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Blackjack Side Bets: All You Need to Know | LeoVegas NZ

Summary

Blackjack side bets introduce alternative ways to bet on the game, offering various outcomes beyond traditional wins against the dealer. Players select side bets before rounds, often based on the dealer's hand. While they add variety, side bets don't guarantee wins and rely on chance. Common side bets include Perfect Pairs, 21+3, and Insurance. Payouts vary widely depending on the bet and casino. Despite their appeal, side bets lack strategies for consistent wins, and outcomes are random. Popular side bets include predicting pairs, totaling card values, or dealer outcomes.

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Blackjack Side Bets

Across blackjack games, you can discover a range of side betting options, adding different ways for players to bet on the popular game.

Learn about the world of blackjack side bets, including each of the available types that have been added to the game.

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What are Blackjack Side Bets?

Blackjack side bets offer players a way to bet on varying outcomes in a game rather than the original betting method that includes the player winning against the dealer.

Side bets in blackjack can allow a player to predict the hand they are going to be dealt, alongside being offered the chance to make insurance bets. There is a great variety available which is what adds to the variance within blackjack.

How Do Blackjack Side Bets Work?

Before a round of blackjack is played, the dealer will offer the chance for players to select any side bets they would like to play.

Most side betting options are designed around hands that the dealer provides. This means that the majority of bets are based primarily on chance. For example, you might predict that the two cards the dealer deals you are of the same suit.

Once your side bet has been selected, the dealer will draw the cards and begin the round. Any winnings will be paid out to players at the end of the round.

Why Play Blackjack Side Bets?

There is much debate over the worth of blackjack side bets; however, they do offer different methods of betting.

If you're looking for an alternative bet to the standard blackjack bet, side bets can be worth looking at. It is worth noting that blackjack side bets do not improve or guarantee to win as they are also based on chance.

Some players will opt for side bets as they offer a different way of betting, as well as the odds that they offer. Each of the betting options available has varying odds due to the likelihood of them occurring.

For those new to playing blackjack, side bets might not be the greatest idea, as players should focus on developing their understanding of the basic game. This can include the rules involved in the game, along with the range of cards that are involved in a deck.

What are the Most Common Blackjack Side Bets?

Although there is a great variety of side betting options, you can find each of the blackjack side bets explained below:

Insurance

An insurance bet is offered to players when the dealer's face-up card is an ace. This form of betting protects the player if the dealer's hand is to become a winning hand through achieving blackjack.

Many would argue that the worth of insurance bets is low due to the likely chance of it resulting in a loss.

Perfect Pairs Bet

If you were to place a Perfect Pairs side bet at a blackjack table, this would require two cards of the same number being dealt. This can apply to picture cards, and it will be successful if the two cards are the same face value.

21+3 Blackjack Side Bet

This form of side bet is one of the more complex options, combining the cards of the player and the dealer. For example, this includes making up types of three-card hands such as; Suited Three of a Kind, Straight Flush, Flush, Straight and Three of a Kind.

For this bet, the dealer's face-up card and the player's two cards will be included in the formation of the three cards.

Three-of-a-Kind - Each of the three cards is the same value

Straight - A straight is made up of three consecutive values

Flush - Three cards of the suit that are in the following values

Straight Flush - Within the same suit and value

Suited Three-of-a-Kind - Of the same suit and values

Easy Match

With the Easy Match side bet, you would need two cards of the same suit to be successful.

Royal Match Blackjack Side Bet

Based on the initial two cards that you are dealt, you would require a King and a Queen of the same suit for this bet to be successful.

Super Sevens

Bet on how many sevens will be included in your hand. For example, you could bet on your initial two cards being sevens. For bets that include only one seven in your hand, the payout odds will be lower.

Over/Under 13

Once again, this side bet is determined by the initial two cards that you receive in your hand. You are betting on whether or not those two cards will value over or under thirteen.

Honey Bonus Blackjack Side Bet

The Honey Bonus side bet shares many similar characteristics to the 21+3 bet, as the player will need three cards of matching suits. One difference is that the bet can be won by your first two cards making up blackjack when they are of the same suit.

Top 3 Blackjack Side Bet

Based on the two initial cards you are dealt and the dealer's visible card, the Top 3 side bet is very similar to the 21+3 bet in the sense that you will need to draw a Straight Flush, Three-of-a-Kind or a Three-of-a-Kind Suited hand.

Hot 3 Blackjack Side Bet

To achieve Hot 3, your initial two cards and the dealer's face-up card must combine to equal 19, 20 or 21.

Perfect 11 Blackjack Side Bet

The Perfect 11 side bet is won by your initial two cards meeting the value of eleven. This bet focuses only on the player's two cards rather than the dealers.

Buster Blackjack Side Bet

The Buster side bet refers to the dealer going bust. Here, you can bet on the chances of the dealer going bust in the upcoming round.

Bust it Blackjack Side Bet

A similar bet to the Buster option, however, this bet would require the dealer to go bust on three cards. Any other outcome that results in the dealer going bust would result in a loss.

Ten20 Blackjack Side Bet

Determined by the first two cards that the dealer draws you, these cards must combine to equal a value of twenty for the bet to be successful.

