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Pontoon Strategy

Online Pontoon Strategies

Unlike some casino games — such as online roulette and online fruit machines — that are games of pure luck, online pontoon is a game of skill and strategy. Sure, the deal of the cards is a matter of luck, but how you play your cards — knowing when to stick, when to twist, when to buy, and when to split — is a matter of pontoon strategy. And playing pontoon with a good strategy will increase your success rate in the pontoon casino over the long run.

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The Basic Elements of Pontoon Strategy

A good pontoon strategy is based on a thorough understanding of the rules of pontoon and an awareness of a few basic principles that can guide you through your pontoon game:

You want to minimize your risk of busting.
You want to maximize your chances of getting a 5-card trick.
You want to maximize your payouts by buying wisely.
You want to split judiciously.

Now let's see how these general principles translate into workable strategies when you play pontoon for real money.

Don't Go Bust When You Play Pontoon Online

If your two-card or three-card hand totals 15 or more, it's time to stick and avoid the risk that the next card will bust you. Suppose you have a two-card hand of 15, for example. There are four cards that can help you (3, 4, 5, and 6), seven cards that will bust you (7, 8, 9, 10, jack, queen, and king), and two cards that will neither help you nor bust you (ace and 2). So the probability is that, if you were to twist, you'd be more likely to get a bust card than a helpful card. That's why the best pontoon strategy is to stick.

Take Some Risk for the 5-Card Trick

A five-card trick is a wonderful thing in the game of pontoon. For one thing, it will beat any dealer's hand, regardless of point total. For another thing, it pays out at a hefty 2-to-1 on your bet. And because the five-card trick is so wonderful, it's worth taking some risks to try to get one.

Now suppose you have four cards totalling 15. You know that if you can take just one more card without busting, you will have a 5-card trick and a 2-to-1 payout. There are six cards that can give you that coveted 5-card trick and seven cards that can bust you. The odds are only slightly against you, and the potential reward is so great that it is worth taking the risk and not merely twisting but actually buying.

In fact, the recommended pontoon strategy is to buy on any four-card hand up to 16, and to twist on a four-card hand of 17. It is only when your four-card hand totals 18 or above that you are too close for comfort, and it is better to stick with what you have.

"Buy" to Double Your Pontoon Winnings

When you "buy" in a game of pontoon, you double the amount of your original bet. Now, it's a sad fact of life that no matter how good you are, you are going to lose a fair share of your pontoon games. That's why, when you do win at pontoon, you want to win the biggest payout possible. And that's why, when you have a good strong hand with a good chance of winning, you should buy in order to double your potential payout. But be careful: buying also double your potential loss, so it's important to buy wisely.

We have already discussed the value of buying when you have a four-card hand of 16 or less and you are going for the five-card trick. Another good scenario for taking advantage of the Buy option is when you have any hand that totals 9, 10, or 11. That's because there are a lot of 10-point cards in the pontoon deck: the 10s and all the face cards. So there's a good chance that your 9, 10, or 11 could become a 19, 20, or 21, all good winning pontoon hands.

Remember: it's always good to win at pontoon, but winning 20 pounds is twice as good as winning 10 pounds. Buying at the right time can make it happen.

Know When to Split in Your Pontoon Game

If the first two cards you are dealt have the same point value, the pontoon rules allow you to split them into two separate hands. Splitting is a valuable tool in a pontoon game, but it should be used judiciously. The best pontoon strategy is to split a pair of 8s only. For any other pairs, don't bother. Except, perhaps, for a pair of aces.

What to do with a pair of aces is a question of some controversy among the pontoon strategy experts. The argument for splitting is that a split ace plus a 10-point card gives you a Pontoon; with a modicum of luck, you could even get two Pontoons. The argument against is that two aces in your hand is a good start towards a potential 5-card trick; all you need is three more cards totalling 19 or less. The bottom line: it's your money on the virtual pontoon table, so feel free to play it as the spirit moves you.

That's Why They Call It Pontoon Gambling

Please don't make the mistake of thinking that following these online pontoon strategies will guarantee that you will win every time you play pontoon online. It's not going to happen; too much depends on the luck of the cards. But following these pontoon strategy tips does mean that, over the long run, you are likely to have more success than you would have had otherwise. So come into the Wild Jack online pontoon casino, collect your casino bonus, and play online pontoon with the confidence of someone who knows the winning pontoon strategies.

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