Side bets are an extremely popular way to diversify the gameplay and add some additional edge to it. As all things, it has it pros and cons. We will try to be short here and give all the basic details of various blackjack side bets options so you could decide for yourself. For more details – you can check the dedicated pages of each version and try these games for free before playing for real money.

• Blackjack Side Bets Payout Odds
• Blackjack Side Bets Payouts

Side Bets – Pros and Cons

Comprehensive list of all known side bets in blackjack, inclusive of payouts and win odds. When we think of blackjack, we think of the traditional game, wherein players compete against the dealer to achieve a higher total, without exceeding 21. We understand that being dealt a natural, 2-card blackjack is worth a bonus payout.

It’s going to be short:

The good: side bets add additional rush to the standard black jack game play. Plus, they offer much higher payouts. Some, such as Progressive blackjacks for instance, can sometimes offer life changing multi-millions jackpots.

• My local casino offers a Lucky Ladies side wager which has the following odds: 4:1 for any 20 10:1 for suited 20 25:1 for matching 20 200:1 for 2 queens of hearts 1000:1 for 2 queens of hearts with dealer blackjack. Additionally, there is a payout limit of 15,000 despite a maximum of $25 on the side wager itself.
• The 21+3 blackjack side bet pays off based on the player’s first two cards and the dealer’s upcard. If the three cards form a flush, straight, threeof- a-kind, or straight flush, the player wins. In the original version of the 21+3 side bet, the payout for each of the winning hands was 9 to 1, resulting in a house edge of 3.24%.
• On top of that, side bets require a small stake. So, you can win thousands of rupees even if you invest just a couple of them. In essence, this is the ‘secret of success’ when it comes to side bets. Important Types of Side Bets As we said, blackjack lovers in India can place their hard-earned rupees on all sorts of side bets.

The bad: basic blackjack game is the best payout game can be found in casinos. Some game offer house edge lower than 0.3%!!! That’s not the case with side bets, where the house edge usually goes from 3% and up to even 10-15%.

Word of advice:

If we were asked for advice as whether to use side bets, we would say:

• If you enjoy them – go ahead.
• But! be aware that you are likely to loose more money faster.
• We would recommend to use them from time to time and not on every hand you play.
• Check the specific game rules before playing, as the payouts vary between one game to another, even within the same game variation (21+3 Blackjack by Felt Gaming will give you 3% more than similar game by Realistic Games and so on).

Free Side Bet Blackjack Games Online

Black Jack Side Bets Odds & Payouts

Best Blackjack Online Casinos

Many gaming enthusiasts enjoy blackjack because of its low house edge and in depth strategy. But what some players don’t realize is that blackjack has a wide variety of different side bets and variations available.

These are fun to play when you’re looking for something beyond standard blackjack. But before you jump into new blackjack games, it’s important to know the rules and house edge.

That being said, let’s take an in depth look at 27 different blackjack variations and side bets.

1 – Progressive Blackjack

House Edge: The house edge on a progressive blackjack bet depends upon the size of the jackpot. The larger it is, the better your theoretical return.

Unique Characteristics: You can play for a progressive jackpot along with other side payouts.

How to Play Progressive Blackjack

Progressive blackjack allows you to play for a jackpot when you make an optional dollar side bet. This game also offers other side payouts that are paid for qualifying hands.

The hands that trigger the jackpot and other payouts all depends upon the game. Below you can see an example using a game that centers on the first four cards you receive:

• 4 red or black aces = Jackpot
• 4 mixed aces = 2000:1 payout
• 3 suited aces = 1000:1
• 3 mixed aces = 200:1
• 2 suited aces = 50:1
• 2 mixed aces = 15:1
• 1 ace of any suit = 3:1

When you play jackpot games like these, it’s important to note the rules and strategy nuances so that you maximize your chances of winning the progressive payout.

In this instance, you can’t win the jackpot and other payouts after splitting hands. If you’re dealt aces, which normally calls for a split, you’d keep them together so that you can win the qualifying side payout and try for the jackpot.

2 – Multi-Hand Blackjack

House Edge: 0.46% (multiple hands don’t change the house edge).

Unique Characteristics: You can play multiple hands on each turn.

