Last Updated on March 3, 2025 by The Official Game Rules Team

“Pontoon” is a popular casino card game similar to Blackjack, where players aim to get a hand total as close to 21 as possible without going over. The game is played with a standard deck, and each player is dealt two cards face down. The best hand, called “Pontoon,” consists of an Ace and a 10-point card. Players can hit, stand, double down, or split pairs, with unique rules such as requiring at least 15 points to stand. The dealer wins ties, making strategy crucial. Learn the rules, payouts, and best strategies to improve your odds at the table!

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How to Play Pontoon

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Objective

The goal of Pontoon is to achieve a hand total of 21 or as close to 21 as possible without exceeding it, while having a higher total than the dealer.

Setup

Card Values:

• Number cards (2-10): face value
• Face cards (Jack, Queen, King): 10 points each
• Aces: 1 or 11 points (player’s choice)

Terminology:

• Pontoon: A hand totaling 21 with an Ace and a 10-point card.
• Five Card Trick: A hand consisting of five cards totaling 21 or less.
• Twist: Requesting an additional card (similar to “hit” in Blackjack).
• Stick: Keeping the current hand and ending the turn (similar to “stand” in Blackjack).
• Buy: Doubling the initial bet and receiving an additional card (similar to “double down” in Blackjack).

Gameplay

1. Placing Bets:
   • Players place their initial bets before any cards are dealt.
2. Dealing Cards:
   • Each player is dealt two cards face down.
   • The dealer also receives two cards, one face up and one face down.
3. Player Actions:
   • Twist: Players can request additional cards one at a time until they decide to stick or their hand exceeds 21.
   • Stick: Players can choose to keep their current hand and end their turn.
   • Buy: Players can double their initial bet and receive one additional card. This option is typically available after the initial two cards are dealt.
   • Split: If a player’s initial two cards are of the same value, they can split them into two separate hands by placing an additional bet equal to the original bet.
4. Dealer’s Turn:
   • The dealer reveals the face-down card.
   • The dealer must twist on a hand total of 16 or less and stick on a hand total of 17 or more.
5. Winning Conditions:
   • Pontoon: The best possible hand, consisting of an Ace and a 10-point card, pays 2:1.
   • Five Card Trick: If a player has five cards totaling 21 or less, this hand usually pays 2:1.
   • Higher Total: If a player’s hand total is higher than the dealer’s without exceeding 21, the player wins and is paid even money (1:1).
   • Dealer Bust: If the dealer’s hand exceeds 21, all remaining players win and are paid even money (1:1).
6. Pushing and Losing:
   • If both the player and the dealer have hands with the same total, the dealer wins.
   • If a player’s hand exceeds 21, they lose their bet immediately.

Payouts

• Pontoon: 2:1
• Five Card Trick: 2:1
• Standard win: 1:1

Strategy

Basic Strategy

• Hit on 16 or less: Generally, if your hand total is 16 or less, it’s advisable to hit (draw another card).
• Stand on 17 or more: If your hand total is 17 or more, it’s usually best to stand (not draw another card).
• Double Down: Doubling down is often a good option with totals of 9, 10, or 11. However, the specific decision depends on the dealer’s upcard.
• Splitting Pairs: Splitting pairs of 8s and Aces is generally recommended. Splitting other pairs depends on the dealer’s upcard.

Advanced Strategy

• Dealer’s Upcard: The dealer’s upcard significantly influences your decisions. For instance, if the dealer shows a weak card (2-6), you might be more inclined to hit. Conversely, if the dealer shows a strong card (7-Ace), you might be more inclined to stand.
• Card Counting: While not as effective in Pontoon as in Blackjack due to fewer decks, some players believe card counting can provide an edge.
• Insurance: Some Pontoon variations offer insurance, but it’s generally not recommended as it has a high house edge.

Pontoon offers various strategic options for players, making it an exciting and challenging game.