What are Side Bets in Blackjack?
Side bets can excite the game and offer the chance to win big payouts. However, they also come with higher risks, and players should understand the rules and odds before placing a side bet. Blackjack is a popular card game played in casinos worldwide, and side bets are additional wagers that players can place on top of their main bet. Let’s take a closer look at what side bets are in blackjack.
Blackjack Side Bets
A side bet is an additional wager a player can place alongside their main bet in a blackjack game. These bets are usually optional and can be placed before the dealer deals with the cards. Side bets offer a chance to win additional payouts, even if the player loses their main bet. However, side bets come with higher odds and can quickly drain a player’s bankroll if they’re not careful.
How Do Side Bets Work in Blackjack?
Side bets work by adding a layer of wagering on top of the main bet. Players can place a side bet simultaneously with their main bet and wait for the dealer to deal with the cards. These bets usually have their own set of rules and payouts that are separate from the main bet. This means a player can win a side bet despite losing their main bet.
However, players should know that side bets have higher risks and lower odds of winning than the main bet. Therefore, it’s essential to understand the rules and odds of each side bet before placing a wager.
What Types of Side Bets Can You Make in Blackjack?
There are several types of side bets that players can make in blackjack. Here are some of the most common:
Perfect Pairs
A perfect pairs side bet is a wager on whether the player’s first two cards will be a pair. There are three types of pairs: a perfect pair (two cards of the same suit and rank), a colored pair (two cards of the same rank and color), and a mixed pair (two cards of the same rank but different suits and colors). The payouts for a perfect pair can be as high as 30:1.
21+3
A 21+3 side bet is a wager on whether the player’s first two cards and the dealer’s upcard will form a poker hand. The poker hands can be a flush, straight, three of a kind, straight flush, or suited three of a kind. The payouts for a 21+3 side bet can be as high as 100:1.
Insurance
Insurance is a side bet that players can place if the dealer’s up card is an ace. The insurance bet is a wager on whether the dealer has a blackjack. This bet pays out 2:1 if the dealer has a blackjack. However, the insurance bet is lost if the dealer does not have a blackjack.
Bust It
A bust it side bet is a wager on whether the dealer will bust (exceed 21) with three or more cards. The payouts for a bust it side bet can be as high as 250:1.
In a nutshell
In conclusion, side bets are an additional wager that players can place in a blackjack game. Side bets can add excitement and offer the chance to win big payouts, but they also come with higher risks and lower odds of winning than the main bet.
Understanding the rules and odds of each side bet before placing a wager is essential. If you want to try outside bets in blackjack, start with smaller wagers and work up as you gain more experience. Good luck at the tables!
