Lesser-Known Blackjack Side Bets
Blackjack side bets are potent instruments that help players boost their gameplay and make things interesting. We’ve already introduced some of the most popular side bets such as 21+3 and the 6-Card Charlie.
But what other side bets exist in blackjack?
What Are Side Bets?
Side bets are exactly as their name says – side bets in blackjack. Besides a main bet – the bet you place to participate in the game round – some games sometimes offer additional wagers, which are there to help you win a little bit more.
In most cases, side bets carry the most in terms of payouts, but they aren’t that easy to win so it balances out. And that’s what makes them fun.
In blackjack online, side bets have become an integral part of the game, with many side bets accompanying popular new tables. In fact, there are so many side bets in blackjack that it’s rare to see only one or two included per table – usually there are more.
Most Popular Side Bets in Blackjack
The traditional part of the game entails the main bets, but side bets make everything better and more interesting. Additionally, they often increase the winnings, making the game far more profitable than with just main bets.
Hence, blackjack commonly features side bets, and that refers both to online and live blackjack.
The most common side bets in blackjack are 21+3, Perfect Pairs, and Insurance.
If you are following our blog, you know we already talked about the 21+3 side bet here recently. But here’s a short recap:
- 21+3 is a secondary wager option in blackjack.
- It pays out if the players’ 2 and the dealer’s 1 card make a 3-card poker hand.
- Only valid poker hands can pay out.
- The payouts follow classic poker hand rankings.
- A main bet is often a requirement for 21+3, i.e., you must place a main bet to bet on 21+3.
A similar thing is with Perfect Pairs. Or Pairs, in general, as the wager commonly refers to pairs of cards appearing in the round. Here’s a recap for Perfect Pairs side bet.
- Refers to only the cards that the player gets.
- Pays if the player’s cards are a Pair.
- Pairs could be Mixed, Coloured, or Perfect.
- Payouts depend on the casinos and the games, but Perfect Pairs typically have the highest possible payout.
Then we have the Insurance. Insurance is a notorious side bet, and almost everyone will advise you against taking insurance. Sure, it pays 2:1 in the case that the dealer has an Ace as the first card.
Theoretically, Insurance is there to serve as insurance for you, but it’s not the best side bet out there. There’s also the 6-Card Charlie rule, but we cannot say that it’s too common but it’s not as obscure as other side bets in blackjack.
Less Popular Side Bets in Blackjack
Now it’s time to switch to the lesser-known side wagers in blackjack. But please keep in mind that, even though they are rare, they are more than worth your time. Besides,
Bust it
Bust It is a side bet that entails wagering on the odds that the dealer will go bust after a third card in the hand is drawn.
In a regular blackjack hand, the typical number of cards in a hand for the dealer is 2, which means the dealer will probably either go bust or win with that hand. But that’s not always the case. As the dealer must draw until 16 or 17, there’s also a high chance that the dealer will also draw small-rank cards (such as 2s, 3s, and 4s). Hence, as the round progresses and if the dealer happens to draw three cards and then go bust, you win money – if you wager on the Bust It side bet.
There’s also a Beat the Bust side bet that pays if the dealer goes bust, regardless of the number of cards in the hand and their values. A bust of the dealer pays always with Beat the Bust.
Lucky Ladies
Queens are also appreciated in the game of blackjack. With Lucky Ladies, players wager on the chance that their two cards will have a total of 20 as a hand. However, the payouts can be different according to the ranks and suits of the cards. Namely, if the pair of cards happens to be of the different suit (unsuited match), the total of 20 will pay 4:1. However, if you happen to have a suited match, the payout is higher – up to 10:1. A match pays 20:1, while a match in both suit and rank pays 25:1.
Ultimately, the biggest payout is for the queens. Namely, that is where you get the name for the side bet – Lucky Ladies. If your two first dealt cards are a pair of Queens of Hearts, you will get the 200:1 payout. In some cases, tables also enforce a rule that if the dealer has a Blackjack when a player has two Queen of Hearts, the payout for the Lucky Ladies payout is 1000:1.
Royal Match
This one is fairly simple and easy to understand. As it’s a Royal Match, that means that it refers to hands that contain matching cards that are both royals.
It’s not as common but it’s fairly player oriented as it pays every time there’s a suited player card on the table. If the suit is of a King and Queen, that’s even better as the payout is higher.
The Royal Match pays 5:2 for any suited cards of the player (not the dealer). If there’s a suited blackjack, the payout is even better: 5:1. Even better, if there’s a suited King and Queen in the hand, the payout is 25:1. This is one of the simplest side bets and the easiest way to get an extra payout for the game.
Over/Under 13
This is a fun one. Over/Under 13 side bet is a little side wager that lets you wager on the chances of the players’ hand total being either over or under 13. In other words, if you want to wager on the chance that your hand will have either below or over 13 in total, you can place this side bet.
It’s an even money side bet. That means that the payout is not that big, but it’s still fun to try and predict whether the total is going to be of that exact sum. But there are some variations to the rule.
Namely, not all blackjack tables with the Over/Under 13 side bet will have the same rules. In some cases, the payout is if the outcome is over/under 13, but there are also casinos and games that pay if the total is exactly 13. You’ll have to check the game when you start playing to see what the payout is for.
Even though it seems odd a bit, it’s a great side bet that we don’t get to see that often.
Super 7s
Another quick and easy side bet to play the next time you visit a blackjack table. Provided of course that it’s included in the offer! Now, what’s the Super 7s side bet? It’s a bet that lets you wager and win money if your hand has a 7 in it.
Naturally, it is mostly available in games that require the main bets placed, meaning you must participate in the round to get to place this side bet. And if you get at least one 7 in the hand, you will get a payout.
The payouts differ depending on the number of 7s – one pays 3:1, while two 7s pay 50:1. That is, if they are unsuited; a pair of suited 7s pays 100:1. Ultimately, if the game delivers a third 7 in round, totaling 3 7s, you will get either a 500:1 or 1000:1 payout (depending on whether they are unsuited or suited). The payouts also might differ from casino to casino and from game to game.
Conclusion
There you have it, folks! The list of side bets in blackjack is even longer, and there’s always a chance we get other side bets to wager on while playing blackjack. If you want to learn more about blackjack in general, and see why side bets are important, check out our lengthy blackjack strategies and articles.
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