Live Casino Blackjack Side Bets

Blackjack is one of the most popular bets at live dealer tables.

• Live Blackjack Online Casino
• Blackjack Live Casino
• Live Casino Blackjack Side Bets Odds

The simplicity of its rules and the fact that players can lower the house edge to 0.50% are the main reasons why we all love to play it. However, the truth is that winning with a natural can earn you a 3:2 payout, which is the biggest prize you can obtain when playing the main bet only. That's why some players looking for higher payouts may skip this great card game.

What's the odds of getting a winning blackjack side bet? Blackjack is my go to game when I want a long gambling session. I also love Live Ultimate Texas Hold'em and Live 3 Card Poker, they provide me with more excitement but are far more volatile.My bankroll can jump up and just as quickly disappear. Wizard of odds - Side Bets. Sign Up For Updates You're Subscribed! Enter your email address below to subscribe to our weekly newsletter along with other special announcements from The Wizard of Odds!

To attract this target group and add more excitement to the gameplay, many live casino solutions providers have included side bets in their Blackjack games. In this article, we bring you the lowdown on live dealer Blackjack side bets you can play at live casinos.

Most Common Live Blackjack Side Bets

The game of Blackjack starts with placing a main bet or Ante. With this bet, you predict that you will create a hand that is closer to 21 than the dealers without exceeding this number. While this bet pays 1:1 or 3:2, depending on the outcome of a round, side bets pay bigger prizes, but also involve more risk.

These bets are optional meaning that it's up the player whether they will go for them or don't. Let's see which optional side bets are the most common at Blackjack tables hosted by real-life dealers.

Perfect Pairs

This side bet can be played at most Live Blackjack tables. When playing it, the player bets that their two cards will create a pair. It can be placed at the same time as the main bet and pays based on the initial two cards dealt to the player. There are different options when it comes to possible outcomes. Cards can be matched based on suits, colours or ranks, and each of these options awards different payouts and has a different house edge.

To play the Perfect Pairs bet, you need to place your wager on this betting option on the table. If you get a mixed pair, you will win 6:1 on it. A coloured pair pays 12:1 whereas a so-called perfect pair consisting of two cards of the same suit and ranking earns you 25:1. The Perfect Pair bet has a house edge of 4.1%. It is offered by most Live Blackjack tables including Evolution Live Platinum VIP Blackjack and NetEnt Live Perfect Blackjack.

21+3

Another standard option at live dealer Blackjack tables is also based on the initial two cards the player receives with the addition of the dealer's face-up card. The 21+3 side bet wins when these three cards form a poker hand including a three-of-a-kind, flush, straight or straight flush. However, the biggest win is paid when you have a so-called suited trips, which means that you have created a hand consisting on three suited cards of a kind (for instance, three Aces of hearts).

Again, the payout depends on the combination of cards. The smallest prize is awarded when you receive a flush, which means three cards of the same suit, and it is worth 5:1. A straight hand containing three cards in numerical sequence but of a different suit earns you 10:1. A three of a kind hand consisting of three cards of the same value and different suits pays 30:1, while a straight flush wins you 40:1.

This hand must contain three cards of the same suit in numerical order. A suited trips pays out 100:1. The house edge depends on the number of decks in play and payouts, which may vary, but in most cases, it sits at 3.24%. The 21+3 side bet can be played at Ezugi Live Blackjack Bet Behind and Pragmatic Play Live Blackjack tables.

Less Common Live Blackjack Side Bets

Now that we have presented the two most common side bets to you let's take a closer look at those that are not regular at live tables.

Hot 3 & Bust It

With their Live Infinite Blackjack, Evolution Gaming has introduced a few novelties including a few new side bets. The Hot 3 side bet pays out on different card combinations worth 19, 20 and 21. It is based on the player's first two cards and the dealer's upcard. A total of 19 pays 1:1, 20 earns you 2:1 while 21 pays depending on the cards included. An unsuited 21 pays 4:1, a suited 21 wins 20:1 while three 7s grant 100:1.

As for Bust It, this side bet pays when the dealer busts. It pays based on how many cards the dealer busts with, so busting with 3 or more cards in their hand pays from 1:1 up to 250:1. The Hot 3 side bet has a 5.4% house edge while the Bust It bet comes with a house margin of 6.18%.

Honey Bonus & Lucky 7s

We have another pair of optional bets you can play in Live Blackjack by Betconstruct.

