If you’ve played blackjack at more than one online casino, you’ve probably noticed that the extra bets aren’t always the same. One table might have 21+3 and Perfect Pairs sitting beside the main blackjack bet, while another might offer Buster Blackjack, Hot 3 or something completely different. Then you have newer blackjack games with their own features and betting options.
That’s not unusual. There isn’t one universal set of side bets that comes with every blackjack game. The game you’re playing, the provider behind it and the specific rules can all affect what’s available.
A side bet can also look familiar and still have a different paytable from one table to another. The name might be the same, but the payouts and therefore the maths behind the bet can change. So, what are the most common blackjack side bets, how do they work, and are they actually worth playing?
Blackjack Side Bets at a Glance
What are they? Optional bets placed alongside your main blackjack wager.
What do they bet on? Specific card combinations or events.
Are they part of basic strategy? No.
Do they usually have a higher house edge? Yes.
Can they vary between games? Absolutely, check the individual game rules and paytable.
What is a blackjack side bet?
A side bet is an optional wager you make alongside your normal blackjack bet.
Your main blackjack wager is about beating the dealer. You get your cards, the dealer gets theirs, and you decide whether to hit, stand, double or split.
A side bet is different.
Instead of betting on the overall result of the hand, you’re betting on something specific happening with the cards.
For example, Perfect Pairs asks whether your first two cards will form a pair. 21+3 looks at your two cards and the dealer’s upcard and checks whether they make a particular three-card poker combination.
The two wagers are separate.
You can win a side bet and lose your blackjack hand. You can also win your blackjack hand while losing the side bet.
That’s one of the first things to understand about them.
Why Don’t All Blackjack Games Have the Same Side Bets?
This is where online blackjack gets a little more interesting.
If you only play one blackjack table, you might assume the side bets you see there are standard. Move to another game, though, and the selection can be completely different.
A traditional blackjack game might keep things fairly simple with options such as Perfect Pairs and 21+3. Other games add more side bets or introduce completely different features.
For example, Infinite Blackjack is designed around a shared dealer hand rather than a traditional limited-seat table, and versions of the game can offer several optional side bets. Evolution has also used combinations such as Perfect Pairs, 21+3, Hot 3 and Bust It across its blackjack products.
Other modern games go further.
Games such as Gravity Blackjack, Quantum Blackjack Plus, Grand Bonus Blackjack and Take Deal or Risk Blackjack each have their own gameplay features. That’s why it’s better to look at the individual game rules rather than assuming every blackjack table works in exactly the same way.
If you’ve got a particular game in mind, it’s worth checking its rules before you start betting.
Common Blackjack Side Bets
| Side Bet | What You’re Betting On | Potential Payout | Things to Know |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21+3 | Your cards + dealer’s upcard | Varies by paytable | Based on a three-card poker hand |
| Perfect Pairs | Your first two cards | Varies by paytable | Different pair types pay differently |
| Lucky Ladies | Your first two cards | Can offer very large payouts | Rules vary considerably |
| Buster Blackjack | The dealer busting | Increases with certain busts | Payout depends on the number of cards |
| Hot 3 | Your cards + dealer’s upcard | Varies by paytable | Not available on every game |
The table above covers some of the side bets you’re most likely to come across, but it isn’t a complete list. There are plenty of other bets used by different blackjack providers and game developers.
21+3
21+3 is probably one of the best-known blackjack side bets.
The idea is simple. Your first two cards are combined with the dealer’s upcard to create a three-card poker hand.
Depending on the paytable, you can win with combinations such as:
- Flush
- Straight
- Three of a kind
- Straight flush
- Suited three of a kind
The important word here is paytable.
There isn’t one universal 21+3 payout structure. Different versions use different payouts, and even a relatively small change to one of the winning combinations can affect the house edge.
That’s why looking at the biggest payout isn’t enough.
A 100:1 prize might catch your eye, but you also need to know what the game pays for the more common winning combinations.
Good to know: 21+3 uses your first two cards and the dealer’s upcard. What happens later in the blackjack hand doesn’t affect the side bet.
Perfect Pairs
Perfect Pairs is even easier to understand.
You’re betting that your first two cards will be a pair.
The three common categories are:
Mixed Pair: Same rank, different colours.
Coloured Pair: Same rank and colour, but different suits.
Perfect Pair: Same rank and suit.
In a multi-deck game, you can be dealt two 8♥ cards from different decks. Because they are separate physical cards, they can form a Perfect Pair.
The perfect pair is the rarest result, which is why it normally has the largest payout.
A commonly seen paytable is 6:1 for a mixed pair, 12:1 for a coloured pair and 25:1 for a perfect pair. However, other configurations exist, so it’s always worth checking the individual game.
