Should You Play Blackjack Side Bets? Full Guide & Payouts
Blackjack Side Bets Explained: Are They Worth the Risk?
🎯 Quick Take: What You'll Learn
- Why side bets are so popular
- All the most common blackjack side bets and their payouts
- Tips and tricks for playing side bets
- How side bets work in online blackjack games
Blackjack is a classic table game enjoyed by millions of players worldwide. People love to play blackjack because it’s easy to learn, fast-paced, and gives you a chance to actually win money, since it's one of the casino games with the lowest house edge. While the main goal is to beat the dealer by having a hand value closest to 21 without going over, many players seek extra excitement through blackjack side bets.
These are extra wagers you can place alongside your regular bet, and they can make the game even more fun by offering bigger payouts for specific outcomes. In this article, we'll break down what blackjack side bets are, how they work, their rules, payouts, house edges, and the best ones to try.
What Are Blackjack Side Bets?
Blackjack side bets are additional wagers made during a standard game, predicting specific outcomes related to the player's or dealer's cards. The original wager is simple; you win if your hand beats the dealer’s hands, but side bets are separate wagers you can make at the start of a round, and they don’t depend on whether you win the main game.
Instead, they focus on specific things, like the cards you’re dealt or the dealer’s up card. For example, a side bet blackjack might pay you extra if your first two cards are a perfect pair or if the dealer’s hand ends up in a certain way.
These additional wagers give you a chance to win more money, even if you lose the main hand. However, it’s important to note that side bets usually come with a higher house edge, which means that the casino has a greater advantage over players compared to the standard game.
Why Do People Like Blackjack Side Bets?
People enjoy blackjack side bets because they add extra excitement to a standard game. Unlike the main wager, these optional bets offer the chance to win big—sometimes paying 100:1 or more—just for landing the right card combination. Another reason players love blackjack with side bets is that they’re totally optional. You can play them for extra thrills or stick to the main bet for a more strategic approach.
Today, blackjack with side bets is more popular than ever. Casinos—both online and in-person—are constantly rolling out new side bet options to keep things fresh. With so many blackjack tables offering them, it’s worth knowing how side bets work and which ones are the most popular.
Common Blackjack Side Bets
Here are some of the most popular blackjack side bets:
1. Perfect Pairs
The Perfect Pairs side bet focuses on the player's first two cards, aiming for pairs. If they’re a pair (two cards of the same value or same rank), it's a win.
There are three types of pairs, and each has a different payout:
- Perfect Pair: Two identical cards (like two Queens of Hearts). This usually pays 25:1.
- Colored Pair: Two cards of the same rank and same colour (like a Queen of Hearts and a Queen of Diamonds). Pays around 12:1.
- Mixed Pair: Two cards of the same rank but different suits and colors (like a Queen of Hearts and a Queen of Spades). Pays about 6:1.
The house edge for this bet varies and is usually around 6-7%, depending on the number of decks used. As a general rule of thumb, it's generally higher than the main blackjack game.
2. 21+3
The blackjack side bet 21+3 mixes blackjack with poker. It looks at your first two cards and the dealer’s up card. If these three cards make a poker hand, you win, using blackjack card values to find the total.
Here are the winning combinations:
- Straight Flush: Three consecutive cards of the same suit (like 4, 5, 6 of Clubs).
- Three of a Kind: Three cards of the same rank (like three 7s).
- Straight: Three consecutive cards of any suits (like 5, 6, 7).
- Flush: Three cards of the same suit (like 2, 8, King of Spades).
Payouts for these hands typically are:
- Straight Flush: Pays 40:1.
- Three of a Kind: Pays 30:1.
- Straight: Pays 10:1.
- Flush: Pays 5:1
The house edge here is usually 3-4%, which is lower than some other bets but is generally higher than the main game.
3. Lucky Ladies
The Lucky Ladies side bet wins if the player's first two cards total 20. The payouts get bigger based on how you hit 20:
- Two Queen of Hearts: Pays 100:1.
- Matched 20 (same suit): Pays 25:1.
- Unmatched 20: Pays 10:1.
- Any 20: Pays 4:1.
The house edge for this bet is relatively high making it less favorable for players chasing huge winnings.
4. Royal Match
The Royal Match side bet rewards players when their first two cards are suited. If they are, the bet wins. There's also a bonus if players score a King and Queen of the same suit (a “royal match”).
Payouts are:
- Royal Match (King and Queen of the same suit): Pays 25:1.
- Easy Match (any two suited cards): Pays 5:2.
This side bet offers moderate payouts, but comes with a higher house edge compared to the main game.
5. Super 4 Progressive
The Super 4 Progressive side bet wins when the dealer has a blackjack, with larger payouts for specific combinations.
