Blackjack side bets are something that you might have noticed when playing blackjack online. They are often found on either side of the main betting area. However, the insurance side bet can be offered by the dealer when appropriate. In this guide, we take a look at the most popular blackjack side bets, while also looking at the odds and potential winnings of each!
Table of Contents:
- What are Blackjack Side Bets?
- Popular Types of Blackjack Side Bets
- Payouts and Odds of Blackjack Side Bets
- Evaluating Blackjack Side Bets: Are They Worth It?
- Conclusion
- Frequently Asked Questions About Blackjack Side Bets
What are Blackjack Side Bets?
In simple terms, Blackjack side bets are additional bets that you can make alongside your main bet when playing Blackjack. They are a fun way to add a little extra spice to your game, and they come with their own unique blackjack side bets odds.
Another important thing to mention is that with blackjack side bets, the result of the main hand is irrelevant. Whether you bust, lose to the dealer, land a blackjack, or get closer to 21 than the host has no impact on the outcome of a side bet. In fact, virtually all side bets are settled before the player makes their first decision!
Popular Types of Blackjack Side Bets
Now, let’s get to the main part of this guide, which includes taking a look at some of the most popular types of blackjack side bets!
Insurance
First up, we have Insurance. This is a type of blackjack side bet where you’re essentially betting that the dealer has a blackjack. As mentioned earlier, this type of bet is offered by the dealer. However, this will only occur if their face-up card is an ace.
Perfect Pairs
Another side bet that many people will have heard of is Perfect Pairs. This is where you place a bet that the first two cards dealt to your hand will be a pair. It’s an incredibly simple side bet and the potential payout varies depending on the type of pair you get, as explained a little later!
21+3
Next, we have 21+3. This side bet combines your first two cards and the dealer’s up card, treating these three cards as a poker hand. If these three cards form a straight, a flush, a three-of-a-kind, or a straight flush, then this side bet will be marked as a winner, and the corresponding potential winnings will be awarded!
Super Sevens
Super Sevens, as the name suggests, is a side bet that revolves around 7s. The potential winnings can increase depending on the number of 7s you’re dealt, if any. Perhaps the reason for this side bet being so popular is that with most online blackjack tables, it can award maximum potential winnings of 5,001x the stake size.
Lucky Lucky
Last but not least, we have Lucky Lucky. This is a bet based on the player’s first two cards and the dealer’s up card. If these three cards total 19, 20, or 21, then this side bet will be a success!
| Side Bet | Overview |
| Insurance | Focuses on whether or not the dealer has a blackjack. |
| Perfect Pairs | Takes the first two cards dealt to the player into consideration. |
| 21+3 | This side bet combines the first two cards that the player receives with the dealer’s face-up card, in order to make a poker hand. |
| Super Sevens | Looks for sevens in the player’s hand, or as the face-up dealer’s card. |
| Lucky Lucky | Revolves around whether the player’s first two cards and the dealer’s up card total up to 19, 20, or 21. |
Payouts and Blackjack Side Bet Odds
The most common blackjack side bet payouts are for Insurance, which awards at the rate of 2 to 1, should the dealer have an ace and a card valued at 10. In most cases, players can bet up to half of their initial stake size on Insurance.
Next up is the blackjack side bet odds for Perfect Pairs, which sit at 5 to 1, 12 to 1, and 25 to 1 for a mixed pair, a coloured pair, and a perfect pair, in that order. A mixed pair is any two cards of the same face value, a coloured pair is a combination of two cards with the same face value and colour, while perfect pairs are two of the same card (Both face value and suit).
On the other hand, the 21+3 blackjack side bets payout is as follows:
- Flush (All three cards are the same suit) – Awards at the rate of 5 to 1.
- Straight (All three cards run in a consecutive order) – Awards at the rate of 10 to 1.
- Three of a Kind (All three cards have the same face value) – Awards at the rate of 30 to 1.
- Straight Flush (All three cards are consecutive and the same suit) – Awards at the rate of 40 to 1.
- Suited Trips (All three cards are the same) – Awards at the rate of 100 to 1.
The Super Seven blackjack side bets odds can also vary greatly:
- If the first card is a seven – Awards at the rate of 3 to 1.
