), which means an Ace and 10 value card and it pays 2:1. Next inline, is a 5 card hand – referred as 5 Card Trick. Here the total value of your hand doesn't matter as long as you didn't bust (meaning 5 card hand of 15 beats dealers 20). Aug 02, 2019 Pontoon uses different terminology and awards higher prizes. Blackjack is undoubtedly one of the most popular casino games ever. It is played worldwide, at brick-and-mortar and online casinos. On the other hand, you may not be familiar with the similar card game of a bit strange name – Pontoon. Hours: Winter Hours vary. It is best to call to see if we are here. Leave a message and we will get back with you. Pontoon was designed mainly to be played in British and Australian casinos, but also in casinos across Singapore and Malaysia. It is considered as a variant of Spanish 21 mainly played in America, and generally as a variant of blackjack, although it is a separate and unique game in itself.
There are two versions of Pontoon. One is the Australian variation, which is referred to as Spanish 21. The second one, the one we're covering on this page, is the UK / British variation.
We cover the rules of this unique blackjack game below.
The idea behind Pontoon is similar to nearly every other blackjack game. You want to beat the dealer's hand without exceeding 21 points. Go over 21 points and you lose your bet to the dealer.
Pontoon Blackjack is (usually) played with 8 decks, however, this will vary from casino to casino. For example, only 2 decks are used at Bovada. The cards are shuffled and dealt the same way as traditional blackjack, too.
There are a couple of unique differences, though.
One unique difference is that the 10-point cards are removed. Only the face cards remain. The second is that the dealer's cards are dealt faced down.
These differences (obviously) put the advantage in the dealer's favor, and as you might imagine, there are rules to offset this edge so that the player's aren't totally screwed.
Lets look at those now.
Player Options
What Is Pontoon Blackjack
- Players can stand on any 5-card hand, or hands valued at 15 points or more.
- Players can hit after doubling.
- Players can double once per hand.
- Players can double after splitting. That includes one double per split hand.
- Players can split like-valued hands. In other words, players can split KT, QJ, etc.
- Players can split up to two times, making 3 hands. That includes aces.
- Players can draw and double down after splitting aces.
- Two card 21s after splitting still count as Pontoons.
- Player ties lose.
Dealer Options
- Dealer's cards are dealt faced down.
- Dealer checks for blackjack (Pontoon).
- Dealer hits soft 17.
- Dealer stops drawing at 5-card hands.
Remember: Since the dealer's cards are dealt faced down, players can easily lose money splitting and double downing, only to lose to a dealer's Pontoon.
Card Values
- Cards 2-9 are scored at face value.
- 10s are removed from the deck.
- Face cards are worth 10 points.
- Aces are worth 1 or 11 points.
Pontoon Payouts
The following are the payouts for the special hands in Pontoon. Note that these hands are listed in order from best to worst hand, and that a 5-card hand will always beat a 4-card hand, regardless of the value.
- Pontoon – Any hand with an ace and 10-point card, even after splitting. Pontoons pay 2:1
- Five-Card Trick – Any 5-card hand that has not busted. Winning hands pay 2:1.
- 4 (or less) cards – Any 4-card hand that has not busted. Pays even money.
- Busted (22+ point) hands.
Playing Pontoon Blackjack Online
Pontoon is available at Real Time Gaming, Microgaming, Cryptologic and Playtech casinos. The house edge is .38-.39 percent, depending on the casino.
There are rule variations that you might come across online. These include:
- Aces and 10-point hands after splitting aces is 21 points (not a Pontoon or blackjack. This increases the house edge by .49 percent.
- Dealer stands on soft 17, which lowers the house edge by .47 percent.
- Can't draw on split aces. This increases the house edge by .49 percent.
- Two deck games (versus 8) increases the house edge by .35 percent.
Pontoon
Played mostly in UK and Australia, Pontoon took online casinos by storm in the 90s. In terms of rules, Pontoon is very similar to Spanish 21 – although considered to be a blackjack variant, it has some important structural deviations which are also employed in the RTG's release of this increasingly popular game.
Game Rules and Features
Placing the bet and selecting the 'deal' tab will initiate the game. The dealer's hand is dealt with both cards facing down; there are no upcards in Pontoon. The end goal of the game remains the same – the player aims at having a hand higher than the dealer's, without going over 21. A combination of an Ace and a face card is called a Pontoon and is equivalent to a Blackjack hand. The second best combination is a Five Card Trick, consisting of 5 cards summing up to 21 or less.
Unlike most blackjack variations, Pontoon requires the player to hit on 14 – there will be no option to stand on hands under 15 and hitting is limited to five times for both the player and the dealer. The player can also double down and split the same cards, playing with no more than three simultaneous card hands. Dealer is required to hit on hard 16 and stand on hard 17 or higher. Push rule does not apply in Pontoon – with equal value combinations, dealer wins.
