The Best Blackjack Side Bets (And Whether They’re Worth Playing)
Blackjack is already one of the most popular casino table games, but for some players, they crave extra action, thrills and chances to get one up over the dealer. Enter side bets! An exciting alternative (or addition) to standards wagers that can spice up your blackjack session with the promise of bigger wins, flashier payouts, and a little more risk. But are these bets worth your chips, or are they just cleverly disguised money traps? The Slots of Vegas team has tried, tested, and broken down the most popular real money blackjack side bets to answer this very question. .
What Are Blackjack Side Bets?
Side bets are wagers you can place alongside your standard blackjack hand. They’re resolved independently of the main game, meaning you can win (or lose) a side bet even if you bust or beat the dealer.
While side bets usually offer enticing payouts (sometimes up to 100:1) they also tend to come with significantly higher house edges than traditional blackjack. That means while the potential rewards are bigger, so are the risks.
Let’s take a closer look at the most popular side bets you’ll find at both land-based and online casinos.
1. 21+3 – Blackjack Meets Poker
How it works:
This side bet combines elements of blackjack and three-card poker. You place a wager that your two cards and the dealer’s face-up card will form a poker-style hand, such as a straight, flush, or three of a kind.
Common payouts:
- Suited three of a kind: 100:1
- Straight flush: 40:1
- Three of a kind: 30:1
- Straight: 10:1
- Flush: 5:1
Is it worth it?
How this option combines games undoubtedly gives players more variety and excitement, but the average house edge sits around 6–7%, which is much higher than the base game’s 0.5% when played optimally.
Verdict:
Fun for the novelty, but not a bet to rely on long-term. Casual players might enjoy the occasional flutter, but high-stakes or strategy-focused players might want to give this one a miss.
2. Perfect Pairs – All About Matching Cards
How it works:
You bet that your first two cards will form a pair. There are three types:
- Perfect Pair (same rank and suit, like two King of Spades)
- Coloured Pair (same rank and colour, like King of Spades + King of Clubs)
- Mixed Pair (same rank, different suit/colour)
Common payouts:
- Perfect Pair: 25–30:1
- Coloured Pair: 10–12:1
- Mixed Pair: 5–6:1
Is it worth it?
The odds of landing a Perfect Pair are slim – just 1 in 59 hands. Meanwhile, the house edge ranges from around 3% to over 10%, depending on the paytable.
Verdict: Exciting when it lands, but mathematically, this is another high-risk, low-frequency payout. Play it occasionally for fun, but don’t expect consistency.
3. Insurance – The Most Controversial Side Bet
How it works:
When the dealer shows an Ace, you’re offered “insurance”. This is a side bet up to half your original wager that pays 2:1 if the dealer has blackjack.
Is it worth it?
This is a rare case where the house has an obvious advantage of about 7.4% – unless you’re counting cards and know the deck is rich in 10s.
Most casual players see insurance as, well, insurance. But statistically, unless you’re running a high-level count, you’re better off declining.
Verdict:
Tempting in theory, but in practice, insurance is one of the worst bets on the table for most players.
Other Popular Blackjack Side Bets
Lucky Ladies
A bet that your starting hand totals 20, with bonus payouts for suited 20s, matched queens, or specific combinations like two Queen of Hearts.
- House edge can range from 17% to over 25% depending on paytable.
- Verdict: Entertaining, but extremely unfavourable.
Royal Match
You win if your first two cards are the same suit, with a bonus payout for suited King and Queen.
- House edge: 2–5%, depending on variation.
- Verdict: One of the “less bad” side bets, but still not ideal.
Buster Blackjack
You win if the dealer busts, with bigger payouts for busting with more cards.
- Higher bust-card combos can pay up to 2000:1, but the house edge can soar above 6%.
- Verdict: Big payout potential, but low frequency makes it a risky side dish.
So… Should You Ever Play Side Bets?
Side bets may appeal to many players at a first glance, but they’re rarely mathematically sound. They’re designed to favour the house much more than standard blackjack, which is one of the most player-friendly games when played with proper strategy.
That said, not everything at the table is about pure logic. Side bets can:
- Add variety and excitement to slow sessions
- Offer big payouts from small wagers
- Make the experience more fun – especially in a social or online setting
Just remember, they come at a cost. If you’re chasing value and want to stretch your bankroll, they’re best avoided. But if you’re in it for the fun and don’t mind the extra risk, dabbling occasionally won’t hurt as long as your expectations are realistic.
The Best of the Bunch
If you are going to try side bets, here’s a quick ranking from most reasonable to most wallet-draining:
- 21+3 – Reasonable fun, especially with balanced paytables
- Royal Match – Simpler odds, less punishing house edge
- Perfect Pairs – Flashy, but low probability
- Buster Blackjack – Big payouts, low hit rate
- Lucky Ladies – High edge, low value
- Insurance – Best left to the card counters
Final Thoughts: Strategy or Spectacle?
Side bets in blackjack are a bit like popcorn at the movies. They’re not essential, and they’re certainly not healthy for your bankroll – but they make the experience more entertaining.
If your goal is long-term profitability or squeezing every percentage point out of your blackjack strategy, keep your chips firmly on the main game. If, however, you’re playing for fun and feel like trying your luck, a small side bet here and there can liven things up. Just don’t fall for the illusion of consistent big wins!
