Learn How and Why (Almost) All Blackjack Side Bets are Sucker Bets!
If you know anything about blackjack (aside from how to count to 21), you’re probably aware that it’s one of just two casino games in which; a) the house edge is well below 1%; and b) the player can make decisions that impact the overall return to player (RTP). What this means is that players have a decent chance of actually winning money on blackjack, or (more likely) losing a very minimal amount along the way.
That’s great news for players, but what about the casinos? Sure, they still have a positive expectation, but casinos would always love to make more money. Knowing that they aren’t going to win much off strategic blackjack players, they are always looking for ways to make even more money off their less-experienced patrons. The easiest way to do that at the blackjack tables is to encourage them to make side bets; or as any veteran of the casino felt knows them, sucker bets.
Why is Every Blackjack Side Bet a Suck Bet?
That’s an easy question. Every side bet in blackjack is a sucker bet because they all carry a higher house edge (lower RTP) than the actual game. Thus, placing side bets only diminishes the expectation of your return; (i.e. you’ll lose more money in the long run). I’ll explain through example.
Let’s say you’re playing a blackjack game with a house edge of 0.5% (RTP 99.5%). You’re using basic strategy, and making perfect decisions. So you know that, in the long term, you’re going to achieve that 99.5% return.
This particular game offers a Perfect Pairs side bet. This side bet (as you’ll learn below) comes with a standard house edge of 4.10% (RTP 95.59%). If you make a base game bet and side bet of equal sizes, you’re voluntarily increasing the casinos edge to 2.45% (RTP 97.55%). Reducing the size of the side bet won’t really help, either. Even if you bet $10 on the base game, and just $1 on the side bet, you’re still going to suffer worse odds (house edge 1.13%, RTP 98.87%).
That being said, I think it’s safe to say that every good blackjack strategy should come with this Golden Rule: Do not place side bets.
Rules & Odds of Common Side Bets in Blackjack
Since the emergence of online blackjack, there’s been an incredible increase in the number of side bets. The list is getting so long, we now offer a table of contents to help you navigate it better. Please select from any of the side bets below to jump to its full description.
Note: Not every casino, online or otherwise, offers the exact same pay tables for their side bets. The pay tables we provide coincide with those most commonly found by our editors (who are all experienced players themselves).
21 + 3
One of the most common side bets in blackjack is 21 + 3. It is a bet that the first three cards dealt between player and dealer will make a valuable 3-card poker hand. The cards in question include the player’s first two cards, plus the dealer’s up card. If those cards combine to achieve a 3 of a kind, flush, straight, or straight flush, the player wins an amount according to the pay table provided.
Note that, because it’s so common, there are many different pay tables for 21+3 side bets. The two we’re displaying below depict just how much their values can vary. The value of the paytable directly impacts the house edge of the bet.
Paytable 1 (2 decks; All winning hands pay the same reward)
| Winning Hand Conditions | Payout |
| Straight Flush | 5 to 2 |
| 3 of a Kind | 5 to 2 |
| Straight | 5 to 2 |
| Flush | 5 to 2 |
| Pair | 5 to 2 |
| House Edge (RTP) | 2.78% (97.22%) |
Paytable 2 (6 decks; Payouts scale up by hand rank; No win for Pairs)
| Winning Hand Conditions | Payout |
| Straight Flush | 30 to 1 |
| 3 of a Kind | 20 to 1 |
| Straight | 10 to 1 |
| Flush | 5 to 1 |
| House Edge (RTP) | 13.39% (86.61%) |
Any Pair
Any Pair, (a.k.a. Bet the Set or Square Pair), is found in a lot of blackjack variants. It can come with a wide range of pay tables, too. The RTP depends largely on the number of decks in use. As the name implies, to win the bet, the player’s first two cards must be a pair. If the pair is of the same suit, the payout is greater.
We provide the two most common paytables, with house edge (RTP) for 2 deck and 6 deck games.
Paytable 1 (20/10)
| Winning Hand Conditions | Payout |
| Suited Pair | 20 to 1 |
| Pair | 10 to 1 |
| House Edge (RTP) – 2 Decks | 15.53% (84.47%) |
| House Edge (RTP) – 6 Decks | 2.57% (97.43%) |
Paytable 2 (15/10)
| Winning Hand Conditions | Payout |
| Suited Pair | 15 to 1 |
| Pair | 10 to 1 |
| House Edge (RTP) – 2 Decks | 20.39% (79.61%) |
| House Edge (RTP) – 6 Decks | 10.61% (89.39%) |
Bet The Bust
This is a simple bet in which the player wins if the dealer busts. As an added advantage, the player gets to see the dealer’s face-up card before deciding whether to make the side bet. The payout for a win is determined by the odds of the dealer busting, which are based on the value of the dealer’s the up-card. The house edge for this bet varies by deck size, and whether the dealer is required to Hit or Stand on Soft 17. Therefore, I’m labeling separate paytables for each, with house edge (RTP) for 2-deck and 6-deck games.