How to Play Multi-Hand Blackjack

Multi-hand blackjack is the most common variation that you’ll find in online casinos. In fact, it’s rare when an online casino doesn’t offer this game.

Multi-hand blackjack is just like it sounds in that you can play multiple hands in the same round. All of the multi-hand games we’ve seen offer a maximum of 3-5 hands.

The plus side is that this gives you more action in each round. The downside is that playing more hands exposes you more to the house edge.

Here’s an example:

• The game you’re playing has a 0.5% house advantage.
• You bet $5 on three hands per round, instead of one.
• Your theoretical losses increase from $0.25 per round to $0.75 (15 x 0.05).

Some players won’t mind the extra risk because they want to see multiple results per round. But if you’re a bankroll-conscious player, then you should be careful with multi-hand blackjack.

3 – Hi-Lo Bet

House Edge: 2.08% on the Hi-Lo side bet.

Unique Characteristics: You get to make a side wager on whether your second card will be higher or lower than the first one.

How to Play Hi-Lo Blackjack

This game involves a Hi-Lo side bet, where you guess whether your second card will be higher or lower than the first card.

If your guess is correct, you receive a 1:1 payout.

The catch is that the ace has no value and gives the house an automatic win. This means that only 2 through king qualify for your Hi-Lo side bet.

4 – Blackjack Switch

House Edge: 0.58%

Unique Characteristics: You’re dealt two hands, and you can trade cards between them to improve your score.

How to Play

Blackjack switch has two interesting traits:

• You’re automatically dealt two hands.
• You can switch cards between the hands in an effort to beat the dealer.

Obviously your chances of winning improve when you can switch cards between hands.

But the house also gets favorable rules in that the dealer pushes on a 22, instead of busting. The other bad rule is that natural blackjack payouts are reduced from 3:2 to 1:1.

Each Blackjack Switch round begins with you making two bets that are of equal size. When your two hands are dealt, you’ll see an additional switch option along with the standard blackjack actions.

Note that you can only switch the top cards (second dealt). Here’s an example of how this works:

• You receive 5 and 10 (top) in one hand, and A and6 (top) in the other.
• You switch the top cards, creating new hands of 5-6 and A-10.
• You now play your new hands like any other blackjack game.

You can also switch back before making an action if you change your mind. But once the first action is taken, you can’t go back.

5 – Perfect Pairs

House Edge: 5.79% on the Perfect Pairs side bet.

Unique Characteristics: You can place a side bet that wins when you form a pair with your first two cards.

How to Play

Perfect Pairs blackjack allows you to make an optional side bet on whether or not your first two cards will form a pair. As long as you make a standard bet, you can wager $1 or more on getting perfect pairs.

Here are the payouts for this side bet:

• Mixed Pair (same rank; different colors and suits) = 5:1 payout
• Colored Pair (same rank and color; different suit) = 10:1
• Perfect Pairs (same rank and suit) = 30:1

The obvious appeal to Perfect Pairs is that you can win up to 30x your side bet. The downside is that the house edge is 5.79% – over 10 times what you face in a standard online blackjack game.

The risk is worth it to some players since you only have to bet a dollar. Furthermore, a 5.79% house advantage isn’t terrible as far as blackjack side bets go.

6 – Spanish 21

House Edge: 0.37%

Unique Characteristics: Spanish 21 removes all 10s from the deck and offers bonus payouts.

How to Play

Spanish 21 doesn’t have any 10s in the deck, which makes for a 48-card deck.

Given that 10s favor the player, this rule isn’t good for you. But Spanish 21 includes a number of player-friendly rules along with bonus payouts.

Here are some common rules that benefit you:

• Late surrender.
• You can double down on any two cards.
• You can double down after splitting.
• Natural blackjack payouts are worth 3:2.
• You can split up to 3 hands.

Below you can see examples of Spanish 21 bonus payouts, which are based on your first two cards and the dealer’s up card:

• Three suited 7s = 50:1 payout
• 7-card 21; three 7s spades; 6-7-8 spades = 3:1 payout
• 6-card 21; 6-7-8 mixed suits; three 7s same suit = 2:1 payout
• 5-card 21; 6-7-8- mixed suits; three 7s mixed suit = 3:2 payout

As with many other blackjack bonuses, these payouts are invalid when you split hands.

