Pontoon Card Game Rules: How To Play & Card Values

This blog explains how to play Pontoon — a card game that has been popular in Britain for many years. 

Whether you’re trying it out for the first time, or want to understand how it’s played in different settings, this guide will help you get to grips with the rules, card values, and how the game compares to similar formats.

Pontoon can be played at home with friends, or online where variations may apply. It shares some features with blackjack, but it also has its own style, language, and rules that make it different. If you’re unfamiliar with card games, don’t worry — this guide breaks everything down in simple terms.

What Is Pontoon?

Pontoon is a comparing card game. That means you and other players are each dealt cards, and you compare your hand against the dealer’s. The goal is to try and form a hand worth 21 points, or as close as possible, without exceeding it. If you go over 21, that hand is called “bust” and you automatically lose that round.

The game is played with a standard 52-card pack. Jokers are not used. Each card has a set value, and we’ll cover these later in more detail. You are not competing against the other players at the table — only against the dealer.

It’s common in home games and can also sometimes be found online or in some casinos. However, not every game is the same. Online versions may use slightly different rules, depending on the software or provider, so it can be worth checking the instructions before playing.

Pontoon has a few terms that differ from other games. For example, asking for another card is called “twisting,” and choosing to keep your current hand is called “sticking.” These terms are unique to Pontoon and part of what makes it distinct.

All outcomes in Pontoon are random. Like other casino games, it involves an element of chance. This means there is no way to influence the result or guarantee any winnings.

Pontoon vs Blackjack: What’s The Difference?

Pontoon is closely related to blackjack, which is also known as “21.” Both games aim for the same target — a hand totalling 21 points. However, there are several differences that make Pontoon a separate game:

• Card Terminology: In blackjack, you “hit” to take another card and “stand” to keep your hand. In Pontoon, these are called “twist” and “stick” instead.
  
• Dealer’s Cards: In blackjack, one of the dealer’s cards is visible to all players. In Pontoon, both dealer cards stay face down until it’s their turn to act. This means you won’t see how strong their hand is while you make your decisions.
  
• Best Hand Name: A hand with an ace and a card worth ten points (10, jack, queen or king) is known as a “blackjack” in blackjack. In Pontoon, it’s called a “pontoon.”
  
• Special Hands: Pontoon includes the “five card trick.” This is when you hold five cards without going bust. It’s a strong hand and beats nearly everything, except a pontoon. Blackjack does not include this rule.
  
• Payout Differences: Traditional Pontoon often pays 2:1 for a pontoon or five card trick. Blackjack typically pays 3:2 for a blackjack. These figures can change depending on the venue or online game, so it may be a good idea to review the game’s paytable beforehand.
  
• House Rules: There may also be differences in when you’re allowed to double your bet (called “buying”), or when you can split your cards into separate hands. Some online versions may follow stricter rules than casual home games.

Which game you prefer may come down to how much information you like to have when playing. Since Pontoon hides both dealer cards, some find it adds more uncertainty. Others might prefer blackjack where one dealer card is visible. Neither version guarantees a better outcome, as both rely on random card draws and house rules.

How To Play Pontoon

Pontoon is relatively simple to learn once you understand the order of play. The game typically begins with everyone placing their bets. A bet is the amount you choose to stake for that round. You decide how much, within the limits set by the house or table.

Here’s how a round usually works:

1. The dealer gives two cards to each player and two to themselves. Both of the dealer’s cards remain face down.
   
2. Starting with the player to the dealer’s left, each person decides whether to “twist” or “stick”.
   
3. If you twist and your total goes over 21, you go bust. This means your hand is finished and you lose that round.
   
4. If your total is under 21, you can continue twisting — up to five cards. If you manage to hold five cards without going bust, this is a five card trick, which is considered a high-ranking hand.
   
5. In some versions of the game, if your first two cards are the same, you can split them into two separate hands and play each one individually. Another option may be to “buy” a card — meaning you increase your bet in return for another card. Whether these options are allowed will depend on the specific game you’re playing.
   
