Blackjack Side Bets – A Detailed Guide on How They Work

Blackjack side bets are optional wagers placed alongside the main blackjack bet, offering higher payouts in exchange for a higher house edge. In this blackjack side bets guide, we explain how side bets work, cover the most popular side bets, and break down their odds, probabilities, strategy, and risks so you can decide if they’re worth playing. 

What Are Blackjack Side Bets?

Blackjack side bets are optional wagers placed alongside your main blackjack hand, focusing on specific card combinations or outcomes.

At most blackjack tables, there are one or two blackjack side bet options in play. These can be as simple as betting on your first two cards forming a pair, or combining them with the dealer’s upcard to create a poker-style hand.

If you are just learning how to play blackjack, keep in mind that side bets usually offer much bigger payouts than standard blackjack. However, there’s a catch: the house edge is always much higher. 

While they can add fun and variety to your session, they’re best enjoyed as occasional indulgences rather than a core blackjack strategy.

How Do Blackjack Side Bets Work?

Blackjack side bets are optional wagers that you can add to your main blackjack bet. The side bets don’t change how the hand is played, but they do add extra outcomes that are settled really quickly. Let’s break them down:  

1. When are side bets placed?

Side bets must be placed before the cards are dealt, at the exact same time you place your main blackjack wager. Once the dealer starts dealing, the window is closed. You can’t add, adjust, or remove a side bet mid-hand.

2. What are side bets based on?
   Most blackjack side bets depend only on:

• Your first two cards
• The dealer’s upcard
• Or a specific combination of both

They are not affected by later decisions, such as hitting, standing, doubling down, or splitting.

3. How are side bets resolved? 

Side bets are usually decided immediately after the initial deal. This means you’ll know whether the side bet wins or loses before the rest of the blackjack hand continues.

4. What is the payout structure?

Side bets offer fixed payouts for predefined outcomes, such as pairs, suited cards, or specific totals.

Common Blackjack Side Bet Rules

While blackjack side bets come in many different styles, most of them follow the same core rules. Here are the basics to help you avoid unwelcome surprises at the table:

1. Side bets must be placed at the same time as your main blackjack bet. Once the cards are dealt, no changes are allowed.
2. Winning or losing the side bet has no effect on your blackjack hand. You can lose the side bet and still win the main game, or vice versa.
3. Outcomes are usually tied to your first two cards, the dealer’s upcard, or both. Later actions don’t matter.
4. Most side bets are resolved right after the initial deal, before any gameplay decisions begin.
5. Payouts are set in advance and often look attractive, but they come with a higher house edge than standard blackjack bets.

Popular Types of Blackjack Side Bets

Whether you play blackjack using a mobile app or play at home on your computer, there are several blackjack side bets available. Here are some of the most common types of blackjack side bets.

Perfect Pairs

This blackjack side bet pays out if your first two cards form a pair. There are three types: mixed (different suits), coloured (same colour, different suits), and perfect (identical cards). The more ‘perfect’ the pair, the higher the payout – up to 25:1 in some games. It’s simple, fun, and wildly popular.

21+3

A poker-style twist on blackjack. Your two cards plus the dealer’s upcard form a three-card poker hand. If you hit a flush, straight, three-of-a-kind, or better, you win. Payouts typically go up to 100:1 for suited trips.

Lucky Ladies

Here, you’re betting that your first two cards total 20, with extra rewards if they’re both queens of hearts. It’s a high-risk, high-reward bet with payouts up to 1000:1 at some tables. Watch out, though, the house edge is steep.

Royal Match

A throwback side bet in blackjack where you win if your first two cards are suited. A regular suited match pays modestly, but if you land the king and queen of the same suit – the Royal Match – you’re looking at a big payout.

Super Sevens

This blackjack side bet is all about the sevens. You win if your first card is a 7, win more if both are 7s, and hit the jackpot if you pull triple sevens, especially if they’re suited. The payouts grow dramatically with each seven.

Buster Blackjack

This blackjack side bet hinges on the dealer going bust. The more cards they bust with, the bigger your payout. Some versions offer progressive jackpots if the dealer busts with 8+ cards and your hand is blackjack.

Match the Dealer

Available in many multi-deck games, this blackjack side bet strategy pays when one (or both) of your first two cards match the dealer’s upcard by rank – and even more if the suit matches too. It’s a quick-fire side bet with simple rules and decent top-end payouts.

Lucky Lucky

This blackjack side bet adds up your two cards and the dealer’s upcard. A total of 19, 20, or 21 is a winner, with suited 7-7-7 offering the biggest payouts, sometimes 200:1 or more.

Hot 3

Hot 3 also uses your two cards plus the dealer’s upcard. You’re betting on combinations like a total of 19-21, suited 21s, or three sevens. Some versions offer huge payouts for suited trips. It’s an exciting option, especially in blackjack variants like Infinite Blackjack or Free Bet Blackjack.

