If you’re up for trying something new, here’s a rather unusual version of the popular game of Blackjack, which will sweep you off your feet and disturb your usual blackjack tactics. That’s right; you’ll need to think of something else, because the changes introduced in Betsoft’s Pontoon will require you to do so.
At the first sight, it looks just like a regular game of multi-hand Blackjack – the goal is still the same, to reach 21 or get as close as you can. Also, you play against a dealer, not other players. However, a significant change is that there are no ties, so the dealer wins in case you have the same amount. In this version, Blackjack is called Pontoon, but it suffered some changes in the following: - There’s special ranking in terms of hands; first comes the pontoon (an Ace and any 10 card), then a five-card hand that hasn’t busted, then 4 or less hand which hasn’t busted, and finally a busted hand. - Player can stop on any total that exceeds or equals 15; - Hand will automatically stop after five cards - Player is allowed to hit whenever they want, even after doubling - Player can double only once per hand, on 2 to 4 cards, after splitting as well
There’s also another feature that doesn’t appear in other Blackjack variations: Sweet 16 side bet, which pays off when your first two cards exceed total of 16.
All these changes alter the usual strategy, so if you’d like to challenge your brain to think of some new tactics, this game is warmly recommended.
