Blackjack Side Bets
Summary: Blackjack side bets are additional wagers made during a standard game, predicting the cards a player or dealer will receive. These bets, based on luck rather than skill, are independent of the main bet's outcome.
Popular side bets include 21+3, Top 3, Hot 3, Lucky Lucky, Lucky Ladies, Royal Match, Over/Under 13, and Perfect Pair.
Table of Content:
- Playing Blackjack Side Bets
- Common Side Bets
- 21+3
- Top 3
- Hot 3
- Lucky Lucky
- Bust It, Buster, and Bust Bonus
- Perfect Pair Blackjack
- Player Pair
- Dealer Pair
- Blackjack Side Bets at LeoVegas
- Play Blackjack Online Live at LeoVegas
Blackjack is one of the most popular games in our Live Casino, and a big part of any of the tables are the blackjack side bets that come with it! There is a huge number of blackjack side bets, and in this article we will look at just some of them - the ones which can be found in the list of blackjack tables further down the page!
What are Blackjack side bets?
Blackjack side betting is an added bet made during an ordinary table game of Blackjack. It involves anticipating what cards a player or dealer will receive. The wagers are made before the cards are handed out and the sides of the bet are a matter of luck rather than skill, though you can count cards to find the most likely combinations of a bet.
Playing Blackjack Side Bets
Side bets function as a separate bet to your main bet, but in order to play one you must first place the main bet. Once placed, all side bets play independently of the result of your main bet, which means you may win one and lose the other.
For example: You place the Perfect Pair side bet, and you are dealt a Queen of Diamonds and a Queen of Clubs while the dealer draws a 21 for themself. Even though you lose on the main bet, you still receive a 6:1 payout on your Perfect Pair side bet!
Common Side Bets
21+3
This side bet uses the player’s initial two cards and the dealer’s up card, which combine for a three-card poker hand. With the original 6-deck version and pay table, you can expect a 9:1 payout if the three cards form a Flush, Straight, Three of a Kind, or Straight Flush. However, most modern blackjack tables use a different pay table.
Top 3
Top 3 is a side bet used together with the 21+3 wager above. Once again, the player’s initial two cards and the dealer’s up card combine for a three-card poker hand. You win if the three cards combine to make Three of a Kind (suited), a Straight Flush, or Three of a Kind.
Among other tables, this blackjack side bet can be found along with five others on Playtech’s All Bets Blackjack table, which you can find more details about below.
Hot 3
This side bet is very similar to Lucky Lucky, as it’s your first two cards and the dealer's up card that are the important ones. You win if they total 19 to 21 points, with three sevens the best payout.
Lucky Lucky
This is very similar to Top3, but with a slightly different pay table. Once again, the player’s first two cards and the dealer’s up card are used. Various combinations win, from suited 7-7-7 down to the three cards totalling 19.
Lucky Ladies
Lucky Ladies side bet is a bet made on two first cards dealt that they will total 20 points. The payout is better if the cards are suited or of the same rank.
Royal Match
Royal Match, is a classic blackjack side bet, is based on the player's first two cards. The expected result is that these two cards will be of the same suit or will be a royal match, meaning that they will be a King and a Queen of the same suit.
Over/Under 13
On Blackjack tables with a suitable layout, a side bet called Over or Under13 is available. Players can wager on whether their two cards will add up to more than 13 or less than 13, with Aces counting as one.
Bust It, Buster, and Bust Bonus
There are quite a few blackjack side bets that deal with the dealer busting, and these are three of them. Essentially the same, they only change names depending on the provider. To win, the dealer must bust with three cards or more - the more cards they bust with, the bigger your payout!
Perfect Pair Blackjack
This side bet, also known as “Perfect Pairs”, uses the player’s initial two cards. Without a pair, this side bet is automatically a loss. If the player does have a pair, there are three types of payouts:
A Mixed Pair (same rank, but different colour), for example the King of Hearts and the King of Spades. A Colored Pair (same rank, same colour), for example the King of Spades and the King of Clubs. A Perfect Pair (Two identical cards), for example two King of Spades.
The payouts vary from table to table. Check out ONE Blackjack below for more information on payout tables.
Player Pair
This pays when the player gets a pair - either a mixed, colour, or suited pair, with the return varying depending on which type of pair it is.
Dealer Pair
Similar to the above, this pays out when the dealer gets either a mixed, colour, or suited pair, with the return varying depending on which type of pair it is.
Honey Bonus
The 21+3 side bet and the Honey Bonus both function in the same way. The player wins when the first two cards and the dealer's up card combine to make a 3-card poker hand. The distinction is that you further win if your first two cards combine to form a Blackjack of the same suit. It also has a reduced payout for a three of a kind.
Super Sevens
This side bet wagers on the player getting trip 7’s on their first three cards, with a suited Three of a Kind being the best possible outcome.
Blackjack Side Bets Payouts
Below are estimated payouts for some blackjack side bets. Always check the payouts in game details, since they can vary from table to table.
