Pontoon is a card game where clarity, speed, and bold moves win games. If you’re not familiar with its rules, it’s easy to make costly mistakes. Many players confuse it with blackjack, but Pontoon has its own structure, terms, and win conditions.
You can’t just rely on safe strategies. You need to understand how to play the hand, when to take risks, and how to aim for the two winning combinations: Pontoon and Five Card Trick.
In this guide, you’ll learn what are the rules of Pontoon, what actions you’re allowed to take, how each hand is scored, and how to avoid common mistakes.
Table of Contents
How the Game Works
Pontoon is played with one or more decks of 52 standard cards, no jokers. Every player competes against the dealer. The aim is to build a better hand than the dealer’s without going over 21.
But unlike blackjack, the dealer’s hand stays hidden until all players have finished their turns. That makes every decision you take more important.
Your Main Objective
The goal in Pontoon is to create one of the following winning hands:
- Pontoon – An Ace plus any 10-point card, using only two cards. This is the highest-ranking hand.
- Five Card Trick – A hand made of five cards totaling 21 or less. This beats all regular hands.
If you don’t have one of these, your best chance is to finish with a hand closer to 21 than the dealer. But you must never go over 21 or your hand is immediately lost, no matter what the dealer has.
Card Values Explained
Each card has a fixed value in Pontoon:
- 2 to 10 – Worth their face value
- Jack, Queen, King – Worth 10 points each
- Ace – Worth 1 or 11 points, whichever helps your hand more
Aces are flexible. For example, if you have an Ace and a 6, your hand is either 7 or 17. If you later draw a 5, your total becomes 12, because the Ace drops down to 1 to avoid busting. This flexibility is what lets players safely aim for the Five Card Trick.
Hidden Dealer Cards
In Pontoon, the dealer’s two cards are always face down. You won’t see any part of their hand until everyone has finished.
This is a major difference from blackjack, where you can often adjust your strategy based on the dealer’s up card. In Pontoon, you play based entirely on your own hand and what you think is likely.
What are the Rules of Pontoon to Win?
To play smart, you need to know what types of hands beat what, and how ties are handled. These rules are what shape the entire strategy of the game.
Pontoon Beats Everything
A Pontoon is the best possible hand in the game. It must be made with exactly two cards: one Ace and one 10-point card. If you’re holding that, you win automatically unless the dealer also has a Pontoon.
Example:
You are dealt Ace + King (Pontoon).
Dealer finishes with 9 + 6 + 6 = 21.
You still win, because Pontoon beats any 21 made with more than two cards.
Five Card Trick Beats Any Regular Hand
A Five Card Trick is the next best hand after Pontoon. To qualify, your hand must have exactly five cards and a total of 21 or less. If you reach this, you beat every hand except a Pontoon.
Example:
You draw 3, 2, 4, 5, and 6. That totals 20.
Dealer has 10 + 9 = 19.
You win with the Five Card Trick.
This hand rewards players who take calculated risks and manage their draws well.
Dealer Wins All Ties
This is a rule that trips up new players. In Pontoon, there are no pushes. If your hand ties with the dealer, the dealer wins automatically.
Example:
You finish with 18.
Dealer also finishes with 18.
You lose the round.
That small rule gives the house a real edge, so it’s important to avoid playing too cautiously.
Your Action Options: Twist, Stick, and Buy
Pontoon has its own set of terms for actions. These replace the standard blackjack terms like hit, stand, and double. Understanding them is essential before you place a bet.
Twist (Take Another Card)
When you choose to Twist, you are asking for another card to be added to your hand. You can Twist as many times as you like, as long as you haven’t hit 21 or reached five cards.
- If you bust (go over 21), your hand ends immediately.
- If you reach five cards and your total is 21 or less, the hand ends automatically and qualifies as a Five Card Trick.
Pro tip:
If your total is 14 or less, you should almost always Twist. There’s little value in stopping early.
Stick (Keep Your Hand)
When you choose to Stick, you are locking in your current hand. But unlike blackjack, Pontoon doesn’t let you Stick whenever you want. You can only Stick with 15 or more.
- You are not allowed to Stick on 14 or less.
- If you have 15 or higher and don’t want to risk a bust, you may Stick.
Pro tip:
Stick on 17 or higher, unless you’re on your fourth card and still under 21 – then it may be worth chasing a Five Card Trick.
Buy (Double Down with Options)
Buying is like doubling down, but with more flexibility. When you Buy, you place an additional bet and receive one extra card. You can then choose to Twist again afterward, which is something blackjack doesn’t allow.
- You can Buy when you have 2, 3, or 4 cards
- Your Buy bet can be equal to or less than your original wager
- After Buying, you can still Twist if your total is under 21
Example:
You have 6 + 3 = 9.
You place another bet and Buy. You draw a 7 (total: 16).
You now choose to Twist again or Stick, depending on your confidence.
Pro tip:
Buy on totals of 9 to 12, especially when you have less than four cards. These are the safest ranges with high upside.
House Variations and Additional Rules
Different casinos or online platforms may apply slight changes to the standard rules. Always check before playing.
- Some allow splitting pairs (like two 8s), while others don’t
- Most dealers must Twist on soft 17 (Ace + 6 counted as 17)
- The number of decks used can change the odds and probability
Make sure to review the house rules before placing real bets. These minor changes can impact your strategy.
Final Tips and Strategy
Pontoon is a game that rewards players who take risks at the right time. Because the dealer’s cards stay hidden and ties result in losses, it’s often better to push for stronger hands rather than settle for average totals.
- Aim for a Pontoon whenever possible by Buying or Twisting early with an Ace and low card
- Chase the Five Card Trick if your total is 16 or less with four cards
- Don’t Stick on weak totals just to avoid busting – it gives the dealer the win by default
- Buy wisely by adding to your bet when you have a safe total and a good shot at improving your hand
The more you practice, the better you’ll learn how to manage your risks and adjust based on the cards you draw.
Conclusion
Pontoon might look like a simple game, but the rules give it a sharp edge that favors smart, aggressive play. Once you understand how Pontoon and the Five Card Trick work, and how to use Twist, Stick, and Buy properly, you’ll have the tools to outplay passive opponents and win more often.
Keep your decisions sharp, know when to chase five cards, and always remember: in Pontoon, playing safe isn’t always playing smart.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you play Pontoon?
You aim to beat the dealer by building a hand of 21 or less. Use Twist to draw cards, Stick if you have 15 or more, and Buy to add a bet and draw. The dealer’s cards stay hidden until the end.
What is the 5 card trick in Pontoon?
A Five Card Trick is a hand of five cards that total 21 or less. It beats all other hands except a Pontoon.
What happens if two people have 21 in Pontoon?
If both you and the dealer have 21, the dealer wins unless your hand is a Pontoon. In Pontoon, ties always go to the dealer.
How is Pontoon different from blackjack?
Pontoon has hidden dealer cards, no pushes, and special hands like the Five Card Trick. It also uses different terms: Twist, Stick, and Buy instead of Hit, Stand, and Double.
