10+ Types of Blackjack Side Bets: Should You Take Them?

Blackjack side bets are extra bets you can place alongside the main game. These bets give you a chance to win bigger payouts by betting on special outcomes during the game. However, it’s important to know that these side bets usually have a higher house edge, which means they are riskier and rely more on luck.

If you’re not sure which side bets might fit your playing style, don’t worry! The guide below will explain everything and give you the details you need to understand and use side bets wisely in Blackjack.

Blackjack Side Bets Explained

A side bet in Blackjack is like an extra little bet that you can choose to make during the game. It is separate from your main bet, so it does not change whether you win or lose your main hand. You can think of side bets as mini-games inside the regular game. 

These bets look at certain parts of your cards to see if you win the side bet, but they don’t affect the outcome of your main Blackjack game.

In Blackjack, side bets are usually placed at the start of a round, right before the cards are dealt. You will place them at the same time as your main bet. On the table, you can find the spot for side bets near the area where you put your chips.

Note: Before diving into the details of side bets, make sure you fully understand the basic rules of Blackjack.

10+ Popular Side Bets in Blackjack

The more you comprehend the various side bets, the more you can enhance your gameplay with excitement and professionalism. Here are 10+ types of Blackjack side bets worth knowing for you.

Common Blackjack Side Bets

Blackjack Insurance Bet - Payout: 2 to 1

Insurance Blackjack allows a player to protect their hand if the dealer deals with a Blackjack. Details of payouts, house edge, pros and cons are shown in the table below:

This bet is usually used when the dealer's up card is an Ace. However, you cannot see the dealer's second card until the Insurance bet was placed. If the dealer has Blackjack, the payout will be 2:1. If unless, you will lose the entire insurance bet.

In addition, this Blackjack side bet is only effective when the player has good information or method. Otherwise, avoid using it to optimize profits.

Note: Insurance in Blackjack might seem like a safety net, but it could actually be costing you more than you think. Before you risk losing money on this common mistake, dive into our in-depth guide to uncover the real benefits and hidden dangers of the Blackjack Insurance bet!

Blackjack 21+3 Bet - Payout: 9 to 1 

This side bet is a combination of Blackjack and three-card poker. Blackjack side bets 21+3 involve the player's first two cards and the dealer's up card.

The needed information is displayed in the table below:

To be eligible for the payout, players have to place their bet before any cards are dealt by the dealer.

Note: 21+3 in Blackjack can be exciting but comes with higher risk and a larger house edge. It's most suitable for thrill-seekers, not long-term profit optimizers. Check out our guide to learn the rules and unlock the best strategies for Blackjack 21+3.

You will meet situations where the outcome of these 3 cards can create multiple combinations and lead to high corresponding payouts, much like in poker. Specifically as follows:

The big risk of playing blackjack 21+3 comes from the higher house edge. This means the casino has a better chance of winning compared to the main blackjack bet. The house edge in regular blackjack is about 0.5%, but for 21+3, it is much higher, which makes it easier for you to lose money over time.

Another problem is that winning is rare. The winning combinations, like a straight or three of a kind, do not happen often. For example, the chance of getting a straight is only about 0.22%, which is very low. Because of this, you will probably lose more often than you win.

If you are not careful, this side bet can quickly drain your account because of how hard it is to win.

Blackjack Perfect Pairs - Payout 25 to 1 

Blackjack side bets Perfect Pair allows you to bet on whether your first two cards form a pair. This is regarded as one of the most renowned and widely played Blackjack side bets in the UK.

The Perfect Pair in Blackjack should be placed before the dealer starts dealing.

Multiple Decks (especially 6 to 8 decks) have a higher likelihood of producing pairs. It becomes easier because there are more identical cards distributed across the decks with multiple cards of the same rank.

If you observe that the previous cards have not appeared in many pairs, it is quite reasonable to decide to play the perfect pair next time.

The big risk with the Blackjack Perfect Pair bet comes from the high house edge, which is usually between 4 - 11%. This makes it easier to lose compared to the main game. The chance of getting a pair, like a perfect pair (same value and suit), is very low - only about 1.69%. 

This means you will probably lose more often than you win, and it can be easy to lose money quickly if you are not careful. Even though the payout is high (up to 25:1), the low chance of winning and the high house edge make this a risky option if you want to win regularly.

Note: Keep in mind that Perfect Pair has a higher house edge, which can lead to higher losses. This appeals to risk-takers but isn't ideal for profit-focused players. For more insights, check out our details to maximize your edge in Blackjack Perfect Pair.

The Perfect Pair has 3 main combinations with each offering its own payout rate. Below is a specific table outlining these groups and their respective payouts:

Note: The payout ratio for these combinations can vary across casinos, as each may apply different rules and adjustments.

