Your blackjack experience shouldn’t be limited to just beating the dealer. Now, you can spice things up by making extra bets on the side. So if you feel that your strategy feels repetitive and you want to add some thrills once in a while, side bets can be a welcoming option for you. Blackjack side bets promise you bigger payouts than the standard wins, as well as offer you other ways to win at the table. But the question here is… will it be worth the risk? So before you start placing Bust It, Perfect Pair, Hot 3, and other side bets on the table, check out its true cost before you play at AS128 Grand Live Casino SG.
What Exactly Are Blackjack Side Bets?
These are the optional bets that you can place alongside your main bet at a live blackjack table and offer you a much generous payout than a natural blackjack. But despite this, many live casino blackjack tips advise that you should avoid making this because of its significantly high house advantage.
Added to that, it cannot help you in beating the dealer because Perfect Pair, Hot 3, 21+3, Bust It, and other side bets can win or lose independently without affecting your main bet. All of these side bets are based on certain card combos, results from your first 2 cards, and the dealer’s upcard, or a combination of both.
Common Live Dealer Side Bets
If you are playing at the best blackjack casino in Singapore, you will encounter different side bets. But here are the most popular ones and their win conditions.
| Side Bet | What You Are Betting On | Payout | House Edge |
| Perfect Pairs | Your first 2 cards will be a pair | Mixed Pair: 6:1Colored Pair: 12:1Perfect Pair: 25:1 | 4.10% |
| 21+3 | Your first 2 cards and the dealer’s upcard can make a poker hand | Flush: 5:1Straight: 10:1Three of a Kind: 30:1Straight Flush: 40:1Suited 3-of-a-kind: 100:1 | 3.70% |
| Hot 3 | The total of your first 2 cards and the dealer’s upcard will be 19, 20, or 21 | 19 Points: 1:120 Points: 2:1Unsuited 21 Points: 4:1Suited 21: 20:1Three Sevens: 100:1 | 5.40% |
| Bust It | The dealer goes over 21 and gets busted. | 3 cards: 1:14 cards: 2:15 cards: 9:16 cards: 50:17 cards: 100:18 or more cards: 250:1 | 5.83% |
| Insurance | The dealer shows an Ace, and there is a chance that they can make a blackjack | 2:1 | 7.40% |
The Trade Off
While these extra bets offer you a very high payout compared to the payout on the standard winnings, the true value of these side bets lies in their house advantage.
If you use the basic blackjack strategy in your session, you can lower the game’s house advantage to 0.5%. But for the Perfect Pairs side bet, the house edge can spike up to 4.10%. On the other hand, the 21+3 side bet can reach up to 3.70%.
So, if you will be asking if live blackjack side bets are worth it, the numbers are clear, and they are significantly higher than the house edge of the main game.
Should You Play Side Bets At AS128 Grand’s Live Casino Tables?
Well, it’s completely up to you and depends on your goal in playing live dealer blackjack. Statistically speaking, side bets on blackjack games are best avoided, especially if you want to win more and enjoy the best odds in the casino. Always remember, they HOLDS A VERY HIGH HOUSE EDGES than the game itself.
While the best blackjack strategy lowers the house advantage to about 0.5%, consistently placing side bets on each hand can significantly increase the casino’s advantage against you. So in short, you will be wasting money than making a profit.
You can consider these points when thinking about placing side bets:
1. For Fun Only
- You can treat them as a once-in-a-while fun bet and not part of your main strategy to win the game. You can also place side bets if the money is not a problem.
2. Set A Strict Budget
- As you plan your session budget, you can also allot a small separate portion of your bankroll only for side bets. If your side-bet budget runs out, give up on placing it. You shouldn’t let your desire to make a bigger profit affect your bankroll plan.
3. Winning At Blackjack Side Bets Are All About Luck
- Compared to your blackjack moves that can be guided by a blackjack strategy to increase your chances of winning, side bets are purely based on luck. You have no control over the results.
4. Long-Term Play
- If you are planning to minimize your losses as well as maximize your playing time at AS128 Grand Live Casino SG, you should skip placing side bets.
Wrap Up
If you want to enjoy the low house advantage of Blackjack, then side bets are a clear no. Perfect Pair, Hot 3, 21+3, and all other side bets can be a high-cost distraction to your Blackjack strategy. But if you still want to play side bets for fun, you must have a strict Blackjack bankroll management and stick with it.
FAQs:
What Is The Best Bet In Live Blackjack At AS128Grand?
Stick to the main blackjack bet and follow the most optimal moves suggested by your blackjack strategy chart.
Can I Win On My Side Bets Even If I Lose Against The Dealer?
Yes. Side bets are independent of the results of your hand against the dealer, and you can win or lose on your side bets without affecting the main game.
Is Side Bet Good For Newbies?
Well, we suggest that you focus on your strategy and stick with it because the house edge in blackjack side bet options is very high