6. After all players have finished their turns, the dealer reveals their hand. The dealer then twists until reaching a certain minimum total, such as 17. If they go bust, any remaining players with valid hands win the round.

It’s worth noting that different games may use automatic rules for the dealer, such as whether they must twist on a total of 16 or lower. Some online versions stick to fixed rules, while home games may vary depending on who is dealing.

Pontoon Rules

To get started with Pontoon, it helps to know the basic structure. The rules can be easy to follow once you’re familiar with the key terms:

• A pontoon is the best possible hand: one ace and one ten-point card.
  
• If your hand exceeds 21, you go bust and lose that round.
  
• Players take turns twisting or sticking, depending on whether they want more cards.
  
• A five card trick beats all hands, except a pontoon.
  
• The dealer plays after all players and must twist to reach the required minimum score, depending on the version.
  
• Some games allow you to split a pair or buy additional cards, but not all versions do.

Since rules can vary slightly depending on where you’re playing, especially online, it may be useful to read the game instructions or terms provided before starting. 

Pontoon is a game of chance. No outcome can be predicted, and the order in which cards are drawn is completely random. While understanding the rules can help with decision-making, no strategy can change the fact that the game depends on probability.

5 Card Trick

One of the features that makes Pontoon different from other card games is the 5 card trick. This rule adds an extra way to potentially win, even if you don’t hit 21. It rewards players who carefully build their hand without going bust.

A 5 card trick is when you manage to draw five cards in total, and your hand is still 21 or less. If you do this, it usually counts as a strong winning hand. In many versions of Pontoon, a five card trick will beat any other hand, except a pontoon (which is an ace plus a ten-point card).

Example:

Let’s say your hand is:

• 3 of hearts
• 4 of clubs
• 2 of spades
• 6 of diamonds
• 5 of hearts

This adds up to 20, and because it’s made up of five cards without going over 21, it qualifies as a 5 card trick.

It’s important to remember that a five card trick doesn’t need to reach exactly 21. As long as your five cards total 21 or less, you’re still in a strong position. This rule gives players more flexibility and offers an alternative to chasing a high hand with just two or three cards.

Whether or not a five card trick is rewarded with a higher potential payout will depend on the rules of the specific game you’re playing. In some home games, it might be just for pride or fun. In other versions, especially online or in casinos, a five card trick could pay out at 2 to 1, but you’ll need to check the paytable beforehand, as this is not guaranteed.

Card Values

Understanding how each card is scored in Pontoon is a key part of making choices during a round. Here’s how values are assigned:

• Cards numbered 2 to 10 are worth the number shown. For example, a 4 is worth four points.
  
• Jacks, queens, and kings are all worth 10 points each.
  
• Aces are flexible. They can be worth either 1 or 11 points, depending on what might give you the best total under 21. For instance, a hand with an ace and a six can be worth either 7 or 17.

When calculating your total, it may be helpful to consider how the ace might adjust if you receive more cards. In some cases, what starts as a total of 17 might shift to 27 if an ace counts as 11 and another high card is drawn, which would mean going bust.

Pontoon Card Game FAQs

Do You Have To Say Bust In Pontoon?

No, saying “bust” out loud isn’t required. In home games, people sometimes say it to make things clear, but it’s not a rule. Online versions usually show when a hand has gone bust automatically.

Is Pontoon The Same as 21?

Pontoon is related to the game commonly known as “21” or blackjack. They both aim to build hands as close as possible to 21. But Pontoon has different rules, terminology, and hand rankings — such as the five card trick. They are separate games, though they come from the same family.

Can You Play Pontoon With 2 Players?

Yes, you can play with just two people — one acting as the dealer and one as the player. The game still works the same way. Fewer players can mean faster rounds, especially in casual settings.

If you decide to try Pontoon for yourself, take some time to set a budget first and stick to it. Games of chance should be approached as entertainment, not as a way to make money. If at any point you feel your gambling is no longer enjoyable or manageable, support is available through organisations like BeGambleAware.org or GAMSTOP, which can help you take a break.