A blackjack side bet is an optional wager you can place alongside your main bet. Some players love them for the higher payout potential, while others avoid them because of the higher house edge.
So, are they worth it? That depends on the bet and how you play (but they’re easy, I promise).
In this guide, I’ll break down the most popular blackjack side bets, their odds, payouts, and when they might actually be a smart move. No confusing jargon. Just clear, simple advice to help you decide if side bets are right for you.
What Are Blackjack Side Bets?
A blackjack side bet is an optional extra wager placed before a hand. It offers bigger payouts versus a regular blackjack wager. However, they have different rules than standard blackjack bets.
Side bets aren’t about beating the dealer but rather about specific card combinations. These bets bring in long-term profits for casinos, so it’s important to choose wisely and not give up too much to the house.
Here’s what you need to know:
- Bigger payouts: Some side bets, like Lucky Ladies, can pay up to 1,000x your stake.
- Different rules: Side bets depend on your hand strength, not whether you win the main game. For example, you could win a side bet with three suited cards but still lose to the dealer.
- Low-cost options: Many land-based and online casinos offer side bets for as little as $1, making them accessible for low rollers.
- Higher house edge: Some side bets have a much higher house edge than regular blackjack.
Most Popular Side Bets in Blackjack
By now, you may be wondering what are the side bets in blackjack. Let’s discuss the most popular wagers and how side bets work in blackjack.
21+3 Side Bet
This wager is what three-card poker or rummy is to blackjack.
It pays when your first two cards and the dealer’s up-card form a three-card poker hand.
House edge: 3.24% (six decks)
Play if: You want a low side bet house edge.
Here Are the Winning Hands and Payouts
- Suited three-of-a-kind (eg, J-J-J of spades) – 100:1 payout
- Straight flush (eg, 7-8-9 of hearts) – 40:1 payout
- Three-of-a-kind (eg, 5-5-5) – 30:1 payout
- Straight (eg, 10-J-Q) – 10:1 payout
- Flush (eg, 3-8-J of clubs) – 5:1 payout
Perfect Pairs Side Bet
This popular side bet requires you to form a pair with your first two cards.
The minimum wager required by most online casinos is commonly as low as $1.
House edge: 4.2% (six decks)
Play if: You’re interested in big payouts.
Qualifying Pairs Include the Following
- Perfect pair (same cards, such as Q-Q of hearts) – 30:1
- Colored pair (a pair of the same color, like 9 of diamonds, 9 of hearts) – 10:1
- Mixed pair (a pair that’s not of the same color, such as 7 of spades, 7 of diamonds) – 5:1
Insurance Side Bet
The dealer offers players insurance if their up-card is an ace.
Many blackjack players are confused about what insurance means in blackjack.
Thinking they are insuring something when they are simply making a side bet.
Below you can see the details of blackjack insurance.
House edge: 7.39% (six decks)
Play if: You want to win something back when the dealer has a natural blackjack.
Blackjack Insurance Specifics
- Costs half of your original bet—ie, you bet $10, and insurance costs $5.
- You win 2:1 if the dealer has a natural blackjack.
- 31.4% chance of the dealer having a natural when showing an ace.
5-Card Charlie Side Bet
5-Card Charlie is a rule that gives you an automatic win for drawing to five cards without busting.
For example, you would win with 4-5-2-3-5 (19 total) regardless of the dealer’s hand.
Some casinos label games with this rule 5-Card Charlie to make it easier to find.
House edge: Lowers house edge by 1.46%
Play if: The other rules are favorable.
Complete List of Blackjack Side Bets Available
Plenty of other side wagers are available in blackjack, including the following:
Lucky Ladies
Wins when your cards add up to 20, with a top payout of 1,000:1 (i.e., you have two queen of hearts; the dealer has a blackjack).
Match the Dealer
Pays up to 9:1 when one of your first two cards matches the dealer’s up-card.
Over/Under 13
Pays 1:1 when you correctly guess if your total will be over or under 13.
Progressive Jackpot
Offers a progressive jackpot, which you win with four red or black aces.
Royal Match
Pays 25:1 for a suited K-Q and pays 5:2 for other suited cards.
Suit ‘Em Up
Wins when you have suited cards, including up to 60:1 for suited aces.
Super Sevens
Wins when you have one or more sevens in your hand, with a top payout of 5,000:1 (three-suited sevens).
How do Blackjack Side Bets Impact Your Odds & Winnings?
Standard blackjack odds of winning are among the best in the casino. So, how do blackjack side bet odds compare?
