The rules of blackjack side bets

Blackjack, or the game of 21 as it’s sometimes referred to, is a popular table game around the world. The game features simple rules and some of the best odds of any casino game. However, payouts are rather limited and gameplay can get repetitive. As a result, there are Blackjack side bets that you place to up the level of fun.

In this guide, we’ll be looking at the most popular optional wagers and explain Blackjack side bets payouts and odds. We’ll also conclude with our opinion of whether side bets in Blackjack are worth it.

Throughout this article, we’ll be providing you with Blackjack side bet payouts, odds, and rules that are based on the most popular versions of this game. You might find that particular games may differ somewhat. To help you out, all our games provide detailed rules and paytables that you can find in the game’s options menu.

Which Blackjack games have side bets?

Many of the virtual and live dealer Blackjack varieties available at the Royal Panda Casino catalogue let you place one or more optional side bets. To understand which games feature these optional wagers, you’ll need to check the game’s rules or paytable.

Blackjack offers the three main side bets. These are Insurance, Perfect Pairs, and 21+3. In the next sections, we’ll explain the rules and payout of each of these exciting side bets.

When are Blackjack side bets normally placed?

The vast majority of Blackjack side bets must be placed at the start of the game before cards are dealt. Only Insurance bets are placed after cards are dealt to the players and the dealer.

This means that if you wish to place any other optional side bet, you need to be quick. You will first need to place your main Blackjack wager and follow this up with one or more side bets.

You cannot place side bets unless you’ve already placed your Blackjack main bet. As their name denotes, whilst side bets are optional, the main bet is compulsory for participation. Moreover, certain side bets are capped based on the value of your main wager.

If you’re playing virtual Blackjack games, you’ll have plenty of time to place your main wager and decide whether you intend to participate in a side bet. However, live versions of the game offer limited betting time, so it’s important that you’re prepared to place your wagers within the allotted time.

The most popular Blackjack side bet payouts

Most versions of Blackjack are played with between six and eight standard 52-card decks. They also feature a minimum of three optional side bets. These are:

1. Insurance
2. Perfect Pairs
3. 21+3

Whilst Insurance is a single side bet, the other two are actually split into several different bets with varying payouts.

Placing an Insurance Blackjack side bet

This side bet stands out as the only one that is placed after the dealer has dealt the cards. It is only available when the dealer’s face-up card is an Ace, thus providing you with a way to hedge your risks should the dealer’s face-down card have a value of 10.

In such a circumstance, the dealer would win with a Blackjack, unless you too have an Ace and a 10-card or a face card.

By taking the Insurance side bet, you’ll be able to wager up to half of your main bet. If the dealer does indeed have a Blackjack, your Insurance bet will pay out as 2 to 1. By placing the maximum allowable bet, you’ll recover your original wager. However, you cannot make a profit from an Insurance side bet.

In terms of Blackjack side bet payouts, Insurance offers some of the lowest available. Moreover, many seasoned players would advise against placing this particular side bet, since the risk/payout balance is skewed towards risk. In fact, there is an approximate 33% chance that the dealer’s face-down card has a value of 10.

This means that there is an approximate 66% chance that players would lose an Insurance bet.

Placing a Perfect Pairs Blackjack side bet

The Perfect Pairs optional wager is one of several that are based on the first two cards that you are dealt. By placing this bet, you’ll get a payout if your cards match in one of three ways. These are:

• Mixed Pair: Have the same number or face but a different suit and colour.

• Coloured Pair: Have the same number or face and colour, but a different suit.

• Perfect Pair: Have the same number or face, colour, and suit.

The Perfect Pairs side bet is settled just after the cards are dealt. These Blackjack side bet payouts are reflective of the odds. This means that since the Mixed Pair is easier to obtain than the Coloured or Perfect Pair, this side bet pays out the lowest.

If you win a Mixed Pair bet, you’ll get a payout of 5 to 1. Winning a Coloured Pair will provide you with a payout of 10 to 1. The Perfect Pair side bet pays out 30 to 1.

Placing a 21+3 Blackjack side bet

The 21+3 Blackjack rules are based on the most successful poker hands. This side bet offers five different payouts and is based on your first two cards as well as the dealer’s face-up card.

By combining these three cards in any order, you’ll win a payout if you can create a:

• Suited Three of a Kind: Three cards of the same number or face and suit.

• Straight Flush: Three cards of the same suit and of consecutive number.

• Three of a Kind: Three cards of the number value or face.

• Straight: Three cards of consecutive numbers.

