Wow, you really mean business with your blackjack game. You are looking for more ways to mean the “business” more by placing bets on the side. You want to rake in more! These wagers are placed on events that could occur during the game but aren’t directly related to winning the main game.
In essence, blackjack side bets offer another opportunity to profit alongside the main game. You can earn extra cash by predicting stuff such as the cards the dealer or you will draw. If luck or whatever smiles at you, side bets can be a very lucrative venture to explore, as there are many things you can try in it that can increase your earnings.
Some players might not fare well in the main blackjack game but end up leaving with hefty pockets because of successful side bets.
Of course, there’s a lot more to it than meets the eye. That’s why you’re here, and that is why I’ll guide you step by step through all the information you need to know about them in this post.
There are some popular side bets that you can profit from, and we’ll go over each of them. Because you have proved to be really into these side bets thing, here are the types of them you can consider — they are your reward!
21+3 is one of the most common blackjack bets. This bet is about trying to guess what kind of mini-poker hand could be made from your first two cards and the dealer’s face-up card.
Here are the combinations you’ll be aiming for:
Sure, these payouts are standard, but different casinos may have variations, so it’s wise to confirm with the dealer before placing your bets. Here is a quick push: Getting a Suited Triple might pay 100 times your bet!
Unlike the 21+3 blackjack side bet that uses the dealer’s and the player’s cards, the perfect pairs side bet uses only the player’s first two dealt cards. If the two cards match in one way or another, you receive your pay. There are three possible ways these cards can combine, they include:
“Insurance” is a side bet that you can place if the dealer’s first face-up card is an Ace. This bet is sort of a safety net, protecting you in case the dealer gets a Blackjack.
Here’s how it works:
1. The dealer flips their first card and it’s an Ace.
2. You place an Insurance bet, which is half of your original bet.
3. If the dealer’s second card gives them a Blackjack (a 10, Jack, Queen, or King), you’ll lose your initial bet, but you’ll win the Insurance bet. This is usually paid out at 2:1, so you break even.
4. If the dealer does not get a Blackjack, you lose the Insurance bet and the game continues as usual. This type of side bet reduces the entire house edge.
Don’t be deceived, as even though the Insurance bet can protect your original bet, it’s a separate bet with its own risks.
This side bet involves banking on your talisman or any other form of luck, with the “hope” of drawing sevens in your hand. To win the Super Seven side bet, one or more sevens must be dealt to you. There are five possible outcomes:
In the Super Sevens side bet, when a player gets two sevens and the dealer has a blackjack, what happens next isn’t always straightforward. Some casinos may pay out for the two sevens without dealing a third card.
However, this policy can differ from one casino to another, so it’s advisable to review the specific rules at the casino where you’re playing, as is now recommended for the second time in this post.
You could call this one the little brother of 21+3. Look at where I am coming from: 21+3 involves the dealer’s card and your two cards, focusing on poker hand combinations. But Royal Match is easier — it only looks at your first two cards, hence the “little brother.”
With Royal Match, you’re wagering that your first two cards will both be from the same suit. If they are, it’s called an “Easy Match” and usually pays out between 5:2 and 5:1. If your first two cards are the King and Queen of the same suit, it’s called a “Royal Match,” and the payout is usually between 10:1 and 25:1. That might be where the “Royal” in its name comes from!
I will break it down nice and simple, even though this bet is already pretty straightforward. This bet is as if predicting the total points a basketball team will score in a game, except here, you’re guessing the total value of your first two cards in blackjack.
Here’s how it works:
If you guess right, you usually get paid 1:1. It’s a simple bet that doesn’t require much knowledge of the game — just a little luck.
A handy tip to remember: Face cards (King, Queen, Jack) are worth 10, and Aces can be either 1 or 11. So, if you get a King and a 4, your total is 14, and you win the Over 13 bet. But if you get an Ace (as 1) and a 2, your total is 3, and you win the Under 13 bet.
Lucky Ladies, huh? Who came up with that name? Well, let’s find out if the ladies are really as “lucky” as they say. In this bet, you are expected to get a total of 20 with your first two cards. The payouts change depending on the combination of those cards.
For instance:
It’s a fun bet if you’re feeling lucky and aiming for a big win. The ladies might just prove to be lucky after all. Lest we forget, just look at the good number of outcomes this side bet has for you.
However, hope you know that having more possible outcomes doesn’t necessarily mean a side bet is better or worse.
And hereeee we are! Just give any of the above side bets a shot since you’re avoiding the main game for weird reasons. But let’s not make things weirder. Instead, let’s look at why side bets are worth trying and other related baggage.
Whenever blackjack side bets are mentioned, it is luck that flies around. Play me “Ding Ding Licky Licky Licky Bong” by Lucky Dube, haha. Side bets offer a thrilling way to spice up your blackjack experience, with even fatter opportunities than the main game. And… Oh, I almost forgot about the different varieties available, which add an extra layer of excitement, curiosity, and learning. Moreover, they’re usually easy to grasp, making them accessible even for beginners.
Yes, I get it. Some side bets promise big payouts, which can be pretty tempting. But keep in mind the higher the payout, the lower the chances of it actually happening. If you’re still keen on trying these out, maybe stick to smaller bets. That way, you’re not putting too much on the line for something that might be a bit of a long shot. All in all, giving side bets a try is definitely worth it.
I bet the way I’ve been talking about side bets might have made them sound pretty glamorous to you. But I kid you not, they’re not all a bed of roses. Despite adding more layers to the game, winning side bets is actually tougher than winning in the main game of Blackjack.
The house edge shoots up quite a bit for blackjack side bets, often hovering around 10% or higher. In simple terms, while side bets offer a chance to score big wins in blackjack, they also increase the risk of losing more money.
