In blackjack, a side bet is the mac and cheese of the casino world – a tasty extra, served up alongside the main course. They promise extra flavour and juicy payouts, but are these tempting sides worth the extra calories and cost? Here’s our take on blackjack side bets: the options, the odds, and more.
Key Beats
- Side bets spice up blackjack with bigger wins on the line, but the house edge makes them a costly habit if overplayed.
- Go-to picks like 21+3 or Perfect Pairs offer decent balance, while jackpot-style bets are pure high-risk fun.
- Best rule of thumb: enjoy side bets for excitement, not as a core strategy.
What Are Blackjack Side Bets?
Blackjack side bets are optional wagers you can place alongside your main hand – mini-games that focus on specific outcomes.
At most blackjack tables, there are one or two side bet options in play. It could be something as simple as hitting a pair with your first two cards, or combining them with the dealer’s upcard to make a poker-style hand.
If you are just learning how to play blackjack, then side bets usually offer much bigger payouts than standard blackjack. However, there’s a catch: the house edge is always much higher. While they can add fun and variety to your session, they’re best enjoyed as occasional indulgences rather than a core strategy.
Popular Blackjack Side Bets
Whether you play blackjack using a mobile app or play at home on your computer, there are several blackjack side bets available (and casinos love to think up more). Here are some of the most common.
Perfect Pairs
This bet pays out if your first two cards form a pair. There are three types: mixed (different suits), coloured (same colour, different suits), and perfect (identical cards). The more ‘perfect’ the pair, the higher the payout – up to 25:1 in some games. It’s simple, fun, and wildly popular.
21+3
A poker-style twist on blackjack. Your two cards plus the dealer’s upcard form a three-card poker hand. If you hit a flush, straight, three-of-a-kind, or better, you win. Payouts typically go up to 100:1 for suited trips.
Lucky Ladies
Here, you’re betting that your first two cards total 20, with extra rewards if they’re both queens of hearts. It’s a high-risk, high-reward bet with payouts up to 1000:1 at some tables. Watch out, though, the house edge is steep.
Royal Match
A throwback side bet where you win if your first two cards are suited. A regular suited match pays modestly, but if you land the king and queen of the same suit – the Royal Match – you’re looking at a big payout.
Super Sevens
This one’s all about the sevens. You win if your first card is a 7, win more if both are 7s, and hit the jackpot if you pull triple sevens, especially if they’re suited. The payouts grow dramatically with each seven.
Buster Blackjack
This bet hinges on the dealer going bust. The more cards they bust with, the bigger your payout. Some versions offer progressive jackpots if the dealer busts with 8+ cards and your hand is blackjack. It’s dramatic and popular.
Match the Dealer
Available in many multi-deck games, this bet pays when one (or both) of your first two cards match the dealer’s upcard by rank – and even more if the suit matches too. It’s a quick-fire side bet with simple rules and decent top-end payouts.
Lucky Lucky
This side bet adds up your two cards and the dealer’s upcard. A total of 19, 20, or 21 is a winner, with suited 7-7-7 offering the biggest payouts, sometimes 200:1 or more.
Hot 3
Hot 3 also uses your two cards plus the dealer’s upcard. You’re betting on combinations like a total of 19-21, suited 21s, or three sevens. Some versions offer huge payouts for suited trips. It’s a spicy option, especially in blackjack variants like Infinite Blackjack or Free Bet Blackjack.
Insurance
Is it a side bet? Well, kind of. Blackjack insurance is offered when the dealer shows an Ace. This classic side bet pays 2:1 if the dealer has blackjack. But beware, while it seems like a safety net, the odds aren’t great. It’s considered a sucker bet unless you’re counting cards like a pro.
