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Pontoon

Pontoon

Pontoon — play at bet365 Casino

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ProviderPlaytech

Pontoon Specifications

SoftwarePlaytech
Scatter SymbolsNo
Bonus RoundsNo
Free SpinsNo
Wild SymbolsNo
Progressive JackpotNo
Practice PlayNo
AutoplayNo

Pontoon is an interesting blackjack relative and an exciting spin on the traditional game of 21. The version of Pontoon we reviewed uses Playtech software. You’ll have fun figuring out the differences between it and blackjack.

How to Play Pontoon

The card game is simple – initially, the rules seem identical to blackjack – you must get as close to 21 without going over. The dealer deals two cards to both player and dealer, although the dealer doesn’t show any cards until you are finished with your hand. There are eight decks of 52 cards in the stack. Push goes to the dealer, and the dealer must hit on 16 and on a soft 17, which includes an ace. The dealer is able to stand on hard 17. In pontoon, there is no insurance or surrender. You must hit until you have at least 15.

In pontoon, Double Down is allowed, and you will be dealt as many cards as you need. 10 value cards can be considered equal when it comes to splitting. An ace and a 10 card always make a Pontoon, whether it comes after a split or not.

Ways To Win

There are two ways to win hands down – a two-card 21 total, which is called a Pontoon – this is an ace and a 10 number card. There’s also a five card trick, which is when a player hits 21 without going bust. Both of these pay out at 2 to 1 odds, but in a tie, a Pontoon will win all. If a hand hits 21 using any number of cards, other than five, it will pay even money. Some say it’s more simple than blackjack, which makes for even faster gameplay.

Matthew Kennedy
Co-founder & Technical Director at Play Cash Games

Matthew Kennedy co-founded Take Marketing Limited in 2008 alongside Becky Mosley and has worked in the UK online gambling industry ever since. He runs the technical side of the operation, building and maintaining the platforms that power Play Cash Games and the wider Take Marketing portfolio.

Matt's role is hands-on. He writes the code behind the offer feeds, the comparison tools readers use, and the back-office systems that keep every casino listing accurate and current. If you have used a feature on this site, the chances are he built it. He is also responsible for site performance, mobile usability, and the technical SEO that lets a small independent comparison site compete with much larger publishers.

Over 17 years in the industry, Matt has worked directly with affiliate platforms, casino operators, and software providers. He has seen the market move from desktop Flash slots to mobile-first HTML5, lived through every iteration of UK Gambling Commission rules, and built the systems that keep our coverage compliant as regulation evolves. He has a particular interest in responsible gambling tooling and player-fund safety - the parts of the industry most people do not see but that matter most.

Matt is a Companies House registered director (Take Marketing Limited, company no. 07619813) and is based in Lincolnshire, England.

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