Pontoon is a fascinating casino card game, and often compared with Blackjack, it has its flavor. If you ever wandered past a Pontoon table in a casino, you probably have wondered what it was all about. Is it just like Blackjack? What’s the deal with “Pontoon” hands and “Twists”? Don’t worry; we will break it down and explain how to play Pontoon at the casino, including all the essential rules and tricks to help you play confidently.

It is one of the versions of Blackjack, and all fans bet on it in thousands of casinos worldwide, especially in the UK and  Europe. This is still similar to BlackjackBlackjack: to get a hand closer to 21 without exceeding 21. However, the pontoon casino game differs from the standard version of blackjack to make it something full of zest and fun in every deal.

Difference Between Pontoon and Blackjack

Another version of Blackjack is Pontoon. Many avid players enjoy this version in every casino, especially in the UK and Europe. And once again, the game aims to get as near 21 as possible without going over 21. However, the version played in casinos barely varies from the standard game of Black; it is modified to give something full of zest and fun to play on each deal.

Vocabulary: You “Twist” if you want another card; otherwise, you “Stick” in Pontoon rather than the more familiar “Hit” or “Stand.”

Dealer’s Hand: There is no necessity for the dealer’s hole card to be dealt up during the play of Blackjack, and each player has taken turns within conventional bounds. He draws cards if the dealer has 16 or less; he must stand with 17 or more.

Best Hand: The game Pontoon is called a “Pontoon,” which is an Ace and a 10-point card (10, Jack, Queen, or King). This is one combination similar to Blackjack but by another name.

Payouts: A pontoon casino game hand is usually a winning hand consisting of an Ace + 10-point card and pays 2:1, which is better than the standard 3:2 payout for Blackjack. Other hands, such as a 5-card hand that counts to 21, will attract other bonus payments in-game variations.

For this page, let’s assume that we have read the basic foundations of Casino Pontoon, and now we’ll walk you through, step by step, how to play Pontoon in a casino.

How to Play Pontoon in the Casino – Step by Step

1. Card Values

The Pontoon casino uses a standard deck of 52 playing cards. Have a look at the card values below pretty darn quickly:

• Number cards (2-10): face value.
• Picture cards: Jack, queen, and King are all worth 10 points each
• Aces can have 1 or 11 points; their choice should favor your hand.

2. Bets

Similar to any casino game, pontoon casino game begins with placing the bets. The dealer distributes two cards for the player and two for himself. In this game, the players receive the cards facing the upside while the dealer gets one card facing up and another  facing down, known as a “hole card.”

So far, the players can study their cards  and  decide to  “Twist” or “Stick.”

3. Twist or Stay

It is now your choice, as you would like to play with your hand.

• Twist: If you do not like your hand and want another card, you can “Twist.” This is like “hitting” in Blackjack. Draw cards as long as your total is not over 21.

• Stick: If you love your hand and fear busting over 21, you can “Stick.” This is like “standing” in Blackjack.

• Game Objective: The game aims to come as close to 21  without busting.

4. Dealer’s Turn

With everyone but the dealer Twisted or Stuck, the dealer shows his hole card. Now, the dealer, unlike the rest of us, is hobbled by a straightjacket of rules:

If the dealer’s hand is 16 or less, he must take another card (Twist).

He must stay if the dealer’s hand is 17 or greater (Stick).

If the dealer busts and goes over 21, other players win.

5. The Winning of the Game

The closest hand to 21, not busting, shall be the winner for a round. Here is how it is placed:

• Pontoon (Ace + 10-point card): That’s the best hand possible. Which means you will win the round and likely get a 2:1 payout on your bet when you are dealt a pontoon casino.

• 5-Card Hand Total: If the five cards total up to 21 or less, you will win your special payout, usually 3:2, but this depends on which casino rule applies.

• Other Winning Hands: The hand closer to 21 without passing wins over the dealer’s hand. If you have a tie with the dealer’s hand, you win an immediate refund or “push.”

• Bust: You will lose when your hand is over 21.

6. Splitting and Doubling Down

Most of the casino versions of pontoon casino game authorize splitting pairs or doubling a bet for one hand. This is an excellent way to up your win.

Doubling down: Once the first two cards are dealt to your hand, you can choose to double your initial wager. You only receive one additional card to add to your hand and play based on that result. That’s a pretty aggressive play with a moderately high pay-out.

Splitting: If you get two cards of equal value, you can divide them into two hands. From there, you have to play one hand separately. At the same time, you are supposed to place your opening bet on the second hand. A single card can be dealt to each hand.

Tips in Pontoon Casino Playing

With that said, let’s now look at some tips to guide us in making the correct moves at the table and thus maximize our winning opportunity after understanding how to play Pontoon in a casino.

1. Observe the upcard of the dealer

For example, always pay attention to the dealer’s upcard in Blackjack. If that is a 4, 5, or 6, there is a better chance that the dealer might bust; hence, play more conservatively. If an Ace or ten-point card is the dealer’s upcard, their chances are great; be careful.

2. Know When to Stick

Another choice in playing pontoon casino is when to stand. If the hand already totals 17 or above, it is advisable to stand then, especially if the dealer’s upcard is lousy. Drawing another card at this point will pose a high risk of busting.

3. Bonus Payouts Should Be Claimed

Many casino Pontoon games offer bonus payouts for unique hands, such as a 5-card hand that totals 21. Learn the rules at each table you play at so you can seriously cash in on the bonus.

4. Practice Your Strategy

Practice before you leap great and start playing for money. Most online casinos game India can offer a free version of the game where you can play for free and still win nothing. Usually, it gives you the game’s feel and shows you how to develop your strategy.

5. Maintain Your Bankroll

Any game of chance in a casino needs prudent control of your money. You must always determine how much money you are ready to lose when you sit to play and stay within that amount. Never try to chase streaks when losing; never make bets with more money than you have available. You need to know how to walk away and when to walk away to enjoy playing through the highs and the lows.

Conclusion

Well, learning how to play pontoon casino is something that would take a while but certainly worth it. The game is fast-paced and fast-moving, giving many chances to grab those jackpots, especially when mastered with the right tactics and knowing when to take their chance. In a nutshell, Pontoon has something distinct from Blackjack for professionals or new gamers interested in the games in casinos. The next time you’re in the casino, try out Pontoon and aim for that Pontoon hand.