Making the most out of your blackjack experiences is a matter of making the right move at the right time. Various card combinations afford different opportunities in this casino table game.
In many versions of blackjack, those opportunities include some interesting side bets. Side bets in blackjack ramp up the stakes and allow players to capitalize on the moment.
As with any other option in gambling, you should decide whether you should play side bets in blackjack based on your betting plan since side bets are generally considered high risk. If you’ve accounted for them in your blackjack bankroll management plan, they can add to the fun.
What Are Side Bets in Blackjack?
Playing blackjack with confidence is a matter of understanding the game and how to give yourself the best chance possible to win. Blackjack with side bets adds some extra options to be aware of.
As the name suggests, side bets are beside or in addition to the initial wager you’re making to play the game. These wagers are independent of your original wager, so it’s possible to win both bets, win one but not the other, or lose both.
For your gambling bankroll, it’s crucial to note how placing these additional wagers escalate your cost, but the added entertainment might justify the extra wager.
The Allure of Playing Blackjack with Side Bets
Completely independent of the odds and payouts, blackjack side bets diversify your experience and add depth to your blackjack hands. Another appeal of side bets in blackjack is their potential return. Because the odds on blackjack side bets are often long, you’ll get a greater payout than many of the more standard wagers in blackjack if you defy those odds.
If you have evaluated your plan and decided that side bets in blackjack are worth it, you should familiarize yourself with the options and procedures. The rules around these bets aren’t universal.
Side Bet Rules – A Quick Overview
Every time you’re evaluating a different blackjack variant, you need to check the game’s rules to see which side bets are allowed in the game and any rules around when you can place those wagers. Don’t just assume that you’ll be able to place the bet you want in the circumstances you want to.
For example, some games have specific limits on when you can buy blackjack insurance, but other games don’t allow for insurance bets whatsoever.
Verifying the blackjack rules is a good habit to get into before you start playing a game, even if you have played it before. The scope of side bets in blackjack can be large.
The Different Types of Side Bets in Blackjack
Many blackjack games will give you the option to place side bets, some of which you can wager on at the same time. A great example is blackjack with progressive jackpots. In these games, you can place a separate side wager to give you a chance at those jackpots. That can be done in addition to other side bets in some of these games, with common options including:
Insurance
The insurance side bet can give you some protection against the dealer hitting blackjack. This wager is in play when the dealer’s upcard is an ace and pays out 2:1 if they land a blackjack.
Perfect Pairs
This side bet rewards you if your first two cards make a pair. Different games will have different rules for what qualifies as a pair for this bet.
21+3 Blackjack
The 21+3 bet rewards you if your first two cards and the dealer’s upcard form a valid poker hand, like a flush or a straight.
Super Sevens
This bet pays out progressively for each seven in your hand. In most cases, you’ll have to place this wager before you’re dealt any cards.
Over/Under 13
This bet is all about guessing whether your first two cards will bear a total above or below 13. In most cases, your first two cards totaling exactly 13 will be a push.
Lucky Ladies
In some games, you’ll hit on this bet if your first two cards total 20. In some instances, you only win this bet if your first two cards are both queens, or you’ll receive a higher payout if both cards are queens.
Royal Match
If your first two cards are of the same suit, this bet rewards you, and more so if it’s a royal pair like a queen and a king.
Are Side Bets in Blackjack Worth It?
If you’ve planned some blackjack side bets into your budget and just want to try your luck at them, there’s nothing wrong with placing them as long as you stick to your plan and understand the odds of winning them. For players who want to evaluate these bets in terms of value, an important consideration is the blackjack house edge.
In blackjack, the house edge fluctuates based on what wagers you place and the cards on the table. Because probabilities in blackjack don’t favor many side bets, staking these wagers can increase the house edge significantly.
For that reason, the real question to ask is what do you want to get out of blackjack side bets? Are you paying for the extra excitement or do you want to build your bankroll?
Ways To Judge a Side Bet in Blackjack
When you’re evaluating a blackjack side bet for its financial value instead of entertainment value, your primary consideration is how it fits into your bankroll management plan. As a general rule of thumb, side bets are high-risk, high-reward wagers and should only be made if you’re willing to lose, since these are wagers with long odds. Also, if placing such a bet is going to put you over your pre-set limits or limit the amount of games you might want to play, it’s best to pass.
Another consideration is the expected value of the wager. This requires players to compare the potential payout from a bet to the odds of hitting it to determine whether it’s a good value.
Combining these two factors can make judging a side bet easy. For example, if you’ve had a run of good luck and you’re up for the session, you can afford to take bigger risks than you normally would.
With those winnings, you might consider buying insurance when the dealer hits an ace as their first card because the 2:1 return on those funds is worth the extra stake. Even if the dealer doesn’t hit blackjack and you lose that bet, you can still end your session having broken even.
With experience, making these judgments will become easier and faster. BetMGM Casino is the top place to acquire that experience.
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Your bonus funds can limit your risk as you build your experience with blackjack side bets. Whether you’re interested in these bets for the fun, the payout, or both, BetMGM is on your side.
