Here at our phenomenal NetBet online casino, we strive to continuously update our ever-growing library of card games, including the iconic game of Pontoon. Pontoon is the original name for blackjack and works with the exact same rules. It is still to this day one of the most popular games in the world. At our casino, we have a wide array of Pontoon and Blackjack titles which we consider the finest on the market, so let us give you some background on Pontoon.
What is Pontoon?
Pontoon is a card game with the exact same rules as the iconic game of blackjack. The difference in the name comes from the game first originating in 18th Century Europe and it wasn’t until its introduction into the USA that it became known as blackjack. So, as with blackjack, the object of the pontoon game is quite simple – outwit and outsmart the dealer and hit, or be, as close to 21 as possible!
You are initially dealt two cards. The dealer then deals the same amount of cards for themselves. As the player, you turn your cards over first. To win with just two cards, you need to hit two picture cards (Jack, Queen, King or Ace) and a 10. The picture cards constitute 11 within your first two cards. The Ace can also be one depending on how good or bad your hand is and if you want to play tactically. If you hit blackjack, you automatically win. You can also ask the dealer to “HIT” which means you want an extra card if you are nowhere near 21. The other option is to stand if you don’t want to risk going over 21, which means you have a bust.
There are two other ways you can also go. You can double down, meaning you can double your first bet and take another card or split, which splits the player’s initial hand so they can have two hands to play with. As you can see, the premise of pontoons is very simple and exactly the same as blackjack. Its history goes back even further than blackjack and has played a big part in the history of casino gaming.
History of Pontoon
As we mentioned, pontoon actually predates blackjack. The majority of historians agree that the game of pontoon was created in Europe in the 18th Century. Germany and France are credited with being the first to popularize the game, with the name pontoon coming from the fact that it was especially popular with soldiers. The game evolved and spread throughout the next 200 years before eventually making its way across the Atlantic to the USA.
The game then became more widely recognised as blackjack during the 1800s, as this was a common term in the United States back then for gold or silver, or even something valuable. Fast forward to the modern day and the game is bigger than ever with the only difference being the name blackjack is more widely used. Players can still enjoy classic blackjack and pontoon at in-house casinos, as well as online with different rules and twists in different versions.
Pontoon is one of the founding fathers of card games and the entire casino industry would look very different today without it.
Online Pontoon at NetBet
At NetBet, we have plenty of variations of this fantastic game that you can enjoy whilst navigating our library and looking at what we have to offer. Currently, we have over 15 variations of pontoon titles that players can try! You will find them all under the blackjack section of our online casino. Despite the name pontoon fading out, its origins will always be remembered. In terms of popular titles, some of the most thrilling include our Live Blackjack games, Multihand Blackjack and Dr Fortuno Blackjack.
The premise is the same on all these variations – hit or get as close to that magic 21 as possible. However, each of these examples displays the different ways players can experience the great game of pontoon. Whether you want an authentic life-like experience or modern twists on the classic game, NetBet has it all. Head online now to see all that we have to offer.
When you choose our fantastic NetBet Casino, you can enjoy a whole range of top-quality slots. Whatever you choose, always remember to bet responsibly. Here at NetBet, we regard player well-being as our number one priority – check out our Responsible Gambling tips and tools page for more information.