Paytable 1 (Dealer Hits Soft 17)
| Dealer’s Up-Card | Payout | 2 Decks | 6 Decks |
| Ace | 7 to 2 | 8.85% (91.15%) | 9.28% (90.72%) |
| 2 | 3 to 2 | 10.87% (89.13%) | 10.84% (89.16%) |
| 3 | 3 to 2 | 5.64% (94.36%) | 5.73% (94.27%) |
| 4 | 1 to 1 | 19.73% (80.27%) | 20.16% (79.84%) |
| 5 | 1 to 1 | 15.27% (84.73%) | 15.87% (84.13%) |
| 6 | 1 to 1 | 12.25% (87.75%) | 12.17% (87.83%) |
| 7 | 5 to 2 | 8.60% (91.40%) | 8.39% (91.61%) |
| 8 | 3 to 1 | 3.35% (96.65%) | 2.73% (97.27%) |
| 9 | 3 to 1 | 7.64% (92.36%) | 8.14% (91.86%) |
| 10, J, Q, K | 3 to 1 | 7.54% (92.46%) | 7.81% (92.19%) |
Paytable 2 (Dealer Stands on Soft 17)
| Dealer’s Up-Card | Payout | 2 Decks | 6 Decks |
| Ace | 7 to 2 | 24.36% (75.64%) | 24.72% (75.28%) |
| 2 | 3 to 2 | 11.68% (88.32%) | 11.63% (88.37%) |
| 3 | 3 to 2 | 6.30% (94.70%) | 6.41% (93.59%) |
| 4 | 1 to 1 | 20.29% (79.71%) | 20.70% (79.30%) |
| 5 | 1 to 1 | 15.50% (84.50%) | 16.17% (83.83%) |
| 6 | 1 to 1 | 15.57% (84.43%) | 15.46% (84.64%) |
| 7 | 5 to 2 | 8.60% (91.40%) | 8.39% (91.61%) |
| 8 | 3 to 1 | 3.35% (96.65%) | 2.73% (97.27%) |
| 9 | 3 to 1 | 7.64% (92.36%) | 8.14% (91.86%) |
| 10, J, Q, K | 3 to 1 | 7.54% (92.46%) | 7.81% (92.19%) |
Blackjack Match
This side bet wins if the player and dealer both have blackjack. If the player’s and dealer’s blackjack match in any way – suit and/or card ranks – the payout is higher. Smaller payouts are available if the player gets a blackjack, but the dealer does not, or if the player is dealt an Ace in their first two cards. Blackjack Match requires a flat $5 bet. All payouts are “for 1”, meaning the original bet is not returned.
There is a 2-tier Progressive Jackpot and Envy Bonus. The progressive pays out at 100% if the dealer and player both have A♠-K♠. The progressive pays out at 10% if the player and dealer have same-suit blackjacks in any other suit (A♥-K♥, A♣-K♣ or A♦-K♦). The envy bonus pays out to anyone else at the table who has a side bet when the 100% or 10% progressive jackpot is won.
| Winning Hand Conditions | Payout | Envy Bonus |
| Player + Dealer Blackjacks, Matching with A♠-K♠ | 100% of Jackpot | $3,000 |
| Player + Dealer Blackjacks, Matching with A♥-K♥, A♣-K♣ or A♦-K♦ | 10% of Jackpot | $1,000 |
| Player + Dealer Blackjacks, both Suited but not Matching | $1,000 | – |
| Player + Dealer Blackjacks | $150 | – |
| Player has Blackjack, Suited | $50 | – |
| Player has Blackjack | $25 | – |
| Player is dealt an Ace in first 2 cards | $15 | – |
| House Edge (RTP) – 6 Decks | 33.79% (67.21%)* |
*The RTP of this side bet scales upward based on the size of the progressive jackpot, and the number of players at the table (thanks to the chance of winning an envy bonus). You can add 0.2% for every player (besides yourself) at the table, and add 0.22% for every $5,000 in the progressive jackpot.
Blazing 7’s
This trademark side bet is found in a throng of blackjack games from Scientific Gaming subsidiary, Bally Games. There are two forms of this side bet, depending on which casino you find it in. Both rely on the cards in question including one, two or three 7’s. One is based only of the player’s first three cards; the other on the player’s first two cards, plus the dealer’s up card.
Player’s First 3: In this version, only the player’s first three cards matter. If the player does not take a third card (by hit, double, or split), only the first two cards matter. Note that if the dealer has blackjack, the player will not have an opportunity to receive a third card.
Player+Dealer First 3: This version considers the player’s first two cards, plus the up card of the dealer. However, the player’s first two cards must both be 7s in order to consider dealer’s up card. If the player has one 7, and the dealer has a 7, only the player’s one 7 counts.
There are two paytables associated with each winning condition of this bet, which means four paytables in all (thanks Bally!). Each one comes with a progressive jackpot. So, the RTP will vary by the size of the jackpot. We list the house edge and RTP for each, along with the size the jackpot would need to be for the edge/RTP to break even (0%/100%).
Paytable 1 – 100% Jackpot for 3 Suited 7s
| Player’s First 3 | Payout | Player+Dealer First 3 | 6 Decks |
| Three Same-Suit 7s | 100% Jackpot | Three Same-Suit 7s | 100% Jackpot |
| Three Same-Color 7s | 10% Jackpot | Three Same-Color 7s | 10% Jackpot |
| Three 7s | 200 to 1 | Three 7s | 200 to 1 |
| Two 7s | 25 to 1 | Two 7s | 25 to 1 |
| One 7 | 2 to 1 | One 7 | 2 to 1 |
| House Edge (RTP) | 47.77% (52.22%) | House Edge (RTP) | 48.03% (51.97%) |
| Break-Even Jackpot | $23,772.09 | Break-Even Jackpot | $22,462.41 |
Paytable 2 – 100% Jackpot for 3 Diamond 7s
| Player’s First 3 | Payout | Player+Dealer First 3 | 6 Decks |
| Three Diamond 7s | 100% Jackpot | Three Diamond 7s | 100% Jackpot |
| Three Same-Suit 7s | 10% Jackpot | Three Same-Suit 7s | 10% Jackpot |
| Three Same-Color 7s | 500 to 1 | Three Same-Color 7s | 500 to 1 |
| Three 7s | 200 to 1 | Three 7s | 200 to 1 |
| Two 7s | 25 to 1 | Two 7s | 25 to 1 |
| One 7 | 2 to 1 | One 7 | 2 to 1 |
| House Edge (RTP) | 51.75% (48.25%) | House Edge (RTP) | 51.61% (48.39%) |
| Break-Even Jackpot | $97,762.40 | Break-Even Jackpot | $100,216.92 |
Block Pro Blackjack
The term ‘Block’ refers to the first 3 cards visible – the first two for the player, and the dealer’s up card. The value of these three cards will determine the whether the side bet wins. However, the entire ‘Block’ of cards must be the same suit. Otherwise, the bet is lost.
