How to Play the Blackjack Variation Called Pontoon
Most decent online casinos with any blackjack variations at all have a game called “Pontoon.” Pontoon is unusual firstly in that it has a completely unique name; many other designed creations are called something like Spanish Blackjack or Blackjack Progressive. Pontoon is even sold as a Uno-like card game for kids.
But the reality is that Pontoon is actually extremely similar to standard blackjack – it’s said to be the British version of the game, so maybe it should be named “British Blackjack”. In fact, Pontoon offers a few extra payout possibilities that may help shrink the house advantage in blackjack just that little bit more.
The rules for Pontoon are essentially the same as in blackjack: get your hand as close to a value of 21 while still topping the dealer’s hand. But Pontoon has two other ways to win: An ace and a face card is the highest hand, beating all dealer 21s and blackjacks. A five-card hand of value less than 21 is another automatic winner.
Also, there is no insurance in Pontoon, but you don’t want to buy insurance in blackjack ever, anyway.
One decent Pontoon game can be played at Spin Palace Casino, a massive online casino powered by Microgaming software. Of the nearly 400 games on offer, some 37 different Blackjack variations are installed, including a standard and a multi-hand version of Pontoon. While Spin Palace Casino’s promotions are typically not very blackjack-friendly, this is a top-notch casino for blackjack nonetheless!