Strategy for Pontoon Blackjack Variation
As well as any blackjack variation, Pontoon is the game of skills and it is based on mathematical schemes; so, it is clear that Pontoon is possible to beat if you know its basic strategy. As well as conventional blackjack, Pontoon has its basic strategy charts for different types of hands (soft, hard and splitting pairs) which were developed by blackjack professionals for you to play and win Pontoon quicker and easier.
Pontoon Strategy for Hard Hands
A hard hand is the hand of two cards which does not contain an Ace or where an Ace cannot be counted as 11 without busting - Ace is counted as 11. The following table will help you to understand which option to choose when you have a hard hand playing Pontoon:
Situation |
What to do |
You have a hand of 4-8 or 12 |
Hit. |
You have a hand of 9 |
Hit. If a dealer has 6 - you can double. |
You have a hand of 10 |
Double if a dealer has 2-8; hit if a dealer has 9, 10, Ace. |
You have a hand of 13 |
Hit unless a dealer has 6. |
You have a hand of 14 |
Hit unless a dealer has 4 - 6. |
You have a hand of 15 |
Hit unless a dealer has 2 - 6. |
You have a hand of 16 |
Hit unless a dealer has 2 - 6. |
You have a hand of 17 |
Stand unless a dealer has 8-10. If a dealer shows an Ace - hit. |
Pontoon Strategy for Soft Hands
A soft hand is the hand of two cards which contains an Ace and where this Ace can be counted as 11 without busting. Look at the table below and understand how to behave at the blackjack table if you play Pontoon and have a soft hand at the moment:
Situation |
What to do |
You have a hand of 12 -17 |
Hit |
You have a hand of 18 |
Stand unless a dealer has 2-7: hit if you have 4 or more cards at the moment. |
You have a hand of 19 |
Stand unless a dealer has 10 or an Ace: hit if you have 5 or more cards at the moment. |
Pontoon Strategy for Splitting Pairs
Situation |
What to do |
A pair of 2-3 |
If a dealer has 9,10, Ace - hit; otherwise - pair. |
A pair of 4 |
Hit. |
A pair of 5 |
If a dealer has 2-8 - double; 4-6 - split. |
A pair of 6 |
If a dealer has 2, 3, 7-Ace - hit; 4-6 - split. |
A pair of 7 |
If a dealer has 2-6 - split; 7 - hit; 8-Ace - hit. |
A pair of 8 |
Split. If a dealer has Ace - stand. |
A pair of 9 |
Split. If a dealer has 2, 7, 10, Ace - stand. |
A pair of Aces |
Split. If a dealer has an Ace - stand. |