The game of Pontoon is played with eight decks of cards in most online casinos. The game is similar to the normal Blackjack, but has some different rules.
The best hand of Pontoon is indeed the Ace and it has a value of 10. This hand is known as Pontoon. For each of the dealer’s blackjack, it is considered a winning hand for the dealer itself.
After an initial bet the players are dealt two cards face up. The dealer instead takes two cards face down. Even if the dealer has not yet revealed his hand, he gives a quick look to see if the hand is a Pontoon. If it is, then the hand is turned over and all players lose their bet.
Players may request a card or stay, according to the rules of the game. The players continue until they have a total of five cards, unless they bust. The players have to hit until they reach at least 15 points, at which they can stay.
Players have the opportunity to “buy” all hands on the game, gaining 2 to 4 cards. The purchase option is available once every hand.
Since it is also allowed to divide their hands twice, you can finish a game with a total of three hands. The basic rule for division is the same as other games of Blackjack, where split cards must be of equal value. This means that a ten and a figure can be divided, as can two nine, two five…etc..
Some of the differences between Pontoon and Blackjack are when it comes to dividing. For example, when the aces are divided in Pontoon, you can divide again the hand or double it. Another great feature of the Pontoon is that if the aces are divided and a player has a Pontoon, the hand is paid 2 to 1.
After all players have finished, the dealer turns his cards and continues to draw cards until he has 17 or more points.