Honey Bonus resembles the 21+3 side bet as it pays when the player's first two cards and the dealer's face-up card create a 3-card Poker hand. Besides, it earns you a prize when the first two player's cards form a Blackjack of the same suit. A flush pays 5:1, a straight pays 10:1 while a 3 of a kind grant 20:1. As for a suited Blackjack, it pays 3:1. The house edge for Honey Bonus sits at 13.51%.

When you play the Lucky 7 bet, your first card must be a 7 to get paid. In this case, the side bet pays 3:1. If the first 7 is followed by another 7 of a different or the same suit, you get paid 25:1 or 50:1 respectively. Getting three unsuited 7s, based on your two initial cards and the dealer's upcard, grants a payout of 100:1 while three suited 7s earn you the top prize of 500:1. Be cautious with the Lucky 7s side bet as it has an abysmal house edge of 49.88%.

Rummy

The last entry in our list of less common live dealer Blackjack side bets is available at a Live HD Blackjack table powered by Visionary iGaming. Again, we have a side wager that functions like the 21+3 bet to a certain extent. It allows players to bet that their two initial cards and the dealer's face-up card create rummy.

You need either three cards of the same rank, three cards of the same suit or a three-card straight regardless of the suit to win on this bet. In all cases, you will win the same payout standing at 9:1.

Closing Thoughts

As you can see, there is a variety of side bets available at Live Blackjack tables.

They pay more than the main wager, yet their house edge is much higher, which means that they are more risky to play. If you like taking risks, give them a try from time to time, but keep an eye on your bankroll. You don't want to lose money which you can invest in main bets that have better odds, at least when you play according to the optimal strategy.

Needless to say, it is recommended if you want to make the most of playing Blackjack.

Table Of Contents

With simple rules and easy to learn strategies, the game of blackjack is one of the most popular card games in both Las Vegas Casinos and online around the world.

Blackjack side bets add a layer of complexity to the game, though at much greater risk.

In this article we'll take a look at the different side bet options, how they are structured and what side bets pay.

• What are Blackjack side bets?
• Why play Blackjack side bets?
• Common side bets at most Casinos
• Other side bets to look out for
• Are Blackjack side bets worth playing?

What are Blackjack side bets?

Blackjack side bets are additional bets placed during a standard game of Blackjack. They involve predicting which cards the player, and sometimes the dealer, will receive.

Wagers are made before any cards are dealt and each side bet is based on chance rather than skill, although you can count cards to help you choose the most likely combinations for your best side bets.

Play nothing but the best games, with the best odds...and the best bonuses! _{18+. T&Cs apply. Gamble responsibly.}

Check out the one site where all side bets give you the best payouts in 2019.

Why play side bets?

One of the most attractive features of the game of Blackjack is the low house edge compared to other games on the casino floor.

Good players will face a house edge of around 0.5%, and even if you play quite badly, that edge only rises to around 2%.

However, while the odds of losing big are low, the odds of winning are also poor.

Blackjack is mostly an even money game, rising to 2:1 at best if you are dealt a Blackjack.

Side bets offer you the chance to play much longer odds for higher player wins – as much as 5,000:1 in one case.

However, it must be noted that the house edge rises significantly for Blackjack side bets, with most bets carrying a house edge of 10% or more.

In other words, side bets make it a lot easier to lose money on blackjack.

Common side bets at most Casinos

Live Blackjack Online Casino

There are a number of common side bets that you will find at most Blackjack tables.

Blackjack Live Casino

These are clearly marked with the odds either printed on the Blackjack tables or available as a hand out or a side menu in the online version.

You should check the pay outs carefully before placing your bets as they can vary considerably between different Casinos or online sites.

The three main Blackjack side bets are:

• Insurance
• Perfect Pairs
• 21+3

Insurance – this is the most common Blackjack side bet and allows you to cover yourself against Blackjack if the dealer has an ace face up.

This bet involves half of your original stake and pays out at 2:1 if the dealer has Blackjack. The insurance bet reduces the overall house edge.

Perfect Pairs – this side bet uses the player's cards only, and pays out if you are dealt two of a kind as follows:

• Mixed pair (two of the same value but different suit and colour) – pays 5:1
• Coloured pair (two of the same value and the same colour) – pays 12:1
• Perfect pair (two of the same card) – pays 25:1

The returns can vary between different Casinos and different pay tables and the house edge will depend on both the pay out and the number of decks used and can range from just 2 or 3% up to 11% or more.