Again, the paytable matters. Changing one of those payouts changes the expected return of the bet.
Lucky Ladies
Lucky Ladies takes a different approach.
The side bet is based on your first two cards adding up to 20. Certain combinations can then trigger larger payouts, with some versions putting particular emphasis on two Queen of Hearts.
It’s one of those side bets where the headline payout can be enormous compared with the original wager.
That sounds great until you remember why the payout is so large. The winning combination is extremely rare.
Lucky Ladies is also a good example of why you shouldn’t look for one universal house-edge figure for a side bet. The rules and paytable can make a substantial difference to the mathematics.
If you see Lucky Ladies on a blackjack table, check the actual game rules before assuming you know what it pays.
Buster Blackjack
Buster Blackjack puts the focus somewhere completely different.
Instead of betting on your own cards, you’re betting on the dealer busting.
The number of cards the dealer needs to bust can also affect the payout.
A dealer who goes over 21 after drawing several cards is much less common than a straightforward dealer bust, so the larger payouts are attached to those less likely outcomes.
It’s a good example of how creative blackjack side bets have become. You’re essentially watching the dealer’s hand for a completely different reason from your main blackjack wager.
Good to know: Buster Blackjack is based on the dealer’s final hand, so the side bet can win even when your own blackjack hand loses.
Hot 3 and other side bets
There are plenty of other side bets you’ll come across when you start looking at different blackjack games.
Hot 3, for example, uses your two cards and the dealer’s upcard and pays based on certain three-card combinations.
Depending on the game, you may also come across bets such as Lucky Lucky, Royal Match, Bust Bonus and other provider-specific wagers.
The important thing isn’t necessarily memorising every side bet that exists.
It’s understanding that the side-bet menu belongs to the individual game.
One blackjack game might give you two choices. Another might give you five or six.
And the more choices you see, the more important it becomes to understand what each one is actually paying for.
What about newer blackjack games?
This is where things get particularly interesting for online players.
Not every modern blackjack game is simply a traditional table with a couple of extra betting circles. Some games change the gameplay itself, while others add bonus features, different decision points or their own approach to side bets.
This is particularly common with live blackjack online, where different providers have developed their own versions of the game.
Games such as Gravity Blackjack, Grand Bonus Blackjack, Take Deal or Risk Blackjack and Quantum Blackjack Plus all take different approaches to the traditional blackjack format.
That’s why it makes sense to look at these games individually rather than assuming that something you’ve seen on one table will work the same way on another.
If you’ve got a particular blackjack game in mind, check its rules and paytable before you start betting. You’ll know exactly what the available bets do and what you’re playing for.
Side Bet – Pros and Cons
- Can produce much larger payouts than the main blackjack wager
- Add another layer of excitement to a hand
- Some games offer several different side-bet options
- Results are usually determined immediately after the initial deal
- They can make different blackjack variants feel more distinctive
- Usually carry a higher house edge than the main blackjack bet
- Large payouts are attached to relatively rare outcomes
- Paytables can differ between games
- It’s easy to focus on the headline payout rather than the overall odds
- Losing streaks can encourage players to chase the next big payout
Our view: The biggest advantage of side bets is entertainment, not mathematical value.
Does the house edge change between side bets?
Yes, and this is one of the most important things to understand about blackjack side bets.
The main blackjack game can have a relatively low house edge when you’re playing under favourable rules and using correct basic strategy. Side bets are generally less forgiving.
The exact house edge depends on the side bet you’re playing, the rules of the game, the number of decks and, most importantly, the paytable.
Take 21+3 as an example. Two blackjack games can offer the same side bet but use different payouts for the winning combinations. That changes the maths behind the bet.
So if you see someone say: 21+3 has a 3.7% house edge.
That figure might be correct for a particular version of 21+3, but it doesn’t mean every 21+3 bet has exactly the same house edge.
The better question is:
Which 21+3 paytable are we talking about?
This is why you can find different house-edge figures for what appears to be the same side bet. The name may be identical, but the rules and payouts behind it can be different.
Why the Paytable Matters
It’s easy to look at a side bet and focus on the biggest number.
A 100:1 payout sounds impressive, but that number doesn’t tell you how often you’re likely to hit it or what the other winning combinations pay.
Imagine two games both offering 21+3. One pays more for a straight flush but less for some of the more common combinations. The other does the opposite.
They might look almost identical on the screen, but the mathematical value of the bets can be different.
That’s why the full paytable is much more useful than simply looking at the maximum payout.
Good to know: A bigger top payout doesn’t automatically mean a better side bet. Look at the complete paytable before deciding.
