Pontoon was developed by Genting HL by reducing the amount of ten/picture cards in the shoe. Such shoe reduces the chances of dealer busting. Players are given the option of surrender which in past came free with the traditional BJ game.
A skilled BJ thrives on shoes which is ten/picture rich to make for himself lots of money by capitalising on dealer having bad hands of open 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 which are susceptible to busting especially when the shoe contains plently of pictures.........
A skilled player uses surrender to escape in picture rich situation to cut loss esp when getting 13 or 14 or 15 or 16 - sure die hand!