Calculate odds, house edge, and expected returns for Pontoon (British Blackjack). Understand rule variations and their impact on your odds.
House Edge = 1 - Expected ReturnHouse Edge
0.38%
Expected Return
99.62%
Pontoon Probability
4.83%
Pays 2:1
Five Card Trick
4.5%
Pays 2:1
Dealer hits soft 17, pontoon pays 2:1
| Rule Set | House Edge | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| UK Standard (8 decks) | 0.38% | Dealer hits soft 17, pontoon pays 2:1 |
| UK Liberal Rules | 0.17% | Better doubling rules, dealer stands S17 |
| Australian Pontoon | 0.39% | Similar to Spanish 21, different payouts |
| Casino Tight Rules | 0.62% | Restricted doubling, dealer wins ties |
Pontoon is the British version of Blackjack with key differences: dealer wins all ties, you must hit on 14 or less, both dealer cards are face down, and Five Card Trick (5 cards under 21) beats regular 21. Pontoon (natural 21) pays 2:1.
A Five Card Trick is when you draw 5 cards without busting (going over 21). It pays 2:1 and beats any regular hand except a Pontoon. This rule encourages aggressive play when you have 4 cards.
The dealer-wins-ties rule is a significant house edge contributor in Pontoon. It means you need to beat the dealer outright - no pushes. This is partially offset by the 2:1 payouts for Pontoon and Five Card Trick.
With optimal strategy and good rules, Pontoon house edge can be as low as 0.17-0.38%, comparable to good blackjack games. However, the strategy is more complex due to no visible dealer card and different playing rules.
Quick-start with common scenarios
House Edge
0.38%
Expected Return
99.62%
Pontoon Probability
4.83%
Pays 2:1
Five Card Trick
4.5%
Pays 2:1