Pontoon Blackjack

Pontoon Blackjack, regarded as an early British version of blackjack, is becoming more popular nowadays in both land casinos as well as online casinos. Even though majority of the rules of Pontoon blackjack are same as ordinary blackjack game, there are a few twists in Pontoon which makes is more challenging and exciting for blackjack buffs.

Pontoon Blackjack can be played by a minimum of two players and to a maximum of eight players. Two card decks are used if eight players are participating in the game. The values of cards are same as the ordinary blackjack game. That is, cards from 2-9 are counted in their original values, face cards and tens are counted 10, and Aces 1 or 11 (can be fixed by the players before the game starts.

The aim of Pontoon Blackjack is also the same as ordinary blackjack – obtaining a total card value of 21 points or close to that total without exceeding the 21 points.

Pontoon Blackjack starts with the dealer dealing one card, faced down, to each player and one to himself. The box holders (blackjack players) bet and a second card is dealt to each player and the dealer. If the dealer has a Pontoon the game is automatically completed and the dealer can collect double from the players’ stakes. Else, it is the players’ turn again.

A player can split two similar cards like 5-5 or 8-8, or can buy new cards, up to three cards only. In the first purchase of the card the player need to raise the stakes by no bigger than double of the initial bet in the first purchase. In the next purchase, the player needs to raise the stakes no more than the last bet and not less than the initial bet. Box holders are allowed to twist after buying cards, but after a twist a player cannot buy new cards. The player can stick at any time if the total card value is above 15 and below 21. If the player busts the dealer wins the game and takes all the stakes.