Howdy OJer’s. In this quick Pontoon card game guide, we’re going to explore what Pontoon is, the game rules, how Pontoon differs from Blackjack, how to play and some basic strategy tips.
Pontoon is thought to originate in 18th century Europe, with the name developing from its popularity with soldiers. As the game gained in notoriety, it spread to the USA and became more widely known as Blackjack. But, Pontoon is still played today and you may be wondering why you should play it over its beefier cousin Blackjack?
Well, apart from its simplicity, Pontoon top hands pay more and you’re rewarded for a 5-card trick, which is five cards with a value of 21 or under. And, while it is a game of luck, the right strategy can bring you a better gaming experience.
What is Pontoon?
Pontoon is a card game that is sometimes known as Spanish 21. While it is similar to Blackjack, the game has its own unique rules, hands and payouts that set it apart.
The game is played with a standard deck of 52 cards and the aim is to get a hand closer to 21 than the dealer. If the player pulls cards higher than the dealer, or the dealer goes bust (over 21), then the player also wins.
Pontoon Rules
At the start of play, the dealer draws 2 cards to the player face up and 2 cards to themselves face down.
Other rules to be aware of include:
- Cards are dealt from left to right, one at a time, to the player first and dealer last.
- You have the chance to better your hand by twisting (which means taking another card), or sticking (keeping your current value).
- Other options include splitting where you divide 2 of the same cards and play 2 hands and doubling down (double your bet and get one card only).
- Doubling down is also often referred to as ‘’Buy’’ in Pontoon, meaning you buy one more card.
- Players must twist on totals less than 15 and some casinos may allow you to re-split, and double down on split hands. So, it’s important to check the rules before you play.
- Dealer rules include that they have to hit on soft 17 and stop with any 5 card hand.
- The dealer wins all ties, including Pontoons and 5-card tricks.
Similar to online Blackjack, aces count as 1 or 11 and picture cards are worth 10. But, in this game, a 10 and an ace is called a Pontoon, not Blackjack.
Pontoon Hand Ranks
- Pontoon (ace and a 10 or picture card)
- 5-card trick (5 cards without going bust)
- A non-busted hand of 21 points or fewer
Some casinos offer you the option to ‘’surrender’’ in Pontoon, before you hit or double down. When you surrender, you lose half your original stake and the hand will immediately end. This is a good option to take if you think you can’t beat the dealer.
Pontoon Card Game Payouts
When you make 21 with your initial 2 cards, this is called a Pontoon. This hand instantly beats the dealer, unless they have 21 also, then it is a tie, which means you lose your bet.
Pontoons are one of the best hands you can get, apart from a 5-card trick.
Here is an overview of what they pay:
- Pontoon: 2 – 1
- 5-card trick: 2 – 1
- Win: 1-1
- Tie: The dealer wins the players bet
Pontoon Vs Blackjack – What’s the Difference
Blackjack was born from the original game of Pontoon and has evolved to have its own set of rules and strategies. While in both games you’re trying to beat the dealer, there are a few differences to look out for, such as:
1# Hand Names and Terminology
In Pontoon and Blackjack games, the aim is to get as close to 21 as possible and to beat the dealer. However, in Blackjack, an ace and a 10 or picture card is called a ‘’Blackjack’’. In Pontoon, the hand names vary slightly with this combination being referred to as a ‘’Pontoon’’.
In Blackjack, players have the option to ‘’hit’’ to take another card, or ‘’stand’’ to stay on what they currently have. Other options include ‘’doubling down’’ to double their bet and receive one more card or ‘’split’’ to separate two matching cards and play two hands.
Pontoon uses slightly different terminology, where players can ‘’twist’’ to receive another card, ‘’stick’’ to stay with what they have, or ‘’buy’’ to double their bet and get one more card. Pontoon also has an extra possible hand combination called a 5-card trick, where a set of 5 cards totals 21 or less.
2# Payouts
One of the main differences between Blackjack and Pontoon are the payouts. Blackjack pays 3:2 for an ace and 10-point card and Pontoon pays 2:1.