The house edge starts at a dramatic 67.76%, and slowly decreases as the progressive jackpot increases. The jackpot needs to reach $15,566.20 before the edge/RTP breaks even (0%/100%). Another way to look at it, the house edge decreases (RTP increases) by 1% for every $482.82 in the jackpot.
| Winning Hand Conditions (must be Suited) | Payout |
| Triple Aces | 100% Jackpot |
| Triple Royal (3 of a Kind in Face Card) | 20% Jackpot |
| Triple (3 of a Kind, 1 thru 10) | 10 Jackpot |
| Pair (Any) | 50 for 1 |
| Flush | 5 for 1 |
| House Edge (RTP) | 67.76% (32.24%) |
| Break-Even Jackpot | $15,566.20 |
Bonanza Blackjack
This side bet can be found only on Bonanza Blackjack tables. It’s available in select casinos, mostly on the Las Vegas Strip. It requires a flat $1 bet, and only wins if the player ends with any total of 20 (hard or soft), while the dealer is showing a 10 or face card. The payout will depend on the rank and suit of each card.
To win the $25k jackpot, the dealer’s first two cards must perfectly match the player’s first two cards, both in rank and suit.
| Player’s Cards (Total 20) | Dealer’s Cards | Payout |
| All Cards of Same Rank and Suit | First 2 Cards Match Player’s | $25,000 |
| All Cards of Same Rank and Suit | Up-Card Matches 1 of Player’s | $2,500 |
| All Cards of Same Rank and Suit | Up-Card is Any 10 | $100 |
| All Cards of Same Rank | Up-Card is Any 10 | $30 |
| All Cards of Same Rank | Up-Card is Any 10 | $20 |
| Any Cards | Up-Card is Any 10 | $10 |
| House Edge (RTP) | Up-Card is Any 10 | 18.19% (81.81%) |
Bonus Blackjack #1 – Player or Dealer Blackjack
Note: There are a lot of side bets that go by this name. Check the conditions of the bet to see which rules/paytable apply
This version offers players the chance to place two side bets. One is that the player will get a blackjack. The other is that the dealer will get a blackjack. If you bet on both the player and dealer getting a blackjack, and both are dealt ‘A+J♠‘ (that’s any Ace with a Jack of Spades), the progressive jackpot pays out.
| Optional Side Bets | Payout |
| Player is Dealt Blackjack | 15 to 1 |
| Dealer is Dealt Blackjack | 15 to 1 |
| Player + Dealer Dealt Ace+J♠ (must bet on both) | 100% Jackpot |
| House Edge (RTP) – 1 Deck | 22.78% (77.22%) |
| House Edge (RTP) – 8 Deck | 24.08% (75.92%) |
Bonus Blackjack #2 – Player Hand Blackjack or Suited
Note: There are a lot of side bets that go by this name. Check the conditions of the bet to see which rules/paytable applies.
This version relies on the player’s first two cards, and whether they are a pair, same suit, or result in a blackjack. The game awards the highest payout when the player and dealer both have blackjack. There are two very different paytables for this side bet.
Paytable 1 – 25-3, House Edge 1.50%
| Winning Hand Conditions | Payout |
| Player + Dealer get Blackjack | 25 to 1 |
| Player gets Suited Blackjack | 15 to 1 |
| Player First 2 Cards are Suited Pair | 10 to 1 |
| Player gets Blackjack | 5 to 1 |
| Player First 2 Cards are Suited | 3 to 1 |
| House Edge (RTP) | 1.50% (98.50%) |
Paytable 2 – 25-1, House Edge 6.36%
| Winning Hand Conditions | Payout |
| Player + Dealer get Blackjack | 25 to 1 |
| Player gets Suited Blackjack | 10 to 1 |
| Player First 2 Cards are Suited Pair | 3 to 1 |
| Player gets Blackjack | 2 to 1 |
| Player First 2 Cards are Suited | 1 to 1 |
| House Edge (RTP) | 6.36% (93.64%) |
Bonus Blackjack #3 – Player Total 21
Note: There are a lot of side bets that go by this name. Check the conditions of the bet to see which rules/paytable applies.
In this last version, the bet is won if the player’s hand totals 21. The cards that comprise the hand will directly impact the payout. If not 7-7-7, or 6-7-8, all cards must be of the same suit, or it won’t count. This explains why the house edge is so very high.
| 7-7-7, any Suits | 500 to 1 |
| 6-7-8, any Suits | 50 to 1 |
| All Cards Same Suit | 29 to 1 |
| House Edge (RTP) | 40.78% (59.22%) |
Bonus Jackpot
The Bonus Jackpot is a side bet reliant on the combination of the first three visible cards; the player’s first two cards, plus the dealer’s up card. It takes at least a Flush to win, with a progressive jackpot paying out for achieving the highest hand rank. However, there are two paytables for this bet. One pays the jackpot for three same-suit Aces. The other pays for three of a kind in same-suit Jacks, Queens, Kings or Aces.
The house edge starts ultra high, slowly diminishing as the jackpot grows higher. We note the break-even jackpot requirement below. You’ll also notice payouts are “for”, not “to”, meaning you don’t get the original bet back.
Paytable 1 – 3x Suited Js, Qs, Ks or Aces award Jackpot
| Winning Hand Conditions | Payout |
| 3 of a Kind in Suited J, Q, K, or Ace | 100% Jackpot |
| 3 of a Kind in Suited 2 – 10 | 125 for 1 |
| Straight Flush | 25 for 1 |
| Any 3 of a Kind | 20 for 1 |
| Straight | 6 for 1 |
| Flush | 2 for 1 |
| House Edge (RTP) | 47.54% (52.46%) |
| Break-Even Jackpot | $10,957.37 |
Paytable 2 – 3x Suited Aces award Jackpot
| Winning Hand Conditions | Payout |
| 3 of a Kind in Suited Aces | 100% Jackpot |
| 3 of a Kind in Suited 2 – K | 125 for 1 |
| Straight Flush | 25 for 1 |
| Any 3 of a Kind | 20 for 1 |
| Straight | 6 for 1 |
| Flush | 2 for 1 |
| House Edge (RTP) | 47.06% (52.94%) |
| Break-Even Jackpot | $44,233.47 |
Bonus Lucky Ladies
Any avid card enthusiast knows the term “lucky lady” applies to the Queen of Hearts. This is a $1 side bet that relies mostly on a player receiving two Queens of Hearts. The dealer’s hand dictates how high the prize is, paying a progressive jackpot if the dealer also has a blackjack in hearts. Smaller prizes are available for a player’s two-card hand totaling 20, but it must be a pair or same-suits. The house edge in our table applies to a 6-deck game.