Payouts & RTP
Pontoon Blackjack Difference
Realtime Gaming's Pontoon comes with 99.52% return to player. The lower bet limit is $1 and the maximum bet is $100. Payout table in Pontoon follows a slightly different pattern to the one in most blackjack versions (1:1, 3:2 and 2:1). Pontoon and Five Trick hands are paid according to 2:1 ratio and any other regular winning hands pay even - 1:1.
Recommended Tips
Pontoon Basic Strategy Blackjack
Since the player is not able to see any of the dealer's cards, the entire strategy will be based on the player's total and the number of cards within a hand. Soft hands are a good place to double down, as well as the hard hands below 17. Hard 16 in a four card combination can stand a doubling move, while two eights and aces are better off separated.
Pontoon Blackjack Rules
These differences (obviously) put the advantage in the dealer's favor, and as you might imagine, there are rules to offset this edge so that the player's aren't totally screwed.
Lets look at those now.
Player Options
What Is Pontoon Blackjack
- Players can stand on any 5-card hand, or hands valued at 15 points or more.
- Players can hit after doubling.
- Players can double once per hand.
- Players can double after splitting. That includes one double per split hand.
- Players can split like-valued hands. In other words, players can split KT, QJ, etc.
- Players can split up to two times, making 3 hands. That includes aces.
- Players can draw and double down after splitting aces.
- Two card 21s after splitting still count as Pontoons.
- Player ties lose.
Dealer Options
- Dealer's cards are dealt faced down.
- Dealer checks for blackjack (Pontoon).
- Dealer hits soft 17.
- Dealer stops drawing at 5-card hands.
Remember: Since the dealer's cards are dealt faced down, players can easily lose money splitting and double downing, only to lose to a dealer's Pontoon.
Card Values
- Cards 2-9 are scored at face value.
- 10s are removed from the deck.
- Face cards are worth 10 points.
- Aces are worth 1 or 11 points.
Pontoon Payouts
The following are the payouts for the special hands in Pontoon. Note that these hands are listed in order from best to worst hand, and that a 5-card hand will always beat a 4-card hand, regardless of the value.
- Pontoon – Any hand with an ace and 10-point card, even after splitting. Pontoons pay 2:1
- Five-Card Trick – Any 5-card hand that has not busted. Winning hands pay 2:1.
- 4 (or less) cards – Any 4-card hand that has not busted. Pays even money.
- Busted (22+ point) hands.
Playing Pontoon Blackjack Online
Pontoon is available at Real Time Gaming, Microgaming, Cryptologic and Playtech casinos. The house edge is .38-.39 percent, depending on the casino.
There are rule variations that you might come across online. These include:
- Aces and 10-point hands after splitting aces is 21 points (not a Pontoon or blackjack. This increases the house edge by .49 percent.
- Dealer stands on soft 17, which lowers the house edge by .47 percent.
- Can't draw on split aces. This increases the house edge by .49 percent.
- Two deck games (versus 8) increases the house edge by .35 percent.
Pontoon
Played mostly in UK and Australia, Pontoon took online casinos by storm in the 90s. In terms of rules, Pontoon is very similar to Spanish 21 – although considered to be a blackjack variant, it has some important structural deviations which are also employed in the RTG's release of this increasingly popular game.
Game Rules and Features
Placing the bet and selecting the 'deal' tab will initiate the game. The dealer's hand is dealt with both cards facing down; there are no upcards in Pontoon. The end goal of the game remains the same – the player aims at having a hand higher than the dealer's, without going over 21. A combination of an Ace and a face card is called a Pontoon and is equivalent to a Blackjack hand. The second best combination is a Five Card Trick, consisting of 5 cards summing up to 21 or less.
Unlike most blackjack variations, Pontoon requires the player to hit on 14 – there will be no option to stand on hands under 15 and hitting is limited to five times for both the player and the dealer. The player can also double down and split the same cards, playing with no more than three simultaneous card hands. Dealer is required to hit on hard 16 and stand on hard 17 or higher. Push rule does not apply in Pontoon – with equal value combinations, dealer wins.
Payouts & RTP
Pontoon Blackjack Difference
Realtime Gaming's Pontoon comes with 99.52% return to player. The lower bet limit is $1 and the maximum bet is $100. Payout table in Pontoon follows a slightly different pattern to the one in most blackjack versions (1:1, 3:2 and 2:1). Pontoon and Five Trick hands are paid according to 2:1 ratio and any other regular winning hands pay even - 1:1.
Recommended Tips
Pontoon Basic Strategy Blackjack
Since the player is not able to see any of the dealer's cards, the entire strategy will be based on the player's total and the number of cards within a hand. Soft hands are a good place to double down, as well as the hard hands below 17. Hard 16 in a four card combination can stand a doubling move, while two eights and aces are better off separated.
Pontoon Blackjack Rules
RTG Pontoon Summary
Pontoon Blackjack Crossword Clue
If you are a long-time blackjack player, trying out RTG Pontoon will definitely be much more than just a nice change in pace. Following a different set of rules, Pontoon challenges the players, forcing them to change the strategy and approach, but still keeps the essence of blackjack. A great way to try something new and stay true to your favourite game at the same time.
