The player loses their main bet in this case but breaks even for the round. The dealer then peeks under their ace and pays the player at odds of 2 to 1 if their hole card is indeed a ten for a blackjack. Players who accept this optional side bet must cover it with a wager equal to half their original stake. Insurance is offered at the start of a round but only when the dealer shows an ace. Insurance is not your typical side wager in blackjack but is a side bet, nevertheless, because it is made independently from your original stake and has no impact on your odds of winning in the main game. Card counting will enable you to identify the situations when certain side bets stand higher chances of winning due to the shoe’s changed composition. Their outcomes have extremely long odds of winning and are based entirely on chance, although it is possible to exploit them to your advantage if you count cards. Side bets yield considerably higher house edges and can quickly drain your bankroll if you are not careful. With that in mind, we recommend players to experiment with these exciting wagers only occasionally and in moderation. In some cases, players can pocket payouts of up to 2,000 to 1. Rather than paying even money like most other successful bets in blackjack, side bets could potentially earn you many times your stake depending on their probability of winning. They require you to put a very small amount at stake, typically no more than a dollar. They are settled immediately after the initial deal before players have made any playing decisions.Īnother distinctive trait of side bets is that they offer significantly higher returns than the winning wagers in the main game. Side bets must be posted at the start of a round before anyone has received their cards. They bear no relation to your odds of winning your main wager.

It is important to understand these are entirely separate wagers and as such, they are settled independently from your original stake. In some instances, payouts are also awarded when the first two cards of the player and the dealer’s upcard form specific three-card poker hands. They usually involve guessing what cards the dealer or the player will receive. Side bets in blackjack are additional wagers players can make during the base game. We also take a look at these wagers’ theoretical return percentages and how they measure up against bets made in the base game. In the following article, SuperCasinoSites explores the different side-bet options in blackjack, explaining their structure and how much they pay.

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