7 – Live Dealer Blackjack

House Edge: 0.46%

Unique Characteristics: You can chat with a real dealer and fellow players.

How to Play

Nothing in online gaming comes closer to replicating the land-based casino atmosphere than live dealer blackjack.

Live dealer gaming streams action from a brick-and-mortar casino to your computer or mobile device. This not only lets you play blackjack in a physical casino setting, but also gives you the chance to chat with the dealer and other players.

You communicate with the dealer and others by typing into the chat box. The dealer can then respond verbally if they choose to.

Another nice thing about live blackjack is that you’ll have a variety of dealers and stakes to choose from. This allows you to pick your favorite dealer(s) whenever you play.

8 – 21+3 Bet

House Edge: 4.14% on the 21+3 side bet (varies based on the number of decks and pay table).

Unique Characteristics: You can make a side bet on forming a 3-card hand with your first two cards and the dealer’s up card.

How to Play

If you enjoy 3-card poker, then you’ll probably like 21+3. This game lets you place an optional side bet on your ability to form a qualifying three-card hand.

Here’s the same pay table:

• Flush = 5:1 payout
• Straight = 10:1
• Three of a Kind = 33:1
• Straight Flush = 35:1
• Suited 3 of a Kind = 100:1

Under this paytable, the house edge is 4.14%. But this can change based on each individual payout and how many decks are in the shoe.

In 21+3, you gain an advantage when there are more decks due to the additional opportunities to form 3-cardhands.

What’s interesting is that some casinos combine the 21+3 and Perfect Pairs side bets into one variation. This gives you an opportunity to make one or both side wagers in the same game.

9 – Double Exposure Blackjack (a.k.a. Face Up 21)

House Edge: 0.57%

Unique Characteristics: Both the dealer’s hole cards are exposed.

How to Play

A standard blackjack game only lets you see one of the dealer’s hole cards. But Double Exposure differs in that both of the dealer’s hole cards are exposed.

This creates an interesting strategy dynamic because you have more information to act on. The downside, though, is that you’ll be dealing with several other unfriendly rules, including the following:

• Natural blackjack payouts are only worth 1:1.
• The dealer hitson a soft 17.
• 8 decks.
• You can only double down on 10 and 11.
• No doubling down after splitting.
• No re-splitting aces.

A smart player would run for the hills if they saw this combination of rules in any other game. But Double Exposure still has a reasonable house edge due to the fact that you see both dealer hole cards.

Another thing is that certain online variations leave out some of these unfavorable rules, which lowers Double Exposure’s house edge.

10 – Pontoon

House Edge: 0.55%

Unique Characteristics: Automatic wins for 5-card trick. Natural blackjack is called a pontoon.

How to Play

A natural 21 is called a pontoon in this variant, hence the title. This game also has slightly different hand rankings than the average blackjack game.

The best hand besides a pontoon is a Five Card Trick, where you draw to 5 cards without busting (a.k.a. 5 Card Charlie).

Some pontoon versions – especially those in Australia – use Spanish decks, where 10s have been removed.

Overall, this game isn’t much different from a standard blackjack game. But the different terminology, Five Card Trick, and possible Spanish decks make for an interesting variation.

11 – Atlantic City Blackjack

House Edge: 0.42%

Unique Characteristics: Several player-friendly rules.

How to Play

Atlantic City blackjack is what people except when they think of a standard blackjack game. This variation includes all, or some combination, of the following rules:

• Natural blackjacks pay 3:2.
• Dealer stands on a soft 17.
• You can double down after splitting.
• Double down on any total
• Split hands up to 3 times (4 total hands).
• No re-splitting aces.
• The dealer peeks for a natural blackjack.
• 8 decks.
• Late surrender is often included in online variants.

With its standard rules, Atlantic City blackjack is a good beginner’s game for those learning how to play and use strategy.

12 – Party Pit Blackjack (Land-based) & Live Party Blackjack (Live Dealer)

House Edge: 0.46% at live dealer casinos, 2% and up at land-based casinos.

Unique Characteristics: The casino creates a more-festive atmosphere by including dancers (land-based) or more dealers at the table (live dealer).