💡 Highlight: On February 13, 2025, a player at Mohegan Sun casino turned a $5 Super 4 Progressive side bet into $1.3 million, making it one of the biggest blackjack wins in history.
Other Common Side Bets
Insurance Bet
An Insurance bet is a popular side bet in blackjack, offered when the dealer’s up card is an Ace. The idea is that you’re betting that the dealer has a blackjack (a 10-value card paired with an Ace).
The Insurance bet is a separate wager that typically pays 2:1 if the dealer has a blackjack. However, this bet is usually considered unfavorable because the odds of the dealer having a blackjack aren’t high enough to justify the risk.
Super Sevens
Super Sevens is a side bet that wagers on whether your first card will be a 7, and if your first two cards will be a pair of 7s. The payout increases if you are dealt more 7s during the game and if you get a three of a kind of 7s, the payout can be very high.
Payouts are;
- One 7: Pays 3:1.
- Two 7s: Pays 50:1.
- Three 7s: Pays 500:1 (or higher).
The house edge is very high, often over 12%, because getting multiple 7s is rare.
Pair Square
Similar to Perfect Pairs, the Pair Square side bet wins when the player’s first two cards form a pair. Different payouts are given based on whether they are a mixed pair, colored pair, or perfect pair.
How to Play Blackjack with Side Bets
Playing blackjack with side bets is similar to playing regular blackjack, with the added option of placing additional wagers. Here’s how it works:
- Place your main bet: Place your main bet and decide if you want to place a separate bet on a side wager.
- Place side bets: You can choose one or more additional side bets to place on top of your main bet. Each side bet has its own odds and payout structure.
- Receive your cards: After all bets are placed, you and the dealer receive your cards.
- Check your side bet outcomes: If you’ve placed a side bet, check to see if the various combinations of your cards (and possibly the dealer’s) result in a winning hand for the side bet.
- Resolve the main hand: The dealer completes the main hand and if you win, your bet pays according to the payout table. Side bets are paid out separately based on their specific rules.
Should You Play Side Bets?
Blackjack side bets can add excitement to the game with the potential for big payouts, but they also come with a higher house edge than the main blackjack bet. So whether you should play them depends on your risk tolerance, budget, and playing style.
If you’re playing blackjack purely for fun and enjoy taking risks for the chance of a big payout, then side bets can be a great addition. However, if you prefer a lower-risk, more strategic approach, you may want to focus on the main blackjack bet and skip side bets. Ultimately, playing blackjack with side bets is a personal choice, just be sure to understand the risks and bet responsibly.
Tips for Playing Blackjack Side Bets
Here are some simple tips for playing blackjack side bets:
1. Start Small: Bet less on side bets than your main bet: For example, $5 on the side and $20 on the main hand.
2. Set a Budget: Allocate a specific portion of your bankroll for side bets and adhere to it.
3. Know the Rules: Payouts vary depending on the casino. So, familiarize yourself with these variations to make informed decisions about where and how to place your bets.
4. Use Betting Strategies: Employ traditional betting systems like the Martingale to manage your bet sizes each round.
5. Don’t Chase Losses: If you lose a few side bets, don’t keep betting more to win it back.
6. Have Fun: Treat side bets as a bonus, not the main point of the game, and always gamble responsibly.
| ✅ | ❌ |
|---|---|
| Potential for High Payouts: Side bets can offer significant returns on small wagers. | Higher House Edge: Side bets typically favor the casino more than the main game. |
| Increased Excitement: Adds extra thrills to the standard blackjack game. | Increased Risk: The likelihood of winning side bets is lower, leading to potential losses. |
| Progressive Jackpots: Some of these best side bets offer life-changing winnings. | Not Strategy-Based: Unlike counting cards or basic blackjack strategy, side bets don’t involve skill. |
Side Bets in Online Blackjack in 2025
Online blackjack has evolved in 2025, with side bets now being a major part of the action. Most online tables offer a wide range of side bets—everything from the classics like Perfect Pairs and Royal Match, to newer options like Pair Square or bets tied to the dealer’s face card.
The best part? Online platforms often let you watch blackjack games for free, so you can see blackjack side bets in action without risking your own money. You can also see the cards dealt in real time and place side bets with a click. Some sites even offer additional side bet options tied to progressive jackpots, where payouts grow until someone wins big.
Conclusion
Blackjack side bets are a fun way to level up your casino experience, giving you more chances to win and adding variety to the game. While they come with higher risks and a steeper house edge, they can be worth it for players chasing big thrills and bigger payouts.
If you're thinking of trying side bets, go for the ones that match your play style and risk level—and always know the odds before jumping in. Most importantly, bet smart, manage your bankroll, and treat side bets like the bonus feature they are.
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