Side Bets in Blackjack

What Are Blackjack Side Bets?

Side bets are optional additional bets that players can wager on during the beginning of a round in the game of Blackjack. On a blackjack table, the side bet's wager is placed on the area next to the box for the main bet.

A side bet is a game of luck rather than skills. A side bet comprises of guessing one or multiple cards that a player or the dealer will receive in this round. A player may use the advanced strategy of card counting during side bet as it can improve the player's edge and is advantageous.

In simple words, side bets are an optional gamble that one chooses along with the regular bet.

Why Should I Play Side Bets in Blackjack?

With blackjack side bets, the house edge is much higher than that of the regular game itself. Side bets are high risk, high reward.

So, are these worth it?

In blackjack, side bets require smaller wagers than the standard bets, but the reward is better than that of the standard ones. Blackjack side bets are appealing because of the relatively large payouts you can win for a smaller bet. However, the odds of winning these side bets are quite low, so don't get your hopes high.

Such gamblers are suitable for you if you love taking risks or seek a fast-paced, thrilling game. It must be, however, kept in mind that players should not mindlessly and naively place side bets just for the sake of higher pay-offs. Any blackjack player should think logistically before trying their luck.

Insurance

After the two cards are dealt, and the dealer's face-up card is an ace, the player has a choice to make this wager. This is a bet on the possibility that the dealer's hand is a blackjack (1-to-3 odds). If the dealer's hole card has a value of 10, the player receives a payout of 2:1. In other words, the player breaks even on the hand.

The maximum bet allowed is half of the player's main bet. An insurance bet has to be made before the dealer checks the hole card. This is bet is a risky and losing bet in the long term as the chance that the hole card is of value 10 (card 10 or face cards) is only 1 out of 3.

Unless you are an expert card counter, it is advised to avoid insurance side bets in Blackjack.

Perfect Pairs

Perfect Pairs are the type of side bets that involve players' cards only. This side bet is won when the player's first two dealt cards are a pair. Two cards are considered to be a pair when they both hold the same numerical value or the same face value for face cards (e.g., 7♦7♥, A♣A♣, A♠A♣).

There are three different kinds of perfect pairs in Blackjack:

Mixed Pair

This wager is placed on the possibility of the player having both the cards of the same value, but different suit and color. For example, one red ace and one black ace (e.g., A♦A♠). The odds of winning this bet are 5:1.

Coloured Pair

This bet is placed on the possibility of the player having both cards of the same value and the same color, but a different suit (e.g., K♥K♦). The odds of winning this bet are 12:1.

Perfect Pair

This side bet is placed upon the possibility of the player having the perfect pair of cards in a multi-deck blackjack game. A perfect pair, in Blackjack, is both cards have the same value and same suit (e.g., Q♠Q♠). The odds of winning this bet are 30:1.

True perfect pairs can only be found in games of blackjack using multiple decks of cards. Otherwise, it would be impossible to have two cards of the same rank and the same suit.

21+3

The 21+3 side bet is the most common side bet in blackjack. It is offered in most land-based and online casinos. This side bet is adapted from poker and involves both the player's and the dealer's cards.

There are four major types of 21+3 side bets in Blackjack. The payout for each winning hand was 9:1, resulting in a house edge of 3.24%. The wager results in a win if the player's two cards and the dealers' face-up cards make any of these combinations.

Flush

This bet is placed on the possibility of all the three cards being of the same suit. The odds of winning this bet are 5:1. For example, three spade cards (i.e., 2♠7♠4♠).

Straight

In this bet, the player wins if the three cards are of consecutive ranks. The odds of winning this bet are 10:1. For example, two, three, and four of different suits (i.e., 2♥3♦4♥).

Straight Flush

This wager is placed on the possibility that all three cards are of the same suit and have consecutive values. The odds of winning this bet are 40:1. For example, four, five, and six of hearts (i.e., 4♥5♥6♥).

