Quick Takeaways
- Side bets are separate wagers from your main blackjack bet.
- They often offer big payouts, but usually come with a higher long-run cost.
- If your goal is best odds, the main blackjack hand matters most. Side bets are usually for entertainment.
If you want the full blackjack foundation first (rules, scoring, dealer rules, payouts, and table selection), start with The Complete Guide to Blackjack. This article explains what side bets are, how they pay, and a simple way to decide if you should play them.
What Is a Blackjack Side Bet?
A side bet is a separate bet you place in addition to your main blackjack wager.
Key points:
- It has its own win condition
- It pays according to its own payout table
- It does not change the dealer’s rules or your basic strategy decisions (most of the time)
Most side bets are resolved based on:
- your first two cards
- the dealer’s upcard
- or a special three-card combination
Why Casinos Push Side Bets
Side bets are popular for two reasons:
Big “Highlight Moments”
Even if your main hand is boring, a side bet can hit a flashy payout.
Bigger Built-In Cost
The main blackjack game can be relatively low edge with good rules and proper strategy. Side bets often aren’t.
That’s why you’ll see them promoted heavily in online lobbies and table UIs.
The Most Common Blackjack Side Bets (And How They Work)
Different casinos brand them differently, but most side bets fall into a few categories.
Perfect Pairs
What it usually pays for:
Your first two cards form a pair.
Common payout tiers:
- mixed pair (same value, different suits)
- colored pair (same color)
- perfect pair (same rank and same suit)
What it feels like:
Simple and satisfying. Pairs show up often enough that you’ll see wins, but the bigger payouts are rarer.
21+3
What it usually pays for:
A poker hand made from:
- your first two cards + the dealer’s upcard
Common winning hands:
- flush
- straight
- three of a kind
- straight flush
What it feels like:
A “mini poker hand” every round. Fun, but the long-run cost is usually higher than the main game.
Lucky Ladies
What it usually pays for:
Your first two cards are two Queens, often with extra bonuses if:
- the dealer has blackjack
- the Queens are hearts
What it feels like:
A jackpot-style side bet. Hits are rare, but payouts can be eye-catching.
Bust It (Dealer Bust Side Bets)
What it usually pays for:
The dealer busts (sometimes with tiers based on how many cards the dealer uses).
Example tiers may include:
- dealer busts with 3 cards
- dealer busts with 4 cards
- dealer busts with 5+ cards
What it feels like:
It adds suspense during the dealer’s draw. If you love that moment, this side bet is built to hook you.
Hot 3 / Lucky 7 / Total-Based Side Bets
These vary widely, but often pay for:
- certain totals (like 19–21)
- certain combinations (like 7-7-7 across player/dealer cards)
- special “suited” conditions
These side bets are the most inconsistent between casinos, so always read the payout table.
What To Check Before You Try Any Side Bet
If you want to avoid “silent leaks,” do these three things first:
- Read the payout table (don’t guess what it pays)
- Set a fixed side-bet budget for the session (treat it like entertainment spend)
- Never chase a hit by increasing the side bet after losses
If a side bet makes you rush main-hand decisions, it’s costing you more than you think.
Are Blackjack Side Bets Worth It?
This depends on your goal.
If Your Goal Is Best Odds
Most side bets are not worth it. The main blackjack hand is where you can get the best value—especially with good table rules.
If you’re serious about table quality, revisit:
How to Spot Favorable Blackjack Rules at Online Casinos.
If Your Goal Is Entertainment
Side bets can be worth it as “paid entertainment,” as long as you treat them like a separate budget.
A good mindset is:
- “This is for fun.”
- “I’m okay if it loses over time.”
- “I won’t let it hijack my session.”
The Hidden Risk: Side Bets Can Change Your Behavior
Even though a side bet is separate from your main hand, it can influence how you play in two ways:
It Pulls Focus Away From Main Decisions
Rushing or missing basic strategy decisions costs more than most people realize.
It Increases Session Volatility
Side bets add extra swings. You can feel “hot” or “cold” quickly and start changing your bet sizes emotionally.
If you want to keep control, set a strict side bet cap.
A Practical Side Bet Rule That Works
If you want a simple rule you can actually apply:
- Play the main hand normally
- If you use side bets, keep them small and consistent
- Never increase side bets to “get it back”
A clean approach is:
- Side bet = a tiny fixed amount per hand, or
- Side bet = only a few attempts per session (then stop)
Mini FAQ: Blackjack Side Bets
1) Do Side Bets Improve My Chances of Winning Blackjack?
No. Side bets are separate wagers. They don’t improve your main hand odds.
2) Are Side Bets Always Bad?
Not always “bad”—but they usually cost more over time. They’re mainly entertainment.
3) Which Side Bet Is Best?
It depends on the table’s payout table. If you’re considering one, read the payouts and treat it as optional fun.
4) Can Side Bets Make Me Lose Faster?
Yes. They increase volatility and add extra money at risk each hand.
5) Should Beginners Use Side Bets?
Most beginners should skip them until they’re comfortable playing the main hand correctly.
Where To Go Next
Now that you understand side bets, the next step is learning how blackjack payouts work in more detail—especially the difference between 3:2 and 6:5, which is one of the biggest “silent edge” changes you’ll see online.
Continue with Understanding 3:2 vs 6:5 Blackjack Payouts.
