If you like to play blackjack in a live casino or play for real money with one of Counting Edge’s casino partners, you will quickly notice that many blackjack games come with side bets.

Side bets can make the game feel more exciting because they usually offer bigger payouts than the main blackjack hand. The problem is that most side bets also come with a much higher house edge. In other words, they are fun in the short term, but they usually cost more over time.

This guide breaks down the most common blackjack side bets, explains why casinos push them so hard, and shows you how to decide whether they fit your bankroll.

Blackjack Side Bets

March 31, 2026 · Counting Edge Editorial

Browse the explore blackjack index for related topics, or the online blackjack hub for where and how we evaluate games.

A blackjack side bet is an optional wager you place in addition to your main bet. It is usually based on your first two cards, the dealer’s upcard, or a special combination (like pairs, suited cards, or poker-style hands).

When you sit down to play blackjack, the main game is simple: beat the dealer without going over 21. In a decent blackjack game, the house edge can be relatively low, especially when you use proper blackjack strategy. That is one reason blackjack is so popular with serious players.

Casinos know this, so side bets are an easy way to increase their edge. They give players a chance at a flashy payout while quietly shifting more money into wagers that are worse for the player mathematically.

Most side bets have their own betting circle on the felt. You place your main blackjack bet first, then decide whether to add one or more side bets. You cannot place the side bet by itself. You still need the main blackjack wager.

Why Casinos Love Side Bets

Casinos would rather have players betting on high-edge games than low-edge games. Blackjack by itself can be a fairly efficient game for a disciplined player. Side bets change that.

Here is why casinos add side bets to the blackjack table:

• Higher house edge: Most side bets are far worse than the base game.
• Bigger payout headlines: A 9:1, 25:1, or 100:1 payout gets attention.
• More action per hand: Players are betting extra money every round.
• Distraction: Side bets can pull players away from basic strategy and bankroll discipline.

If you are trying to play blackjack with a serious edge-focused mindset, this matters. Even a good session can get expensive fast if you keep adding side bets every hand.

Popular Blackjack Side Bets

Different casinos and software providers use different names, but these are some of the side bets you will see most often online and in live dealer games.

Perfect Pairs

This side bet pays if your first two cards form a pair. Payouts are usually tiered:

• Mixed pair (same rank, different colors)
• Colored pair (same rank, same color)
• Perfect pair (same rank and same suit)

It is easy to understand and fun to hit, but the long-term math is usually poor compared with the main game.

21+3

This combines your first two cards with the dealer’s upcard and treats them like a three-card poker hand. Typical winning combos include:

• Flush
• Straight
• Three of a kind
• Straight flush
• Suited three of a kind

21+3 is one of the most common side bets because players already understand poker-style hand rankings. It looks harmless, but the house edge can still be significantly higher than standard blackjack.

Insurance

Insurance is technically part of the main game, but many players think of it like a side bet because it is an extra wager made only when the dealer shows an Ace.

Insurance pays 2:1 if the dealer has blackjack. Many players take it automatically when they have a blackjack themselves because they want to lock in “even money.” That is usually a mistake.

In almost all situations, insurance is a bad bet for non-counters. Unless you are an experienced card counter and know the composition of the remaining deck, avoid it.

Royal Match

This side bet pays if your first two cards are suited. A higher payout is offered if they form a king-queen suited combo (“royal match”). It is simple and fast, which is exactly why casinos like offering it.

Super Sevens and Similar Streak Bets

These bets pay when one or more of your first cards are sevens (or another featured rank, depending on the game). The bigger payouts depend on rare combinations, such as multiple suited sevens in a row.

These bets look great on a paytable because of the top prize, but the odds of hitting the premium outcome are extremely low.

In-Between

Some games include an “In-Between” style side bet. A common version pays if the dealer’s upcard lands between your two starting cards. It sounds easy when you think of hands like 3 and 10, but the overall price on the bet is still usually in the casino’s favor.

Also remember: winning the side bet does not fix a weak blackjack hand. You can hit the side bet and still play a difficult main hand.

Insurance Is Usually the Worst Habit

Almost every variation of blackjack offers insurance, and it is one of the most common leaks in a player’s game.

Here is why players take it:

• They hate seeing the dealer flip blackjack.
• They want to “protect” a strong hand.
• They think even money is safer.

Here is why casinos love it:

• It feels like a smart hedge.
• It is offered at an emotional moment (dealer shows Ace).
• Most players do not know the math.

