How to Play Pontoon: Rules, Strategy & Odds Guide
Pontoon is the British cousin of blackjack, featuring unique terminology and several rule variations. The dealer's cards are both face down, creating more uncertainty, but player-friendly rules like 5-card tricks and double-down flexibility compensate for this disadvantage.
Table of Contents
- What Is Pontoon?
- Terminology
- Key Rules
- Hand Rankings
- Basic Strategy
- Odds and House Edge
- Frequently Asked Questions
What Is Pontoon?
Pontoon is a blackjack variant popular in the United Kingdom, Australia, and online casinos. While the core goal remains the same—beat the dealer without exceeding 21—several unique rules create a distinctly different experience.
Key Differences from Blackjack
- Dealer cards both face down (hole card hidden)
- Different terminology (twist, stick, buy)
- 5-card trick beats regular 21
- Must hit on 14 or less
- Dealer wins all ties
Terminology
Pontoon uses British terms instead of American blackjack vocabulary:
| Pontoon Term | Blackjack Equivalent |
|---|---|
| Pontoon | Natural 21 (blackjack) |
| Twist | Hit |
| Stick | Stand |
| Buy | Double down |
| Five Card Trick | 5+ cards totaling 21 or less |
Key Rules
Dealer Rules
- Both dealer cards face down (you see nothing)
- Dealer hits soft 17
- Dealer wins all ties
- Dealer must have 17+ to stand
Player Rules
- Must twist (hit) on 14 or less
- Can only stick (stand) on 15 or higher
- Can buy (double) on any number of cards
- Can buy for less than original bet
- Can twist after buying
Winning Priorities
- Pontoon (natural 21): Pays 2:1
- Five Card Trick: Pays 2:1
- 21 with 3-4 cards: Pays 1:1
- Other winning hands: Pay 1:1
Hand Rankings
From highest to lowest:
| Rank | Hand | Payout |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pontoon (A + 10-value) | 2:1 |
| 2 | Five Card Trick (5 cards, ≤21) | 2:1 |
| 3 | 21 (3-4 cards) | 1:1 |
| 4 | 20 or less | 1:1 |
Important: Ties go to the dealer, not push!
Basic Strategy
Pontoon strategy differs from blackjack due to the hidden dealer cards and different rules.
Key Strategy Points
Hit more aggressively: You can't see the dealer's cards, and you must hit 14 or less anyway.
Chase five-card tricks: A five-card hand under 21 pays 2:1, making it worth chasing when you have 4 cards.
Buy (double) liberally: You can double on any total and continue hitting—this adds significant value.
Simplified Guidelines
- Always twist on 14 or less (required)
- Twist on 15-17 unless you have 5 cards
- Stick on 18+ unless chasing five-card trick
- Buy on 10-11 with 2 cards
- Buy on soft hands (A-2 through A-7)
Odds and House Edge
House Edge
With optimal strategy: 0.38% to 0.62%
This varies based on specific rules (number of decks, doubling rules, etc.).
Why Ties to Dealer Don't Kill the Game
The dealer-wins-ties rule seems harsh (costing about 8%), but player-friendly rules compensate:
| Rule | Impact |
|---|---|
| Dealer wins ties | +8% to house |
| Pontoon pays 2:1 | -2.3% |
| Five-card trick pays 2:1 | -1.5% |
| Double on any cards | -0.3% |
| Hit after doubling | -0.2% |
| Other rules | Varies |