Blackjack Side Bets Explained: How They Work, Types, and When to Use Them
Blackjack side bets are optional wagers placed alongside your main blackjack bet, offering higher payouts and extra excitement, but usually at the cost of a higher house edge. This guide explains how blackjack side bets work, the most common types, their odds, and when they make sense, so you can decide whether they’re worth including in your game.
Important note: Blackjack side bets are designed for entertainment. No side bet offers a long-term advantage over the house.
What Are Blackjack Side Bets?
Definition and Purpose
Blackjack side bets are optional wagers placed before the cards are dealt, separate from your main blackjack hand. They do not affect whether you win or lose the core blackjack game.
Players typically use side bets to:
Chase higher payouts
Add variety to standard blackjack
Enjoy bonus-style gameplay without changing basic strategy
How Blackjack Side Bets Work
You place your main blackjack bet first.
If available, you then place one or more side bets.
The side bet outcome is determined by specific card combinations or totals, usually involving:
Your first two cards
The dealer’s up card
Side bets are settled immediately, regardless of how the main hand ends.
Typical Payout Ranges and House Edge
Most blackjack side bets offer:
Payouts: 5:1 to 100:1 (sometimes higher with progressives)
House edge: typically, 4% to 10%, but some exceed 15%
This is significantly higher than optimal blackjack play, which can have a house edge below 1%.
The Most Common Blackjack Side Bets
Insurance Bet
What it is:
A side bet offered when the dealer shows an Ace, betting that the dealer has blackjack.
Payout: 2:1
Reality: Long-term losing bet
Insurance does not protect your main hand and statistically favours the casino.
Verdict: Generally, not recommended.
Perfect Pairs
You win if your first two cards form a pair.
Pair Type | Description | Typical Payout |
Mixed Pair | Same rank, different suits | 5:1 |
Colored Pair | Same rank, same color | 10:1 |
Perfect Pair | Same rank and suit | 30:1 |
House edge: ~5–7%
Verdict: Popular and reasonably balanced for a side bet.
21+3 Side Bet
Combines your first two cards with the dealer’s up card to form poker-style hands.
Common winning combinations:
Flush
Straight
Three of a kind
Straight flush
Suited three of a kind
Typical payouts: 5:1 up to 100:1
House edge: 3–10% depending on rules
Verdict: One of the most popular and entertaining side bets.
Other Popular Blackjack Side Bets to Know
Lucky Ladies
Pays when your first two cards total 20, with premium payouts for suited queens.
House edge: Often 17%+
Verdict: Fun, but very expensive over time
Royal Match
Pays if your first two cards are the same suit.
Typical payout: Up to 25:1
House edge: ~3–4%
Verdict: Lower house edge than many side bets
Super Sevens / 777
Pays based on how many sevens appear in your first cards.
Higher payouts: suited or three sevens
Verdict: Volatile, novelty bet
Lucky Lucky
Based on the total of your two cards plus the dealer’s up card.
Payouts: Increase with higher totals
Verdict: High variance, entertainment-focused
Buster Blackjack
Pays if the dealer busts, with payouts increasing based on the number of cards used.
Payouts: Up to 250:1
House edge: Often 6%+
Verdict: Fun but risky
Progressive Side Bets
Linked jackpots triggered by rare hands such as suited aces.
Potential payouts: Very large
Verdict: Jackpot-style entertainment, not strategy-based
Blackjack Side Bets Compared: Odds and Payouts
Side Bet | Typical Payout | House Edge (approx.) | Worth Playing? |
Insurance | 2:1 | 6–7% | Rarely |
Perfect Pairs | Up to 30:1 | 5–7% | Sometimes |
21+3 | Up to 100:1 | 3–10% | Occasionally |
Lucky Ladies | Up to 1000:1 | 17%+ | No |
Royal Match | 25:1 | 3–4% | Moderate |
Buster Blackjack | Up to 250:1 | 6%+ | Fun, risky |
Are Blackjack Side Bets Worth It?
Advantages of Playing Side Bets
Higher potential payouts
Adds excitement and variety
Some offer progressive jackpots
Disadvantages and Risks
Much higher house edge than main blackjack
Can drain bankroll quickly
Distracts from optimal blackjack strategy
When It Makes Sense to Use Them
Playing recreationally
Using bonus funds or free bets
When progressive jackpots are unusually high
Blackjack Strategy vs Side Bets
Why Basic Strategy Doesn’t Apply to Side Bets
Side bets are mathematically independent of blackjack decisions like hitting or standing.
Balancing Fun and Profit
Think of side bets like:
Buying a lottery ticket alongside a steady investment
Entertainment, not a long-term edge
How to Limit Risk While Using Side Bets
Keep side bets to 5–10% of your main stake
Avoid increasing side bet size during losing streaks
Stick to one side bet at a time
Tips for Playing Blackjack Side Bets Responsibly
Know the Odds Before You Play
Always check the house edge and payout table.
Try Free Blackjack Games First
Demo modes help you understand volatility without risk.
Set Win and Loss Limits
Side bets can swing fast. Limits protect your bankroll and mindset.
Frequently Asked Questions About Blackjack Side Bets
What is the most popular blackjack side bet?
Perfect Pairs and 21+3 are the most widely offered.
Are blackjack side bets worth it?
They’re fun but not profitable long-term.
What is the highest-paying side bet?
Progressive side bets can pay thousands to one.
Which blackjack side bet has the lowest house edge?
Royal Match and some versions of 21+3.
Can I use side bets in live dealer blackjack?
Yes, most live blackjack tables include them.
Do side bets affect the main game?
No, they are completely separate.
Final Thoughts – Should You Play Blackjack Side Bets?
Blackjack side bets add excitement and the chance for big wins, but they come with higher risk and higher house edge. They’re best treated as entertainment, not as part of a serious blackjack strategy.
If you choose to use them:
Keep stakes small
Understand the odds
Play for fun, not profit
Responsible bankroll management will always matter more than chasing the next big side bet payout.
