Crypto Pontoon

[painter1]

I logged into Intercasino and a major download happened.

There were several new games including Pontoon.

Crypto Pontoon automatically ends the players hand on soft 21.
No chance to hit, double or stop.
This must add a lot to the HA.

Just stick to BJ - lower variance and HA.

 

[thesmiler]

I sent this info to Ryan Hartley about one week ago and told him about the automatic "stick" on soft 21 and what this means. It happened twice to me in 50 hands (on a 4 card soft 21), so it cost me 6 bets.

He promised to look into this and get back to me.

 

[Simmo!]

My guess would be thats how it's supposed to do as after all, Pontoon was a different game to blackjack in its original form but the two have merged a little over the years.

I also happen to think that Pontoon is a stab by Crypto to reel in the UK "home" market - or rather those who wouldn't go near a casino but like to play cards. As indeed are the new "pub style" slots aimed at a not dissimilar group.

We'll probably see Bridge, Chess and Lawn Bowling soon

 

[two_card]

Not allowing player decisions on soft "21" -
changes the return to ????

 

[bpb]

A poster on another forum worked out the math, which showed that the house advantage is increased by around .6% when you are not able to double on a 3 or 4 card soft 21.

This would make the total house advantage for crypto pontoon around .8%.

 

[thesmiler]

I sent this info to Ryan Hartley about one week ago and told him about the automatic "stick" on soft 21 and what this means. It happened twice to me in 50 hands (on a 4 card soft 21), so it cost me 6 bets.

He promised to look into this and get back to me.

Well, he didn't get back to me. Just sent him another reminder. Does anyone have new info if they intend to change this stupid rule?

 

[Dirk Diggler]

From the Wiz's site:

The house edge under RTG rules is 0.17% and under Cryptologic rules is 1.08%

Oof - they've turned a great game with a low house edge into being worse than Oddsons blackjack

 

[thesmiler]

Just got a reply from Ryan Hartley:

I've been looking into this matter over the past few days, and have established that this is not how we intended it to be. Our production team are working on changing it but I as yet do not have a date. As soon as I have more information I will get in touch with you, but in the near future you will not be forced to 'Stick' with a soft 21.