How to Play

Some Atlantic City and Las Vegas casinos offer a party pit blackjack game. This is aptly named because party pits feature loud music, a club-like atmosphere, pole-dancing girls, and scantily clad dealers.

This creates a fun-and-engaging experience for anybody who’s looking for more thrills from blackjack. But the problem is that you pay more for these games through worse rules.

Party pit tables only pay 6:5 or 1:1 on natural blackjacks, and the dealer stands on a soft 17. Oher unfavorable rules that you might see include double-down restrictions, no re-splitting after doubling down, and no re-splitting aces.

If you don’t like this prospect, then you should try party blackjack at live dealer casinos. This version features 2 or more dealers at the table and festive music.

The multiple dealers are key because they carry on conversations and chat with the players to keep things more lively.

Best of all, party blackjack offers the same player-friendly rules as you’ll find with any other online variant.

13 – Poolside Blackjack

House Edge: 2% and higher.

Unique Characteristics: You get to play blackjack while sitting in a pool.

How to Play

Poolside blackjack is much like the party pit version in that it offers you a unique experience. But in this case, the experience is centered on you playing blackjack while sitting in a pool.

The tables are located at the edge of the pool, with the tabletop above water so that the cards don’t get wet. You’ll also find underwater seats so that you can stay in the water while playing.

This is definitely a fun way to enjoy blackjack on a hot summer day. But the catch is that you’ll be dealing with the same unfavorable rules that are seen in party pit blackjack.

14 – Blackjack Surrender

House Edge: 0.49%

Unique Characteristics: You can surrender your cards and get half your bet back.

How to Play

Popular at online casinos, this game includes the surrender rule, where you can get half your bet back by surrendering your hand (after first two cards).

The most-common variation features late surrender, where you can surrender your hand after the dealer checks for blackjack. This rule version lowers the house edge by 0.07%.

Early surrender lets you quit before the dealer checks for blackjack. This rule cuts the house edge down by 0.63% because you can surrender when the dealer has an ace or 10 up card showing.

The only catch is that early surrender is much rarer than late surrender.

15 – European Blackjack

House Edge: 0.62%

Unique Characteristics: The dealer doesn’t receive a hole card in European blackjack.

How to Play

European blackjack is just like most blackjack variations, except for one big difference – the dealer doesn’t receive a hole card.

Seeing as how the dealer doesn’t have a hole card, they can’t check for a natural blackjack when they’re showing ace or 10. This means that you can potentially lose more bets by splitting and doubling down if the dealer does have a natural.

The no-hole card rule increases the house edge by 0.11%. For this reason, you’ll often see additional player-friendly rules included like doubling down on any two cards; doubling down after splitting; and/or being able to re-split aces.

16 – Vegas Strip Blackjack

House Edge: 0.44%

Unique Characteristics: Player-friendly rules and fewer decks than Atlantic City blackjack.

How to Play

Vegas Strip blackjack is similar to Atlantic City blackjack, with the main difference being that there are only 4 decks.

Because going from 8 to 4 decks lowers the house edge by 0.9%, few casinos also include the late surrender rule in this game too.

Here’s an overview of standard Vegas Strip blackjack rules:

• Natural blackjacks pay 3:2.
• Dealer stands on a soft 17.
• Double down after splitting.
• Double down on any total
• You can split hands up to 3 times.
• No re-splitting aces.
• The dealer peeks for a blackjack.
• 4 decks.
• No surrender.

The actual Las Vegas Strip no longer offers these player-friendly rules. The average Vegas Strip casino features casino-friendly rules that push the house advantage to 2% or higher, including 6:5 natural blackjack payouts.

But online Vegas Strip blackjack usually contains all or most of the rules presented above.

17 – Super Fun 21

House Edge: 1.16% (one deck) to 1.40% (six decks)

Unique Characteristics: Double down on any number of cards, Double Down Rescue, automatic wins with 6+ card hands that score 20, and diamond blackjacks paying 2:1.

How to Play

Super Fun 21 features several player-friendly rules that aren’t available in other blackjack games. But the downside is that more house-friendly rules are added to counteract the advantage that players gain.

