Ever walked through a casino floor and noticed those extra betting spots on table games? Those are side bets—additional wagers that can spice up traditional games with bigger payouts. But let’s be real: most side bets are terrible for your bankroll. The house edge often skyrockets compared to the main game.
That said, not all side bets are created equal. Some actually give players decent value and reasonable odds. If you’re going to place side bets anyway (because they’re fun, right?), you should at least know which ones won’t completely drain your wallet.
Blackjack Side Bets Worth Considering
Blackjack itself offers one of the lowest house edges in the casino when played with basic strategy. While most blackjack side bets are terrible, a few stand out as less punishing.
Perfect Pairs
This side bet pays when your first two cards form a pair. The payouts typically look like this:
| Pair Type | Description | Typical Payout |
| Mixed Pair | Same value, different colors | 5 |
| Colored Pair | Same value, same color | 10 |
| Perfect Pair | Identical cards | 30 |
The house edge on Perfect Pairs on many gambling websites like Casino Hidden Jack varies between 4-6%, depending on the number of decks. While not amazing, it’s better than many other side bets that can reach 15-20% house edge. According to reputable websites, this side bet becomes more valuable when playing at tables using fewer decks, as the probability of getting pairs increases slightly.
21+3
This clever side bet combines elements of blackjack and three-card poker. It uses your two cards plus the dealer’s up-card to form a three-card poker hand. Standard payouts include:
- Flush: 5
- Straight: 10
- Three of a Kind: 30
- Straight Flush: 40
- Suited Three of a Kind: 100
With a house edge around 3.7-4.2%, it’s not terrible for a side bet. Plus, it adds poker elements to your blackjack game.
Baccarat Side Bets With Reasonable Odds
Baccarat is already a low house edge game, especially when betting on the banker. While most baccarat side bets are terrible, a couple stand out.
Panda 8
This side bet wins when the Player hand totals 8 made with exactly three cards. It typically pays 25
and carries a house edge of about 8.9%. Not great, but far better than many other baccarat side bets.
Dragon 7
Similar to Panda 8, the Dragon 7 pays when the Banker wins with a total of 7 using exactly three cards. The standard payout is 40 with a house edge around 7.6%.
Both these bets have become popular because they offer substantial payouts without the astronomical house edge of other baccarat side wagers.
Three Card Poker Side Bets
Three Card Poker was designed with side bets as an integral part of the game. The Pair Plus bet is technically a side bet, though many players consider it part of the main game.
Pair Plus
This bet pays when your three-card hand contains at least a pair, regardless of whether you beat the dealer. Standard payouts:
- Pair: 1
- Flush: 3 or 4
- Straight: 6
- Three of a Kind: 30
- Straight Flush: 40
The house edge ranges from 2.3% to 7.3% depending on the specific pay table. Look for tables offering 4 on flushes for better value.
6 Card Bonus
This bet uses both your three cards and the dealer’s three cards to make the best 5-card poker hand. It pays for Three of a Kind or better, with Royal Flush payouts ranging from 1,000 to 5,000.
The house edge varies widely based on the pay table, from 6.7% to 15%, but the potential for massive payouts makes it popular.
Craps Side Bets That Don’t Suck
Craps has dozens of betting options, many of which are technically side bets. Some offer surprisingly good value.
Place 6 and Place 8
These aren’t traditional side bets, but they’re additional wagers beyond the pass line. With a house edge of just 1.52%, they’re among the best bets in the entire casino.
You’re betting that a 6 or 8 will be rolled before a 7. Since these numbers have the highest probability after 7, they give players excellent value.
Why Most Side Bets Are Bad Value
I’d be doing you a disservice not to mention that most side bets have terrible odds. Casino game designers create these bets specifically to increase house profits. They’re designed to be visually appealing and offer big payouts that mask their poor odds.
Take the Insurance bet in blackjack—it has a house edge over 7%, much worse than the main game. Or consider the Tie bet in baccarat, with its whopping 14% house edge.
Side bets work because they’re exciting and promise big wins for small wagers. They appeal to our desire for that huge payout.
Bottom Line
If you want to maximize your chances of winning, stick to the main bets with low house edges. But if you enjoy the excitement of side bets, at least choose ones that give you reasonable odds.
The side bets mentioned above won’t drain your bankroll as quickly as others and they add legitimate excitement to the games. Just remember to keep these wagers small relative to your main bets and never chase losses with increasingly large side bets.
Oliver Smith is an experienced blogger at Grammar Globe, Oliver Smith, an expert in English grammar and a master of wit, brings language to life with his playful take on puns. Through his works, he weaves humor into the rules of grammar, making learning fun and engaging for readers of all ages. Discover language with a smile!”
