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What's the Best Pontoon Strategy?
Pontoon may sound like an unusual name for a game, but it's really just a British version of the classic game of Blackjack. As with any Blackjack variant, Pontoon has it's own special set of rules and conditions that make it different and fun to play.
Many new players to Pontoon want to know how to optimize their Pontoon playing techniques. The best winning strategy is to thoroughly understand how the game of Pontoon is played. After that, it helps to check out one of the Pontoon strategy tables available at most online casinos.
Knowing Your Pontoon Game
Pontoon is played with eight standard decks of cards. The cards have the same values as in a standard game of Blackjack, with all face cards equal to ten and aces equal to either one or eleven. At the start of the game, the dealer deals four cards - two face up to the player, and two face down to the dealer.
The goal of the game is the same as standard Blackjack - get as close as you can to twenty-one without going over. As in Blackjack, an Ace and any face card is the best hand you can get. Next best is a five card hand that's total is less than twenty one. After that, any hand that is higher than the dealer's without exceeding twenty-one, wins. If the dealer's hand goes over twenty-one the player wins the game.
Understand Pontoon Lingo
It may be hard to win the game without a thorough understanding of the lingo that's unique to Pontoon. Here are some terms to remember:
Twist - to receive another card. Same as a hit in Blackjack.
Stick - to decline another card. Same as stand in Blackjack.
5 Card Trick - a hand of five cards that has not exceeded 21.
Pontoon - an ace and any ten point card.
Buy - the amount of your bet is doubled. Same as doubling down in Blackjack.
Know the Pontoon Rules
The last step to playing your best before turning to the experts is to know how the rules of Pontoon differ from standard Blackjack. First of all, in a game of Pontoon the player receives better returns on a natural 21 - the payout for this hand is 2 to 1 rather than 1.5 to 1. Not only that, but if the player has an Ace and a ten after splitting two aces, it still counts as Pontoon. Not so in a standard game of Blackjack.
Another thing to keep in mind is that you can buy (double your bet) even on your third and fourth card. In Blackjack, you can only double down on your first two. And whereas in standard Blackjack you only receive one more card once you've doubled your bet, in Pontoon you can continue to receive cards normally.
Also note that the dealer must twist up to 16 and must stick at 17 or above. Now it's time to turn to the expert strategists.
Using a Pontoon Strategy Table
The last step towards maximizing your winning potential is to consult a Pontoon strategy table. These tables are available at most online casinos, and will give you detailed instructions on what to do at each and every step of the game. Just check your cards, check the table, then make your move. Playing with a strategy table can lower the house edge to around .39%, one of the lowest edges you'll find in any casino game anywhere. Not a bad way to turn your luck in the right direction, is it?
Playing Pontoon is a great way to play a fun and different version of Blackjack, with rules that are often quite favorable to the player. Study the game thoroughly, then find a strategy table, and you're on your way to becoming a winner.
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