When you check out many online casinos, you may notice a game that is not called Blackjack that has found its way into the Blackjack section. This game is called “Pontoon,” and many new casino players are often confused by it. However, when you start playing it, you will find many similarities to standard Blackjack. Still, there are some differences that you need to be aware of while playing.

In this article, we are going to review the Blackjack game called Pontoon, highlighting some of those differences and getting you ready to play.

Different Words Are Used for Same Actions

One of the major obstacles preventing blackjack players from trying Pontoon is that the terminology is different. However, these terms in Pontoon have virtually the same you would do in Blackjack.

For example, in Pontoon, you will not instruct the dealer to “hit” but rather to “twist.” Similarly, you cannot “stand” in Pontoon, but you can definitely “stick.” Perhaps the most confusing word is “buy,” which is the equivalent of a “double down.”

Doubling Down & Other Rules

One of the most important differences is that Pontoon players can double down at any time, which is not the case in Blackjack, where doubling down is allowed only when you receive the original two cards.

Another very important rule of Pontoon is that players need to twist if their hand is 14 or less, which is not the case in Blackjack, where players can choose to stand at any time.

If there is one thing that people dislike about Pontoon, it is the “tie on the house” rule. In Blackjack, if both player and the dealer have the same number of points, that’s called a “push,” and everyone gets their money back. However, that’s not the case with Pontoon, where a tie means that the dealer has won.

Finally, there’s the so-called five-card trick. If a player has five cards and their total number of points is 21 or less, they will beat the dealer, even if they have a non-pontoon 21.

So, should you learn to play Pontoon? While it’s a great game to play and offers an alternative to Blackjack, we suggest you first master blackjack and then consider switching to Pontoon. Please remember, though, whether you are playing Blackjack or Pontoon before sitting down to play.

Make sure to check out the blackjack rules on our site, where you can find essential tips for playing the game. Moreover, you can also take a look at the blackjack strategy chart that we included on our platform, which can help you improve your success in the game and lower its house edge.