What are Blackjack Side Bets?
In blackjack, the player aims to collect a payout by beating the dealer’s hand by forming a higher hand value without exceeding 21. During each round, the player can choose to hit (take a card), stand (end one’s turn), double down (double the bet, and get a final card), split (separate two cards of the same value), or surrender (exit the round).
Each blackjack round involves strategies and decision-making on the player’s part, with the primary objective of beating the dealer’s hand. These rules, and the requirement for some form of skills and strategies, are the things that make blackjack appealing to many casino players.
But remember, there’s more to blackjack betting than simply wagering on whether you can beat the dealer. There are also blackjack side bets or bonus bets you can play on each round that goes beyond whether you’ll beat the dealer’s hand. Some of these blackjack side bets are wagered at the beginning of the round, and many offer bigger payouts with fixed odds.
Popular Blackjack Side Bets to Play
There are dozens of blackjack side bets that you can play, but we’ll only cover the most popular ones below.
Insurance
You can play the insurance bet if the dealer’s face-up card is an Ace, and you think it will end up as a blackjack. The insurance payout pays 2 to 1 if the dealer gets a blackjack. Some experienced players argue that playing the insurance side bet is not recommended unless you’re an expert card counter.
21+3
It’s a side bet that includes the player’s first two cards and the dealer’s up-card. In short, this blackjack side bet involves the combinations the three cards can form, similar to poker. Some examples of this side bet are Flush, Straight, and the Three of a Kind.
In Flush, the three cards of the same suit traditionally pay 5:1. For Straight, you have three playing cards in sequence, regardless of the suit, like five of hearts, six of clubs, and seven of spades, and it pays 10:1. Finally, the Three of a Kind includes three cards of the same value regardless of the suit, and it pays you up to 30:1.
Perfect Pairs
In the Perfect Pairs side bet, you’re wagering that the outcome of your first two cards is mixed, colored, or a perfect pair. When we say Mixed Pair, it means that the two playing cards are a pair of the same rank but in different colors, and it pays 5:1. In a Colored Pair, the two cards are of the same rank and color but different suits, and it comes with a payout of 10:1. Finally, the Perfect Pair refers to a pair of two cards of the same rank and suit, with a potential payout of 30:1.
Royal Match
It’s a blackjack side bet that pays if your first two cards will be Queen and King of the same suit. When playing a single-deck game, the payout is 10:1, which becomes 25:1 if you’re playing a multi-deck blackjack game.
Match the Dealer
In Match the Dealer, you’re betting that the rank of at least one of your first two cards matches the dealer’s up-card. If there’s a match, but it’s of a different suit, the payout is 4:1. But if the suit also matches, your payout becomes 11:1.
Super Sevens
It’s a popular blackjack side where you’re betting on the number of sevens on your hand. If the first card is a seven, you earn a 3:1 payout. If the first two cards are sevens, you win 50:1; if these seven cards are of different suits, your payout is 100:1.
Are You Ready to Play Blackjack Side Bets?
These are some of the most popular blackjack side bets in many Indian online casinos. The types of side bets to play depend on the game provider and the casino operator. So, are these bonus bets worth your time and money?
Well, most of these side bets offer huge payout potential, but they give you a slight chance of winning. As such, we suggest playing these side bets for fun, and they should be optional in your betting strategy. If there’s a new blackjack game at your favorite Indian online casino offering side bets, try it. If you’re lucky, these blackjack side bets can be your ticket to huge payouts and a much bigger bankroll.
And when you integrate it into your betting plan, remember the basics of responsible betting. Always set a bankroll for your game, and never chase your losses!
