Are any side bets worth your while?
We’ve had plenty to say when it comes to blackjack and placing side bets. Often, we’ve said that these are a big no-no and that’s all down to the house edge. However, there are players out there who are willing to accept the poor house edge because of what else a side bet brings to their blackjack game.
If side bets are a new concept to you, these are additional bets that you’re able to place alongside the main blackjack game. They typically require a smaller wager than that placed in the main game and the payouts tend to be higher than even-money blackjack payouts.
There are numerous reasons that players enjoy side bets, but the three main ones are:
- The cost of placing a side bet is usually only $1
- Side bets are all about luck and this makes them fun
- The payouts are worthwhile
There are many side bets to choose from and there are new ones being created on a regular basis. While we’ve often steered clear of exploring these in too much detail, if you’re looking to bring an extra dimension to your game you may want to take a look. With that in mind, we thought we’d take a look at the side bets that we think are the best.
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Placing Blackjack side bets – How to make a side bet
Before we take a look at specific side bets, it’s worth taking a look at how to place one in the first place. Usually, when you take a seat at your chosen blackjack table, you’ll find there are signs telling you which side bets are on offer. Remember, the side bet is 100% optional and there is no requirement for you to wager on this.
If you do want to place a side bet then this is something that you do after you’ve placed your main bet. You lay your chips on a set spot that is there purely there for side bet wagers. Before you place your bet, you need to take note of the minimum and maximum wagers that are allowed. You’ll find this information somewhere near the table but, if not, you can always ask the dealer.
While the main blackjack game can have a house edge lower than 1%, this isn’t the case with side bets. The house edge with these bets tends to be significantly higher and can hit 5%. We’d suggest that you seek the side bets that have the lowest house edge that you can find.
With that in mind, let’s move on and look at the best side best that are out there.
Placing Blackjack side bets: 21+3
Players are fans of this side bet as it combines blackjack with three-card poker. The three cards are made up of the player’s two cards and the dealer’s upcard. There are several versions of this but in the original, if there is a flush, straight, three-of-a-kind or straight flush the player gets a 9:1 payout. This sees the house edge being 3.24% if you’re playing with 6 decks. By playing with eight decks the house edge falls further and goes down to 2.74%.
The payouts that are on offer now will vary from casino to casino. Whether you’re playing at an online casino or at a land-based casino, you will find that there are differences. Typically, you could expect to find a payout table and it should look something like this:
| Hand | Payout |
|---|---|
| Suited Three-of-a-Kind | 100:1 |
| Straight Flush | 35:1 |
| Three-of-a-Kind | 33:1 |
| Straight | 10:1 |
| Flush | 5:1 |
Placing Blackjack side bets: Perfect Pairs
This blackjack side bet can be a little risky as it’s only based on your first two cards. If you’re dealt cards that are a pair then you win. If these cards aren’t a pair then you’ve lost just like that. There are three types of pairs to consider and these come with different payouts:
- Mixed Pair – this involves two cards of the same rank but different color
- Colored Pair – here, the two cards are the same rank and the same color
- Perfect Pair – two cards that are identical
When it comes to the house edge with this side bet, it will vary from 4.09% to 2.17%. The fact that it falls to around the 2% level is what makes this one of the more attractive side bets. In terms of payouts, this will again vary from casino to casino but this is what you can expect:
| Pair | Payout | Payout | Payout |
|---|---|---|---|
| Perfect Pair | 25:1 | 30:1 | 25:1 |
| Colored Pair | 12:1 | 10:1 | 15:1 |
| Mixed Pair | 6:1 | 5:1 | 5:1 |
The table above is based on playing an eight-deck game.
Side bets : Royal Match
This is the last of the side bets that we’ll be looking at and it is based on your initial two cards being suited. The payouts and the number of decks that are used are things that will vary between casinos. Here’s a look at the most common:
| Suited Cards | Description | Payout with 6 decks | Payout with 1 deck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Easy Match | The first two cards are suited | 2.5:1 | 10:1 |
| Royal Match | The first two are King and Queen | 25:1 | 3:1 |
| House Edge | 6.67% | 3.78% |
It’s worth noting that, if you’re a fan of card counting, there is a system that works for this side bet. We have previously looked at one of the books written by Arnold Snyder, but it is his other title, The Big Book of Blackjack, that covers blackjack strategies, card counting and Royal Match. This is something that is well worth reading if you’re looking to take your blackjack game to the next level.
Final thoughts
While we’ll never be a huge fan of side bets, this has been our take on the ones that may be worth exploring. Yes, these can all bring an added element of fun to your blackjack game but you always need to be mindful of the house edge that you’re agreeing to.
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