| Player’s Hand | Dealer’s Hand | Payout |
| 2 Queens of Hearts | Blackjack in Hearts | 100% Jackpot |
| 2 Queens of Hearts | Suited Blackjack (not Hearts) | 25% Jackpot |
| 2 Queens of Hearts | Any Blackjack | 5% Jackpot |
| 2 Queens of Hearts | Any | $125 |
| Total 20, Paired | Any | $19 |
| Total 20, Suited | Any | $9 |
| House Edge (RTP) | 31.19% (68.81%) |
Bust
This is another “win if the dealer busts” side bet, worth a 5 to 2 payout if you’re right. It doesn’t matter what card(s) the dealer busts with. What’s important to note here is the house edge with any number of decks, and how it varies between the dealer hitting or standing on soft 17. In certain areas, the Edge/RTP table below shows the house edge in the negative, meaning the player now has the edge (positive RTP of more than 100%). If you can find this bet on a game where the dealer has to hit soft 17, and there’s less than 8 decks of cards in play, you can actually achieve a positive RTP expectation. Good luck finding one, though.
| Edge (RTP) by Soft 17 Rule | 1 Deck | 2 Deck | 4 Deck | 6 Deck | 8 Deck |
| Dealer Stands on Soft 17 | 0.75% (99.25%) | 1.10% (98.90%) | 1.27% (98.73%) | 1.33% (98.67%) | 1.36% (98.64%) |
| Dealer Hits on Soft 17 | -0.62% (100.62%) | -0.26% (100.26%) | -0.08% (100.08%) | -0.02% (100.02%) | 0.01% (99.99%) |
Bust Bonus
The Bust Bonus is a side bet conditional on the dealer busting. If he does, the player wins the bet. The amount won depends on a variety of factors, including the dealer’s up card, and whether all the cards in the hand are of the same suit. As a bonus, you’ll get to see the dealer’s up card before choosing whether to place the bet. Players get an even higher payout if the dealer busts with 8-8-8; and higher again for 8-8-8 suited. Our table designates the payout and edge/RTP for mix-suit and same-suit busts.
| Dealer’s Up Card | Payout Suited | Edge (RTP) | Payout Unsuited | Edge (RTP) |
| Ace | 50 to 1 | 11.20% (88.80%) | 3 to 1 | 59.67% (40.33%) |
| 2 | 25 to 1 | 22.09% (77.91%) | 1 to 1 | 34.78% (65.22%) |
| 3 | 15 to 1 | 17.41% (82.59%) | 1 to 1 | 36.53% (63.47%) |
| 4 | 10 to 1 | 14.65% (85.35%) | 1 to 1 | 38.35% (61.65%) |
| 5 | 5 to 1 | 8.98% (91.02%) | 1 to 1 | 40.12% (59.88%) |
| 6 | 3 to 1 | 6.31% (93.69%) | 1 to 1 | 41.83% (58.17%) |
| 7 | 15 to 1 | 17.79% (82.21%) | 2 to 1 | 50.03% (49.97%) |
| 8 | 10 to 1 | 11.27% (88.73%) | 2 to 1 | 45.45% (54.55%) |
| 9 | 20 to 1 | 23.32% (76.68%) | 2 to 1 | 43.48% (56.52%) |
| 10/Face | 20 to 1 | 24.68% (75.32%) | 2 to 1 | 43.56% (56.54%) |
| 8-8-8 | 75 to 1 | 1.83% (98.17%) | 25 to 1 | 12.92% (83.08%) |
Bust It
Here we have yet another “if the dealer busts” side bet. This time, any bust wins, but the payout increases for each additional card it takes to bust the dealer’s hand. The lowest is 3 cards, paying 1 to 1, up to the maximum 8 cards, worth 250 to 1.
| Dealer Busts with (#) Cards | Payout |
| 3 | 1 to 1 |
| 4 | 2 to 1 |
| 5 | 9 to 1 |
| 6 | 50 to 1 |
| 7 | 100 to 1 |
| 8 | 250 to 1 |
| House Edge (RTP) | 6.18% (93.82%) |
Buster Blackjack
Buster Blackjack is an AGS-trademark side bet for its tables of the same name. For the most part, it’s just like any other ‘dealer bust’ side bet, except that: 1) the number of cards it takes to bust the dealer matters; and 2) players can earn far greater payouts if they happen to have a blackjack when it happens.
Note that there are two versions of this side bet, both from AGS. One does not offer extra payouts for the player having blackjack when the dealer busts with 7 or 8 cards. I’ll list that one second, since it has a higher house edge.
Paytable 1 – w/ Bonus for Player Blackjack
| Dealer Busts with (#) Cards | Payout |
| 3 or 4 | 2 to 1 |
| 5 | 4 to 1 |
| 6 | 15 to 1 |
| 7 | 50 to 1 |
| 8 | 250 to 1 |
| 7, and Player has Blackjack | 800 to 1 |
| 8, and Player has Blackjack | 2,000 to 1 |
| House Edge (RTP) | 6.20% (93.80%) |
Paytable 2 – No Blackjack Bonus
| Dealer Busts with (#) Cards | Payout |
| 3 or 4 | 2 to 1 |
| 5 | 4 to 1 |
| 6 | 15 to 1 |
| 7 | 50 to 1 |
| 8 | 250 to 1 |
| House Edge (RTP) | 8.77% (91.23%) |
Copy Cat
This side bet compares the player’s first two cards with the dealer’s up card, and in rare cases, the dealer’s downfacing card, as well. The idea is that at least one of the player’s cards will match the dealer’s up card. The bet wins if there’s an exact match (i.e. copy cat). If both of the player’s cards are exact copies, the payout increases substantially, and the dealer’s down card comes into play. If that card also matches the dealer’s up card, the player receives the maximum payout.
There are two paytables for this game. First is a single-deck game, awarding a max 500 to 1 payout for 3 copy cats. The second is a double deck game, paying 299 to 1 for 3 copies.
