Pontoon Card Game Rules Uk
The game of Pontoon is much like the game of classic blackjack, but with a few changes in place which make it an entertaining card game. In the game of Pontoon, the best hand a player will achieve will be a hand which consists of a 10 value card and an Ace, similar to traditional blackjack but a face and an ace is the aim, not just 21. Pontoon card game has no strict set of rules, so it’s played differently in different countries. In this guide, we’ll focus on Australian rules. They’re more favourable for players, and they make the game fun and exciting. Pontoon in Australia is very similar to Spanish 21, while in the UK and the USA, its rules are similar to Blackjack. Pontoon Review – The Rules in a Nutshell. Pontoon is a game that’s actually a British variant of Blackjack, which in itself is a version of the French 21. All three games have similar rules but unlike Pontoon and Blackjack, 21 is not played at casinos anymore.
How to Play Pontoon Blackjack
The objective here is similar to other blackjack variations; you want to beat the dealer’s hand, either by having a hand valued at more points, or from the dealer busting. You will need to accomplish this without busting yourself (exceeding 21 points) which will result in an immediate loss for you.
Pontoon is played with 2-8 decks, depending on the casino. Each card represents it’s value, so a 9 equals 9 points, 3 equals 3 points, etc. Face cards will equal 10 points and aces equal 1 or 11 points.
To start the game, each player will need to place a wager. Then they will be dealt their cards, two at a time. The dealer will receive two cards, too, both of them faced down.
Then the action starts. The following are the blackjack rules that you and the dealer need to follow, as well as the options you have when it comes to standing, hitting, splitting, doubling down and so forth.
Pontoon Blackjack Rules
- Players have to hit hands valued at 14 points or lower. You can only stand on 15 or higher, or any 5-card hand.
- Player / dealer ties result in a loss for the player.
- The dealer peeks for a blackjack/pontoon. If he has one, the game is automatically over.
- Players natural 21 beats the dealer’s natural 21.
- Players can double down on 2-4 cards, but only once per hand.
- Players can hit following a double down.
- Hands can be split up to 2 times, creating 3 playable hands.
- Aces can only be split once, and will receive one hand per ace.
- Players will receive a 2:1 payout if they make a 5-Card Trick, which is having 5 cards without busting (going over 21).
- Blackjacks are referred to as pontoons, and are any hand consisting of an ace and ten point card.
- A two card pontoon after splitting aces is a pontoon.
- Once all the players have acted, the dealer will flip over his hand and hit until he has a hard 17 or better, or busts. The dealer also stops if he makes a 5 card hand.
- Pontoons pay 2:1.
The key differences here (compared to other variants) is that the dealer doesn’t have an up card showing. This increases the casino’s advantage over you. However, considering that any pontoon you make wins, including multiple cards or split aces, that makes up for it. The dealer also has to hit a soft 17 and that your natural blackjack beats the dealer’s (natural). So there are plenty of outcomes that improve your edge. The house edge for this game is right around .40 percent, depending on where you play it.
Interestingly, the names for common blackjack options are different in pontoon, too. For example, a hit in pontoon is called a twist. Buy a card is another way of saying double down, and stick refers to standing.
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. Considered Blackjack’s less popular cousin, Pontoon shares a number of features with 21, yet there are still rules that make these two games totally different. If you want to know all the similarities and differences between Pontoon and Blackjack, stay with us as we got you covered.
Pontoon Rules and Payouts
Just like in Blackjack, the main goal in Pontoon is to get a hand of 21 or as close as possible to it. To beat the dealer, you must not exceed 21. You place a bet and receive two cards face-up while the dealer gets their cards face-down. As for card rankings, they are the same in both games with Aces counted as 1 or 11. Once you have received the first two cards, you make a further decision, just like in the game of Blackjack. You can Twist (Hit) or Stick (Stand). In Pontoon, you can hit even after doubling down.
A Pontoon and a Blackjack hand are the same. They consist of an Ace and a 10-value card. However, payouts differ, with a natural Blackjack paying 3:2 while a natural Pontoon pays 2:1. In Pontoon, you can win this payout even after splitting while in Blackjack a split hand pays even money even when it creates a natural Blackjack. However, in Pontoon, the dealer wins on all ties.
A five-card trick or Charlie is another thing you will find in Pontoon and not in Blackjack. It is created with five cards with a total that does not exceed 21 and grants a 2:1 payout. In case the dealer creates the same hand without exceeding 21, your hand will be beaten. There are a few other rules that apply to the game of Pontoon. You will find them all listed on this page.
What Makes Pontoon and Blackjack Similar?
The main goal in both games is the same – to create a hand worth 21 or as close as possible to it. The ranking of the cards is the same and the way they create hands. Practically, these are the only features the two games share. Let’s learn more about the differences between Pontoon and Blackjack.
What Are Major Differences Between Pontoon and Blackjack?
Once you start playing Pontoon, you will notice the most obvious difference between the two games – the terminology they use. While in Blackjack you hit when you ask the dealer for another card, in Pontoon you twist. When you don’t want another card, in Blackjack you stand while in Pontoon, you stick. You are aware of the fact that you can hit after doubling down in Pontoon, yet the term used for double down is “buy”.
Pontoon Game Rules
One rule that makes Pontoon less favourable to players is that the dealer’s cards are dealt face down. That means that players cannot make their decisions based on the dealer’s face-up card like in Blackjack. On the other hand, a natural Pontoon hand pays a bigger prize than a natural Blackjack hand. Another disadvantage of Pontoon you should be aware of is that the dealer wins on all ties.
Which Game to Play?
As you can see, Pontoon provides players with an extended list of options, like doubling down or buying when they have more than two cards in their hands and hitting or twisting after doubling down. On the other hand, some other rules put the player at a disadvantage like a dealer winning on all ties and keeping their cards face-down. What makes the game of Pontoon more attractive than Blackjack is a payout of 2:1 on a natural Pontoon, which is bigger than 3:2 paid by a natural Blackjack. Don’t forget about a five-card trick which pays 2:1 in Pontoon and you cannot win on it in Blackjack.
Will you play Blackjack or Pontoon depends on your own preference and we cannot suggest which of the two games you should play. Each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages. However, whichever of them that you play, always keep in mind that you have to apply the proper strategy and keep an eye on your bankroll.
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