How Pontoon is Different then Blackjack
Pontoon |
Blackjack |
| Twist - to take another card | Hit - to take another card |
| Stick - to not take anymore cards | Stand |
| Buy - double bet and get at least 1 more card | Double Down - double bet and get 1 more card |
| Must hit if you have 14 or less | Can Stand on any 2 cards |
| Can hit after doubling down | Cannot hit after doubling down |
| Can double down on 2, 3 or 4 cards | Can only double down on first 2 cards |
| Can only double down once | Can only double down once |
| A tie is a loss, dealer wins all ties | A tie is a push, you do not lose your bet |
| Pontoon = an Ace and any 10 value card | Blackjack= an Ace and any 10 value card |
| Pontoon automatic win unless dealer has Pontoon (loss) | Blackjack automatic win unless dealer has Blackjack (push) |
| Pontoon Pays 2 to1 | Blackjack pays 3 to 2 |
| 5 Card Trick - getting 5 cards in one hand under 21 | No 5 card trick - 21 is the best hand |
| 5 card trick beats 21 | 21 is best hand |
| 5 card trick pays 2 to 1 | No 5 card trick in blackjack |
| Both of dealer's cards are face down | Dealer cards, 1 card is up, 1 card is down |
| Can split aces twice | Can split aces once |
| Getting Pontoon after splitting Aces counts as Pontoon | Making a
blackjack after splitting
aces does not count as a blackjack and will count as 21. |
| Can hit after splitting aces | Cannot hit after splitting aces |
| Can double down after splitting aces | Cannot double down after splitting aces |
Here's a look at the table rules from CasinoEuro

Interesting they chose red on blue to write "DEALER WINS ALL TIES"
I bolded some of the big differences that should change your strategy when playing pontoon versus blackjack. Check out this article for more pontoon strategy and tips.

