Pontoon

Chances are you're already familiar with how to play Blackjack, in which case you'll find learning the game of Pontoon a virtual no-brainer. Indeed, Pontoon is another variety of Blackjack which - FYI - is also often referred to as Twenty-One. Our Australian friends, incidentally, call Pontoon 'Spanish 21.' Good on ya mates!

Playing Pontoon is Easy
Learning how to play the game of Pontoon couldn't be easier. The purpose is to get a hand as near to twenty-one as you can, without exceeding 21. The values attached to cards are identical to Blackjack (Jacks/Queens/Kings are valued at ten, an Ace counts as both one or eleven). Eight card decks are used.

You commence with 2 cards, as does the dealer. The dealer then inspects his/her cards for a winning 'Pontoon' hand ('Pontoon' is considered an Ace along with any ten-point card, after splitting as well). Otherwise they stay positioned face-down. You have the prerogative of hitting, or standing (if your hand adds up to 15 or more), or doubling, or splitting (should your two cards be matching). Once you're satisfied with your hand, the dealer, or house, reveals his/her cards and hits or stands, depending, of course, on the house regulations. In the case of a push, or tie, the dealer/house, is declared the winner. The house is obligated to hit on a soft seventeen.

What's a Soft 17?
A 'Soft seventeen's a hand comprising at least one Ace plus the total sum of the hand can be worth seven or 17. Case in point, a hand having an Ace, 3, 3 is a Soft 17. A hand with an Ace, 7, 9 is a Hard seventeen because the Ace cannot be worth eleven. Otherwise the hand is a bust. If the result of the hand is a tie - or 'push' - the dealer is declared the winner.

When playing Pontoon, any 5 card hand or Pontoon pays 2 to 1, and this includes after splitting.

Pontoon's Early Origins
Prior to Blackjack, the Frenchmen invented what they called 'Vingt et Un' - or 'Twenty One' as English-speakers also often refer to it. The game's early days can be traced to French casino parlours way back in the 18th Century. When the game of Twenty One first arrived on U.S. shores, it failed to garner much attention. The result was, casinos commenced introducing new bonus incentives in an effort to attract more gambling enthusiasts.

How Pontoon + Blackjack Differ
Though rather subtle, the dissimilarities between Pontoon and Blackjack include:

The dealer, or house's cards are dealt positioned face down and remain that way until the bettor makes his/her decision to either stand or bust.

According to Pontoon rules, in existence are 2 hands that beat an ordinary twenty-one: Pontoon, which contains an Ace and ten or a jack, queen, king, and a Five-Card Trick, that is, when a gambler draws five cards without busting, no matter what their total hand value is.

The dealer, or house, will check their cards immediately after being dealt. If the dealer has a Pontoon, the house's cards are flipped face-up without delay and the gambler loses their wager.

The gambler must hit when having a hand worth 15 or under.

Finally, after doubling, a bettor is free to request as many cards as he or she wants.

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