You sit down at a blackjack table and notice some extra betting circles next to the main one. "Perfect Pairs." "21+3." "Hot 3." These are side bets, optional wagers that can pay out big if a specific combination of cards appears. They add excitement to the game, but they also come with a very different risk profile. Let's look at how the most popular side bets work and whether they deserve a place in your strategy.
What Is a Side Bet?
A side bet is an optional extra wager placed alongside your main blackjack bet. It is settled separately, usually based on your first two cards, the dealer's upcard or a combination of both. You can win the side bet even if you lose the main hand, and vice versa.
Side bets are common on both digital and live blackjack tables. At online casinos such as OzzyBet and others with blackjack in their lobby, the available side bets depend on the specific game variant, so always check the rules panel before you play.
Popular Blackjack Side Bets
Perfect Pairs
You win if your first two cards form a pair. Payouts usually depend on the type of pair:
• Mixed pair (same rank, different colour): lowest payout
• Coloured pair (same rank and colour, different suit): medium payout
• Perfect pair (identical cards): highest payout
21+3
This side bet combines your first two cards with the dealer's upcard to form a three-card poker hand. Winning hands typically include flush, straight, three of a kind, straight flush and suited three of a kind.
Lucky Ladies
Pays when your first two cards total 20, with bigger payouts for specific combinations such as two queens of hearts, sometimes boosted further if the dealer has blackjack.
Hot 3
Your first two cards plus the dealer's upcard pay if they total 19, 20 or 21, with higher payouts for special combinations like three sevens.
Bust It
A bet that the dealer will bust, with higher payouts depending on how many cards the dealer draws before busting.
Why Side Bets Are So Tempting
Big payouts. Some side bets pay 25:1, 100:1 or more.
Excitement. They add an extra moment of suspense every hand.
Quick results. Most are settled immediately after the initial deal.
Independence. You can win something even if your main hand loses.
The Catch: House Edge
This is where side bets lose their shine. The main blackjack game, played with basic strategy, can have a very low house edge. Side bets typically have a significantly higher house edge. Depending on the bet and paytable, it can be several times higher than the main game.
In other words, side bets can quickly increase your average cost per hand. The big payouts are exciting because they are rare.
Paytables Vary
The same side bet can have different paytables at different tables. A slightly lower payout for a perfect pair or a flush can change the house edge noticeably. Always read the paytable for the specific game.
Should You Play Side Bets?
They make sense if:
• You enjoy the extra excitement and treat it as entertainment
• You keep side bets small compared to your main bet
• You include them in your session budget
Skip them if:
• You want the lowest possible house edge
• Your budget is tight
• You find yourself raising side bets to chase big payouts
Tips for Side Bet Fans
1. Keep side bets small, perhaps a fraction of your main bet.
2. Play them occasionally, not every hand.
3. Compare paytables across tables.
4. Track the cost to see how they affect your budget.
5. Never chase a big side bet payout.
Side Bets in Live Blackjack
Live dealer blackjack has made side bets even more popular, and some tables add community side bets that every player can join. These often include colourful animations and shared wins. They are fun, but the same principle applies: check the paytable and treat them as a small extra.
The Bottom Line
Blackjack side bets add sparkle to the game, with the chance of eye-catching payouts. But that sparkle comes at a price: a higher house edge. Enjoy them as occasional extras, keep them small and let your main strategy do the heavy lifting.