If you know anything about playing blackjack, then you will know that side bets are not something we’d often encourage you to try. After all, the odds of you successfully winning a blackjack side bet are not great compared to conventional gameplay. The house edge makes them less than advantageous.

However, if you’ve got cash to burn, fancy a flutter or really don’t listen to good sound advice, there is a wealth of blackjack side bets you can make. We’ve decided to cover five of the most popular blackjack side bets for you right here.

Insurance

Insurance is a side bet that can be found in virtually every blackjack game online. The bet allows you to cover yourself against the dealer having a twenty-one-point hand. You can place this bet if the dealer has an ace as their face-up card. If the dealer goes on to have 21, you’ll receive a 2:1 payout, even if you go on to lose the hand.

Perfect Pairs

Perfect Pairs is a blackjack side bet found in game Blackjack: Perfect Pairs, and other titles. This allows you to pocket bonus prizes based on the values of your first two cards. If they are a Mixed Pair (two blackjack cards of the same value but different colours and suits), you can win 5:1. This rises to 12:1 for a Coloured Pair (two blackjack cards of the same value but in different colours). Have a Perfect Pair (two identical cards) and you’ll win 25:1 with this side bet.

21+3

The 21+3 side bet is a poker-based option. It is based on the first two cards you receive and the dealer’s upturned card. It can see you claim 5:1 if you have a Flush (suited cards), 10:1 and 30:1 for a Straight (consecutive cards) or a Three-of-a-Kind (unsuited), 40:1 for a Straight Flush, and 100:1 for a Suited Triple. The latter consists of three identical cards (including their suit).

Super Sevens

This is a less common blackjack side bet. It is triggered if one or more sevens are dealt to the player. One seven offers a 3:1 payout, two provides a 50:1 win, while two suited sevens offer 100:1. This rises to 500:1 if a third seven appears (unsuited), and 5000:1 (suited). Naturally, this bet doesn’t have great odds of success but can pay exceptionally well.

Royal Match

This unique option allows you to pocket winnings of 5:2. To land those prizes, you’re going to need to land a hand of suited royal cards. However, if you manage to acquire a suited King and Queen, the prize rises to 25:1. Of all the side bets listed here, this one has the potential to dish out decent rewards compared to its odds. However, even then, we’d still be hesitant to chuck a few dollars down on any blackjack side bet.