Three of a Kind

In this wager, the player wins if the three cards are of the same numerical value (meaning tens and figures are considered the same). The odds of winning this bet are 30:1. For example, two kings and a ten (i.e., 10♦K♥K♣).

A suited three-of-a-kind is a side bet in which the cards are of the same numerical denomination and are of the same suit. The payout for this bet is 100:1. For example, three ten-ranked cards of spades (i.e., 10♠Q♠A♠).

Over/Under 13

A player can bet that the sum of their initial two cards would be either over 13 or under 13. If the sum of the cards is exactly 13, the player loses. In this bet, the value of the ace is counted as 1. The house edge for over 13 is 6.5%, and the house edge for under 13 is 10%.

Super Sevens

Super Sevens is a side bet that counts the number of "Seven" cards a player hits. This bet is placed based on the player's first three cards.

If the first card is seven, the player wins. The player is given a payout at 3:1.

Suppose the second card is also seven, the winning increases. If the two sevens are unsuited, the payout is at 50:1 whilst if the pair of sevens is suited the player is given a payout of 100:1.

If the first three cards are unsuited sevens, then the payout is at 500:1, and if they are suited, the player is given a payout of 5000:1.

In some casinos, when the dealer has a blackjack, and the player has two sevens, a third card won't be dealt for the player. This raises the house edge to 12.6%. However, if the player is allowed to hit a third card, it drops the house edge to 11.4%.

Lucky Ladies

The Lucky Ladies side bet is made on the possibility that the player's initial hand totals 20. The house edge is 17%.

There are five possible winning outcomes for a Lucky Ladies side bet in Blackjack:

1. Lucky Ladies - A pair of Queen of hearts totaling 20 (i.e., Q♥Q♥). The payout is 200:1. There is a bonus payout of 1000:1 if the dealer has a blackjack. This side bet is used only in multi-deck games.
2. Matching 20 - This wager is placed on the possibility that the player's initial cards are of the same rank and suit, totaling 20 (e.g., K♠K♠), it has a payout of 25:1. This side bet is used in multi-deck blackjack games and is not possible in single-deck games.
3. Paired 20 - The two initial cards are of the same rank and total 20 (e.g., 10♦10♣). This side bet is mostly used only in single-deck games.
4. Suited 20 - The player's initial card can be of any value of the same suit, totaling 20 (e.g., A♥9♥). This side bet is used both in single deck and multi deck blackjack games. The side bet has a payout of 10:1.
5. Any 20 or Unsuited 20 - The two cards can be of any combination of numbers from any suit, totaling 20 (e.g., J♠Q♦). This side bet is used both in single-deck and multi-deck games. This side bet pays 4:1.

Double down

This bet allows players to double their bet in exchange for an extra card, but the player has to stand after receiving the card. This is a risky gamble as one cannot hit again if the person receives a low-value card.

There are three times for which this bet is worthy of its inherent risk:

• When the cards total 11 - As it gives the player a fantastic chance to hit 21 or a number close to it.
• Soft 16,17 or 18 - If the player has an ace and a value card of 5, 6, or 7, and the dealer has a low standard card, it is the best time to double down as it is less likely for the player to end with a high hand.
• A hard 9 or 10 - If the player's cards total 9 or 10, and the dealer has a low standard card, there is a high winning chance if you get a high standard card.

In Blackjack, doubling down is generally considered an expert move so you should probably give it a pass until you are consistently winning at the standard game.

Royal Match

The Royal Match side bet is offered in both single-deck and multi-deck blackjack games. There are two options to win this bet:

1. Easy Match - If the player's initial hand is suited, i.e. the first two dealt cards are of the same suit, the player gets a payout of 5:2. Moreover, for a suited blackjack, the payout is 5:1. In the single-deck version, the payout is 3:1.
2. Royal Match - If the player's initial hand is King and Queen of the same suit (suited K-Q), the player gets a payout of 25:1. In the single-deck version, the payout is 10:1.