Thinking about adding extra action to your blackjack hands? This practical guide breaks down how blackjack side bets work, what they pay, and when to use them—without blowing your bankroll. You’ll learn which options are fun, which are risky, and how to evaluate them at the table like a pro.

At a glance: Side bets add volatility and bigger potential payouts, but most have a higher house edge than the main game. Know the pay table at your table—payouts and edges vary by casino and deck count.

What are blackjack side bets?

Blackjack side bets are optional wagers you can make alongside your main hand. They usually pay based on special card combinations—yours, the dealer’s, or both. Examples include pairs, suited combos, or poker-style hands made from the first three cards.

They’re designed to deliver excitement and big multipliers. The trade-off: they typically carry a higher house edge than standard blackjack.

How blackjack side bets work

  • You place a small chip in a marked area before the deal.
  • The outcome is settled immediately after the first cards are revealed.
  • Payouts depend on the pay table posted on the felt or placard.
  • Your side bet result doesn’t affect your main hand strategy—treat them separately.

Popular blackjack side bets (with typical payouts)

Perfect Pairs

Pays if your first two cards form a pair.

  • Mixed Pair (e.g., 7♥ 7♣): often 5:1
  • Colored Pair (e.g., 7♥ 7♦): often 10:1
  • Perfect Pair (same rank and suit, e.g., 7♥ 7♥): often 30:1

House edge: commonly ~4%–6% (varies by decks and pay table).

21+3

Uses your first two cards plus the dealer’s upcard to form a 3‑card poker hand.

  • Flush: ~5:1
  • Straight: ~10:1
  • Three of a Kind: ~30:1
  • Straight Flush: ~40:1
  • Suited Trips (some versions): up to 100:1

House edge: often ~3%–4% depending on the pay table and decks.

Lucky Ladies / 20s bets

Pays for totals of 20, especially suited or matched queens of hearts.

House edge: can exceed 15% on some tables; check the exact pay table.

Bust side bets

Pays if the dealer busts, sometimes more for certain bust totals or number of cards.

House edge: typically 6%–15% depending on variant.

Royal Match

Pays for suited player cards; a suited K-Q may pay a premium.

House edge: often around 3%–5%, varies widely by rules.

Hot 3 / Other 3-card totals

Pays based on your two cards plus dealer upcard totaling 19, 20, or 21, with bonuses.

House edge: commonly in the mid-single digits; verify table signage.

Reality check: The main blackjack game can have a house edge near 0.5% with basic strategy. Most side bets are much higher. That’s why they’re considered high-risk bets.

Blackjack side bets: pros and cons

Pros

  • Bigger payout potential on any hand
  • Extra excitement and variety
  • Low-cost entertainment if sized modestly

Cons

  • Higher house edge on most variants
  • Volatility: long dry spells between hits
  • Payouts and edges vary—harder to judge on the fly

Real-world example: what one hour of side bets looks like

Suppose you play 60 hands in an hour at a $15 table and place a $5 side bet each hand on 21+3. That’s $300 wagered on the side bet alone.

  • Typical house edge: ~3.2% (depends on table)
  • Expected loss on side bets: 0.032 × $300 = $9.60 for the hour
  • Variance: You might hit a 30:1 or 40:1 and walk away up, or miss entirely

This is why consistent small sizing matters—side bets add up fast even at $5 per hand.

Step-by-step: how to evaluate a side bet at your table

  1. Find the pay table on the felt or placard. Snap a quick photo if allowed.
  2. Identify the deck count (e.g., 6 or 8 decks) and rules (S17/H17).
  3. Compare payouts to common “fair” schedules listed below.
  4. If the best payouts are reduced (e.g., suited trips lowered), assume a higher house edge.
  5. Cap your side bet to 5%–10% of your main bet to control volatility.

Quick reference: fair-ish payout ranges

  • Perfect Pairs: 5:1 (mixed), 10:1 (colored), 30:1 (perfect)
  • 21+3: 5:1 (flush), 10:1 (straight), 30:1 (trips), 40:1 (straight flush), 100:1 (suited trips)
  • Royal Match: premium for suited K-Q should be visibly higher than basic suited

If your table pays less than these for top outcomes, the edge likely climbs.

Bankroll tips for side bets

  • Set a fixed side-bet budget per session and stick to it.
  • Use small, consistent sizing (e.g., $3–$5) rather than chasing losses.
  • Pause side bets during downswings to preserve your main game bankroll.
  • Track your total side-bet spend separately from main-hand results.

Example strategies by side bet

Perfect Pairs

Good for occasional fun. Keep the wager small and expect long gaps between big hits. The term perfect pairs refers to the highest-paying combination: same rank and suit.

21+3

Often among the “less bad” options when it uses the more generous pay table. Still, size it modestly and remember variance is high.

Bust and 20s-style bets

Entertaining, but frequently worse edges. If you play them, treat as novelty—short sessions, tiny bets.

Responsible gaming

  • Never bet money you can’t afford to lose.
  • Take breaks, and set time and loss limits.
  • Side bets are entertainment—don’t rely on them for profit.
  • If gambling stops being fun, step away and seek help resources in your state.

Summary: should you play blackjack side bets?

Yes, for entertainment—carefully. Most blackjack side bets have higher house edges than the base game. If you enjoy the sweat, keep bets small, pick friendlier pay tables, and manage your bankroll tightly. For the best long-term results, focus on solid basic strategy and use side bets sparingly.

FAQs

What are blackjack side bets and how do they differ from the main bet?

They are optional wagers on specific card combinations, settled at the start of the hand. Unlike the main bet, they don’t rely on beating the dealer total and usually have a higher house edge.

Which side bet has the best return?

It depends on the pay table. Among commonly found options, a generous 21+3 pay schedule often has a lower edge than many others. Always verify payouts at your table.

Are side bets high-risk bets?

Yes. They pay big but hit less often, producing higher variance and typically higher house edges than standard blackjack. That’s why small, consistent sizing is advised.

Do casinos change side-bet payouts?

Yes. Pay tables vary by casino, region, deck count, and even table. A small change, like lowering a top payout, can significantly increase the house edge.

Should beginners play side bets?

Beginners should learn basic strategy first. If you add side bets, start tiny and treat them as entertainment, not a profit strategy.

Conclusion

Blackjack side bets can make the game flashier and more fun—but they’re built with higher house edges. If you enjoy options like 21+3 or perfect pairs, keep bets small, pick fair pay tables, and protect your bankroll. Treat them as entertainment, not a winning system.