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Our focus is for this post will be the blackjack side bets which are available to players. Most regular players know the basics of blackjack and some general form of strategy. Due to the fact it is one of the easiest casino games to learn is why it is so popular. A lot of casino players prefer to play blackjack as there is a low house edge. Most players enjoy the fast-paced game and tend to employ some form of strategy while playing the regular game.

When placing the standard bets playing the game there are numerous strategy charts which players can use in order to decide the next move to make. The strategy chart will tell you whether to hit, stand, double down and split based off the dealers face-up card and your hand. Right not we are not going to be looking at the basic strategy but rather focus on the side bets which are available to blackjack players. Try some of these blackjack side bets here at VIP.

21+3

This side bet involves the dealer’s up-card and the player’s first two cards. This bet is placed on the result that these three cards will make a Three-of-a-Kind, Flush, Straight or a Straight Flush. These card combinations add something extra to your game and hopefully your bank. In Blackjack Perfect Pairs, the 21+3 side bet options have varying odds. These should be considered if you’re going to place a bet on one of them. Let’s look at each 21+3 side bet and its odds, according to the pay-table:

Flush

A Flush is three cards with the same suit, for example, a King, 10 and 6 of diamonds. This is the lowest paying side bet of 21+3, offering odds of 5/1.

Straight

A Straight is a card combination that is in a sequence, for example, a 5 and 6 and a 7. Only the numbers are considered here; a Straight hand can consist of varying suits and colours. The odds are double those of a standard flush at 10/1.

Three-of-a-Kind 

The Three-of-a-Kind side bet is placed on the result that your own first two cards and the dealer’s upturned card will all be of the same rank. For example, if all three cards were Kings or 8s, regardless of suits or colours. A Three-of-a-Kind side bet pays 30/1 if you can get it correct.

Straight Flush 

A straight flush is three cards of identical suits in numerical order, for example, 2 of spades, 3 of spades and 4 of spades. The odds for a straight flush are 40/1.

Suited Three-of-a-Kind 

This is the side bet that offers the biggest payout, the odds are at 100/1. A Suited Three-of-a-Kind hand consists of three cards that are of the number and the same suit, for example, three cards that are all the 9 of diamonds.

The exact odds will vary from game to game, and casino to casino, but the most unlikely combinations will always produce the biggest pay-outs – and have the biggest house edge. This differs in online casinos depending on how many decks they use as it may be impossible.

Perfect Pairs 

As the name suggests, the Perfect Pairs side bet is an additional bet placed on the outcome that the first two cards dealt with you are a Coloured, Mixed or Perfect Pair. This means that a pair of colours or matching numbers will payout. Whilst two cards of the same suit, colour and number will award the highest payout. Here are the three different Perfect Pairs side bets and their odds:

Mixed Pair

A Mixed Pair is a pair made up of two different colours – one red and one black. This Perfect Pair variant offers the lowest odds, paying 5/1.

Coloured

A Coloured Perfect Pair is a pair of different suits but the same colour. For example, a 6 of Spades and a 6 of Clubs would be a Coloured Perfect Pair. This side bet pays 10/1.

Perfect Pair

This is the most valuable, paying 30/1. A Perfect Pair is two cards that are of both the same rank and suit. If you’re dealt two Queen of hearts, for example, you’ve acquired a Perfect Pair.

Whilst the Perfect Pairs side bet has lower odds in some instances, it’s more likely to happen than a Suited Three-of-a-Kind Flush. It’s important to take this into account when deciding which bet to place.

Insurance

Insurance is a side bet designed to protect players from a dealer blackjack. Firstly, this bet is only available if the dealer’s visible card is an ace. In online casinos, the choice to place an insurance side bet will usually appear on screen just after the dealer’s cards has been dealt. The idea behind placing an insurance wager is to give players an improved chance of receiving a pay-out despite not having a winning hand.

Insurance appeals to the more frequent player, as this is designed to reduce the house edge. Unsurprisingly, a range of games offers insurance side bets that pay 2:1, for those who want to beat the dealer at his own game whilst being able to increase their own winnings. Of course, the return is never guaranteed as you can’t see the dealer’s second card until after the Insurance bet is placed, but there’s absolutely no harm in protecting yourself from losing your wager if you’re willing to place the extra bet.

Try out some blackjack side bets here at VIP Casino.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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