Blackjack side bets are optional wagers placed alongside the main blackjack bet. They can offer higher payouts, but they usually come with a higher house edge than the standard game.
Blackjack Side Bets Change The Whole Game
Blackjack side bets are optional wagers that any player can place as an add-on to the main bet.
These bets are of various types, each offering an alternative way to win. And payouts are higher than you can get from the standard blackjack bets, but the blackjack side bets rules must be followed.
However, there is a risk: these bets have a high house edge, reaching 10% or more. Meanwhile, the blackjack house edge for standard bets is between 0.5% and 2%. So, the blackjack side bet odds of winning are relatively lower than the main bets.
Blackjack Side Bets Explained: Rules, Odds & Payouts
Side bets in the blackjack table game vary, each with its own unique rules and payouts. It is important to know them as you play classic blackjack games, as they can help determine your blackjack side bet strategy.
Below are some of the most common blackjack side bets players may see at the table.
Perfect Pairs
- Rules: In the Perfect Pairs side bet, you place your bets on receiving a pair, i.e., two cards of the same value, as your initial two cards (e.g., 6-6, 9-9, etc.).
- Payouts: If you win, your blackjack side bets payout depends on the type of pair you receive: mixed (different suits and colors), colored (same color, different suits), or perfect (identical cards). A mixed pair pays out 6:1, a colored pair pays out 12:1, and a perfect pair pays out 25:1.
- Odds: House edge varies between 2% and 11%, depending on the number of decks and type of pair.
21+3
- Rules: Following the blackjack rules guide, the 21+3 side bet involves betting on your first two cards and the dealer’s upcard jointly forming a three-card poker hand, such as a straight, flush, or three of a kind.
- Payouts: A suited three-of-a-kind pays 100:1, a straight flush pays 40:1, three-of-a-kind pays 25:1, a straight pays 10:1, and a flush pays 5:1.
- Odds: A single-card-deck side bet has a 13.39% house edge, which varies with deck number.
Lucky Ladies
- Rules: In the Lucky Ladies side bet, you wager on receiving a pair of Queens or two cards totaling 20.
- Payouts: A pair of Queens of Hearts, provided the dealer receives a natural blackjack, pays 1000:1. A pair of Queen of Hearts pays 200:1, and a pair of cards totaling 20 pays 4:1. A suited pair pays 25:1, and an unsuited pair pays 9:1.
- Odds: This bet has a 25% house edge.
Insurance
- Rules: Insurance is the bet you place on the dealer having a blackjack after the dealer has shown an Ace.
- Payouts: Blackjack insurance usually pays 2:1.
- Winning Odds: Insurance usually carries a higher house edge than the main blackjack bet, and the exact figure depends on the number of decks and rules.
Royal Match
- Rules: Royal Match is the wager you place on receiving two suited cards that are either a King and Queen (Royal Match) or the same suit as the dealer’s upcard.
- Payouts: Royal Match pays 25:1, suited King-Queen pays 5:1, and cards with the same suit as the dealer’s card pay 2:1.
- Winning Odds: House edge varies between 5.64% and 10.86%.
Blackjack Side Bets Add Risk And Reward
Blackjack side bets have distinct rules, payouts, and odds that you should evaluate before placing any bet. Master the bets, manage your funds, and add a new layer of excitement to your gaming experience as you wager at Slots Paradise Casino. Side bets can add variety, but they should be treated as higher-risk optional wagers rather than a reliable way to improve profits. Whether you’re a new or seasoned player, if you choose to play side bets, review the rules and house edge first.