Side bets are popular amongst blackjack players, adding an extra boost of excitement to an already suspenseful game. A successful side bet can be your key to financial success when playing real money 21, but they’re not without their risks. Read on to find out more about the popular blackjack side bets available around Australia.
What is a blackjack side bet?
A side bet is an optional additional wager you can choose to place when playing a game of real money blackjack. It has no affect on the aim of the main game (which is to get a hand as close to 21 as possible without busting) and works as an entirely separate bet, while requiring no extra game play.
The payouts for a winning side bet can be pretty lucrative, due to the fact the odds of winning are quite low. Each different type of side bet comes with its own unique rules, guidelines and wagering requirements, which can vary between casinos. The most common side bets you’ll find in blackjack are detailed below.
Blackpot
The blackpot side bet is exclusive to Melbourne’s Crown Casino, so you won’t find it at any of our recommended blackjack sites. This hugely popular side bet gives you the option to wager the first two cards you are dealt will consist of the following:
- 6 and 7 (any suit)
- 6 and 8 (any suit)
- 7 and 8 (any suit)
A successful blackpot side bet pays a tempting 10 to 1, and you then have the choice to end the bet and take the winnings, or hit on the side bet, which carries your bet in hopes the third card dealt will complete the hand to a value of 21 (eg. the third card dealt will be a 6, 7 or 8). Winning on a hit will pay a huge 100 to 1, and your bet will then carry on to a new hand.
On the hugely slim chance the first two cards of your new hand consist of a winning blackpot, you’ll walk away with an epic prize of 1000 x your initial side bet. Continue the lucky streak all the way to the third card and you’ll walk away very happy, with 2000 x your initial side bet.
Although the odds of winning are low, the slight chance of striking it rich is enough to keep player at the Crown Casino hooked on this side bet when playing Crown blackjack.
Perfect Pairs
Perfect Pairs is the most common of all blackjack side bets, and the easiest to remember. The name says it all really – here you are placing an additional wager on the first two cards you are dealt will consist of a pair. All pairs will result in a win, but wins are split into three categories:
- Perfect pairs = two cards identical in suit, colour and value (eg. two red seven of hearts)
- Coloured pair = two matching cards of different suits (eg. a black six of clubs and a black six of spades)
- Mixed pair = two cards of the same value, in different colour and suit (eg. a black king of spades and a red king of hearts)
The payout for each pair type varies from casino to casino, check the pay table of the game you’re playing for further details.
Lucky Ladies
This popular side bet originated in Washington before spreading to the blackjack tables of Las Vegas and can now commonly be found when playing online. Lucky Ladies is a bet your first two cards will result in a hand valued at 20.
Payouts vary depending on the venue and the number of decks of cards in use, and the way in which the cards reach a value of 20, with the highest wins paid for a hand consisting of two queens.
Supers 7s
The Super 7’s side bet is simple and easy to remember, with a wager on your initial hand consisting of one or more seven cards. If your third card is also a seven, you’ll be laughing all the way to the bank. Payouts vary depending on what hand of seven you were dealt, for example:
- A single seven
- Double sevens of any suit
- Double sevens of matching suits
- Three sevens of any suit
- Three sevens of matching suits
21 +3
This basic side bet is based on your first two cards and the dealer’s up-facing card. If the combination of these three cards forms a flush, straight, three of a kind or a straight flush, you’ll walk away a winner. 21+3 side bets typically pay at 9 to 1, but may vary slightly between online venues.
Hi Lo 13
The Hi Lo 13 side bet originated as an exclusively online option but can now be found at some land based casinos. A wager is placed that the value of your first two cards dealt will total less than 13, more than 13, or exactly 13, with wins typically paying:
- Under 13 = 1 to 1
- Over 13 = 1 to 1
- 13 exactly = 10 to 1
During a Hi Lo 13 side bet, aces are always valued at one.
Lucky Lucky
The Lucky Lucky side bet is another bet based on your first two cards and the dealer’s up-facing card. There are multiple different combinations of these three cards which result in a win, which may sound a bit confusing to those unfamiliar with this side bet option, but rest assured the casino will take care of the details and you’ll never miss out on claiming a win. Lucky Lucky combos and payouts are:
- Three sevens of the same suit = pays 200 to 1
- Six, seven and eight of the same suit = pays 100 to 1
- Three sevens of any suit = pays 50 to 1
- Six, seven and eight of any suit = pays 30 to 1
- 21 valued hand consisting of same suits = pays 15 to 1
- 21 valued hand consisting of any suits = pays 3 to 1
- A total of 20 = pays 2 to 1
- A total of 19 = pays 2 to 1
High Streak
High Streak is an online side bet allowing you to wager you’ll consecutively beat the dealer. The more times you win in a row, the higher your side bet win will pay:
- Beat the dealer twice in a row = pays 1 to 1
- Beat the dealer three times in a row = pays 2 to 1
- Beat the dealer four times in a row = pays 5 to 1
- Beat the dealer five times in a row = pays 10 to 1
Your bet will be returned in the instance of a tie between you and the dealer. You also have the choice to have multiple High Streak side running at once.