Blackjack pontoon is a variant of blackjack that resembles the original British game of pontoon. For the purpose of this article we will just call it pontoon. The differences are quite subtle however there is one huge difference and that refers to the dealer. In blackjack it is always the casino that is the dealer, but with blackjack pontoon the dealer circulates round the table and the dealer changes every time there is a royal pontoon.
In blackjack any combination of a card that scores 10, that is 10, Jack, Queen and King, paired with an Ace is a blackjack; in pontoon the same combinations are called pontoon but the pairing of a face card (Jack, Queen and King) with an Ace is known as a Royal Pontoon. Royal Pontoon always beat an ordinary pontoon.
Another important difference is that in blackjack, blackjacks pay out at 3 to 2, whilst in pontoon; pontoons pay out at 2 to 1.
Finally, in pontoon there is a special hand which is known as a five card trick. This is any combination of 5 cards that scores 21 or less. A five card trick beats any combination of four cards or fewer that score 21 with the exception of royal pontoons.
The calls the players make are also different in pontoon. The equivalent of a ‘hit’ in blackjack is a ‘twist’ in pontoon. Also in pontoon it is possible for the player to ‘buy a card’. You can either double or triple your initial stake buy buying a card and if you do then the card is dealt face down.
Note that if you are trying to reach a five card trick then you can create a large bet. Say your original stake is £10. Then you buy your third, fourth and fifth cards for £20 each increasing your stake to £70 in the knowledge that only a royal pontoon or a dealers five card trick can beat you. Once you have ‘twisted’ you have forfeited your right to buy a card.
In pontoon the cards are replaced without shuffling to the back of the deck. Shuffling only takes place following a pontoon.
Unfortunately currently this variant of the game does not appear in casinos online, but there is no fundamental reason why it should not if enough people become interested in playing it. Pontoon rooms could be set up just as are poker rooms.