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Pontoon is, as its title suggests, a card-playing game. As is usually the case with this type of game, it is not very good. The game follows the normal Pontoon rules, and the idea (for those who don't know) is to score as close as possible to 21 with two or more cards (but less than six). You are dealt two cards. You may stick, twist or buy a card for up to £100. Once you have stuck, the computer deals its own cards, and twists until it beats you or "busts" (goes over 21).

The screen layout is good. The pack is in the middle, and the game details alongside in a window. These include how much money you have (£1,000 to start), whose turn it is, your score, and the bet laid. The computer's cards are at the top, yours at the bottom.

The graphics are limited due to the nature of the game, but the royal cards are just crowns as opposed to pictures.

The sounds are, to say the least, not very good. In fact, there is only one; this is a "flick" as the cards are dealt. There could have been a fanfare for a "pontoon" at least. Even when a player wins, the game states "I am/you are broke" and ends there.

The game is easy to play, and is well explained in the title page, but is rather dull and can get boring quickly.

Summary: Not too hot - too much lets it down.

Dave Reeder