Whether it’s offline blackjack, online blackjack, or live dealer blackjack, the standard rules of blackjack are relatively easy for players to pick up. This game of chance has simple gameplay and standard betting options that many players enjoy.
However, some blackjack variants also offer a variety of side bets to appeal to those who like to take a chance on riskier wagers with higher potential payouts.
Players who are wondering, “Are side bets in blackjack worth it?” can learn more about the side bets that some games offer and how these bets work in this guide.
What are Blackjack Side Bets?
In blackjack, the game typically revolves around the player’s initial bet, the choice to double down, or to place an extra bet if they meet the conditions to split their hand. In addition to these bets, some blackjack variants allow players to wager on side bets, or extra bets, that typically resolve independently of the standard bets in the game.
Just like blackjack terminology, it’s a good idea for players to learn more about side bets before considering wagering on them.
Why Casinos Offer Side Bets
With blackjack still being one of the most popular games, both in the RNG online blackjack and live dealer online blackjack formats, players might be curious to know why offline and online casinos offer blackjack games with side bets.
There are two main reasons why blackjack variants with side bets exist:
- More variety and excitement for players: Players who enjoy riskier bets can find the side bets in blackjack variants more appealing due to their high-risk, high-reward gameplay and win opportunities.
- Side bets have a higher house edge: The house edge in blackjack can sit anywhere between roughly 0.5% and 2%, depending on how strategically players approach the game. Side bets have a much higher house edge, which means players have a lower chance of winning. To balance this out, casinos offer much higher rewards to anyone willing to wager on these additional bets.
Pros and Cons of Blackjack Side Bets
There are clear pros and cons to choosing to place a wager on these extra bets, even when wagering on the supposed “best side bet” in blackjack.
The pros are:
- Chance to receive much higher payouts than standard blackjack bets.
- No need to play multiple hands to stand a chance of winning big.
However, there are also cons to wagering on side bets:
- A higher house edge means a lower chance of winning.
- Blackjack strategy won’t improve the odds of these wagers landing in any noticeable way.
When deciding whether to place a side bet in offline, online, or live dealer blackjack, players should keep all of these positives and negatives in mind.
Ultimately, these bets are high risk, which means they have a low chance of winning, even if they do offer impressive payout odds.
Some Blackjack Side Bets and Mechanics
With a better understanding of the basics of blackjack side bets, here’s a closer look at the blackjack rules for side bets. This list will cover a variety of side bets, how they work, and finally, their payout odds.
21+3
The 21+3 side bet is a wager that is influenced by poker. If the player’s first two cards and the dealer’s upcard form part of a winning poker hand, the player will receive a payout.
The way to win is to land:
- Three cards from the same suit for a flush.
- Three cards in numerical sequence for a straight.
- Three cards of the same value for three of a kind.
- Three cards in numerical sequence and from the same suit for a straight flush.
- Three cards of the same numerical value and suit for suited three of a kind.
According to the Wizard of Odds “21+3” article, the payout odds and house edge can vary quite dramatically, depending on the number of decks being used and the variant of the game. Be sure to check the payout odds and house edge before placing a wager.
Insurance
Insurance is a set bet, but it’s become fairly common to find this wager in many different versions of blackjack. This side bet offers the player protection against the dealer having blackjack, hence the name “insurance.” It has payout odds of 2:1.
Perfect Pairs
The Wizard of Odds article “Perfect Pairs” describes how the Perfect Pairs side bet has three criteria that can result in a win:
- Perfect Pair: The player is dealt two exactly identical cards.
- Coloured Pair: The player is dealt two cards of the same rank and colour.
- Mixed Pair: The player is dealt a card of the same rank but differing colours.
The article shares the payout odds for these winning combinations for Evolution Games. Players can expect 25:1, 12:1, and 6:1 payouts for each of these combinations, respectively.
