29 Nov 2024
As a game with hundreds of years of history, it is not surprising that many different ways to play Blackjack have been developed. While these variants were largely restricted to smaller regions for the last century or so, the advent and popularity of online casinos, plus live casinos have allowed players all over the world to enjoy them, with live blackjack providing an authentic gaming experience whenever and wherever they want.
Pontoon is a popular Blackjack variant in which hit and stand are replaced with stick and twist, and the term 'Pontoon' refers to achieving blackjack. In this post, we'll look at how this variant is played in both online and live casinos.
GENTING CASINO WELCOME OFFER HERE
*Terms and conditions apply.*
What is Blackjack Pontoon?
Pontoon is sometimes incorrectly labelled as Blackjack or Spanish 21 due the the similarities between these games. Pontoon predates modern Blackjack, originating from its predecessor ‘Vingt-Un’. Most historians concur that the game of pontoon originated in Europe during the eighteenth century. It’s thought that the name Pontoon derived from the game's especially popularity among troops, with Germany and France credited with being the first to popularise the game.
Over the next 200 years, the game developed and spread through Europe before finally crossing the Atlantic to reach the USA. Around this time Blackjack was also becoming incredibly popular, and eventually became the dominant card game, with Pontoon being reserved for social gameplay and niche venues.
Pontoon aims to defeat the dealer by having a hand closer to 21 than the dealer without going bust (going over 21) Should the dealer bust or if the player's cards total more than the dealer's hand, the player wins. In Pontoon the player can also win if they have a 5-card hand that doesn't go bust. Pontoon adds more complexity by including several other strategic components, such as splitting and doubling down.
Basic Rules of Blackjack Pontoon
- Objective: The goal remains the same as Classic Blackjack, to beat the dealer by having a hand of higher value without going over 21.
- Unique Rules: Pontoon uses different terminology than Classic Blackjack with hit and stand being referred to as ‘stick’ and ‘twist’ and the term ‘blackjack’ being replaced with ‘Pontoon’. Players can hit after doubling down, and there’s a ‘Five-Card’ rule (Called a 5-Card Trick) where a player automatically wins if they achieve a 5-card hand which doesn’t exceed 21. The ‘Burn’ rule allows players to replace their hand if they have a hard 13/14 (depending on the specific rules). Players cannot stick on a total of under 15.
- Deck: Pontoon uses 4-8 decks and typically caters for between 2-10 players, with 5-8 being deemed optimal.
- Dealer Rules: In Pontoon, both of the dealers' cards are drawn face down and only revealed on the dealer's turn. The dealer will always hit on a soft 17 and hard 16 or less and will stand on a hard 17, soft 18, and a 4-card hand under 21.
How to Play Blackjack Pontoon
Play Blackjack Pontoon by following these steps:
- Start the Game: Choose the Pontoon game you wish to play on your chosen device (check the table details before choosing your game to make certain it fits your budget). The dealer hands two cards to every player face-up and two cards to themselves face-down.
- Player Options: Players decide whether to twist (hit), stand (stick), double down, or split. Players can hit after they double down in this variant. If their hand totals 13 (sometimes 14 depending on the game), they can opt to ‘burn’ their cards, and receive two new cards.
- Dealer’s Turn: After players have completed their actions, the dealer reveals both of their cards. The banker may add additional cards to the first two by dealing them face-up one at a time. In cases of a tie the dealer always wins. This means a dealer’s Pontoon cannot be beaten by the player. The dealer cannot achieve a 5-card hand as they always stick on four-card hands that are under 21. If a card is dealt that pushes the dealer's hand above 21, the dealer loses and pays out an amount equal to their stake to all players who have not gone bust, as well as a double stake on any Pontoon or Five Card Trick.
Winning and Losing: The dealer pays any player with a higher value hand than the dealer an amount equal to their stake and collects from those with equal or lower values. Pontoons and Five Card Tricks are paid twice. For example, a dealer who stays on 18 will say "paying 19". Everyone then reveals their cards, and those with 19 or more win, those with Pontoons and Five Card Tricks win double, and the rest lose. A dealer achieving 21 will only pay Five Card Tricks and Pontoons. It is important to note that unless you have a Pontoon or a Five Card Trick, whether you have two, three, or four cards is irrelevant. 19 in two cards is the same value as 19 in four cards.
Tips & Strategy When Playing Blackjack Pontoon
- Know When to Stick or Twist: Pontoon is largely about logic. Understanding when it is better to Twist or to Stick (or even to surrender in permitted games) is an important factor to know. Usually, in Pontoon, you should Twist if your hand totals between 15 and 18. For hands falling between 19 and 21, you should Stick.
- Doubling Down: Should your two-card hand score 11 or less, you should double down—that is, double your wager and get one additional card. This is because it is impossible to bust from this total and will instead increase the chances of the dealer going bust when trying to beat your total.
- Splitting Pairs: Splitting is a useful technique to master. If you are dealt a matching pair of cards you can split them into two separate hands and receive an additional starting card for each. As this gives you two chances to beat the dealer, choosing to split will require you to double your wager.
Blackjack Pontoon vs Classic Blackjack
Both Blackjack and Pontoon seek to have a hand total as close to 21 as possible without exceeding it. In Blackjack, a hand featuring an Ace and a ten-value card (10, Jack, Queen, or King) is considered a "Blackjack" and assures a victory, usually paying out 3:2.
In Pontoon the best hand is not referred to as "Blackjack." Instead, it is known as a "Pontoon," and it pays 2:1. The term hit is changed to 'twist' and the term stand is changed to 'stick'.
Pontoon includes an option to 'burn' a poor starting hand, and unlike blackjack players can hit after doubling down. Pontoon also features an additional 5-Card Trick which is a winning hand formed of 5 cards that totals 21 or lower.
Conclusion
As opposed to other blackjack variants which feel like the children of the classic game, Pontoon feels like a cousin; clearly similar to classic blackjack, but also clearly different. With its different terminology and additional rules, Pontoon may be a great choice for players who haven’t clicked with classic blackjack or for those seasoned blackjack players wanting to try something refreshingly different but still adjacent to the game they know and love.
Online casino games bring the fun of the casino to your preferred device 24/7. Pontoon Blackjack is only one of many online blackjack variations available at Genting Casino, which also offers live blackjack games too. Sign up and start playing today if you want to try out different blackjack variants in both online and live casino games.
PLAY NOW
18+BeGambleAware
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT SAFER GAMBLING ON GENTING CASINO
Genting Casino is a leading global casino brand. We provide a premium online casino experience with our huge selection of online slots and live casino games. Genting has been recognized many times for its work in creating fun, safe gaming experiences winning multiple industry awards during its 50 years in business.
