BJ Side Bets Types
- You must place a side bet blackjack before the cards are dealt.
- All bets blackjack are resolved instantly after the initial deal—you can win or lose your blackjack side bet before the main hand plays out.
- Blackjack side bets explained: Payout structures vary depending on the type of blackjack side bet. Some, like Insurance, have a fixed payout (2:1), while others, like 21+3 and Perfect Pairs, offer higher blackjack side bet payouts for rarer hands.
Why Do Casinos Offer Side Bets?
Casinos love side bets because they generate extra revenue. The house edge in standard blackjack is very low (as little as 0.5% with perfect strategy), but side bets often carry a house edge of 3% to 10% or more. This makes them far less favorable for players.
For this reason, blackjack casinos actively promote side bets, sometimes tweaking rules to make them appear more appealing. But should you play them? Let’s analyze the pros and cons.
While blackjack insurance may seem like a safety net, it’s generally not recommended due to its high house edge. Unless you’re a skilled card counter, taking blackjack insurance typically results in more losses than wins over the long run.
Insurance
The insurance bet is offered when the dealer’s upcard is an Ace. Players can wager half of their original bet, betting the dealer has blackjack. If the dealer does have blackjack, the insurance bet pays 2:1; otherwise, the player loses the insurance bet, and the game continues.
This bet is generally not recommended due to its high house edge.
21+3
This side bet combines elements of black jack and poker. It considers the player’s first two cards and the dealer’s upcard. Payouts are based on poker hand combinations like flushes, straights, and three-of-a-kind. While enticing, the house edge on 21+3 bets is typically higher than the main game.
Perfect Pairs
The Perfect Pairs side bet allows players to wager on whether their first two cards will form a matching pair. The payouts depend on the type of pair—mixed, same color, or an exact match in rank and suit (perfect pair). While the potential rewards are enticing, the chances of hitting an ideal pair are pretty low, giving the casino a considerable edge over the player.
Easy Match
Easy Match is a side bet where players wager on the possibility that their initial two cards will total a specific value or form a particular combination. The specifics can vary by casino, but generally, this bet offers high payouts for rare combinations, balanced by a substantial house edge.
Top 3
The Top 3 side bet extends the 21+3 bet, focusing on premium poker hands formed by the player’s first two cards and the dealer’s upcard. Combinations like three-of-a-kind suited or straight flushes offer substantial payouts. However, the rarity of these hands results in a high house edge.
Hot 3
The Hot 3 side bet revolves around the combined total of the player’s first two cards and the dealer’s upcard. Winning payouts are triggered by specific totals, typically 19, 20, or 21, with suited combinations offering even more significant rewards. While the potential payouts can be appealing, the house maintains a substantial advantage, making it a riskier bet in the long run.
Lucky Lucky
Lucky Lucky rewards players based on the total of their first two cards and the dealer’s upcard—combinations like suited 21s, 6-7-8 sequences, or three-of-a-kind offer varying payouts. The appeal lies in the potential for high rewards, but the probability of achieving these combinations is low.
Bust It, Buster, and Bust Bonus
These side bets involve wagering on the dealer busting. Payouts increase with the number of cards the dealer uses to bust, with higher rewards for busts involving more cards. While the concept is straightforward, predicting a dealer bust involves significant uncertainty, leading to a higher house edge.
Perfect Pair Blackjack
Like the Perfect Pairs bet, this wager focuses on the player’s first two cards being a pair. The distinction lies in the specific payouts and rules, which can vary by casino. As with other pair-based bets, the low probability of occurrence favors the house.
Player Pair
The Player Pair side bet allows wagering on the player’s initial two cards, forming a pair. Payouts differ based on whether the pair is mixed, colored, or perfect. The infrequency of pairs results in a considerable house edge.
Dealer Pair
This bet mirrors the Player Pair but focuses on the dealer’s first two cards forming a pair. Since players have no control over the dealer’s cards, this bet adds an extra layer of risk, contributing to a higher house advantage.
Royal Match Side Bet
The Royal Match side bet rewards players when their first two cards share the same suit, offering even more significant payouts for a King and Queen of the same suit. While the potential winnings may seem appealing, the likelihood of hitting a Royal Match is relatively low, making this bet heavily skewed in favor of the house.
Over/Under 13 Side Bet
In this wager, players bet on whether the total of their initial two cards will be over or under 13. A correct guess results in a payout. Despite the seemingly even odds, factors like the exclusion of 13 as a winning total and the distribution of card values skew the odds in favor of the house.
777 Side Bet
The 777 side bet offers payouts if the player’s hand consists of sevens. The highest rewards are for three sevens of the same suit. While the potential payouts are substantial, the rarity of such hands means the house maintains a significant edge.
Lucky Ladies Side Bet
This bet focuses on the player’s first two cards totaling 20. Specific combinations, such as two Queens of Hearts, offer higher payouts. Although attractive, the probability of landing these specific hands is low, resulting in a considerable house advantage.