- Two mixed sevens – Awards at the rate of 50 to 1.
- Two suited sevens – Awards at the rate of 100 to 1.
- Three mixed sevens – Awards at the rate of 500 to 1.
- Three suited sevens – Awards at the rate of 5,000 to 1.
Finally, we have the blackjack side bet payouts for Lucky Lucky:
- 19 or 20 – Awards at the rate of 2 to 1.
- Mixed 21 – Awards at the rate of 3 to 1.
- Suited 21 – Awards at the rate of 15 to 1.
- Mixed 6-7-8 – Awards at the rate of 30 to 1.
- Mixed 7-7-7 – Awards at the rate of 50 to 1.
- Suited 6-7-8 – Awards at the rate of 100 to 1.
- Suited 7-7-7 – Awards at the rate of 200 to 1.
| Side Bet | Maximum Potential Blackjack Side Bets Payout |
| Insurance | 2 to 1 |
| Perfect Pairs | 25 to 1 |
| 21+3 | 100 to 1 |
| Super Sevens | 5,000 to 1 |
| Lucky Lucky | 200 to 1 |
Evaluating Blackjack Side Bets: Are They Worth It?
While this question is subjective, perhaps the easiest way to determine whether or not blackjack side bets are worth it is to look at the potential advantages and disadvantages of each!
Pros and Cons of Side Bets in Blackjack
Like many other options at the table, blackjack side bets come with their ups and downs. They can potentially add another layer of fun to your game, while also adding another potential way to win. Alternatively, blackjack side bet odds can lead to an increased house edge and tougher bankroll management.
Pros of Side Bets in Blackjack:
- Can add more fun to your game.
- Could be considered when looking to mix things up.
- They add another way to potentially win, even if the main bet is lost.
Cons of Side Bets in Blackjack:
- The house edge of side bets can be higher. For example, the house edge of Insurance is roughly 5.80%, while this percentage sits at around 2.00% for main bets.
- Often, players will lay chips on side bets randomly, which can make bankroll management trickier.
The Impact of Side Bets on the Game
For players who are looking to add another layer of fun to their game, side bets could definitely be worth consideration. However, when it comes to card counters or people who are looking for online casino games with a low house edge, they might be better off avoiding blackjack side bet odds altogether.
Conclusion
In conclusion, popular blackjack side bets include the likes of Insurance, Perfect Pairs, 21+3, Lucky Lucky, and Super Sevens. These can award players with up to 3x, 26x, 101x, 201x, or 5,001x their stake size, in that order. Of course, the blackjack side bet payouts are closely linked to their probability of occurring, meaning that there are plenty of options to meet the preferences of virtually any player!
Here at Heart Bingo, we offer a range of blackjack tables with side betting options, many of which are hosted by live dealers. Players can also find a variation of unique games in our catalogue, such as Quantum Blackjack Plus and Lightning Blackjack, all of which feature their own betting choices.
Regardless of which blackjack side bets a player opts for, playing responsibly should always be a main point to consider. We offer a range of safer gambling features, including deposit limits and reality checks, amongst a selection of other tools, should players wish to use them at any time.
Frequently Asked Questions About Blackjack Side Bets
The most popular side bets in Blackjack include Insurance, 21+3, Perfect Pairs, Super Sevens, and Lucky Lucky. Keep in mind that these options may not be available at all blackjack table games.
When compared to the odds of the main game, side bets have a higher house edge. For example, Insurance has a house edge of around 5.80%, while the main game has a house edge of roughly 2.00%, or 0.50% if players are following basic strategy. However, the blackjack side bets odds do not influence the main game, as they run separately from each other.
For players who want to add another layer of fun to their blackjack experience, side bets can be worth it. However, for those who are looking to decrease the house edge as much as possible, these bets may be best avoided.
The Insurance side bet revolves around whether or not the dealer has a blackjack. It’s offered to players when the dealer’s face-up card is an ace and it comes with blackjack side bet odds of 2 to 1. Players can bet up to half of their initial stake size on Insurance if they wish.
There are some complex blackjack side bet strategies that have been incorporated into card counting. Apart from this, most side betting options are used by players who are simply looking to add another layer of fun to their game.
