Side Bets in Online Blackjack

Most gamblers are used to wagering on Classic Blackjacks while missing out on the actual fun. The standard blackjack strategy is naturally engaging, but side bets are an extra layer of excitement you can enjoy.

At DealGamble, we’ve played thousands of Blackjack hands across hundreds of legalized casinos. Therefore, we’ve been able to separate value bets from sucker bets, enabling us to provide players with the best options available.

Want to learn how to play blackjack online with side bets? It would give you room to enjoy every bit of your gaming experience without falling into the traps of sucker stakes. So, why not?

This article contains the necessary information to keep you on a winning spree while enjoying side bets. Read on to discover the different types of blackjacks, the maths behind them, and the best sites to play.

What Exactly Are Blackjack Side Bets?

Blackjack side bets are additional bets wagered while playing the standard Blackjack, usually before the dealing of cards. Players place bets on possible card combinations formed from the cards they receive.

Keep in mind that side bets do not depend on the outcome of the main hands. While players may lose their stakes with the standard Blackjack, the stakes on the side do not get affected. It is safe to say that players may recover their loss from the standard game when their sideline gamble hits.

At DealGamble, we advise players to take note of house edges on blackjack side bets. While the classic blackjack may be as low as 0.5%, sideline stakes range from 2% to around 15%, depending on the casino.

How to Play Blackjack Online with Side Bets

Side bets, as the name implies, refer to a gamble made on the sideline of a blackjack’s main hand. For players who want to get started on how to play, here is a step-by-step guide:

1. Choose an authorized and reliable casino from the list of casinos with the DealGamble “Trusted” seal. They have been tested by DealGamble experts, and fairness is guaranteed. 
2. Pick a blackjack table with side bet options, most especially the ones with “21+3” or “PP/Perfect Pairs” labels.
3. Begin by placing your main bet, which is important to join a game round. Then, you can start making your sideline stakes.
4. Place the betting chips in the smaller circles allocated for side bets. The combination of cards you receive determines the outcome of the bets made outside of the standard blackjack.

When playing blackjack on a desktop, the option for sideline gambling is usually displayed in the play area because of the larger screen. On mobiles, the option may be hidden due to the smaller screen size. You may be required to tap a button before the options are displayed.

Here’s a golden rule specific to playing side bets on blackjack online: you cannot play a side bet without a main hand wager. However, the main hand does not affect the result of the sideline wager.

The “Big Three” Side Bet Variations

In blackjack, the different types of side bets allow players to choose which to wager on from the options available. Highlighted below are 3 side-stake variations with high volatility and huge payouts when they hit.

• Perfect Pairs: This variant comes in 3 different tiers, and typical payouts can be as high as 25:1. The first tier is the mixed pair, consisting of 1 red card and 1 black card. The second is the colored pair, with 2 red cards of different suits, or 2 black cards of different suits. Lastly, the perfect pair itself consists of 2 cards with the same suit and rank.
• 21+3: This involves wagering on your first 2 cards and the dealer’s upcard. Players can only control their own cards while playing against the croupier’s hidden total. Whoever has cards totaling a natural 21 wins the round. Common hands in this variant include Straight Flush, Flush, Straight, Three-of-a-Kind, and Suited Triple, with typical payouts of up to 100:1.
• Buster Blackjack: With this option, your winnings are dependent on the number of cards in a croupier’s busted hand. Note that the “buster” stake must be wagered alongside the main blackjack bet just before the dealing of cards. To put it simply, the more cards in the bust, the bigger your payout becomes. For example, an 8-card bust can pay you up to 2,000:1.

Niche & Modern Variations

Software Providers across the gaming industry have been working tirelessly to bring innovations to life. The result of their efforts is seen in the invention of blackjack side bets variants that exist today. Below are some of the modern variants of the sideline wager: 

• Lucky Ladies: This is a very popular variant of sideline stakes in blackjack, where players wager on their first two cards totaling 20. In this game, maximum payouts can be triggered by the Queen of Hearts.
• Royal Match: For this game type, players wager an additional stake on the first two cards they receive from the dealer. Winning occurs when the cards a player receives are suited, King and Queen. The involvement of the King and Queen cards led to the name “Royal Match.”
• Insurance: This is wagered when the dealer’s upcard is an Ace. Experts would usually advise against this play. This is because the value of the hole card is mostly unpredictable, and winnings are only possible when the hidden card is either a 10, Jack, King, or Queen.

Where to Play: Top Games & Software Providers

At DealGamble, we ensure that bettors enjoy their gaming experience with games from top providers. After thorough research, we have a list of 3 software providers, their games, and the perks available when you play:

• Evolution Gaming: One of the leading forces in the gaming industry, its highly functional games are proof of its proficiency. With games like Infinite Blackjack, several players can participate in a game round with 4 side bets.
• Playtech: Founded in 1999, this software provider boasts of many blackjack variants with special wagering options on the side. An example is Quantum Blackjack, which combines side bets with multipliers.
• Pragmatic Play: A software provider with one of the sharpest user interfaces for their games, especially when played on mobiles. Even on smaller screen sizes, their games are still interactive and user-friendly.

Visit DealGamble to check out our updated list of casinos to ensure you get your side-bet winnings quickly.

Expert Strategy: When to Pull the Trigger

The difference between an experienced and a novice player comes down to their ability to make the right decision at the right time. To avoid mismanagement of your finances, take note of these:

• Bankroll Management: Do not ever treat side bets like the main game; see it as an additional layer of fun with payout possibilities. Only a small portion of your wager should go into side bets.
• The Math: Among all table games, blackjack has the highest RTP. Note that the RTP continues to get diluted with each wager on the sidelines of the standard game. This is because side bets are known to have higher house edges compared to standard blackjack.
• The “Fun Factor”: In most cases, many players engage in sideline gambles due to its volatility and the possibility of a massive payout when it hits. Its unpredictable nature creates a fun and exciting gaming environment.

Understanding when and when not to wager on sideline events of a blackjack game takes discipline. Beyond the excitement and the high potential win that could be enjoyed from blackjack sideline wagers, players are advised to gamble responsibly. Visit any gamblers’ support platform available in Canada when it starts to get compulsive.