Based on certain conditions, such as house edge and payouts, players can bet on the assumption of cards that the player or the dealer will receive. These bets increase payouts during the gameplay of classic blackjack games. But the question arises is whether playing blackjack side bets is worth your risk.
Based on player reviews and the natural gameplay of blackjack side bets, we decided to find the answer for you. Below are some side bets in blackjack and tips on whether they are worth trying or not.
1. Perfect Pairs Side Bet in Blackjack
This is the most commonly played, and a worthy side bet in blackjack. The probability of winning with this bet increases if you are on a table with 8 cards. But why so?
In perfect pairs, the player places a bet on the outcome of the first two dealt cards. The players can win the side bet if the cards are pairs based on certain situations. The pairing case of this bet are:
- 25:1 payout – If the first two cards are the same in suit, colour, and card.
- 12:1 payout – If the pairs are from the same colour and cards but different suit
- 6:1 payout – If the first two cards are a pair of black and red colours.
The housing edge is 11%, and considering its simple possibilities, this bet is worth risking.
2. Insurance Side Bet in Blackjack
Soon after the cards are revealed, and it comes out to be an Ace, the player can place the insurance bet. It will cost half of the original bet. Assuming the dealer has a blackjack, and if so, then the insurance bet will return the overall stake to the player.
The insurance bet pays out in a 2:1 ratio on losing the hand, so the player will return their original chance. Even though the odds of this bet is 33/16, which comes out to be 2 to 3% of the house edge, it can vary every time. Thus making this bet one of the optimum out of all side bets in blackjack.
3. 21+3 Side Bet in Blackjack
This bet offers the highest payout but in return for a higher house edge. There are five possibilities to win the 21+3 side bet. They are compiled as:
- 100:1 payout: When two cards of the player and one up-turn card of the dealer are the same in colour, suit, and value.
- 40:1 payout: In this straight flush, if the player’s two cards match a numerical sequence in the same suit as the dealer’s up-turn card.
- 30:1 payout: It is a three-of-a-kind situation where all three cards are of the same value irrespective of their suits.
- 10:1 payout: If the three cards make a numerical sequence.
- 5:1 payout – When all three cards are from the same suit.
This bet has a varying house edge of 2.78% to 13.39%. With such high house edges and variability, this side bet is not worth your stakes.
Other Side bets in Blackjack
There are two other side bets in blackjack, and they are:
- Royal Match with a house edge of 3.7%
- Under/Over 13 with a house edge of 8%
Final Note
They include a high risk of losing bets – perhaps due to a high percentage of the house edge. Yet, some players are comfortable with high-risk games, so determining the worth of this game takes a lot of work.
