Blackjack side bets are a fun option that lets you play this popular card game with more payout opportunities. These side bets don’t require any skill and are purely based on luck, and if you win them, you’ll usually get higher payouts than those offered in the main game.
In this guide, you’ll learn about the different betting options and Blackjack side bet payouts available. We’ve outlined the odds of winning each side bet and provided you with a list of top online casinos where you can put your newfound knowledge to great use.
What are Side Bets in Blackjack?
Most Blackjack tables give you the opportunity to place optional bets in addition to the main wager. Unlike the main wager, you don’t need to play any of the Blackjack side bets that are available. Moreover, the outcome of the main game has no bearing on the result of these wagers.
As you will see in the examples below, the majority of side bets in Blackjack are based on your first cards and the dealer’s face-up card. Similarly to 3-Card Poker or other card games, these bets are won whenever a suitable card combination is created.
Types of Blackjack Side Bets
In the following section, we’ve explained what are side bets in Blackjack by giving examples of the most popular ones. We strongly recommend that before placing side bets, you learn how to play Blackjack to become familiar with the gameplay.
21 3
The 21+3 Blackjack side bet is based on your first two cards and the dealer’s face-up card. Just as in poker, if these three cards combine to create one of the following hands, you’ll win a payout.
- Suited Three of a Kind – All three cards have the same rank and the same suit. An example could be getting three 5♥s.
- Straight Flush – Three cards have a consecutive rank and are of the same suit. An example could be 3♣, 4♣, and 5♣.
- Three of a Kind – All three cards have the same value but a different suit. An example could be 2♥, 2♠, and 2♥.
- Straight – Three cards have a consecutive rank but are of different suits. An example could be 3♠, 4♥, and 5♥.
- Flush – All three cards have the same suit but have no consecutive rank. An example could be 5♠, 7♠, and K♠.
21 3 Side Bet Odds and Payouts
In the following table, we’ve outlined the mathematical odds and standard payouts provided through the 21+3 Blackjack side bet.
| Hand | Odds | Payouts |
| Suited Three of a Kind | 0.0002 | 100:1 |
| Straight Flush | 0.002 | 40:1 |
| Three of a Kind | 0.005 | 30:1 |
| Straight | 0.031 | 10:1 |
| Flush | 0.059 | 5:1 |
Handy Tip:
In case you’re wondering how creating a Suited Three of a Kind is possible, the answer is simple. Most Blackjack games are played with between six and eight standard 52-card decks. You can learn more about the basics of the game in our Blackjack terminology guide.
Perfect Pairs
The Perfect Pairs Blackjack side bet ignores the dealer’s card and focuses entirely on yours. This bet has a simple premise: if your first two cards are a pair, you’ll win a prize. However, the value of your payout varies according to the specifics of the pair as we’ve explained below.
- Perfect Pair – Both cards have the same rank and suit. An example could be two A♠s.
- Colored Pair – The two cards have the same rank and color but are of different suits. An example could be a 4♣ and 4♠.
- Mixed Pair – Both cards have the same rank but are of a different color and suit. An example could be a 3♠ and a 3♥.
Perfect Pairs Side Bet Odds and Payouts
In the following table, we’ve outlined the odds of winning a Perfect Pairs bet and the respective Blackjack side bet payouts.
| Hand | Odds | Payouts |
| Perfect Pair | 0.017 | 30:1 |
| Colored Pair | 0.019 | 10:1 |
| Mixed Pair | 0.039 | 5:1 |
Insurance
The Insurance Blackjack side bet is different from the rest as you can only use it in particular circumstances and after the first set of cards has been dealt. To be able to take the Insurance bet, the dealer’s face-up card must be an Ace, and therefore, the dealer might win with a Black Jack.
Most tables will only allow you to wager up to half your Ante bet on Insurance. However, as we explain in our Blackjack Hit or Stand guide, most seasoned players would always recommend avoiding this bet due to its low odds and payouts.
Insurance Side Bet Odds and Payouts
This table outlines the main reason why Insurance side bets in Blackjack are generally not recommended. To win this side bet, the dealer’s face-down card must have a value of 10.
| Dealer’s Hand | Odds | Payouts |
| Blackjack | 0.3 | 2:1 |
Other Blackjack Side Bets
When you join our featured online Blackjack casinos, you’ll find tables that may feature one or more of the following side bets. These are not as popular as the previous ones but can provide higher payouts worth up to 5,000:1.