Paytable 1 – Single Deck
| # of Copy Cats | Payout |
| 3 | 500 to 1 |
| 2 | 50 to 1 |
| 1 | 6 to 1 |
| House Edge (RTP) | 6.78% (93.22%) |
Paytable 2 – Double Deck
| # of Copy Cats | Payout |
| 3 | 299 to 1 |
| 2 | 25 to 1 |
| 1 | 5 to 1 |
| House Edge (RTP) | 6.43% (93.57%) |
Crazy Sevens
Crazy Sevens, a.k.a. Super Sevens or Lucky Sevens (with varying paytables), is a side bet that relies on the player’s first three cards. If the first card dealt to the player is a 7, he will win a prize of some size. If the second card is also a 7, the prize increases, especially if the two are of the same suit. If the first two cards are sevens, and the player hits, doubles or splits, receiving a third 7, the payout grows even higher, with the highest payout of 2000:1 for three same-suit 7s. Note that the bet will not win if the second card is a 7, but not the first.
Paytable 1 – Crazy Sevens
| Player’s First Cards, in Order Dealt | Payout |
| 7-7-7 Suited | 2,000 to 1 |
| 7-7-7 Any | 500 to 1 |
| 7-7 Suited | 150 to 1 |
| 7-7 Any | 25 to 1 |
| 7 | 5 to 1 |
| House Edge (RTP) | 7.53% (92.47%) |
Paytable 2 – Super Sevens
| Player’s First Cards, in Order Dealt | Payout |
| 7-7-7 Suited | 5,000 to 1 |
| 7-7-7 Any | 500 to 1 |
| 7-7 Suited | 100 to 1 |
| 7-7 Any | 5 to 1 |
| 7 | 3 to 1 |
| House Edge (RTP) | 12.61% (87.39%) |
Paytable 3 – Lucky Sevens
| Player’s First Cards, in Order Dealt | Payout |
| 7-7-7 Suited | 500 to 1 |
| 7-7-7 Any | 100 to 1 |
| 7-7 Suited | 50 to 1 |
| 7-7 Any | 25 to 1 |
| 7 | 3 to 1 |
| House Edge (RTP) | 49.88% (50.12%) |
Dead Man’s Hand
The name of this side bet refers to the infamous “A-8” blackjack hand. The bet wins if the player is dealt an Ace or an 8, or both. The second highest payout is for a pair of Aces, or a Pair of 8s, while the dealer has blackjack. The highest payout goes to split Aces or 8s that result in two Dead Man’s Hands (A-8 and A-8).
The more Aces and 8s that exist in the shoe, the better your odds of winning this bet. Below the paytable, we’re including another table depicting the house edge/RTP by number of decks in use.
| Winning Hand Conditions | Payout |
| Split results in 2 Starting Hands of A-8 + A-8 | 100 to 1 |
| Player’s Starting Hand is A-A or 8-8, w/ Dealer Blackjack | 50 to 1 |
| Split results in 1 Starting Hand of A-8 | 20 to 1 |
| Player’s Starting Hand is A-A or 8-8 | 4 to 1 |
| Player’s Starting Hand is A-8 | 4 to 1 |
| Player’s Starting Hand has an Ace or 8 | 2 to 1 |
House Edge / RTP by # of Decks
| 2 Decks | 4 Decks | 6 Decks | 8 Decks |
| 4.98% (95.02%) | 4.63% (95.37%) | 4.51% (95.49%) | 4.45% (95.55%) |
Extra Bet Blackjack
This side bet relies on the idea that, if a player has an early advantage, they can place an “extra bet”. During the initial deal, as players are receiving their first of two cards, if a player receives a 10 or face card, the game pauses. The dealer asks if the player wants to make an extra bet. If he declines, the game proceeds. But if he accepts, the following rules apply:
- The bet size has to be within the table limits, and cannot exceed 5x the original bet.
- An additional 20% (of the extra bet) must be immediately paid to the house. This is a non-refundable fee.
- Like the original bet, the extra bet wins or loses according to the game’s standard rules.
| Result of Hand | Payout |
| Win w/ Blackjack | 3 to 2 |
| Win | 1 to 1 |
| Push | Bet Returned |
| Lose | Bet Lost |
| House Edge (RTP) | 4.88% (95.12%) |
EZ Bust
The conditions of this side bet are designed to imply that it’s an easy bet to win. Unfortunately, the payout for winning is even money, which drops the RTP to somewhere between 71% and 88%, depending on the number of decks in use.
The idea is that you can bet on whether the dealer will bust, but only when he has a 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 showing. The payout for winning is always even money. The table below depicts the odds of the dealer busting with a specific card, along with the house edge/RTP, for a 2-deck and 8-deck game.
| Dealer’s Up Card | 2 Deck Bust Odds | Edge (RTP) | 8 Deck Bust Odds | Edge (RTP) |
| 2 | 35.33% | 28.69% (71.31%) | 35.35% | 28.67% (71.33%) |
| 3 | 37.48% | 24.51% (75.49%) | 37.43% | 24.60% (75.40%) |
| 4 | 37.85% | 19.73% (80.27%) | 37.61% | 20.25% (79.75%) |
| 5 | 42.25% | 15.27% (84.73%) | 41.88% | 15.99% (84.01%) |
| 6 | 42.21% | 12.25% (87.75%) | 42.28% | 12.16% (88.84%) |
In BETween
This cleverly titled side bet comes from AGS, adding an element of Red Dog to any blackjack game. the idea is that the dealer’s up card will fall somewhere “in between” the player’s first two cards. So, if the player has 3-7, then the dealer would need a 4, 5, or 6 for the bet to win. Or, if the player has 9-A, the spread is 10, J, Q or K.
The payout for this bet relies on the number of cards in the spread (i.e. how many card values can win). A 1-Card spread has the second highest payout of 10 to 1, while a spread of 4 or more pays the lowest, 1 to 1. The highest payout has no spread at all, wherein the player’s cards pair, and the dealer’s card matches (i.e. 4-4-4).
| Winning Conditions / Spread | Payout |
| Triple Match (First Two Match Dealer’s Up) | 30 to 1 |
| 1 Card Spread | 10 to 1 |
| 2 Card Spread | 6 to 1 |
| 3 Card Spread | 4 to 1 |
| 4+ Card Spread | 1 to 1 |
| House Edge (RTP) – 2 Decks | 7.80% (92.20%) |
| House Edge (RTP) – 8 Decks | 5.10% (94.90%) |
Hi/Low (land casinos)
In land casinos, the Hi/Low side bet is a simple wager that the player’s first card will be higher than the dealer’s up card. If correct, the bet wins 1 to 1. If incorrect, or if the result is a tie, the bet loses. The possibility of a tie dictates the house advantage, with the edge/RTP scaling up or down with the number of decks in play.
