Side Bet
Definition
An optional additional wager in table games, separate from the main bet. Common blackjack side bets include Perfect Pairs, 21+3, and Insurance. Side bets almost always have a much higher house edge (2-10%+) than the main game.
A side bet is an optional additional wager in table games, separate from the main bet. In blackjack, popular side bets include Perfect Pairs, 21+3, Lucky Ladies, and Insurance. In baccarat, Dragon Bonus and Super 6 are common side bets.
Side bets almost universally carry a much higher house edge than the main game. While the base blackjack house edge is 0.5% with basic strategy, side bets typically have house edges of 2-10% or more. The higher payouts offered by side bets mask these inferior odds.
For recreational players, side bets can add excitement to a session for a small additional cost. For mathematically-minded players, they represent poor value. The one exception is certain side bets that can be beaten through card counting (such as detecting favorable conditions for Perfect Pairs or 21+3), but these advantage play opportunities are narrow and heavily guarded by casinos.
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A side bet offered when the dealer shows an Ace, paying 2:1 if the dealer has blackjack. The house edge on insurance is approximately 7.4%, making it one of the worst bets in blackjack. Card counters may take insurance when the count is high.
House EdgeThe mathematical advantage the casino has over the player, expressed as a percentage of each bet that the casino expects to keep over the long run. For example, a 2% house edge means the casino expects to keep $2 for every $100 wagered. Different games and bets within games have different house edges.
Dragon BonusA popular baccarat side bet that pays based on the winning margin (how many points the winning hand beats the losing hand by). Natural winners pay 1:1; a 9-point margin pays 30:1. House edge is approximately 2.65%.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is Side Bet?
An optional additional wager in table games, separate from the main bet. Common blackjack side bets include Perfect Pairs, 21+3, and Insurance. Side bets almost always have a much higher house edge (2-10%+) than the main game.
What terms are related to Side Bet?
Related concepts include: Insurance (Blackjack), House Edge, Dragon Bonus. Understanding these terms together gives you a more complete picture of the concept.
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