- Easy Match – As with many side bets on Blackjack, this wager is based on your first two cards. If they’re in the same suit, you’ll win this bet.
- Lucky Ladies – You’ll win this bet if the total value of your first two cards is 20. There are different payouts according to the rank and suit of the cards, however, getting two Q♥s will lead to the greatest prize. This is further increased if the dealer gets a Black Jack.
- Lucky Lucky – This casino Blackjack bet is similar to the 21+3 side bet. It’s based on the combination of your first two cards and the dealer’s face-up card. However, with this side bet, you don’t need to create typical poker hand rankings.
- Match the Dealer – To win this bet, at least one of your first two cards must match the rank, and ideally the suit, of the dealer’s face-up card.
- Over/Under 13 – You can bet on whether the total value of your first two cards will be lower or higher than 13. In this bet, A has a value of one and if the total is 13 you’ll lose the bet.
- Pair Square – Similar to the Perfect Pairs Blackjack side bet, this wager pays out if your first two cards are a pair. Different payout values are given depending on the suits of your pairs
- Royal Match – This wager is won if your first two cards are a K and Q of the same suit. Just as with the Easy Match side bet, this wager pays out differently depending on the Blackjack version.
- Super Sevens – With this Blackjack side bet, you can wager on how many 7s you’ll get in your hand. The suit of the 7s also plays a role in the eventual payout and if your third card is also a 7, you can win the highest Blackjack side bets payout.
Other Blackjack Side Bets Payouts
Here is an overview of the main Blackjack side bets payouts for the bets outlined in this section.
| Side Bet | Payouts |
| Easy Match (Single Deck) | 3:1 |
| Easy Match (Multi Deck) | 5:2 |
| Lucky Ladies (Different Suits) | 10:1 |
| Lucky Ladies (Same Suits) | 25:1 |
| Lucky Ladies (Two Queens of Hearts) | 200:1 |
| Lucky Ladies (Two Queens of Hearts & Dealer’s Blackjack) | 1,000:1 |
| Lucky Lucky (Total Value of 19 or 20) | 2:1 |
| Lucky Lucky (Total Value of 21) | 3:1 |
| Lucky Lucky (Total Value of 21 and Same Suit) | 15:1 |
| Lucky Lucky (6, 7, and 8) | 30:1 |
| Lucky Lucky (Three 7s) | 50:1 |
| Lucky Lucky (6, 7, and 8 and Same Suit) | 100:1 |
| Lucky Lucky (Three 7s and Same Suit) | 200:1 |
| Match the Dealer (Different Suits) | 4:1 |
| Match the Dealer (Same Suit) | 11:1 |
| Over/Under 13 | 10:1 |
| Pair Square (Different Suits) | 10:1 |
| Pair Square (Same Suit) | 15:1 |
| Royal Match (Single Deck) | 10:1 |
| Royal Match (Multi Deck) | 25:1 |
| Super Sevens (Single Card) | 3:1 |
| Super Sevens (Two Cards Different Suits) | 50:1 |
| Super Sevens (Two Cards Same Suits) | 100:1 |
| Super Sevens (Three Cards Different Suits) | 500:1 |
| Super Sevens (Three Cards Same Suits) | 5,000:1 |
Are Side Bets in Blackjack Worth It?
Blackjack side bets are an enticing way to play one of the world’s favorite casino card games. It’s easy to be attracted by Blackjack side bets payouts as most of these are much higher than the 1:1 prize paid to most winners or the 3:2 payout reserved for Black Jacks. However, since Internet casinos are not in the business of losing money, these bets also have a significantly higher house edge than the main game.
When you play Blackjack online, you shouldn’t do it to get financial gain. As with all other casino table games, you should only play this game for fun and only wager what you can afford to lose. How you wager your funds is a personal choice, and Blackjack side bets give you an interesting way to do this.
Just like Blackjack card counting of card game strategies, placing side bets can provide you with added thrills with very little additional effort. You won’t need to learn how to play a new game and you can find out very quickly whether you’ve won. Moreover, while the odds may be against you, the game’s fairness settings mean that anything can happen on every turn.