What is a blackjack side bet?

Alongside your normal bet, many blackjack tables offer side bets - little extra wagers on flashy outcomes with tempting payouts. They add excitement, but they come at a steep price, because their house edges dwarf the tiny edge on the main game.

Quick answer: A side bet is an optional extra wager, separate from your main hand, on a specific outcome like being dealt a pair or your first cards plus the dealer's upcard forming a poker hand. Popular ones include Perfect Pairs and 21+3. They offer flashy payouts but carry much higher house edges - often 3% to over 10% - than the main game.

Common side bets

The best-known are Perfect Pairs, which pays if your first two cards form a pair, and 21+3, which pays if your two cards plus the dealer's upcard make a poker hand like a flush or straight. Others include Lucky Ladies and Royal Match. Each is settled before you play your hand out.

The catch: high house edge

Side bets pay big because they win rarely. Their house edge typically runs from about 3% up past 10% - many times higher than the roughly 0.5% on a well-played main hand. Over time they cost you far more per chip wagered.

Should you play them?

For serious value, skip side bets and stick to basic strategy on the main game. For pure fun, they add spice - and since everything here is free play chips, you can enjoy the thrill with nothing at stake. See more terms in the glossary.

See all the terms

Related questions

What is the house edge in blackjack?

The house edge is the small built-in advantage the casino holds over time. In a good blackjack game played with correct basic strategy, it is only about 0.5% - one of the best odds in any casino. Poor rules like 6-to-5 blackjacks, and common player mistakes, can push the real edge to 2% or more.

How are chips and bankroll scored on Blackjack.ooo?

Everything on Blackjack.ooo is free play-money chips. You start with a chip balance, bet chips each hand, and win or lose them based on the results - a blackjack pays 3 to 2, a win pays even money, a push returns your bet. There are no deposits, no real money, and no cashouts. Chips are just a score for fun and practice.

Should you take insurance in blackjack?

For almost everyone, no. Insurance is a side bet offered when the dealer shows an Ace, wagering that their hidden card is a ten. It pays 2 to 1, but the dealer completes a blackjack less than a third of the time, so the bet loses money over the long run. Only card counters can occasionally beat it.