Insurance

Blackjack insurance is offered when the dealer shows an Ace. This classic blackjack side bet pays 2:1 if the dealer has blackjack. But beware, while it seems like a safety net, the odds aren’t great. It’s considered a sucker bet unless you’re counting cards like a pro.

Blackjack Side Bets Odds, Payout & Probabilities

Understanding blackjack side bets payout and odds helps players compare risk versus reward across popular extras like 21+3, Perfect Pairs, and Lucky Ladies. These side bets in blackjack often offer attractive payouts, but they typically come with significantly higher house edges than the main blackjack game.

Side Bet	Description	Typical Max Payout	House Edge	Win Probability
Perfect Pairs	The first two cards form a pair (mixed, coloured, or perfect)	25:1	4% – 11%	~7.5%
21+3	Your two cards + dealer upcard make a poker hand	100:1 (suited trips)	3.2% – 10%	~13%
Insurance	Pays if the dealer has blackjack when showing an Ace	2:1	~7% (varies)	~8%
Lucky Ladies	Your first two cards total 20, with bonuses for suited queens	1000:1 (2 Q♥ + dealer BJ)	17%+	~4.6%
Royal Match	First two cards are suited; royal match is K-Q suited	25:1 (Royal Match)	3.7% – 10.9%	~10%
Super Sevens	One or more 7s in your hand; bigger wins for multiple/seven suited	5000:1 (3 suited 7s)	11%+	<5%
Buster Blackjack	Dealer busts; payouts increase with more cards used to bust	250:1+ (8-card bust + player blackjack)	6% – 12%	~28% (for any bust)
Match the Dealer	One or both of your first cards match the dealer’s upcard	25:1 (perfect match)	3% – 5%	~15%
Lucky Lucky	Your cards + dealer’s upcard total 19-21, or 7-7-7 suited	200:1+ (3 suited 7s)	3.5% – 6.5%	~10%
Hot 3	Total of 19-21 with your cards + dealer’s; suited 21s pay more	100:1+	4% – 6%	~12%

Note: House edges and win rates vary based on the number of decks and specific game rules. Blackjack side bets payouts may differ by casino or provider.

Blackjack Side Bets Strategies: How to Use Side Bets Wisely

Here are three simple strategies to help you enjoy blackjack side bets strategies without getting burned:

• Treat side bets as entertainment: Don’t rely on them to win long-term. Use small stakes and enjoy the thrill of chasing high payouts now and then.
• Know your bets: Some side bets, like 21+3 or Perfect Pairs, offer better odds than others. Learn the house edge and stick to the ones with a lower bite.
• Set clear limits: Decide in advance how often and how much you will wager on side bets in blackjack. Capping their frequency and stake helps protect your bankroll and prevents side bets from overshadowing basic blackjack strategy.

Are Blackjack Side Bets a Good Option for You?

How to Choose the Best Blackjack Side Bets

Blackjack side bets can be fun, but they’re not created equal; so choosing wisely matters far more than you may think. Here are basic steps on how to choose the best one for you:

1. Understand that not all side bets are equal: Some side bets are designed purely for excitement and come with very high house edges. A side bet that looks flashy doesn’t mean it offers fair value.
2. Compare the house edge: Always look at the house edge when possible. A lower house edge means better long-term value. For example, 21+3 usually has a much lower edge than something like Super Sevens, which heavily favors the casino.
3. Identify side bets with better odds: Side bets like 21+3, Perfect Pairs, and Royal Match tend to sit on the lower end of the risk scale. That said, no side bet guarantees profit, so don’t bank on them. 
4. Evaluate payout vs probability: Big payouts are tempting, but they usually come with very low chances of coming forth. Smaller payouts often land more frequently and feel less punishing over time.
5. Consider table rules and payout variations: The same side bet can pay differently depending on the table. Always check the paytable before betting, as small payout changes can significantly affect value.
6. Manage your stakes: Keep side bets small compared to your main blackjack wager. They are optional extras, not the core of your betting strategy.

What To Avoid When Using Blackjack Side Bets

Avoid placing side bets every hand without limits

Side bets in blackjack are designed to lose more often than the main game. Betting them on every hand quickly adds up and drains your bankroll faster than you might expect.

Don’t increase bet size after losses

It’s an attitude of chasing losses, which is highly risky. Side bets don’t “even out” quickly, and long losing streaks are completely normal.

Only chase massive jackpot payouts sparingly

Eye-catching payouts like 500:1 or higher look tempting, but they happen very rarely. Don’t chase them repeatedly, as they are one of the fastest ways to lose money.

Never assume that your blackjack skill improves side bet odds

Card counting, strategy charts, and experience do not meaningfully improve most side bets.

Don’t let side bets influence main-hand decisions

Never hit, stand, double, or split differently just because of a side bet. Your main blackjack hand should always follow proper strategy.

Conclusion

Blackjack side bets can be a fun way to shake up the action, offering big payouts and a dash of unpredictability. But they’re not designed for consistent wins. If you enjoy the thrill and keep your stakes small, the best blackjack side bets are worth a flutter – just don’t bet the house on them.

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