How to check a side bet before playing
The good news is that you don’t need to calculate the odds yourself just to understand what you’re betting on.
Most online blackjack games provide the rules and paytable somewhere on the game screen. It might be under a help button, an information icon or within the game’s rules.
Before placing a side bet, take a minute to check a few things.
What cards does the bet use?
Does it use your first two cards, your cards plus the dealer’s upcard, or something based entirely on the dealer?
What are the winning combinations?
Don’t assume a side bet works exactly like one you’ve played somewhere else. Check what actually qualifies as a win.
What does each combination pay?
Look beyond the biggest payout. The lower and more common winning combinations are important too.
Are there any special rules?
This matters particularly with newer blackjack games. Some variants add features that you won’t find on a traditional table.
Is this the same version you’ve played before?
If you move from one blackjack game to another, check again. Even when the side bet has the same name, the paytable may be different.
Taking a minute to check these details can tell you far more than the name of the side bet alone.
Are blackjack side bets worth playing?
If you’re playing blackjack purely for the best mathematical value, side bets generally aren’t where you want to put most of your money.
The main game gives you the opportunity to use basic strategy to keep the house edge relatively low under favourable rules. Side bets generally have a higher house edge in exchange for the chance of a much larger payout.
But that’s not necessarily why everyone plays them.
For some players, putting a small amount on 21+3 or Perfect Pairs simply makes the hand more interesting. There’s nothing particularly complicated about that.
The important thing is knowing what you’re paying for.
A small side bet that you treat as part of your entertainment budget is very different from putting a large amount on one every hand or increasing your stake because you’re trying to win back previous losses.
And if you lose several side bets in a row, that doesn’t mean the next one is “due”.
The cards don’t remember what happened on the previous hand.
Our Take
Side bets can add something extra to a blackjack session, but we’d treat them as an optional extra rather than part of your main blackjack strategy.
If you enjoy playing them, check the rules, look at the paytable and decide how much you’re comfortable putting down before you start.
If your main priority is getting the best mathematical value from your blackjack bankroll, sticking with the main game and using basic strategy is generally the better approach.
The side bet isn’t the whole game
One of the interesting things about online blackjack is just how different the games can be.
You can still find traditional blackjack that looks and plays much like a physical casino table. At the same time, there are games built around faster play, shared tables, bonus features, different decision-making mechanics and other twists on the traditional format.
That’s part of what makes exploring different blackjack games interesting.
It also means you shouldn’t assume that every table offers the same experience just because they all have “blackjack” in the name.
If you’re looking at Gravity Blackjack, Quantum Blackjack Plus, Grand Bonus Blackjack, Speed Blackjack or another specific variant, it’s worth checking that game’s rules and side-bet information before you play.
The name of the side bet is only part of the story.
The game, the rules and the paytable are what really matter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I win a side bet if I lose my blackjack hand?
Yes. Side bets are separate from your main blackjack wager. If the cards meet the side-bet requirements, you can win it even if your main hand eventually loses.
Do all blackjack games have side bets?
No. Some blackjack games offer several side bets, some offer only one or two, and some may not offer any at all.
Do side-bet payouts stay the same between casinos?
Not necessarily. The same side-bet name can be used with different paytables, so always check the rules for the specific game you’re playing.
Which blackjack side bet has the best odds?
There’s no single answer. The house edge depends on the exact side bet and paytable. If you’re comparing games, look at the actual payouts rather than just the name of the bet.
Are blackjack side bets part of basic strategy?
No. Basic strategy applies to your main blackjack hand. Side bets are separate wagers and aren’t incorporated into the normal hit, stand, double and split decisions.
Should you play blackjack side bets?
That’s ultimately a personal choice. If your priority is keeping the mathematical house edge as low as possible, the main blackjack wager is generally the better place to focus. If you enjoy the extra action, a small side bet can be treated as an entertainment wager.
Final thoughts
Side bets are one of the easiest ways to make blackjack feel different from one table to the next.
The familiar names, 21+3, Perfect Pairs, Lucky Ladies and Buster Blackjack, are only the beginning. Once you start looking at different online blackjack games, you’ll find plenty of variations and game-specific features.
That’s part of what makes exploring different blackjack games interesting. What looks like a familiar side bet on one table might have different payouts, rules or features on another.
The best approach is simply to know what you’re playing before you place your bet. Check the individual game rules, look at the paytable and make sure you understand how the side bet works.
From there, whether you play it is really down to you.
If you’re curious about a particular blackjack game, take a look at its individual rules and features rather than assuming it works the same way as the last table you played. That’s often where the interesting differences are.