Here’s an overview of Super Fun 21’s rules:

• You can double down after splitting.
• You can re-split up to 4 hands (including aces).
• You can hit and double down to split aces.
• Double down on any amount of cards (instead of 2).
• Late surrender after doubling down (a.k.a. Double Down Rescue).
• You automatically win when drawing to 20 or less with 6+ cards.
• You’re paid 2:1 on 5+ card hands that equal 21.
• Player blackjack in diamonds pays 2:1. Any other blackjack pays 1:1.
• Player blackjack always wins.
• 1-6 decks.
• Dealer hits a soft 17.

The most-interesting rules in this game include being able to double down at any time; later surrender after doubling; automatically winning when drawing to 20 with 6+ cards; and 2:1 payouts for diamond blackjacks.

But even with all of these player-friendly rules, the house edge is high because you’re only paid 1:1 on most blackjacks, and the dealer hits a soft 17.

Given the large house advantage, this game is only worth trying for something different.

18 – Double Attack Blackjack

House Edge: 0.61%

Unique Characteristics: Uses Spanish decks, Double Attack bets, and BustIt side bets.

How to Play

Double Attack is one of the most-unique blackjack variations available because it features Spanish decks along with two side bets. Here are the key rules:

• Spanish decks, where all 10s have been removed.
• You can double down or surrender at any time, including after splitting.
• You can make a Double Attack bet up to your original wager after the dealer receives their up card.
• A natural blackjack pays even money.
• You can make a BustIt side bet on if the dealer will bust on their third card.
• Dealer doesn’t peek for blackjack unless you take insurance.
• Insurance pays 5:2, instead of the standard 2:1.

If you make a Double Attack bet and split afterward, you have to match your Double Attack wager. When surrendering, you’re awarded half of your original and Double Attack bets.

Below you can see payouts for the BustIt side bets:

• Dealer busts with suited 888 = 200:1 payout
• Dealer busts with same-colored 888 = 50:1 payout
• Dealer busts with 6 = 15:1 payout
• Dealer busts with 7 = 10:1 payout
• Dealer busts with 8 = 8:1 payout
• Dealer busts with 9 = 6:1 payout
• Dealer busts with face card = 3:1 payout

19 – Royal Match Bet

House Edge: 3.78% for one deck, 6.67% for six decks

Unique Characteristics: This is a side bet on whether your first two cards will be suited.

How to Play

Royal Match is a side bet on whether or not your first two cards will be suited. You get an even larger payout if your first two cards are either suited kings or queens (a.k.a. royal match).

Here’s a common pay table for this bet:

• Royal Match (suited kings or queens) = 25:1 payout
• Easy match (any other suited hand) = 2.5:1 payout

In a 6-deck game, these payouts result in a 6.67% house edge. In a single-deck game, the Royal Match house edge drops to 3.78%.

You can find better pay tables online, which lowers the house advantage even more.

20 – Blackjack Bonus Pairs

House Edge: 4.10% on the Bonus Pairs side bet.

Unique Characteristics: This game lets you make a Bonus Pairs wager that’s based on being dealt pairs on your first two cards.

How to Play

This game features a side bet that’s based on your ability to get a pair within your first two cards. Bonus Pairs is very similar to Perfect Pairs, with the key difference being the pay table.

Below you can see the payouts for each pair:

• Mixed Pair (same rank; different colors and suits) = 6:1 payout
• Colored Pair (same rank and color; but different suit) = 12:1 payout
• Exact Pair (same rank and suit) = 25:1 payout

The Bonus Pairs bet has a 4.10% house edge, which is better than Perfect Pairs’ 5.79% house advantage.

This seems strange because Perfect Pairs offers a top payout of 30:1. But it also offers smaller payouts for a mixed pair (5:1) and colored pair (10:1) – both of which occur far more often than an exact pair.

If you’re going to choose between these side wagers, Bonus Pairs is the smarter bet.

21 – 5 Card Charlie (6, 7 & 8 Card Charlie)

House Edge: Varies based on whether you’re playing 5, 6, 7, or 8 Card Charlie.

Unique Characteristics: You automatically win when drawing 5 or more cards without busting.

How to Play

5 Card Charlie is a blackjack variation where you automatically win by drawing to 5 cards without going over 21. This rule has a big impact because it lowers the house edge by 1.46%.

