Pontoon
Pontoon is the British and Australian cousin of blackjack in which both dealer cards are dealt face down, players must 'twist' or 'buy' rather than hit, and a five-card hand under 21 (a five-card trick) is a strong winning hand.
| Dealer Cards | Both face down |
|---|---|
| Actions | Twist, stick, buy |
| Special Hand | Five-card trick (5 cards, 21 or under) |
How pontoon differs from blackjack
In pontoon both of the dealer’s cards stay hidden, so you play without seeing an up-card. You ‘buy’ (double) or ‘twist’ (hit) to improve your hand, and you must keep drawing on totals of 14 or less. The best hand is a ‘pontoon’ (an ace plus a ten-value card), followed by the five-card trick — any five cards totalling 21 or less — both of which pay enhanced amounts. The hidden dealer cards make the game feel quite different even though the maths is blackjack-like.
Frequently asked questions
Is pontoon the same as blackjack?
It is a close relative with different terminology and rules — both dealer cards face down, mandatory drawing on low totals, and the five-card trick — but the same goal of reaching 21.
Sources
- Published pontoon rules
- Strategy analysis