Pontoon is a variation of the game of Blackjack. There are two Pontoon versions. One version of Pontoon is played on online casinos and is played with Real Time Gaming software. The second version of Pontoon is played in Australian as well as Malaysian casinos. It is a modified version of Spanish 21, which is an American game. The Australian version of Pontoon has been discussed below.

The game of Pontoon is played using from four to eight Spanish decks of cards. Every deck is comprised of 48 cards. This means a deck consists of the normal 52 cards with the four cards with number 10 on them taken out of the deck. By removing the number ten cards from the deck, the advantage is clearly in favour of the dealer. In order to placate players due to this very obvious disadvantage, the game of Pontoon usually provides players with numerous bonuses and rules which work towards the player’s benefit.

The below mentioned rules followed in Pontoon are applicable for people who play the game in Australia. These rules are divided in fixed rules and variable rules.

Some of the fixed rules are mentioned beow:

1. Soft 17 is hit by the casino dealer.
2. When a split is carried out, a double is permitted.
3. The dealer is not permitted to get a hold card.
4. A player is only allowed to double from 9 to 11. In the case of a player doubling on a soft hand, it is compulsory for the ace to be considered as 1.
5. “Late surrender” is allowed for the player.
6. In the case of a player getting a Blackjack, he wins instantly.

Some of the variable rules are mentioned below:

1. The game can be played with anything between four to eight Spanish decks.
2. One or two splits are permitted.
3. Aces may or may not be permitted to be resplit.