Some casinos offer different variations of this rule, including 6, 7, and 8 Card Charlie. The number indicates how many cards you have to draw to without busting before getting an automatic win.

Below is a look at how these affect the House Edge:

• 6 Card Charlie = Lowers house edge by 0.16%
• 7 Card Charlie = Lowers house edge by 0.01%
• 8 Card Charlie = Almost nonexistent

As you can see, anything beyond 6 Card Charlie won’t impact the game much.

It’s obviously best if you can find 5 Card Charlie. But beware that casinos will mix in unfavorable rules to counteract the 1.46% that you gain from this rule.

22 – Elimination Blackjack

House Edge: No house edge because this game is played in tournament format.

Unique Characteristics: You play in an Elimination Blackjack tournament, where players are eliminated at certain hands.

How to Play

Elimination Blackjack was created in the mid 1990s to mimic Texas holdem poker tournaments. Today, casinos normally use the elimination format when running a blackjack tourney.

You pay a buy-in fee to enter the tournament, and you’ll receive a chip stack equal to all other players in the field. From here, Elimination Blackjack is played like any other variant.

The key difference is that the tournament is only played for a specified number of hands (usually 30). Once the hand limit is reached, all remaining players’ chips are counted to determine the winner.

Of course, many players don’t reach this point due to eliminations. Below you can see how eliminations occur:

• A player loses all of their chips.
• A player doesn’t have enough chips to make the minimum bet.
• A player has the lowest number of chips at their table when an elimination hand is reached.

The elimination hands are reached at 8, 16, and 25 hands. The player with the least amount of chips from each table is eliminated at these points.

These tournaments are a refreshing break from regular blackjack because they present strategy on a number of fronts.

First off, you need to master basic strategy so that you don’t make mistakes against the dealer. Secondly, you also need to make good bet sizes to move up the leaderboard. Also, you must stay alive by not being the low-chip player on elimination hands.

Another plus to Elimination Blackjack is that you can gain a long-term edge because you’re competing against other players, rather than a fixed house edge.

23 – High Streak Blackjack

House Edge: 16.74%

Unique Characteristics: You can make a side bet on your ability to win consecutive hands/rounds.

How to Play

If you love cashing in on winning streaks, then High Streak blackjack is a fun variant to play.

This game features an optional High Streak bet, which is based on how many consecutive wins you can string together.

The table features different circles labeled Second Streak, Third Streak, Fourth Streak, and Fifth Streak. Every time you win, your bet advances to the next circle, where you’ll receive a larger payout.

Below you can see the available payouts:

• Second Streak (1 win) = 1:1 payout
• Third Streak (2 wins) = 2:1 payout
• Fourth Streak (3 wins) = 5:1 payout
• Fifth Streak (4 wins) = 10:1 payout

It’s exciting to chase larger payouts based on your win streak. But the problem is that this game features a 16.74% house edge, which is the worst blackjack side bet that we’ve ever seen!

24 – Chinese Blackjack (a.k.a. Ban-Luck or Ban-Nag)

House Edge: N/A

Unique Characteristics: Players can take turns being dealers, and you receive special payouts.

How to Play

Chinese blackjack, also known as Ban-Luck or Ban-Nag, is a popular variant found in Southeast Asia.

This game is somewhat like Pai Gow poker in that players take turns being the dealer.

When acting as the dealer, you represent the casino and bank the action. Every player is dealt two face-down cards.

Face cards are worth 10 and numbered cards are worth their value, just like in standard blackjack. But one key difference is in how much an ace is worth, which you can see below:

• Ace is worth 10 or 11 points if you have two cards.
• Ace is worth 1 or 10 points if you have three cards.
• Ace is worth 1 point if you have four cards.

Other blackjack games base the ace’s value on your score, rather than how many cards you have.