Blackjack Side Bets – Odds & Probabilities
| Side Bet | Description | Typical Max Payout | House Edge | Win Probability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perfect Pairs | The first two cards form a pair (mixed, coloured, or perfect) | 25:1 | 4% – 11% | ~7.5% |
| 21+3 | Your two cards + dealer upcard make a poker hand | 100:1 (suited trips) | 3.2% – 10% | ~13% |
| Insurance | Pays if the dealer has blackjack when showing an Ace | 2:1 | ~7% (varies) | ~8% |
| Lucky Ladies | Your first two cards total 20, with bonuses for suited queens | 1000:1 (2 Q + dealer BJ) |
17%+ | ~4.6% |
| Royal Match | First two cards are suited; royal match is K-Q suited | 25:1 (Royal Match) | 3.7% – 10.9% | ~10% |
| Super Sevens | One or more 7s in your hand; bigger wins for multiple/seven suited | 5000:1 (3 suited 7s) | 11%+ | <5% |
| Buster Blackjack | Dealer busts; payouts increase with more cards used to bust | 250:1+ (8-card bust + player blackjack) | 6% – 12% | ~28% (for any bust) |
| Match the Dealer | One or both of your first cards match the dealer’s upcard | 25:1 (perfect match) | 3% – 5% | ~15% |
| Lucky Lucky | Your cards + dealer’s upcard total 19-21, or 7-7-7 suited | 200:1+ (3 suited 7s) | 3.5% – 6.5% | ~10% |
| Hot 3 | Total of 19-21 with your cards + dealer’s; suited 21s pay more | 100:1+ | 4% – 6% | ~12% |
[Note: House edges and win rates vary based on the number of decks and specific game rules. Payouts may differ by casino or provider.]
Strategies for Betting on the Side
Side bets in blackjack are a lot like hot sauce: fun to try, but best used sparingly and with caution. Here are three simple strategies to help you enjoy them without getting burned:
- Treat side bets as entertainment: Don’t rely on them to win long-term. Use small stakes and enjoy the thrill of chasing high payouts now and then.
- Know your bets: Some side bets, like 21+3 or Perfect Pairs, offer better odds than others. Learn the house edge and stick to the ones with a lower bite.
Remember, side bets are built for entertainment, not guaranteed wins. Always set limits and play responsibly.
Are Blackjack Side Bets a Good Option for You?
Pros
- Exciting gameplay and variety
- Chance to win big from a small bet
- Adds entertainment to slower sessions
Cons
- High house edge compared to regular play
- Low hit frequency
- Can eat into your bankroll over time
Summary
Blackjack side bets can be a fun way to shake up the action, offering big payouts and a dash of unpredictability. But they’re not designed for consistent wins. If you enjoy the thrill and keep your stakes small, they’re worth a flutter – just don’t bet the house on them.
FAQs
Blackjack side bets are optional wagers you can place alongside your main hand. They focus on specific outcomes, like getting a pair or making a poker-style hand, and usually offer higher payouts, along with a higher house edge.
To place a side bet, you first make a regular blackjack wager. Then, you put a chip on the marked side bet area. If the specific side bet outcome hits – like matching the dealer’s card or forming a suited pair – you win based on set odds.
Popular side bets include Perfect Pairs, 21+3, Insurance, Lucky Ladies, Match the Dealer, Buster Blackjack, and Royal Match. Online tables may also feature Hot 3, Lucky Lucky, and Super Sevens.
Bets like 21+3, Perfect Pairs, and Match the Dealer tend to offer the best balance of fun and reasonable odds. They’re still risky, but often carry lower house edges than high-payout bets like Lucky Ladies.
Side bets with massive jackpot payouts, like Lucky Ladies or Super Sevens, usually have a very high house edge and very low hit rates. They’re fine for occasional play, but bad for bankroll longevity.
The post Blackjack Side Bets – Are They a Good Option For You? appeared first on CasinoBeats.
In blackjack, a side bet is the mac and cheese of the casino world – a tasty extra, served up alongside the main course. They promise extra flavour and juicy payouts, but are these tempting sides worth the extra calories and cost? Here’s our take on blackjack side bets: the options, the odds, and more.
The post Blackjack Side Bets – Are They a Good Option For You? appeared first on CasinoBeats.