• Flush: Three cards of the same suit.

The Ace can be both a low and high card in all of these cases.

Winning the 21+3 Blackjack side bet with a Suited Three of a Kind will provide you with a payout of 100 to 1. The Straight Flush payout is 40 to 1 and the Three of a Kind prize is 30 to 1. Any other Straight will pay out 10 to 1 whilst a simple Flush pays out 5 to 1.

Other common Blackjack side bets

Whilst the three Blackjack side bets we’ve mentioned above are the overall most popular ones, they are many others available. The side bet Blackjack rules we’ve listed below may differ from one version of the game to another. Moreover, payouts or bonus prizes may also be different.

You should always read the game’s own rules and the paytable to understand the terms of the available side bets.

Super Sevens

The Super Sevens Blackjack side bet is based on your first three cards. However, you can win a payout even if you don’t eventually need a third card.

If your first dealt card is a seven, this side bet will pay out a 3 to 1. Should your second card also be a seven, but is of a different suit from the first, you’ll get a payout of 50 to 1. If the sevens are of the same suit, your prize is doubled to 100 to 1.

Getting a third seven really blows up this Blackjack side bet payout. If the three sevens are not of the same suit, the prize is 500 to 1. However, if they happen to be of the same suit, the prize is an astonishing 5,000 to 1.

Royal Match

The Royal Match Blackjack side bet is based upon the first two cards that you are dealt. This optional wager is split into two possible winning results. If your starting hand has two cards of the same suit, you’ll win a payout of 2.5 to 1.

However, the cards are a King and Queen of the same suit, you’d have created a Royal Match, and this will provide you with a payout of 25 to 1. In such a situation, keep looking at the dealer’s hand. If the dealer’s two cards are also a Kind and Queen of the same suit, you’ll win an instant bonus.

Over/Under 13

The over/under 13 Blackjack side bet resembles typical over/under markets. To win this bet, you must correctly predict whether the combined value of your first two cards will be more or less than 13. If you guess correctly, you’ll win an even payout.

Should the total of your hand be equal to 13, you’d lose this side bet. However, there are some Blackjack varieties that offer a specific wager on this total. This additional side bet normally provided payouts of 10 to 1.

Lucky Ladies

The Lucky Ladies Blackjack side bet can be split into five different winning payouts. This side bet is based solely on your first two cards.

If your starting hand has two unsuited cards that add up to 20, you’ll win a payout of 4 to 1. Should the two cards be of the same suited but of a different value, the payout rises to 9 to 1. Moreover, if the cards are identical in both number or face and suit, the payout increases further to 19 to 1.

The Lucky Ladies side bet rewards the highest payouts if your first two cards are Queens of Hearts. If you get two of these as your starting hand, you’ll win a payout of 125 to 1. In such a situation, if the dealer draws with a Blackjack, you’ll get a whopping, 1,000 to 1 payout.

How is the 5-Card Charlie side bet different?

The 5-Card Charlie bet may be offered as an optional side bet or an additional payout for main bets. If it’s available as a standard table rule, you’ll win a payout if you are dealt five cards without going bust. This rule only applies if the dealer does not have a Blackjack.

The 5-Card, 6-Card, or even 7-Card Charlie side bets have the same rules, but must be bet on separately from the main bet. Since you need a total of five or more cards in your hand to win this bet, you will probably need to choose between holding a strong hand or risk going bust to try and win this side bet.

The Blackjack side bet payout for a 5-Card Charlie is 5 to 1. If you get six cards without going bust, you’ll win a payout of 10 to 1, whilst a 7-Card Charlie rewards you with a 30 to 1 prize.

Is it worth placing Blackjack side bets?

Blackjack bets give you an opportunity to experience the game with renewed excitement. When you place one or more optional bets, your attention will be split between the main game and the possibility of winning additional prizes. These bets provide the potential for payouts even if you lose the main game.

The Blackjack side bet payouts are certainly the main attraction of these optional wagers. If you win the main game with a Blackjack, you’ll get a payout of 3 to 2. Winning with any other combination of cards provides you with an even payout.

In addition to payouts, you should also consider the side bet Blackjack odds. Most visions of the game feature a house edge of just 2%, and this could reduce to 0.5% for experienced players. The odds of winning side bets are significantly lower, so this reflects in the potential payout.

In conclusion, whilst we recommend trying some of the available Blackjack side bets, do this for fun. After all, this card game is entertaining and fun due to its unpredictable nature. Every new round is different and unique, and you never really know what cards will be dealt to you and the dealer.