3# Dealer’s Hand
In Blackjack, how many cards the dealer gives themselves and whether they are showing varies. In British Blackjack, the dealer deals the players two cards face up and themselves one card face up. In American Blackjack, the dealer will give themselves a second card face down.
In a Pontoon card game, the dealer will receive two cards face down. This elevates the house edge and makes it a little more challenging for players, as they can only judge whether to hit or stick based on what cards they have.
Another notable difference is when the dealer and player have the same hand. For example, in Blackjack, when the player and dealer have a Blackjack, this results in a ‘’push’’ where the player keeps their bet.
In Pontoon, if both have 21, this is a tie and the player will lose their bet. Pontoon basically sees the dealer’s hand as more valuable, which gives the house more of an edge.
4# Splitting and Doubling Down
The rules for doubling and splitting can vary in Pontoon and Blackjack depending on where you play and what country you are in.
With Blackjack, doubling down is often restricted to when the player has a hand value of 9, 10 or 11 which is in the players favour, worth almost a 0.1% house edge.
In Pontoon, because the player has to ‘’twist’’ on a hand that totals less than 15, doubling down is usually only offered on some hand values.
5# Number of Decks Used
Another difference between Pontoon and Blackjack is the amount of card decks used. Pontoon commonly uses one deck of 52 cards, while Blackjack is played with 1-8 decks.
Pontoon Strategy for Beginners
When searching how to play blackjack online, you can easily find information on basic Blackjack strategy. But, Pontoon strategy is often harder to find, for the version where you don’t see the dealer’s cards.
However, making better play decisions may help to turn the odds in your favour. Take a look at the following Pontoon strategy tips:
Make Smart Hit and Stick Decisions
Similar to Blackjack, you need to take cards at the right time in Pontoon to boost your chances of a win. But, even though you can’t see the dealers hand, it’s beneficial to keep drawing cards until you get 17 or higher.
You must twist if you have under 15 and with a soft 12-17, it’s also best to take a card. This is because you have the chance to get nearer to 21 without busting. A soft hand is a hand that contains an ace which can be counted as 1 or 11.
Know When to Double Down and Split
If your first two cards total 10 or 11, it’s a good idea to double down or ‘’buy’’ one more card. This means you double your bet and receive one card only. This is generally considered a good idea as the probability of getting a valuable card such as a ten or picture card are high, giving you a high value hand.
Splitting pairs in Pontoon can be risky business when you can’t see the dealers card, so you should proceed with caution. A rule of thumb would be to only split high value cards such as 7’s, 8’s and aces. Two 9’s (total value of 18) and two 10’s (total card value of 20) already give you decent hands and are not worth splitting.
Games Like Pontoon You Might Like
While we love Pontoon here at PlayOJO, it isn’t available to play on our site or any other online casino, as Blackjack has taken over as the more popular real money game.
However, there are many other card games worth checking out. Just remember to follow responsible gaming guidelines, to get the most from your play time.
Here a few games we think will tickle your fancy.
Blackjack
As already mentioned, Blackjack is a very similar game to Pontoon that is simple to master and only has a tiny house edge. You can play live dealer Blackjack on the PlayOJO platform 24 hours a day or choose to test your skills against the computer. Choose from hundreds of variations such as Blackjack Turbo, American Blackjack, and more.
Video Poker Games
If online card games give you a buzz, our top selection of video poker games are well worth your attention. Enjoy island vibes with Tropical Stud poker, more commonly known as Caribbean Stud poker, where you play against the dealer. Or see what the cheeky joker has for you in Joker Poker. This is played with 53 cards, with the Joker acting as a wild card to help you get the best poker hand possible.
Pontoon Card Game Summary
With a few unique differences to Blackjack, Pontoon is a great game for new card players looking for something simple and fun.
On the flipside, experienced players may enjoy playing this game for the nostalgia factor. We all played Pontoon as kids round the kitchen table with family for 1ps and 2ps didn’t we!?
Now you know the basic rules, including how it’s played, the hands to look out for and what each one pays – it’s over to you to get cracking. Practice trumps everything when learning a new game. Good luck!