Uncommon Blackjack Side Bets

Besides top 3 side bets Blackjack listed above, there are still many less common but interesting and worth trying. The options below can bring new experiences when playing Blackjack:

• Royal Match: This side bet is based on whether the player's first two cards are of the same suit, specifically the same suit of a King and Queen. The payout is 5:2 if having 2 same-suited cards and reaches 25:1 if having 2 same-suited King and Queen cards.
• Lucky Ladies: Bet on whether the player's first two cards are worth 20 points or not. The payouts are proportional from 4:1 (2 different suits cards), 10:1 (2 same suits cards), 25:1 (2 same value cards), and 200:1 (Lucky Ladies - 2 Queens of Hearts).
• Super 7s: Bet based on the number of 7s dealt in the first hand. There are 3 common variations: Super Sevens, Crazy Sevens and Lucky Sevens. The payout is determined by the number of 7s dealt, color & combination, typically varying from 3:1 to 5000:1.
• Bust it: This bet involves whether the dealer busts or not. The payouts are 1:1 if the dealer busts with 3 cards, 2:1 (4 cards), 9:1 (5 cards), 50:1 (6 cards), 100:1 (7 cards) and 250:1 (8 or more cards).

And a few more names for players to have a look and refer to such as: Match the Dealer, Over/Under 13, Lucky Lucky, Hot 3, and Perfect 1,...

How To Place Side Bets In Online, Live and Land-based Blackjack

In our view, Blackjack side bet games of both online, live, and land-based are specific differences that players must clearly comprehend when experiencing. Specifically as follows:

• Online Blackjack: Uses the command buttons on the interface to place. Side bets are automatically calculated and obviously displayed on the screen of players.
• Live Blackjack: Also uses the command buttons on the interface but has a further element of interaction with the live dealer.
• Land-based Blackjack: Requires hand signals to order, making a more realistic experience but needs players to be knowledgeable with standard Blackjack hand signals.

Another difference is that the side bet variations in online or live Blackjack will be more diverse than land-based. Because each type of land-based casino has been customized to best suit its fixed target customers.

In brief, each environment will have specific directions. Therefore, you have to know them as well as find the right tips to enhance your experience.

Why Players Choose Side Bets (Pros and Cons)

Players choose side bets not only to expand the potential payouts, but also to add excitement, encourage social interaction, and promote psychological attraction.

While Blackjack side bets can enhance your experience, you should consider the following pros and cons to make a knowledgeable decision:

Pros:

• Low bets but get high and attractive payout rates.
• Much higher odds than main bets.
• Not dependent on the result of the main hand.
• Stimulate and create excitement for thrill-seekers.

Cons:

• Most side bets favor the house edge.
• The probability of winning is more restricted as you choose more niches.
• Mostly based on luck, with little strategy applied.
• Could be distracted from the main game.

From the advantages and disadvantages listed above, depending on the specific purpose, whether or not they want to choose to play or worth trying. If you rely on luck, go ahead and play. But For those who want to use tactics, it is best to stay away.

10+ Tips and Notes For Playing Blackjack Side Bets

It is true that side bets in Blackjack generally offer the house a higher edge than the main bets. However, knowing the basic tips and notes as follows can support reducing the house edge:

Notes:

1. Insurance: Only place when you use card counting tricks; otherwise there is a high chance of losing bet.
2. Perfect Pairs: Not often seen but plausible. Multiple decks can marginally enhance the odds.
3. 21+3: Provides better payouts (9:1 or higher), but with a low winning rate.
4. Lucky Ladies: Only place when you have a Queen in hand to boost your winning.
5. Super 7s: Choose to bet when you have at least one 7 in your hand.
6. Check Payouts: Payouts for side bets can differ between casinos - seek out the most advantageous ones.
7. Set a Budget: Reserve a narrow amount of your bankroll for side bets to help prevent overspending.

Each side bet provides particular payout options and comes with its house edge

Tips:

1. Understand side bet odds: Each side bet has different payouts. For instance, Insurance has a 14% house edge, while 21+3 usually has a 3-7% house edge, making Insurance much riskier.
2. High-risk, high-reward: Side bets are exciting but unpredictable. For example, the chance of hitting a perfect pair in blackjack is only 1.69%, so don’t rely on these bets for steady wins.
3. Stick to basic strategy: Your main blackjack strategy has a lower house edge (around 0.5%). Don’t let side bets distract you from playing your best game.
4. Use side bets sparingly: Only bet on side bets when the odds are in your favor. Placing them every round can drain your bankroll quickly.
5. Watch the deck: If many 10-value cards haven’t appeared, side bets like 21+3 might offer better odds because high cards increase your chances of winning.
6. Learn from others: Joining a blackjack community gives you valuable insights from experienced players, especially for improving side bet strategies.

Set aside a small portion of your bankroll for side bets to refrain from overspending

The Bottom Line

Blackjack side bets give players a chance to win bigger rewards, but they also come with higher risks. It is important to understand the different types of side bets so that you can make the best choices for your game.

Whether you decide to use side bets depends on your personal goals. You should think about how much you know and what you want to achieve before making side bets, so you can decide if they are the right fit for your style of play.