How to Play Pontoon: A Beginner’s Guide

In this Pontoon beginner’s guide, we’ll walk you through the basics of this classic card game, from the rules to the strategies that will help you get the most out of the game.

Whether you’re playing with friends or trying your luck with some online Pontoon, you’ll find everything you need to get started on your Pontoon journey.

What is Pontoon?

Pontoon is a popular card game, which is also known as Spanish 21 and Blackjack. It’s usually played with between two and eight players.

Pontoon uses standard decks of 52 playing cards (digital cards if playing online) and the aim is to beat the dealer by having a hand closer to 21 than the dealer without going bust. The player can also win if the dealer goes bust or if their cards total is higher than the dealer’s hand.

Pontoon includes many other strategic elements, such as splitting and doubling down, which give it an added layer of complexity.

Pontoon game rules

Pontoon is a popular card game with simple rules. The goal of the game is to beat the dealer’s hand with a higher-valued hand. Each player is dealt two cards face up, and the dealer has two cards face down. All players must then decide whether to hit, stand, split, or double down.

Hitting means taking another card, while standing means keeping the current total. Splitting allows players to divide their cards into two separate hands. Doubling down involves doubling the current bet and taking one more card.

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Card values in Pontoon

How to win at Pontoon

Winning at Pontoon is all about having a good strategy. Knowing the game rules, card values and possible variations will help you develop a winning strategy:

Know the rules

The first step to winning at Pontoon is knowing the rules and understanding them fully. Make sure to read up on the game before playing so that you can make the best decisions for your hand.

Pay attention to your opponent

Pay attention to your opponents’ cards and strategies so that you can better anticipate their next moves.

Choose wisely

The key to winning at Pontoon is making the right decisions when it comes to drawing cards, splitting or buying cards. It is important to think ahead and make sure your decisions will benefit you in the long run.

Bet wisely

Betting correctly is a major part of Pontoon, and it is important to know when and how much to bet in order to increase your chances of winning. It may sound obvious, but it could be a good idea to bet slightly more when you have a good hand and less when you have a weaker hand. And if your card is really bad, don’t be tempted to keep going – there’s always another game! And remember, always gamble responsibly.

Know when to quit

Knowing when to quit is also important in Pontoon. If you’re on a losing streak or if the pot is too high, it might be wise to fold your hand and wait for a better opportunity.

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How to play Pontoon: step-by-step

Step 1: Place your bet

Before any cards are dealt, each player must place a bet. Once all players have placed their bets, the cards will be dealt.

Step 2: Receive your cards

The dealer will deal out two cards to each player and themselves. These cards will remain face down and should not be touched until all players have received their cards.

Step 3: Hit or Stick/Stand

After the initial deal, each player will decide whether to hit (take another card) or stick (remain with what they have). It is important to consider how close you are to 21 before deciding. If you think one more card will put you over 21, it may be wise to stick with what you have.

Step 4: Double Down

At this point, you may choose to double down. This is when you double your initial bet and take one additional card. However, once you double down, you cannot hit again.

Step 5: Split

If your initial two cards are the same value (e.g. two 8’s), you can choose to split them and play each as an individual hand. When you split, you must place an additional bet equal to your original bet.

Step 6: Surrender

You can surrender at any time before hitting or doubling down. When you surrender, you forfeit half of your original wager and the hand ends. This can be beneficial if you are sure that you cannot beat the dealer.

Pontoon strategy tips

Knowing the right strategy can be the difference between winning and losing at Pontoon. Here are some key tips to help you win more often:

Tip 1: Know when to hit or stick

Pontoon is all about timing. Knowing when to hit (take another card) or stick/stand (refrain from taking any more cards) is key. Generally speaking, if your hand totals between 15 and 18, it’s best to stick. For hands totaling between 19 and 21, it’s best to hit.

Tip 2: Learn when to double down

If your two-card hand totals 11 or less, it is wise to double down (double your bet and receive one more card). This is because the dealer’s chances of busting are higher with such a low total.

Tip 3: Master the art of splitting

When you are dealt two cards of the same value, you can split them and play two separate hands. Splitting is a great way to increase your chances of winning as it allows you to double your bet and also increases the probability of getting a better hand.

Tip 4: Know when to Surrender

If you don’t like the look of your hand, you can choose to surrender and lose half of your original bet instead of playing on. You should surrender when your hand totals 15 and the dealer has a 9, 10 or Ace showing. It’s also advisable to surrender if your hand totals 16 and the dealer has an ace or high card.

Pontoon game variations

Spanish 21

Spanish 21 is one of the most popular variations of Pontoon. In this version, all the 10-value cards (10, Jack, Queen and King) are removed from the deck, and there are special bonus rules for certain combinations of cards.

Match Play 21

In Match Play 21, each player is dealt two cards and then must place a bet on whether or not their hand will match the dealer’s hand. If the player’s hand matches the dealer’s hand, the player wins. If the player does not match the dealer’s hand, the player loses.

Super Fun 21

In Super Fun 21, all the standard rules apply, but with some extra features. In this version, players have the option of splitting their hand up to four times and the option to double down on any number of cards. They can also surrender after doubling down. There are also special bonuses for certain hands, such as 6-card 21s, 7-card 21s, or 5-card 21s.

Pontoon FAQs

Q: Is Pontoon the same as blackjack?

A: Not quite. While both games involve making a hand of 21 or less, they have different rules and strategies. In Pontoon, players are trying to make a higher total than the dealer without exceeding 21, while in blackjack players try to get closer to 21 than the dealer.

Q: What are the best Pontoon strategy tips?

A: The best Pontoon strategy tips include always hitting on 16 or less, standing on 17 or more, and never taking insurance. Additionally, you should always double down when the dealer’s up-card is a 5 or 6, and split pairs of 8s and Aces whenever possible. Finally, if you have a hard total of 11, you should always double down.

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