House Edge (RTP) by Number of Decks
| 1 Deck | 2 Deck | 4 Deck | 6 Deck | 8 Deck |
| 5.43% (94.57%) | 6.72% (93.28%) | 6.69% (93.31%) | 6.83% (93.17%) | 6.90% (93.10%) |
Hi/Low (online)
If you find Hi/Low available at an online blackjack game, odds are that game comes from a software group called Realistic Games. Their version is far different from the traditional side bet found at terrestrial casinos (see above). In this version, it’s all about whether the player’s first card is higher or lower than the player’s second card.
When making this bet, the player must predict which of his first two cards will be higher or lower. A series of conditions will determine whether the bet is won or lost. Most importantly, an Ace is not High or Low. The conditions, payouts, and odds are as follows.
| Winning / Losing Conditions | Payout |
| Prediction is Correct, w/ no Aces | Win 1 to 1 |
| First Card is Ace, second is 2-9 | Win 1 to 1 |
| Any Blackjack | Win 1 to 1 |
| Prediction is Wrong, w/ no Aces | Lose Bet |
| Second Card is Ace, First is 2-9 | Lose Bet |
| Any Tie, Except Aces | Lose Bet |
| Both Cards are Aces | Push |
| House Edge (RTP) – 2 Decks | 1.49% (98.51%) |
| House Edge (RTP) – 8 Decks | 2.15% (97.85%) |
High Hand Blackjack
The High Hand side bet is available on games of 21 by the same name. It is an optional bet made before the hand begins, by any player that wishes to participate. Two or more players must place this bet for it to be active. If only one player agrees, the dealer will return the wager.
All High Hand side bets go into a side pool. Once the hand plays out as normal, the player with the highest ranking hand wins the pool, minus a 5% commission for the house. If the dealer has the highest hand, or if two or more hands tie for highest, no one wins. The pool remains, and continues to grow on the next hand, until someone wins it. If this happens, only players who bet on the first hand will get to place the side bet again.
Honey Bonus
It takes a “honey” of a hand to win this one. A 3 of a Kind, Straight, Flush or Suited Blackjack will do. The first three qualifying hands must consist of the player’s first two cards, plus the dealer’s up card. The suited blackjack only applies to the player’s hand. The house edge varies by number of decks. In this case, more is better.
| Winning Hand Conditions | Payout |
| 3 of a Kind | 20 to 1 |
| Straight | 10 to 1 |
| Flush | 5 to 1 |
| Suited Blackjack | 3 to 1 |
| House Edge (RTP) – 4 Deck | 15.00% (85.00%) |
| House Edge (RTP) – 8 Deck | 13.51% (86.49%) |
Hot 3
This side bet is exclusive to Evolution Gaming’s Infinite Blackjack Live tables. It requires the player’s first two cards, and the dealer’s up card, to add up to 19, 20 or 21 points. Aces can count as 1 or 11, as usual. Special payouts apply if the hand totals 21 in same suits, or three 7s.
| Winning Hand Conditions | Payout |
| 7-7-7 | 100 to 1 |
| Total 21, Suited | 20 to 1 |
| Total 21 | 4 to 1 |
| Total 20 | 2 to 1 |
| Total 19 | 1 to 1 |
| House Edge (RTP) | 5.40% (94.60%) |
Lucky Aces
If the name didn’t give it away, this side bet has everything to do with Aces; more precisely, how many Aces there are between the player’s and dealer’s first two cards, each. So, the minimum to win is 1, and the max is 4. If 2 or 3 Aces are suited, the payout increases, but there’s no premium for 4 suited Aced. The house edge decreases with more decks, slimming down from 16.83% at 4 decks, to 15.56% with 6, and 14.90% with 8 (still a dastardly sucker bet!)
| Winning Hand Conditions | Payout |
| 4 Aces | 500 to 1 |
| 3 Aces Suited | 250 to 1 |
| 3 Aces | 30 to 1 |
| 2 Aces Suited | 12 to 1 |
| 2 Aces | 5 to 1 |
| 1 Ace of Diamonds | 2 to 1 |
| 1 Ace, not Diamond | 1 to 1 |
| House Edge (RTP) | 15.56% (84.44%) |
Lucky Lucky
Lucky Lucky was the original ‘player’s 2 + dealer’s up’ blackjack side bet, enticing players to risk a little more in hopes of being dealt a lucky hand. Pretty much any lucky hand will do. From a total of 19, 20, or 21, to a beautiful 6-7-8 or 7-7-7; the luckier the hand, the better it pays. Of course, this isn’t the player’s hand/total that counts, but the combination of the player’s first two cards, with dealer’s up-card.
Many casinos alter this side bet – in name, paytable, or both – but the original remains the most desirable (lowest edge) for players. Just don’t forget, it’s still a sucker bet.
| 3-Card Winning Conditions (Player’s First 2 + Dealer’s Up) | Payout |
| 7-7-7 Suited | 200 to 1 |
| 6-7-8 Suited | 100 to 1 |
| 7-7-7 | 50 to 1 |
| 6-7-8 | 30 to 1 |
| Total of 21, Suited | 15 to 1 |
| Total of 21 | 3 to 1 |
| Total of 20 | 2 to 1 |
| Total of 19 | 2 to 1 |
| House Edge (RTP) | 2.66% (97.34%) |
Match the Dealer
The name pretty much says it all. To win, either one of the player’s first two cards must match the rank of the dealer’s up card. If the dealer has a Jack, the player needs a Jack. If the suit matches, the payout increases. Both of the player’s cards are elgiible for the payout, too. If the dealer has J♣, and the player has J♣ J♦, the player receives two payouts – one for the same-suit match, and one for a mix-suit match.
