Side Bets in Blackjack Explained
In the following article, you will learn about side bets in blackjack. You will also discover the difference between a side bet and a prop bet.
What are Side Bets in Blackjack?
A side bet is an additional wager that players can make during a game of blackjack that is in addition to their main bet. A side bet does not affect your play of the game; instead, it is a separate wager you place on top of your blackjack wager.
How are Side Bets Different from Prop Bets?
Prop bets are separate bets that players can make during a blackjack game that alter the game’s conditions. These bets include things like “first blackjack”, “player 21”, etc. Prop bets are wagers placed by players to change how blackjack is played (i.e. if a cut card is present or not).
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What are some common Side Bets in Blackjack?
The following are a few common side bets in blackjack:
Come Bet
A wager made by the player that their first two cards will be of the same rank, such as 2-2 or 3-3. All casinos require you to place an additional bet equal to your original wager to make this side bet.
High-Low Bet
A wager that a player will receive either an 8, 9 or 10 as their first two cards to win the High-Low bet. The house edge on this side bet is 2.77%.
Split Bet
A wager that a card will be split when it is first dealt with the player. Most casinos require an additional stake equal to half of your original bet to make this side bet.
Insurance Bet
A wager that will win if the dealer has blackjack and lose if they do not have blackjack. The house edge on this side bet is 2.70%.
Surrender Bet
A bet allows players to forfeit their hand and receive half of their original wager back, provided the dealer has blackjack. Most casinos require an additional stake equal to half of your initial wager to make this side bet.
Should I Use Side Bets?
Although side bets may seem beneficial, the house edge on most of them is relatively high. As a result, we do not recommend using any type of side bet in a blackjack game.
So if you ever find yourself at a casino table that offers side bets – simply ignore them and enjoy your game of blackjack!