What Are Blackjack Side Bets?

Blackjack side bets are optional wagers placed alongside the main game bet, offering you a chance to win based on outcomes not tied directly to the main hand. These bets often focus on the player’s first two cards or the dealer’s upcard and include options like Perfect Pairs, 21+3, or Insurance. While they offer high payouts, they typically come with a higher house edge, making them riskier than traditional blackjack gameplay.

How To Place Blackjack Side Bets?

To place blackjack side bets, you first need to sit at a blackjack table that offers them, and Casino Days can offer you just that. Before the dealer deals any cards, you place your main bet in the usual betting spot, then you place your side bet in the designated side bet circle or area on the table. Each side bet has its own rules and payout structure, so be sure to understand them before betting. Once the cards are dealt, the dealer will resolve side bets separately from the main game.

Common Side Bets in Blackjack

As an online casino game, Blackjack has many different side bets. These bets add excitement and extra chances to win, further improving the gameplay.

21+3

21+3 is one of the most popular side bets in blackjack that combines elements of poker with traditional blackjack. It’s based on the player’s first two hands and the dealer’s upcard, forming a three-card poker hand. The goal is to make a qualifying hand like:

• Flush (three cards of the same suit);
• Straight (three cards in sequence);
• Three of a kind (same value);
• Straight flush (three consecutive cards of the same suit);
• Suited three of a kind (same value and suit).

Top 3

Top 3 is a specific side bet that’s a variation of the 21+3 side bet. It uses the player’s first two cards and the dealer’s upcard to form a three-card poker hand but focuses on the three best possible hands, offering higher payouts for rarer combinations. This bet is high-risk, high-reward, and mainly appeals to players looking for big wins on rare hands.

Hot 3

Hot 3 is a blackjack side bet based on the total of the player’s first two cards and the dealer’s upcard. It pays out for totals of 19, 20, or 21, with higher payouts for suited cards or triple 7s. The top payout occurs when all three cards are 7s of the same suit. Hot 3 offers high rewards for specific combinations, adding extra excitement to the standard blackjack play.

Lucky Lucky

Lucky Lucky is a bet that pays based on the total of the player’s first two cards and the dealer’s upcard. Winning combinations include totals of 19, 20, or 21, with bigger payouts for suited or consecutive cards. The highest payout is typically for three 7s of the same suit. Lucky Lucky adds a fun twist to traditional blackjack by offering high rewards for specific card combinations.

Lucky Ladies

Lucky Ladies wins when the player’s first two cards total 20. The payout increases based on the type of 20, for example, suited or matching ranks. The highest payout is for two Queens of Hearts, especially if the dealer also has a blackjack. This side bet adds excitement to the game by rewarding specific card combinations, especially those involving pairs and suited 20s.

Royal Match

Royal Match is a classic blackjack side bet focusing on the player’s first two cards. It pays out if the two cards are of the same suit (a suited hand) and offers a higher payout for a Royal Match: a King and Queen of the same suit. This bet is simple and fast, with the Royal Match often offering one of the biggest fixed payouts at the table.

Over/Under 13

Over/Under 13 is quite a straightforward side bet where you bet on whether the total value of your first two cards will be over 13 or under 13. The number 13 itself usually results in a push (no win or loss). This bet adds a simple, quick way to increase excitement, as you’re betting on the sum rather than traditional blackjack outcomes. Payouts are typically even money or slightly higher.

Perfect Pair Blackjack

Perfect Pair is a well-known side bet where players bet that their first two cards will form a pair. There are three types of pairs with different payouts:

• Perfect pair (two cards of the same rank and suit);
• Coloured pair (same rank and colour but different suits);
• Mixed pair (same rank but different suits and colours).

This bet offers the highest payout, making it exciting but riskier than regular blackjack.

Most Popular Games Featuring Blackjack Side Bets

If you are looking to try out these exciting side bets, below are some of the top Blackjack games available at Casino Days that feature the best side bet options, along with their specific payouts and features.

• Blackjack Amsterdam - OnAir Entertainment
• Blackjack MultiHand- Gaming Corps 
• Blackjack 34 - Pragmatic Play

Blackjack Side Bets House Edge

Blackjack side bets generally have a much higher house edge compared to the main game, often ranging from 3% to over 10% depending on the bet type and casino rules. While they offer tempting payouts, the increased risk means that as a player, you are more likely to lose over time. It’s important to weigh the excitement against the odds before placing side bets.

Why Play Blackjack at Casino Days in Canada?

From the moment you enter the digital world of Casino Days, you’ll be welcomed with a 100% Welcome Bonus. The bonus matches your initial deposit up to $2,000, and a gift of 100 Free Spins for Pragmatic Play’s online slot, Sweet Bonanza. Canadians are allowed to choose a preferred payment type, including cryptocurrencies, Interac, Credit/Debit Cards, and e-wallets.