By Playing optimally, players can reduce the casino advantage to less than 0.5% (with the exception of Adelaide, with house edge 0.62%), because Pontoon has an element of player choice.
Basic Strategy, the complete set of optimal plays is highly dependent on the rules. The computer-generated Pontoon basic strategy and house edge tables below are reproduced from The Pro's Guide to Spanish 21 and Australian Pontoon, with permission of the author, Katarina Walker.
Pontoon strategy is far more difficult than Blackjack, however, casinos do not generally object to people using strategy charts at the table.
Pontoon strategy is very similar to Spanish 21 strategy, however, there are some crucial differences, mainly due to the no-hole-card rule, and the limitations on soft doubling.


The above is a basic strategy table for all Pontoon rule variations, with a few exceptions: if no OBBO/BB+1, hit 11 vs X and A; if no OBBO/BB+1 and no Ace resplits, hit A-A vs X; if last chance doubling, split 4-4 vs 6.

Key:

H = Hit
P = Split
F = Forfeit after doubling
S = Stand (or play on after doubling)
S4 = Stand, but hit if 4 or more cards
S5 = Stand, but hit if 5 or more cards
S6 = Stand, but hit if 6 or more cards
. = Hit if 6-7-8 possible
: = Hit if suited 6-7-8 or 7-7-7 possible
; = Hit if spaded 6-7-8 possible
D = Double
D3 = Double, but hit if 3 or more cards
D4 = Double, but hit if 4 or more cards
D5 = Double, but hit if 5 or more cards

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