Blackjack is an exciting card game that attracts many players with its simple rules, fast-paced gameplay, and high RTP of over 99%. However, to make it even more interesting, casinos offer side bets in blackjack. These optional wagers allow you to place additional bets alongside your main wager on the outcome of secondary events within a hand. In this guide, we'll take a closer look at some awesome blackjack side bets, their payouts, and how they work.
New Slots You Need To Try In August**Keen to play blackjack right now? Head over to **
All Sites Licensed by the .
What is a Side Bet in Blackjack?
In blackjack, a side bet is an additional wager placed on top of the standard bet, typically before the cards are dealt. It allows you to predict specific outcomes or combinations of your own cards or the dealer's, such as getting a straight or higher in your two initial cards. Unlike the main bet, which pays out at even money (1:1), side bets offer attractive payouts ranging from modest returns for common occurrences to enormous rewards for rare events. However, the house edge for side bets is generally higher than that of the main bet, reflecting the increased odds of winning.
Most Popular Blackjack Side Bets
Several popular side bets have been introduced over time, each offering different chances of winning and varying payouts. Here are some of the most well-known blackjack side bets:
- Perfect Pairs/Progressive Perfect Pairs: This side bet predicts if the first two cards dealt to the player form a pair. If they do, the payout depends on the type of pair (colored, colored and face, or perfect – same value and suit). A progressive version accumulates a jackpot if a player gets a perfect pair with a specific suit (e.g., spades).
- 21 +3: This side bet focuses on the fifth card to be dealt, either the one the player draws or the dealer's hole card. The aim is to create a five-card poker hand. Hands must include the player's first two cards and the dealer's upcard. Payouts range from Suited to Straight Flush. A “Push” occurs when none of the hands qualify (less than three-of-a-kind).
- Buster/Underbust: This side bet predicts whether the probabilty dealer’s hand will bust by a specific amount (e.g., 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.) or not (Yes or No). For example, a bet of "4 Buster" wins if the dealer's hand adds up to more than 16 total points.
- Top/Bottom Bunk: This side bet is based on the top and bottom card of the deck. You win if the rank of the last card dealt is one less or greater than the current one (E.G., King and Ace).
- Lucky Ladies: This side bet requires the player's first two cards to be of the same gender (Male or Female). Males are Jacks, Kings, or Queens with ranks ending in ‘-er’. Females are Queens, Jacks, or Kings with ranks ending in ‘-esse’. Hitting a Lucky Lady pays out depending on the gender and type of hand (normal or excited – spades).
- Match the Dealer: This side bet involves comparing your first card with the dealer's upcard. If they match in rank or suit, you win. The payout depends on the chosen option (suit or rank).
- Blackjack Roller: This side bet predicts if a blackjack (Ace and 10-point card) will occur in the next X hands, where X is the rollover number (starts at 1 and increases with each unsuccessful roll).
- Hot/Cold/Wild Cards: These side bets focus on specific cards considered “hot,” “cold,” or “wild.” The definition of these terms varies between games but usually means suits, ranks, or values associated with higher payouts. Players wager if the first card dealt will match the selected condition.
- Over/Under 13.5/10.5: This side bet predicts if the total value of the player's first two cards is over or under a specified number. For instance, Over/Under 10.5 means winning if the sum is 11 or more/10 or less.
- Red/Black 21: Similar to the Over/Under side bet, this wager predicts the combination of the player's first two cards regarding color and value. The player wins if both cards are the same color and add up to 21 or black and under 21.50.
- Hit Me!: This side bet challenges the player to hit until they get a predetermined hand. Possible options include Three of a Kind, Four of a Kind, Five of a Kind, Six of a Kind, or a Royal Flush.
- Buffalo Blackjack: This themed side bet is inspired by the buffalo symbol in Buffalo slots. It wins if the first four cards dealt (player's two cards and dealer's two upcards) contain at least one buffalo symbol (usually the highest-ranking card). Payouts increase based on the number of buffalo cards.
- Team Play / Zombie Blackjack: Introduced by Evolution, these live game shows allow players to place side bets related to the outcome of additional side games affecting neither the dealer nor themselves. For instance, Team Play lets you bet on the player, dealer, or tie, with payouts for identical cards or totals, while Zombie Blackjack removes randomly selecting “zombie cards” that hurt the player's hand.
Top Live Casino Side Bets
Live casino environments have also enhanced the social aspect of blackjack while providing various engaging side bet opportunities. Some of the most famous live casino blackjack side bets include:
- 21+3: As mentioned above, this side bet lets you bet on the likelihood of creating a good five-card poker hand using your first two cards and the dealer's face-up card as the first shared community card. Suited ties pay anything from 100:1 down to 5:1, making this an incredibly exciting opportunity.
- Perfect Pairs: Predict if the first two cards dealt to you form a pair. There are three types of pairs, with the best paying 25:1, followed by 10:1 and 6:1. Progressive Perfect Pairs increase the payout exponentially if you get a perfect pair of a specific suit.
- Buster / Underbuster: With this side bet, you predict if the dealer will go bust by a certain margin (e.g., 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7). For instance, a “4 Buster” wager wins if the dealer’s hand adds up to more than 16 total points.
- Lucky Ladies: In this side bet, you hope that your first two cards make an combinations of the same gender. Male hands are made up of Jacks, Queens, or Kings with ranks ending in ‘-er’, while female hands are Queens, Jacks, or Kings with ranks ending in ‘-esse.’ Different grades of Lucky Ladies hands yield various payouts.