There are a lot of different pay tables for this game, largely reliant on the number of decks in play, plus a completely different set of payouts and odds for Spanish 21. Our first table depicts the payout and edge/RTP by number of decks in use. The second table applies to Spanish 21; similar to blackjack, but with 48-card decks (no 10s).
Paytable 1 – Traditional Blackjack
| Win Condition | 2 Deck | 4 Deck |
| Suited Match | 19 to 1 | 12 to 1 |
| Unsuited Match | 4 to 1 | 4 to 1 |
| House Edge/RTP | 3.31% (96.69%) | 4.84% (95.16%) |
| Win Condition | 6 Deck | 8 Deck |
| Suited Match | 11 to 1 | 14 to 1 |
| Unsuited Match | 4 to 1 | 3 to 1 |
| House Edge/RTP | 4.06% (95.94%) | 3.67% (96.33%) |
Paytable 2 – Spanish 21
| Win Condition | 6 Deck | 8 Deck |
| Suited Match | 9 to 1 | 12 to 1 |
| Unsuited Match | 4 to 1 | 3 to 1 |
| House Edge/RTP | 3.06% (96.94%) | 2.96% (97.04%) |
Next Step 21
Next Step is a two-part side bet. Two win anything, the player and/or dealer must receive a blackjack. If the dealer has blackjack, the player wins 3 to 1 and the game continues as normal. If the player has blackjack (or player and dealer), that’s when things get interesting. First, the player receives the 10 to 1 payout (or 13 to 1 for player and dealer blackjack). Then, the hand pauses as the player proceeds to the “Next Step”.
The dealer will present the player with 4 dice to roll. If the result of the roll is 16 or less, or 22+, nothing happens; the blackjack game continues. If the roll totals 17 thru 21, the player wins another payout, dependent on a few factors. A total of 17, 18, 19 or 20 awards a corresponding flat rate. But if the roll is 21, the payout depends on the cards in the blackjack. See Paytable 2 – Next Step below for details.
Paytable 1 – First Step (Player/Dealer Blackjack)
| Winning Hand Condition | Payout |
| Player + Dealer Blackjack | 13 to 1 |
| Player Blackjack | 10 to 1 |
| Dealer Blackjack | 3 to 1 |
Paytable 2 – Next Step (Dice Roll)
| Dice | Player’s Blackjack Hand | Payout |
| 21 | A♥ + K♥ | 1,000 to 1 |
| 21 | Suited | 100 to 1 |
| 21 | Unsuited | 50 to 1 |
| 20 | Any | 40 to 1 |
| 19 | Any | 30 to 1 |
| 18 | Any | 20 to 1 |
| 17 | Any | 15 to 1 |
| Other | Any | 0 |
| House Edge/RTP | 11.32% (88.68%) |
Over/Under 13
Among the oldest, most straight-forward blackjack side bets of all is the Over/Under 13. The player who makes this bet chooses whether their initial two-card total will be over 13, or under 13. If the total is exactly 13, the house wins. However, most casino’s will accept a separate side bet on the total being exactly 13, which pays 100 to 1. Note that Aces are always 1 when tallying the hand total for this wager.
| The Bet | Win Condition | Payout | Edge/RTP |
| Under 13 | 2-12 | 1 to 1 | 44.97% (55.03%) |
| Over 13 | 14-20 | 1 to 1 | 46.73% (53.27%) |
| Exactly 13 | 13 | 10 to 1 | 8.31% (91.69%) |
Pair’em Up
Pair’Em Up is a Wager2Go-brand variation of the popular Perfect Pairs side bet. Similarly, the player’s first two cards must pair to win. However, there are far more payouts, depending both on the rank and suit of the pair. Effectively, if the pair is same suit, the payout for its rank doubles. I’m providing the house edge/RTP for multiple shoe sizes, as the number of decks can dramatically effect the overall odds.
| Player’s Pairs | Payout Unsuited | Payout Suited |
| A-A | 20 to 1 | 40 to 1 |
| 10-10 | 10 to 1 | 20 to 1 |
| 9-9 | 9 to 1 | 18 to 1 |
| 8-8 | 8 to 1 | 16 to 1 |
| 7-7 | 7 to 1 | 14 to 1 |
| 6-6 | 6 to 1 | 12 to 1 |
| 5-5 | to 1 | 10 to 1 |
| 4-4 | 4 to 1 | 8 to 1 |
| 3-3 | 3 to 1 | 6 to 1 |
| 2-2 | 2 to 1 | 4 to 1 |
| House Edge (RTP) | 2 Deck 31.07% (68.93%) | 4 Deck 23.19% (76.81%) |
| House Edge (RTP) | 6 Deck 20.58% (79.42%) | 8 Deck 19.28% (80.72%) |
Pair Play
The most basic of all pair-reliant side bets, this one depends solely on the player’s first two cards being a pair. If they are, you receive an 11 to 1 payout. The only thing worth mentioning is the number of decks in play, as it dramatically alters the already ultra-high house edge.
Paytable
| Winning Hand Condition | Payout |
| Any Pair | 11 to 1 |
House Edge / RTP by Number of Decks
| 1 Deck | 2 Deck | 4 Deck | 6 Deck | 8 Deck |
| 29.41% (70.59%) | 18.45% (81.55%) | 13.04% (86.96%) | 11.25% (88.75%) | 10.36% (89.64%) |
Perfect Pair
Not to be confused with the plural edition (Perfect Pairs), this side bet is found exclusively on Evolution Gaming’s live dealer blackjack tables. It is a bet that the player or dealer will receive a “perfect pair” as the starting hand. A perfect pair requires the two cards to be of the same rank and suit. Two 7s of Hearts will win it, but two off-suit 7s will not. If either hand starts with a perfect pair, it’s worth a 25 to 1 payout. If the player and dealer have perfect pairs, the payout jumps to 200 to 1.
| Winning Hand Conditions | Payout |
| Player and Dealer have Perfect Pair | 200 to 1 |
| Player or Dealer has Perfect Pair | 25 to 1 |
| House Edge (RTP) | 8.05% (91.95%) |
Perfect Pairs
The generic edition of this widely available side bet calls for the player to receive any pair as their initial two cards (splits don’t count). The colors and suits of those cards will impact the value of the payout, with a same-suit pair being worth the most. A variety of paytables exist. We detail the four most common below; not in order of lowest house edge, but rather most common.
