{"id":4502,"date":"2022-08-10T08:53:00","date_gmt":"2022-08-10T08:53:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.planet7casino.com\/?p=4502"},"modified":"2023-07-27T11:16:28","modified_gmt":"2023-07-27T11:16:28","slug":"best-online-blackjack-side-bets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.planet7casino.com\/internal\/best-online-blackjack-side-bets\/","title":{"rendered":"The Best Blackjack Side Bets"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Blackjack can be immensely exciting and lucrative on its own.<\/span> But outside the goal of beating the dealer and winning a hand, there\u2019s even more fun and money i<\/span>n this classic <\/span>casino game<\/span><\/a>. Side bets, aka \u201cprop bets\u201d, are one way to ramp up your winning opportunities in blackjack. While they aren\u2019t available for every variation, you\u2019ll find that you can rake in a decent amount of extra dough on a game if they are.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019ve never explored this area of blackjack betting before, we\u2019re here to talk you through exactly what these bets entail and what you can expect in terms of the house edge, probability of winning, and the implications to your bankroll. We\u2019ll also share some insider advice to help you get used to the idea of placing side bets and how you can work them to your advantage. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n

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What Are Blackjack Side Bets?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Blackjack side bets fall into the same category as prop bets in <\/span>sports betting<\/span><\/a>. A bookmaker typically lays out odds for unconventional scenarios that are completely unrelated to the game itself. This could be things like how long the crowd will chant the national anthem for, what accent the commentator will have, how long it takes before someone streaks across the pitch, etc. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

While you can\u2019t bet on the dealer\u2019s choice of attire or how long it will take for him or her to strip off in a game of blackjack, the concept is exactly the same in the sense that these bets have nothing to do with the logistics of the actual game. What you might bet on are things like your first two cards adding up to a specific value or being of a certain suit. You might also bet that the dealer will go bust if you suspect they have a weak hand or that their hole card will be a particular number or suit, for example. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Do People Place Side Bets?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The game of blackjack has such good odds for the player already, so why do people bother with these propositions in the first place? Many players view them as opportunities to deviate from the monotony of trying to reach 21 and win some extra money at the same time, but others do it because they genuinely believe that it can bolster their success and chances of winning in the main game. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This last part is a matter of personal belief and opinion, but what we can say for certain is that side bets, if done right, can be highly rewarding and good for your bankroll. This is because most side bets come with an exceptionally high house edge, so if a player manages to pull them off, the payout can be huge. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n

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How to Place Blackjack Side Bets<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Before you can place a blackjack side bet, you first need to make sure the casino offers these types of wagers. This should be pretty obvious if you\u2019re playing at a land-based casino table, and you should be able to just place your chips on the proposition you want to opt for. If you\u2019re playing at an <\/span>on<\/a>line blackjack<\/span><\/a> casino, available side bets are usually listed somewhere to the left of the game screen. Be sure to check the requirements and conditions for placing a particular wager before you select it.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Best Blackjack Side Bets<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Now we\u2019ll discuss the best and most common blackjack side bets you\u2019re likely to find at casinos both online and offline. These wagers offer the most advantages to the player, and all feature a low house edge with reasonably high payouts.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

21+3<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The 21+3 side bet is one you\u2019re most likely to come across at brick-and-mortar establishments, but it is known to exist in online games as well. To put it simply, you\u2019ll win this bet if both the dealer\u2019s face-up card and your initial two cards make up one of the following poker hands: straight, flush, or three-of-a-kind. Subject to a 9 to 1 payout, you\u2019ll benefit from a 3.24% house edge with this bet, making it one of the most favorable side bets you can opt for in blackjack.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Royal Match<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This is a classic bet that\u2019s commonplace at online casinos and can be found in most variations of blackjack. Like the 21+3, Royal Match has a respectable house edge of only 3.7%. The goal with this bet is to form a hand of two cards of the same suit. Depending on how many decks are being used, the highest payout is 25 to 1 for a suited King and Queen and 5:2 for any other suited combination. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Over\/Under 13<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Another bet with a commendable house edge is the Over\/Under 13. For the Over bet, you\u2019re up against a 6.5% house edge and 13% if you wager on the Under. If a player opts for the Over bet, they are essentially predicting that the first two cards dealt will exceed the value of 13; whereas, for the latter, the player is betting that the value will be less than this figure. Both can result in a nice payout if you win but bear in mind that if your first two cards equate to 13 exactly, you lose either way. While the risk is marginal here, a solid card counting strategy can help to further reduce the house edge for this wager in a live casino. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n