If your goal is long-term results, insurance should almost always be a pass unless counting conditions clearly support it.

Blackjack Switch and Other “Extra Action” Games

Some blackjack variants are not side bets in the strict sense, but they increase action in a similar way by encouraging more money on the table. A good example is Blackjack Switch, where you play two hands and can swap cards between them.

Games like this can be entertaining, but they also create more chances to make mistakes. A player who already struggles with basic strategy is much more likely to misplay hands in a specialty format.

More hands and more decisions usually means:

• More total money wagered per hour
• More exposure to mistakes
• Higher effective cost if the rules are worse than standard blackjack

Are Blackjack Side Bets Ever Worth It?

It depends on your goal.

If your goal is entertainment: A small side bet once in a while can be fine, as long as you treat it like paying for extra excitement.

If your goal is profit or disciplined bankroll play: Side bets are usually a leak. They raise your average house edge and can turn a decent blackjack session into a losing one much faster.

A practical compromise many players use is this:

• Play the main game using proper strategy
• Skip side bets by default
• If you want action, cap side bets at a tiny amount (for example, $1) and only use them occasionally

How to Evaluate a Side Bet Before You Play It

If you are tempted by a side bet, take 15 seconds and check these points first:

1. What is the payout table? Bigger top payouts do not always mean a better bet.
2. How often can it realistically hit? Most premium payouts are very rare.
3. Does it affect my bankroll plan? Extra bets every hand add up quickly.
4. Am I still playing the main hand correctly? Side bets should never distract from basic strategy.
5. Is this game already using bad rules? If the table is 6:5 or has weak rules, adding side bets makes it worse.

Best Approach for Most Players

If you are serious about improving at blackjack, focus on the fundamentals first:

• Play good rule sets (3:2, decent table rules)
• Learn and apply basic blackjack strategy
• Use proper bankroll management
• Avoid emotional betting
• Treat side bets as optional entertainment, not income strategy

You will find plenty of side-bet-heavy games at the blackjack games offered by our partners, but the strongest long-term results usually come from playing the main game well.

If you are still learning, start with free blackjack and build your fundamentals before risking real money. When you are ready to move up, compare offers carefully and check the terms on any blackjack bonuses before you claim them.

FAQs About Blackjack Side Bets

What is a side bet in blackjack?

A side bet is an optional wager placed alongside your main blackjack bet. It usually pays based on special card combinations or the dealer’s upcard, not just the final result of the hand.

Are side bets connected to the outcome of the main hand?

Most side bets are settled independently. You can win a side bet and still lose the main blackjack hand, or lose the side bet and win the main hand.

What are the most common blackjack side bets?

Popular options include Perfect Pairs, 21+3, Insurance, Royal Match, and Super Sevens. The exact list depends on the casino or software provider.

Do side bets have a higher house edge?

Usually yes. Side bets often have much higher house edges than the main blackjack game, which is why casinos promote them so heavily.

Is insurance a good bet?

For most players, no. Insurance is generally a poor wager unless you are counting cards and know the deck composition supports it.

Can I use basic strategy to beat side bets?

Basic strategy applies to the main blackjack hand, not most side bets. Side bets are usually luck-based and do not offer the same strategic advantage.

Can I place a side bet without making a blackjack bet?

No. Side bets require a main blackjack wager first.

Are side bets available in online blackjack?

Yes. Many online blackjack and live dealer games include one or more side bets.

Are side bets worth it?

They can be fun, but they are usually not worth it for players focused on long-term results. If you play them, keep the stakes small and treat them like entertainment.

Frequently asked questions

What is a side bet in blackjack?

A side bet is an optional wager placed alongside your main blackjack bet. It usually pays based on special card combinations or the dealer's upcard, not just the final result of the hand.

Do blackjack side bets have a higher house edge?

Yes, most blackjack side bets have a higher house edge than the main blackjack game. They can offer larger payouts, but they usually cost more over time.

Is insurance a good bet in blackjack?

For most players, insurance is not a good bet. It is generally only considered in specific card-counting situations.

Can you place a side bet without a main blackjack bet?

No. Side bets are optional wagers that can only be placed when you also make a main blackjack bet.

Are blackjack side bets worth it?

They can be entertaining, but they are usually not ideal for players focused on long-term results because the house edge is typically much higher than the base game.