Following standard poker, standard blackjack has the smallest house edge. With a range between 0.5% and 2%, everyone could turn their small-time wagers into bigger profits. To make sure that you play low, you need to have a firm command over how and when to hit, stand, split, and double. Well, that is just the first phase of the many options.
While pro-blackjack players have conquered card counting and profiling other players, there is another effective strategy that can bring more actions and lucrative results to you: side bets. From the term itself, these are extra bets players add to their main game bet/s.
Apart from standard blackjack, side bets are common in live casino games. Well, who wouldn’t want extra profits when online casinos offer live dealer bonuses, right? Then again, do note that they are still a part of the gambling system. Fruitful, yes, but they also pose great risks when used unduly. Let’s take a closer look at them here on this page and see if they suit your game style.
About blackjack side bets
As said before, side bets are types of wagers added on the main game bet/s. They could either be linked with the main outcome or not, but they are normally used for the latter. Sounds good? Well, that’s because you haven’t heard about their house edge.
Given the fact that they offer players the chance to play much longer odds, you must consider that they also affect the increase of the game’s house edge. Most types of blackjack side bets carry around 10% or more. Then again, with control and protection over your bankroll, you can stand a chance to lower the house advantage overall.
Types of blackjack side bets
The game has various side bets. The four main types are insurance, perfect pairs, double down, and 21+3.
- Insurance: This bet is the most common because it pays odds of 2:1 should the dealer have a natural. Only that, you are only allowed to use it when the dealer’s face-up card is an ace.
- Perfect pairs: This bet is somewhat complex because it pays out depending on what two of a kind you are dealt with. These are mixed pair (5:1), coloured pair (12:1), and perfect pair (25:1).
- Double down: This bet allows you to increase your main bet by up to 100%, but you are to stand after taking a hit (extra card).
- 21+3: This bet fuses your first two cards and the dealer’s face-up card. The payout varies based on the combination.
Are they worth it?
Yes and no. Side bets are the fun part of the game, but that is because you are betting on the luck of the draw. They heighten the thrill of the game because of several options. Perhaps, a tip to you: they are better used in live casino games, as you safely play alongside live dealer bonuses. In other words, don’t make them the main focus of your game.