Why play side bets?

One of the most attractive features of the game of Blackjack is the low house edge compared to other games on the casino floor.

Good players will face a house edge of around 0.5%, and even if you play quite badly, that edge only rises to around 2%.

However, while the odds of losing big are low, the odds of winning are also poor.

Blackjack is mostly an even money game, rising to 2:1 at best if you are dealt a Blackjack.

Side bets offer you the chance to play much longer odds for higher player wins – as much as 5,000:1 in one case.

However, it must be noted that the house edge rises significantly for Blackjack side bets, with most bets carrying a house edge of 10% or more.

In other words, side bets make it a lot easier to lose money on blackjack.

Common side bets at most Casinos

Live Blackjack Online Casino

There are a number of common side bets that you will find at most Blackjack tables.

Blackjack Live Casino

These are clearly marked with the odds either printed on the Blackjack tables or available as a hand out or a side menu in the online version.

You should check the pay outs carefully before placing your bets as they can vary considerably between different Casinos or online sites.

The three main Blackjack side bets are:

• Insurance
• Perfect Pairs
• 21+3

Insurance – this is the most common Blackjack side bet and allows you to cover yourself against Blackjack if the dealer has an ace face up.

This bet involves half of your original stake and pays out at 2:1 if the dealer has Blackjack. The insurance bet reduces the overall house edge.

Perfect Pairs – this side bet uses the player's cards only, and pays out if you are dealt two of a kind as follows:

• Mixed pair (two of the same value but different suit and colour) – pays 5:1
• Coloured pair (two of the same value and the same colour) – pays 12:1
• Perfect pair (two of the same card) – pays 25:1

The returns can vary between different Casinos and different pay tables and the house edge will depend on both the pay out and the number of decks used and can range from just 2 or 3% up to 11% or more.

21+3 – this side bet involves the player's two cards and the upturned card of the dealer. It will pay out for a number of different combinations:

• Flush – (all cards are suited) – pays 5:1
• Straight – (all cards consecutive) – pays 10:1
• Three of a kind – (not the same suit) – pays 30:1
• Straight flush – (consecutive cards same suit) – pays 40:1
• Suited triple – (three of the same card) – pays 100:1

The house edge for the 21+3 side bet will vary depending on the number of decks used, standing at 8.78% for four decks, 7.81% for five decks, 7.14% for six decks and 6.29% for seven decks.

Other side bets to look out for

The Casino industry is highly competitive, and so new side bets are being invented all the time to try and attract new Blackjack players.

Some of these will flourish and become widely available, while others remain niche and can only be found in selected Casinos. Here are a few examples:

• Royal match – pays 5:2 for any suited player's cards and 25:1 for suited king and queen
• Over/under 13 – pays even money for correctly predicting the sum of the player's cards as less than or greater than 13. In most cases, exactly 13 will lose, but some Casinos will allow bets on exactly 13.
• Super sevens – this bet pays out if one or more sevens are dealt in the player's cards. One seven pays 3:1, two unsuited sevens pays 50:1, two suited sevens pays 100:1. If the third card dealt is also a seven, then the bet will pay 500:1 unsuited and 5000:1 suited. However it is important to make sure that the Casino will still deal a third card if the dealer has a Blackjack, as some Casinos will not do this.
• Lucky ladies – this bet pays out if the player's cards add up to 20, with an unsuited 20 paying 4:1, a suited 20 paying 10:1, a matched 20, same rank and suit pays 25:1, two queens of hearts 200:1 and two queens of hearts when dealer has Blackjack 1000:1.

Play online hands of Blackjack with real dealers.

Choose your variant, pick your dealer, and use the bonus to play!_{18+. T&Cs apply. Gamble responsibly.}

Are Blackjack side bets worth playing?

Live Casino Blackjack Side Bets Odds

Blackjack side bets do not involve any skill and you are simply betting on the luck of the draw.

What's more, the returns do not reflect the odds of each bet coming in, which gives the house a significantly larger edge.

Conclusion

Blackjack side bets are best viewed as a bit of extra complexity that adds up to a session at the Blackjack table.

However, you should not make them the main focus of your gameplay or your wagering, and you should be aware of the significantly increased house edge.

Now that you know all about Blackjack side bets, how about a game?

Activate the bonus on registration and play!_{18+. T&Cs apply. Gamble responsibly.}