Pontoon – Review of the Card Game & Free Demo

This is a very interesting blackjack variation where some of the basic blackjack rules apply, but also there are several modifications that make it very interesting and refreshing. The main difference in this game is the fact that blackjack is called ‘pontoon’ and has a 2:1 payout; similarly, the hit is called ‘twist’, the stand is called ‘stick’, while the double is known as ‘buy’. The dealer shows his hand only after the player has completed his; this is another thing that adds to the excitement of the game. A unique rule is the winning five-card hand that has a payout the same as the Pontoon. You can play Pontoon for real money at Ladbrokes Casino:

If you want to learn more about the game before you start playing for real, then you will certainly find the rest of this article very useful. Here we’ll discuss the strategies that you can apply while playing the game, the house edge and all the other features that make Pontoon such a unique derivative of blackjack.

Play the Game for Free Here!

The best way to familiarise yourself with a new casino game is, undoubtedly, to start playing it. This is where the demo versions of the casino games come in handy because they give you the chance to try the specific game variation for free. You can try the demo version of Pontoon by Playtech below, thanks to the embedded game politely provided to us by Ladbrokes:

Instant play

Pontoon Rules and Hand Value

This game is usually played with eight decks of 52 cards which are valued the same as in blackjack. The hands are valued in the following order: a pontoon is considered to be the strongest hand, a five-card trick is the second and all of the five-card tricks are of the same value, a hand of 21 or less made of four or fewer cards and the last is the losing combination of a busted hand of 21+ points.

The game starts with the dealer giving two face-up cards to the player and two face-down cards to himself. Since in this game variation the dealer peeks for blackjack, if the dealer has it the bets are immediately collected and he shows his cards. However, if the dealer doesn’t have it, the game continues and the player can decide to hit, stand or double. The player is allowed to stand if his cards amount is 15 or more or if he has a five-card hand.

Doubling is available on two to four cards, but only once per hand. The same goes for doubling after splitting two cards of equal rank. The player can resplit up to three hands, Aces included. Split Aces can be hit or doubled. If the player gets a 21 after splitting Aces, his hand is counted as a player pontoon.

Going over the amount of 21 is a bust and the player loses his bet right away. A tie hand with the dealer’s hand loses the game. A five-card trick and a player blackjack have a payout of 2:1, while the other player wins pay 1:1.

House Edge and Decks

If the game is played by the rules explained above, without any rule modifications, then the house edge is 0.38%. The number of decks definitely affects the game and playing with eight decks increases the favourability towards the dealer. Another positive aspect for the dealer is the fact that he is allowed to hit on soft 17; however, the players can double on two to four cards and can resplit up to three hands. A rule that lowers the house edge is the winning player pontoon made of a split ace and a 10. Nevertheless, losing the tie hands puts the player in an inferior position.

No Side Bets or Insurance

Insurance bets are placed after seeing the dealer’s hand. In this game variation, the dealer shows his cards after the hand is done, hence no insurance or side bets are possible.

The Best Strategy

The optimal strategy for playing this game depends on the rules. However, we will explain the strategy for playing by the basic pontoon rules, which are used in most online casinos. Because of the 5-card winner hand that pays 2:1 the optimal strategy can change as new cards are dealt to the player.

Since the player does not know the dealer’s cards, the strategy is focused on the player’s hand and the number of cards the player holds at a certain moment. After receiving the first two cards the players should hit when he holds hard 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, soft 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9. An additional suggestion is to split if the first two cards are a pair of eights or Aces. The stand options should be considered when the card combination is hard 15+ or soft 9, 10 and 11.

After drawing the second card, here are some ideas on how to play the game. Hard 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14 and soft 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 should result in a hit. When the player holds hard 15+, the best option is to stand. The same applies if the player has a 10-Ace combination and it is advised to double or stand. Being dealt hard 9, 10, 11 or soft 9 and 10, the player should consider doubling as the best move.

After receiving the fourth card, the player is in a good position to hit a five-card win in the next round. As a result, the optimal strategy would suggest doubling your bet in any given situation. However, there are only two exceptions to this rule. The first one is to hit when you have a hard 17 and stand on hard 18+. Put all that you have learned here to good use, at Ladbrokes Casino.

Good to Know About the Game

Overall, this is one of a kind blackjack variation that has to be well analysed before playing. Besides some of the modifications, the rules are relatively the same, even though the terminology is different. The house edge is as good as the house edge of the basic blackjack games. A real challenge is the inability of the player to see the dealer’s cards until the end; however, the player can double up to three or four hands and split and double Aces as well. Those who like blackjack, but want to try something new, should try Pontoon at Super Casino and see whether it is the right blackjack variation for them.