Paytable 1 – 25/12/6
| Winning Hand Conditions | Payout |
| Suited Pair | 25 to 1 |
| Colored Pair | 12 to 1 |
| Mixed Pair | 6 to 1 |
| House Edge (RTP) | 4.10% (95.90%) |
Paytable 2 – 30/10/5
| Winning Hand Conditions | Payout |
| Suited Pair | 30 to 1 |
| Colored Pair | 10 to 1 |
| Mixed Pair | 5 to 1 |
| House Edge (RTP) | 3.37% (96.23%) |
Paytable 3 – 25/12/5
| Winning Hand Conditions | Payout |
| Suited Pair | 25 to 1 |
| Colored Pair | 12 to 1 |
| Mixed Pair | 5 to 1 |
| House Edge (RTP) | 7.95% (92.05%) |
Paytable 4 – 25/15/5
| Winning Hand Conditions | Payout |
| Suited Pair | 25 to 1 |
| Colored Pair | 15 to 1 |
| Mixed Pair | 5 to 1 |
| House Edge (RTP) | 2.17% (97.83%) |
Pick’em Blackjack
Some say this isn’t a side bet, but a whole different variation of blackjack. Honestly, it’s both, but you can’t rule it out as a side bet because, well… let me explain how it works.
Pick’em Blackjack allows players to compete in a traditional hand, wherein they receive two cards and make decisions from there, or they can simply place a bet on a hand total of their choosing. Optional totals include 17, 18 or 19.
Choosing this option means the player doesn’t get any cards. Or, you can choose a “Pre-Total” hand, and a traditional hand. In fact, because each total has its own betting circle, you can bet on a hand of 17, 18, and 19, and play a traditional hand, all at once. Pretty versatile, right?
So here’s how the hand totals work. 17 isn’t the greatest hand – we all know that. But if you win with it, you’ll get a 3:2 payout. Choosing a total of 18 will earn you a standard 1:1 payout for the win. That most favorable 19, however, pays just 1:2 (i.e. bet $2 to win $1). Playing a traditional hand comes with standard payouts of 1:1 for a win, 3:2 for blackjack.
| Pick’em Blackjack Hand Total | Payout |
| 17 | 3 to 2 |
| 18 | 1 to 1 |
| 19 | 1 to 2 |
Player Blackjack
This bet comes in a range of formats. The original is a wager that the player will receivea blackjack – any blackjack. Other variants will pay only for a same-color blackjack, whereas others still pay out for a same-suit blackjack only. The payouts for each variant, and relative house edge/RTP, are as follows.
| Player Blackjack | Payout | Edge (RTP) |
| Any Natural Blackjack | 17 to 1 | 14.52% (85.48%) |
| Colored Player Blackjack | ||
| Natural Blackjack, Same Color Cards | 19 to 1 | 15.51% (84.49%) |
| Suited Player Blackjack | ||
| Natural Blackjack, Same Suit Cards | 77 to 1 | 7.40% (92.60%) |
Progressive Blackjack
Everybody loves a progressive jackpot, and that’s exactly why so many people will make to this particular side bet. It’s not easy to win, but then, none of them are. This one will cost you exactly $1, and can pay out anywhere from 3:1 for any Ace, up to a jackpot prize of no less than $25,000 for 4 same-suit Aces.
The more Aces you receive (especially same-suit Aces), the more you win. Only the Aces you receive in your hand will count. The best case scenario is a pair of Aces to start, split into a second pair of Aces.
For the record, you should always follow basic strategy when placing this bet. Also note that basic strategy would only recommend making this bet if the progressive jackpot reaches or exceeds its break-even point of $207,287.85. The house edge starts at a whopping 43.90% when the jackpot seeds at $25k, falling 2.56% for every additional $10k.
| Winning Hand Conditions | Payout |
| 4 Aces, Suited | Jackpot |
| 4 Aces | 2,000 to 1 |
| 3 Aces, Suited | 1,000 to 1 |
| 3 Aces | 200 to 1 |
| 2 Aces, Suited | 50 to 1 |
| 2 Aces | 15 to 1 |
| 1 Ace | 3 to 1 |
| House Edge (RTP)* | 43.90% (56.10%) |
Twisted Stud Bonus
This special side bet is only available in the trademark blackjack game known as Twisted 21. In this game, every player makes a blackjack bet, and is dealt exactly 5 cards – two into their hand, and three above the hand in special ‘hit’ positions. If the player wants another card, they will take it from the first ‘hit’ slot, then the second, and so on. Clearly, the rules of this blackjack variant are quite different from a traditional game. However, it’s the Twisted Stud side bet we’re here to tell you about.
The reason each player gets exactly 5 cards is to encourage everyone to place this side bet. It’s optional, yes, but if you’re not here for the side action, there’s really no point in playing this variant.
So, the side bet grants you a chance to play 5-card stud, with payouts for achieving a high enough hand rank. It’s hardly any different from video poker, requiring a ‘Pair of Jacks or Better’ to hit the smallest prize of 2:1. The best hand, Royal Flush, pays 1,000:1.
In the middle of the paytable, you’ll see a ‘Twisted Stud’ hand, worth 20:1. A Twisted Stud is any hand that equals 16 or less (tallies like blackjack, and Aces are always 1), but the catch is that it cannot qualify for any other payout. For example, A-A-3-4-6 total 15, but you won’t get the 20:1 payout, because it the Pair of Aces qualifies for the 2:1 payout.
Paytable
| Winning Hand Conditions | Payout |
| Royal Flush | 1,000 to 1 |
| Straight Flush | 500 to 1 |
| 4 of a Kind | 200 to 1 |
| Full House | 75 to 1 |
| Twisted Stud | 20 to 1 |
| Flush | 15 to 1 |
| Straight | 6 to 1 |
| 3 of a Kind | 4 to 1 |
| 2 Pair | 3 to 1 |
| Pair, Jacks or Better | 2 to 1 |
| Anything Less | Lose |
| House Edge (RTP) | 2.49% (97.51%) |