21+3 Side Bet Payout
| Combination | Payout |
| Flush | 5:1 |
| Straight | 10:1 |
| Three of a kind | 30:1 |
| Straight flush | 40:1 |
| Suited three of a kind | 100:1 |
Perfect Pairs Payout
| Combination | Payout |
| Mixed pair | 7:1 |
| Colour-Match Pair | 15:1 |
| Perfect Pair | 30:1 |
Honey Bonus Payout
| Combination | Payout |
| Suited blackjack | 3:1 |
| Flush | 5:1 |
| Straight | 10:1 |
| Three of a kind | 20:1 |
Super Sevens Payout
| Combination | Payout |
| One Seven | 3:1 |
| Two Sevens (Unsuited) | 50:1 |
| Two Sevens (Suited) | 100:1 |
| Three Sevens (Unsuited) | 500:1 |
| Three Sevens (Suited) | 5000:1 |
Lucky Ladies Payout
| Combination | Payout |
| 20 (Unsuited) | 4:1 |
| 20 (Suited) | 10:1 |
| 20 (same rank and suited) | 30:1 |
| Two Queens of Hearts | 100:1 |
| Two Queens of Hearts and dealer has blackjack | 1000:1 |
Blackjack Side Bets House Edge
Blackjack has the lowest house edge in comparison to many games played in online casinos.
Blackjack has the lowest house edge in comparison to many games played in online casinos.
However, some blackjack side bets have a house edge increased significantly.
It is also important to note that the house edge will vary depending on the number of decks used.
You can find the estimated house edge for 21+3 side bets in the table below:
| Number of decks | House Edge |
| 4 decks | 8.78% |
| 5 decks | 7.81% |
| 6 decks | 7.14% |
| 7 decks | 6.29% |
Blackjack Side Bets at LeoVegas
LeoVegas offers a large variety of online blackjack tables featuring the blackjack side bets we’ve been talking about. Have a read below to find the perfect table for you.
Standard 7-Seat Blackjack
On Standard 7-Seat Blackjack tables, we have two side bet types: 21+3 and Perfect Pair Blackjack.
Playtech All Bets Blackjack
Playtech's All Bets Blackjack has six blackjack side bets - Top3, Lucky Lucky, Buster, 21+3, Player Pair and Dealer Pair.
Pragmatic Play ONE Blackjack
Pragmatic Play's ONE Blackjack features 21+3, Bust Bonus, Perfect Pair Blackjack and a unique Crazy 7 side bet.
Play Blackjack Online Live at LeoVegas
Playing blackjack online at LeoVegas Casino goes beyond our wide selection of branded online blackjack games and their unique features. Apart from rewarding new players with a roaring Welcome Offer, we also treat our live casino players to fantastic offers and regular promotions, not to mention our many tournaments where all players joining can battle for the top spot for prizes! So what are you waiting for? Take your online blackjack experience to the next level with LeoVegas by hitting the button below!
Blackjack Side Bets FAQ
What are the side bets on blackjack?
Blackjack side bets can be placed on the table in addition to the primary wager. The player often places these bets after receiving their initial two cards but before moving further with other actions.
Is it worth doing side bets in blackjack?
It is worthwhile to place side bets when playing blackjack since they give the player the potential to win more money. You should only bet what you can afford to lose, though, as side bets frequently have a bigger house edge than the main game.
What is top 3 side bet in blackjack?
The player wagers that they will receive a three-card hand totaling 21 points. A 3 to 1 payout will be given to the participant if they are dealt a 21. Any other three-card hand that the player receives and totals 21 results in a push.
What is a 21 3 side bet in blackjack?
Based on the player's initial two cards and the dealer's up card, the 21+3 blackjack side bet is calculated. The player wins if their first two cards combined with the dealer's up card result in a flush, straight, three-of-a-kind, or straight flush.
What is hot 3 in blackjack?
When a player is dealt a three-card hand totalling exactly 18 points, they win on the hot 3, a side bet in blackjack.
What is perfect pairs in blackjack?
This wager assumes that the player's first two cards will be a pair. Different casinos provide different payouts for perfect pairs. They typically begin at 5 to 1 and can increase to 30 to 1. The two could be the same colour or either red or black.
What are the blackjack side bets?
Perfect pairs, 21+3, and insurance are the best side bets regarding payouts and house edge.
What is a bust bonus side bet in blackjack?
If the dealer's hand busts, the additional side bet known as the "Bust Bonus" will pay out. Players are allowed to wager that the dealer's hand will bust after taking action with their hand before the dealer shows their hole card.
Should you play side bets in blackjack?
Blackjack side bets generally have substantial house edges and, therefore, to be avoided. If you want to gamble, stick to the side bets with the smallest house advantage.
What is the house edge in blackjack side bets?
In general, blackjack side bets tend to have a higher house edge compared to the usual blackjack wager. The house edge can vary between 2-11%, depending on the type of side bet and the number of decks used.
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