Lucky Ladies Side Bet

This form of side bet requires the same as the Ten20 bet, with the first two cards that are dealt needing to total 20.

Pair Square

When betting on a pair square bet, you predict that the first two cards will be a pair, meaning they are of the same suit and value. For example, you could land two eights of spades.

Match the Dealer

Here, your two cards should match the value of the dealer's face-up card for the bet to be successful. Payouts can vary if the cards are of the same suit too.

Blackjack Side Bets Payouts

One of the reasons blackjack side bets have become a popular selection in blackjack is because they offer a great variance from the traditional bet of beating the dealer. Although payout odds can vary between every casino, you can get a rough idea of the odds below:

21+3 - Depending on the hand that you are drawn, the payout odds will vary; Straight Flush (40/1), Three-of-a-Kind (30/1), Straight (10/1) and Flush (5/1).

Insurance -Although they are considered one of the least popular side betting selections, this form of bet will payout at 2:1.

Perfect pair - If you can correctly predict that you will be provided with two cards of the same rank, this side bet will payout at roughly 30/1. Different pair variants can be won, which payout at different odds.

Easy match/Royal match - For a Royal match, you could receive 25:1, whereas the Easy match will likely payout at around 5:2.

Super sevens - A hand that includes only one seven will provide payout odds of 3:1, but there are also higher odds available for other variations of hands. This can include two sevens (50:1) or suited sevens (100:1).

Over/under 13 - Paying out at 1:1 if you successfully predict whether your initial two cards will be over or under the sum of 13.

Honey bonus - The payout value will depend on the hand you can complete with your two cards and the dealer's visible card. The following includes; Suited blackjack (3:1), Straight (10:1), Flush (5:1) and Three-of-a-Kind (20:1).

Top 3 - As a form of the 21+3 bet, the odds are very similar. This includes odds for hands such as; Three-of-a-Kind Suited, Straight Flush and Three-of-a-Kind.

Hot 3 - Once again, the payout odds associated with the Hot 3 side bet are all dependent on the hand you receive. Three sevens are at the top of the list with 100:1, followed by suited 21 at 20:1. If you can complete a hand based on points, the following applies; 21 points (4:1), 20 points (2:1) and 19 points (1:1).

Perfect 11 - Completing a Perfect 11 hand, you could be awarded the following payouts; Suited 11 (21:1) and Standard 11 (10:1).

Buster - With this bet, you can predict how many cards the dealer will go bust with, offering a good variety in odds. A dealer going bust with seven cards provides the highest odds of 100:1, which can fall to roughly 3:1 when three cards cause the dealer to go bust.

Bust it - Predicting that the dealer will go bust on three cards will provide payout odds of around 1:1.

Ten20/Lucky Ladies - Any hand totalling 20 will payout at 3:1, whereas a hand that equals ten can payout at 10:1.

Pair square - Creating a suited pair would result in 12:1, and a non-suited pair could payout 10:1.

Match the dealer - Payouts can vary depending on the number of cards in your hand that match the dealer's visible card. For example, a single card would be lower than if both cards match the dealer. As a result, there is a great variety, so it is worth checking the odds of the specific game you are playing.

Blackjack Side Bets at LeoVegas NZ

The game of blackjack offer side bets for each variant of casino table games that are available. At LeoVegas NZ, you can browse each to find all the side bets included.

Before you get started playing, you can browse the options available. This will also include the payout odds for each, as these can change per casino and game.

Blackjack Side Bets FAQ

What is the best side bet in blackjack?

There is no right answer for the best side bet in blackjack, as it all comes down to personal preference. It is also worth noting that side bets are determined by random chance. Therefore, none of them has an associated strategy for improving win success.

What is a bad side bet in blackjack?

Insurance is considered to be among the worst selections of side bets based on the chance of it coming off and the return it offers.

What are the odds on a blackjack side bet?

Blackjack side bet odds vary greatly as there are so many outcomes that can be predicted, along with the different hands that can be created.

How do you win a side bet in blackjack?

No strategy can be applied to blackjack side betting. These bets are determined by random chance; however, some will have a much lower likelihood of occurring than others.

Should I bet on side bets on blackjack?

Side bets do offer an alternative method of betting, providing you with choices. With that being said, whether you should use them is really dependent on personal preference. It can't be included as part of a strategy due to the outcomes being determined by random chance.

How do you beat a side bet in blackjack?

You can't beat a side bet as such. Side bets are typically based on the hands that you are dealt. As you have no control over the cards the dealer provides you, there is no way of improving your winning potential.

This is part of the factor that creates the house edge in blackjack.

What is a rummy side bet in blackjack?

The Rummy side bet often refers to hands such as Straights, Flush, Three-of-a-Kind and Straight Flush. This is because a Rummy is where you would look to complete a hand with consecutive numbers.

How much do you bet on side bets in blackjack?

Blackjack tables will offer various betting ranges that you can use to select your stake. Lower stakes are often used for blackjack side bets due to the random chance required for winning.

What is a royal flush in blackjack?

For a Royal Flush to be achieved in blackjack, you would need five cards that are in consecutive order based on numerical value, as well as being part of the same suit.

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