- Baccarat is another Asian-inspired side bet available in some live blackjack games. It’s essentially a mini baccarat game played out on the blackjack table, allowing you to bet on your own hand, the dealer’s hand, or a tie. Hands are evaluated according to classic baccarat rules, with the closest to a score of 9 winning.
Online Blackjack Side Bets
Online casinos expanded the variety of blackjack side bets by introducing new and unique options thanks to digital flexibility. Some of the most popular online blackjack side bets include:
- Green Street: Named after a street in London, this side bet centers around the second card the dealer deals themselves (the hole card). You win if the rank of this card is greater than the rank of the first card dealt (the up card). For example, if the dealer shows a 7 of clubs, and their hole card is a king of hearts, the payout would be based on the rank of the king.
- Royal Pair: This side bet predicts that the dealer’s hole card and your first card form a pair of tens or kings, known as royal pairs. It pays off at odds ranging from 25:1 to 500:1, depending on the exact combination.
- Blackjack Roller II: An extension of the original Blackjack Rolller, this side bet predicts that a blackjack (Ace and 10-point card) will occur in the next X hands, where X represents the rollover multiplier.
- One Eyed Lady / Two Eyed Lady: These side bets focus on the rank of the first card dealt, with One Eyed Lady paying out if it’s a queen and Two Eyed Ladies paying out if the first two cards are a pair of queens.
- Picnic: In this side bet, you win if the dealer’s up card matches the rank or suit of the previous dealer’s up card (or the first card dealt if it’s the first hand).
- Last Pair: This side bet requires your last two cards to form a pair, with payouts based on the pair’s quality.
- Over/Under runs: These side bets revolve around running scores, where aces count as one point, and all other cards count as their pip value. The Over/Under runs side bet predicts if the total combined score of your hand and the dealer’s will be over or under a specific number (e.g., Over 24, Under 30).
- Bet the Set: In this side bet, you aim to form a poker three-of-a-kind (3×) during your hand. Straights and flushes don’t count, and the featured cards lose if they are paired or used to make a blackjack.
- Top/Centre Bunk: This side bet focuses on the top and center cards of the deck. You win if the rank of the last card dealt is one less or greater than the current one (E.G., King and Ace). If the deck is reshuffled, the bunk starts again from scratch.
- Top Sundernite / Top Windernite: These side bets are only available on single-deck games and require the top card to be a diamond rank (King, Queen, or Jack) of a particular suit – clubs for Top Sundernite (also known as Top Spade) and spades for Top Windernite.
- Match the Twin: Similar to Match the Dealer, this side bet compares your first card with the dealer’s twin (identical partner). If they match in rank or suit, you win.
- Odd Even 19: This side bet predicts if the total value of the player’s first two cards is odd or even and adds up to 19.
- 21st Century: In this side bet, you win if both of your first two cards are of the same century (21st if playing with six-deck shoes). Payoffs vary according to how similar the centuries are (2100, 2000, 1900).
Best Places to Play Blackjack Side Bets
Choosing the right online casino is crucial to access a wide variety of blackjack side bets. Here are our recommended sites for enjoying diverse and exciting side bet opportunities in blackjack:
1.
is famous for its vast selection of specialty blackjack games featuring unique side bets. Their user-friendly interface and straightforward navigation make finding your preferred game effortless. They also provide generous bonuses and promotions, ensuring an enjoyable and rewarding experience.
2.
Boasts an extensive library of games, including rare and hard-to-find titles, all presented with stunning graphics and sound effects. Their friendly customer support team ensures a seamless gaming adventure, and they offer appealing welcome packages for new players.
3.
offers a distinctive collection of blackjack games created exclusively for their platform. These innovative titles feature captivating side bets and interactive elements that blend traditional blackjack with thrilling side games. Furthermore, they provide an exclusive VIP program for dedicated players seeking extra perks.
Conclusion
As we’ve seen here, blackjack side bets come in a dazzling array of styles and offer various payouts, adding excitement and diversity to an already beloved game. Whether predicting perfect pairs, buster blackjacks, hot cards, or combining poker hands, these supplementary wagers enhance the entertainment value of blackjack and provide enticing opportunities to boost your winnings. So, why not try some of these side bets the next time you play blackjack and spice up your game?
If you're interested in playing blackjack with side bets, head over to . Alternatively, check out our and.
FAQs
What is a blackjack side bet?
A blackjack side bet is an optional wager placed alongside the main bet in a blackjack game. It allows you to predict indirectly related, often secondary events within a single hand, such as the ranking of your first card or the dealer's hole card.
Are blackjack side bets profitable?
While blackjack has one of the lowest house edges among casino games, most side bets come with higher house edge percentages, reducing their long-term profitability. Nevertheless, occasional big wins and excitement can offset potential losses.
Casino Apps That Accept Real Money (2023)Which blackjack side bet has the best odds?
Side bets in blackjack generally have higher house edges compared to the primary wager. Perfect pairs side bets tend to offer better odds than most, with a house edge of around 2.5% for the full-house foes (male/female top and bottom pairs).
About the author
Peter Clayton
https://www.mtgopolisy.com/
Peter is one of the world's foremost experts on all things to do with gambling. For over 20 years, he has written for numerous websites and gambling-related publications. Peter is also a licensed racetrack handler, sports betting handler, and player manager in the state of New York. He is currently focused on active advocacy for stronger regulations across the US.
Related Blog Post
How to Count Cards the Easy Way
November 15th, 2023 | Comments