Side bets promise higher payouts, but they also come with a higher house edge and lower probabilities of winning. To put this into perspective, let’s compare a standard blackjack bet with one of the more favorable side bets: Perfect Pairs.
Standard Bet
A regular blackjack bet gives you nearly a 50/50 chance of winning a hand, and the house edge is relatively low, meaning your money lasts longer over time.
- House edge: 0.5% with strategy and favorable rules
- The probability of winning a hand (pays 1:1): 42.2%
- The probability of a natural blackjack (pays 3:2 or 6:5): 4.8%
Perfect Pairs Bet
With a Perfect Pairs bet, your potential payout is much higher, but the chances of hitting a winning combination are significantly lower.
- House edge: 3.24%
- The probability of a perfect pair (pays 30:1):1.67%
- The probability of a colored pair (pays 10:1):1.93%
- The probability of a mixed pair (pays 5:1): 3.86%
While side bets increase the house edge and have worse odds, they can still add excitement to the game and offer big payouts. If you enjoy a little extra risk and the thrill of chasing big wins, side bets can be a fun addition. Just please don’t rely on them for consistent profits!
Blackjack Side Bet Strategies
Again, the blackjack side bet strategy is not as complex as what regular play entails. Here are my tips to you help boost your odds of winning.
Seek Low House Edges
Some side wagers give you a better chance to win than others. 21+3 (3.24%) and Perfect Pairs (4.2%) are among the best regarding house edge.
Other side bets like insurance (7.39%) are not worth consideration due to poor odds.
Know the Number of Decks
Many blackjack games feature six decks, so house edges here involve six-deck tables.
However, you will also run into single-, double-, four- and eight-deck games—the blackjack house edge on side bets normally decreases with more decks.
For example, 21+3 carries a 13.3% house advantage with one deck and a 3.24% house edge with six.
Consider the Volatility
Side wagers with big payouts are attractive, but they are also volatile.
For example, Perfect Pairs is an intriguing prospect due to a blackjack payout chart ranging from 5:1 to 30:1.
Your odds of forming the lowest pair (red/black) are only 25:1. You will lose many dollar bets before collecting wins at this rate.
Bring a Larger Bankroll
A dollar is not much in blackjack’s grand scheme, but it can add up when you make side bets every round.
The volatility issue mentioned above only adds to the challenge.
I recommend adding at least 10-20% more to your bankroll before sessions involving side wagers.
Remember Basic Blackjack Strategy
Do not get too caught up in the side bet excitement. You must place regular bets before making side bets.
Blackjack gets expensive when you are not making good decisions regarding hitting, standing, splitting, or doubling down.
Check out our guide to learn or get a refresher on basic blackjack strategy.
Are Blackjack Side Bets Worth It?
Whether side bets in blackjack are worth it depends upon your personal preferences. However, I’ve compiled some scenarios to help you determine if side wagers are worthwhile.
✅ Side Bets Are a Good Choice If:
- You Are a Casual Player Seeking More Excitement: You may not have dreams of big profits and blackjack domination in your head. Instead, you might be a casual player who focuses on having fun. Side bets are perfect because they add more action and potential wins in each hand.
- Bigger Payouts are Tempting to You: Blackjack side bet’s payout potential is far greater than the standard game’s. For example, Super Sevens and Lucky Ladies offer top payouts worth 5,000:1 and 1,000:1 payouts, respectively.
❌ Side Bets Aren’t for You If:
- You Want the Lowest Blackjack House Edge: Side wagers can never match the low house edge of regular bets. Even the best blackjack side bets like 21+3 (3.24% house edge) still do not measure up to regular play. Worst-case scenarios like insurance (7.39%) are some of the least-desirable wagers in casino gaming.
- You Love the Strategic Aspect of Blackjack: You may enjoy the challenge and complexity of knowing when to hit and stand. The same intricate strategy is void with side bets.Blackjack side bet strategy mostly amounts to knowing which wagers have the lowest house edges.
Final Thoughts on Blackjack Side Bets
Personal preference plays a predominant role in deciding whether or not you play blackjack side bets.
At face value, each side wager placed will come with additional risk, which will be offset by the relatively low cost of the bet.
With this trade-off comes the possibility of bigger wins and making your blackjack experience more enjoyable.
I encourage you to at least test the waters by placing a single side wager and gauge how the experience makes you feel.
After all, the price of knowing if you enjoy the added thrills or prefer a methodical strategy that maximizes returns is just $1.
