What Is Pontoon?
Pontoon is the British ancestor of Blackjack, played at home or in casinos. It works similarly — get closer to 21 than the banker without going bust — but it has two special hands that change strategy. A ‘Pontoon’ (Ace + a 10-value card) is the best hand and pays 2:1. A ‘Five Card Trick’ (five cards without busting) is second best and also pays 2:1.
What You Need
- A standard 52-card deck
- 2 to 8 players — one is the banker (dealer), the rest are players
Card Values
- Aces: 1 or 11 (whichever is better)
- Face cards (J, Q, K): 10 points
- Number cards 2–10: face value
Hand Rankings (Best to Worst)
- Pontoon: Ace + any 10-value card (2:1 payout)
- Five Card Trick: five cards totaling 21 or under (2:1 payout)
- 21 with fewer than 5 cards
- Any hand 20 or under (closest to 21 without busting)
Setup
- Choose the banker (usually the first player, then rotates when banker busts).
- The banker deals 1 card face-DOWN to each player, including themselves.
- Each player peeks at their card (secretly). The banker does not peek yet.
- A second card is dealt face-DOWN to each player. The banker now has 2 face-down cards — others peek at theirs.
How to Play — Player’s Turn
Starting left of the banker, each player decides:
- Stick: Accept your hand (must have at least 15 or more — you cannot stick below 15 in strict Pontoon rules).
- Buy: Pay your original bet or more to receive another face-down card (max 3 extra cards).
- Twist: Receive a free face-up card (but you can’t ‘Buy’ again after you twist).
- Split: If your first two cards are the same rank, split them into two hands with separate bets.
- Bust: If you exceed 21, reveal your cards and lose your bet immediately.
Banker’s Turn
After all players, the banker reveals both cards. The banker must draw until they reach 17 or more. Banker wins all ties.
Payouts
- Pontoon: 2:1
- Five Card Trick: 2:1
- Other wins: 1:1
- Banker wins all ties
Strategy Tips
- Always chase the Five Card Trick if you’re at 11 or under with 4 cards.
- Buy when you have 12–14 to control the card type.
- Never stick below 15 — rules require 15 minimum anyway.