Another big difference between Chinese blackjack and common variants is the special hands you can form. Here’s a look at these hands:

• Free Hand – If your first two cards total 15, you (or dealer) can continue playing or stop immediately.
• Ban-Ban – Same as a natural blackjack, where your first two cards consist of an ace and 10-value card. This hand pays 2:1, unless your opponent uses a free hand.
• Ban-Luck – If your first two cards are aces, you receive 3:1 on your original bet. The free hand exception applies here too.
• Pairs – You receive a 2:1 payout for pairs.
• Chinese Blackjack – If your first three cards are 7-7-7, you win a 21:1 payout.
• 5 Dragon – You receive a 2:1 payout when drawing to 5 cards without busting. You earn a 3:1 payout if the total is 21. But you must pay the dealer 2:1 or 3:1 if they get the same hands and you don’t.

You check for most of these special hands upon receiving your first two face-down cards.

After special hands are checked for, Chinese blackjack is played like a normal blackjack game. But a notable rule difference is that you must hit when your score is 15 or lower.

This is a big disadvantage for players because common strategy dictates that you stand on these hands in certain situations.

Another problem is that the dealer can get 2:1 and 3:1 payouts for special hands. In a regular blackjack game, dealers only receive 1:1 payouts.

I honestly can’t find the house edge for Chinese blackjack, but it’s likely enormous if you’re the player. This is why you should act as the dealer whenever the option is available because it gives you an edge over players.

25 – Over / Under 13 Bet

House Edge: 6.55% for Under, 10.07% for Over

Unique Characteristics: Side bet where you guess if your first two cards will be over or under 13.

How to Play

The Over/Under 13 bet sees you guess whether your first two cards will be worth more or less than 13.

The house edge on the under is 6.55% in a six-deck game, while guessing the over carries a 10.07% house advantage.

Some casinos allow you to guess if both cards will match 13 exactly, which offers a 10:1 payout. The house edge on this wager is 8.58%.

Blackjack Side Bets Payout Odds

None of Over/Under 13’s options are very good. But if you’re going to make this bet, you obviously want to put your money on under 13.

26 – Super Sevens Bet

House Edge: 11.4%

Unique Characteristics: You make a side wager on whether you’ll receive one or more 7s in your hand.

How to Play

This is a side bet based on getting 7s within your first three cards.

If your first card is a 7, you automatically win. The payout increases if you can get a second and third 7. Below is a sample Super Sevens pay table:

• Three suited 7s = 5000:1 payout
• Three mixed 7s = 500:1 payout
• Two suited 7s = 100:1 payout
• Two mixed 7s = 50:1 payout
• 7 on first card = 3:1 payout

One rule discrepancy is whether you do or don’t get paid for a third 7 when splitting.

Assuming you are paid for a third 7 after splitting, the house edge is 11.4% based on this paytable.

Obviously this isn’t very good, which is why we don’t recommend making the Super Sevens bet unless the pay table is better.

27 – Lucky Ladies Bet

House Edge: 17.6% and higher (depending upon payouts).

Unique Characteristics: Lucky Ladies is a side bet based on forming different hands valued at 20.

How to Play

Lucky Ladies is a common side bet that revolves around getting a hand valued at 20. The best payout comes when you form a queen of hearts pair, and the dealer gets a natural blackjack.

Here are all of the Lucky Ladies payouts:

• Queen of hearts pair w/ dealer blackjack = 1000:1 payout
• Queen of hearts pair = 200:1 payout
• Matched 20 (same rank and suit) = 25:1 payout
• Suited 20 = 10:1 payout
• Nonsuited 20 = 4:1 payout

Blackjack Side Bets Payouts

The prospect of winning a 1000:1 payout is definitely exciting. But the problem is that the house edge is 17.6% with this pay table.

That said, Lucky Ladies is a side bet to avoid, or at least limit how much you risk.

Conclusion

The general theme with blackjack is beating the dealer without going over 21. But you can always add new wrinkles to your blackjack experience by trying the different side bets and variations that we’ve discussed here.

We recommend switching games first because most blackjack variants offer a reasonable house edge. This is even true with games like Blackjack Switch and Spanish 21, where the rules change quite a bit from standard blackjack.

Side bets are also a nice way to spice up your blackjack experience, especially when they offer big potential payouts. But you should keep your side wagers to a minimum because most of them have high house edges.

If you’re worried about the house advantage, then you can always try side bets and variations for free before playing for real money. Online casinos give you the chance to do this without spending any money.

Above all, blackjack is about entertainment, so don’t hesitate to try something new when you find a reasonable game / bet.