blackjack

Pontoon Rules

Pontoon is a Blackjack game that doesn't look or act like a typical Blackjack game.  There are many unique rules including; dealer wins on all ties, players must hit on a hard 14 or less, both of the dealer's cards are hole cards and players may hit even after doubling down.  With all these rules it is important that you know and practise the correct Pontoon strategy chart.


Pontoon

Benefits:
- Dealer peeks at its cards to check for a Pontoon (Blackjack)
- A winning Pontoon pays 2:1
- A hand with 5 cards (5-card trick) in it will beat any hand with 4 or less cards
- All 5-card tricks are considered equal
- Winning 5-card tricks pays 2:1
- Players can double down on any amount of cards
- Players may hit after doubling down
- Doubling down after splits is allowed
- Players can re-split once to make three hands
- Pontoons after splitting Aces are treated as regular Pontoons
- Player may double and hit after splitting Aces

Draw backs:
- The dealer has two hole cards
- Ties are a lose to the players
- Dealer hits soft 17
- Player must hit when he has a hard 14 or less unless he has a 5-card trick



Playing Chart

The Pontoon strategy chart looks a lot different than the typical Blackjack chart, because of some of the unique rules in the game of Pontoon.  Many times you are forced to take another card even if you don't want one, because one of the rules of Pontoon is that if you have a fourteen or less hand, you must take another card.



Your
Hand

Number of cards in your hand

2

3

4

5-8

H

H

D

9

H

D

D

10-11

D

D

D

12-14

H

H

D

15-16

S

S

D

17-20

S

S

S

A2-A7

H

H

D

A8-A10

S

D

D

H=Hit, D=Double, S=Stand