Blackjack side bets are optional extra wagers, such as Perfect Pairs or 21+3, that are settled separately from your main hand and pay bigger odds on specific card combinations. They are popular because the payouts are eye-catching, but their house edges usually run from about 3% to over 10%, compared with around 0.5% on the main game.
Blackjack side bets are separate wagers on things like pairs, poker hands or the dealer busting, settled independently of your main hand.
Typical side bet edges range from about 2% to 12%, several times the 0.5% of a well-played main hand.
The same named bet can carry very different odds depending on its pay table and the number of decks.
A £2 side bet at a 4% edge costs more on average than a £10 main bet at 0.5%.
What they are
Optional bets settled separately from the main hand
Common examples
Perfect Pairs, 21+3, Any Pair, Hot 3, Bust It
Typical house edge
About 2% to 12%, by bet and pay table
Main game edge (comparison)
About 0.5% with basic strategy
Where to find the odds
Pay table in the game's help screen
What blackjack side bets are
A side bet is an extra wager placed in its own spot on the table before the deal. It wins or loses on a specific event, usually involving your first two cards, the dealer's upcard or the dealer's final hand, and it is paid whatever happens to your main hand. You can win your side bet and lose the main bet, or the other way round.
Side bets exist because the main game has a low edge and long periods of small results. A side bet adds the possibility of a 25 to 1 or 100 to 1 payout on a single hand. That is the appeal; the price is a much higher edge. Most live and RNG tables at UK casinos show one to four side bets, and the selection differs between suppliers and tables.
If you want the main game explained first, see blackjack rules. This page focuses on the extra bets: how each works, what it pays, what it costs and how pay tables change the odds.
Blackjack side bets compared: pays and house edge
The figures below are drawn from the calculations published by Wizard of Odds, the most widely used independent reference for blackjack side bet maths. Each assumes the deck count and pay table noted; your table may differ.
Common blackjack side bets and their house edges
Side bet
Wins when
Example top pay
House edge (conditions)
Perfect Pairs
Your first two cards are a pair
25 to 1 for an identical pair
About 4.10% (8 decks, 25/12/6)
21+3
Your two cards plus the dealer's upcard make a poker hand
100 to 1 suited trips
About 3.70% (Evolution-style 5/10/30/40/100 table)
21+3 classic
Any flush, straight, trips or straight flush
9 to 1 flat
About 3.24% (6 decks)
Any Pair
Your first two cards are a pair
Varies by pair type
About 4.10% (Infinite Blackjack)
Hot 3
Your two cards plus the dealer's upcard total 19, 20 or 21
Top pay for 7-7-7
About 5.40% (Infinite Blackjack)
Bust It
The dealer busts, paying more for more cards
Highest for many-card busts
About 6.18% (Infinite Blackjack)
Insurance
Dealer has blackjack (only offered on a dealer ace)
2 to 1
Roughly 7% in multi-deck games
Push 22
Dealer finishes on exactly 22 (Free Bet tables)
11 to 1
About 11.8% (6 decks, dealer hits soft 17)
Edges vary by variant and casino. The game's help screen shows the pay table and usually the theoretical return for the version you are playing.
Perfect Pairs side bet explained
Perfect Pairs pays when your first two cards are the same rank. There are three tiers. A mixed pair is the same rank in different colours, such as the 8 of hearts and 8 of spades. A coloured pair is the same rank and colour but different suits, such as the 8 of hearts and 8 of diamonds. A perfect pair is two identical cards, possible only with more than one deck.
Perfect Pairs pay tables and house edge
Pay table (perfect / coloured / mixed)
6 decks
8 decks
25 / 12 / 6
About 6.11%
About 4.10%
30 / 10 / 5
About 5.79%
About 3.37%
25 / 12 / 5
About 9.97%
About 7.95%
Two lessons stand out. First, the same pay table is cheaper with more decks, because identical pairs become more likely. Second, a one-unit cut to the mixed pair pay, from 6 to 5, adds nearly four percentage points. Read the pay table, not just the name. Full pay tables for this and other side bets are linked from the Wizard of Odds blackjack section (opens in a new tab).
21+3 side bet explained
21+3 combines blackjack with three-card poker. Your first two cards and the dealer's upcard form a three-card poker hand. Most live versions pay on five hands, with the highest for three identical cards (suited trips), which needs a multi-deck shoe.
A common 21+3 pay table (Evolution-style, 8 decks)
Hand
Example
Pays
Suited trips
7♥ 7♥ 7♥
100 to 1
Straight flush
5♣ 6♣ 7♣
40 to 1
Three of a kind
Q♠ Q♦ Q♥
30 to 1
Straight
9♦ 10♠ J♥
10 to 1
Flush
2♠ 8♠ K♠
5 to 1
This table carries an edge of about 3.70%, according to the Wizard of Odds 21+3 analysis. Older flat-rate versions pay 9 to 1 for any qualifying hand and run at about 3.24% with six decks. Some extreme versions with lower straight and flush pays exceed 13%. The three card poker page explains the hand rankings.
Other blackjack side bets: Hot 3, Bust It, Any Pair and more
Any Pair
Any Pair is a simplified pair bet used on Evolution's Infinite Blackjack, with pays that rise for coloured and suited pairs. The edge there is around 4.10%.
Hot 3
Hot 3 adds your first two cards to the dealer's upcard and pays if the total is 19, 20 or 21, with a top prize for three sevens. Around 5.40% on Infinite Blackjack.
Bust It
Bust It wins when the dealer busts and pays more the more cards the dealer needs. It feels like a hedge for a weak hand, but at about 6.18% it costs more than most pair bets.
Insurance
Insurance is the oldest side bet. It is offered only when the dealer shows an ace and pays 2 to 1 if the dealer has blackjack. In multi-deck games the edge is around 7%, which is why basic strategy says to decline it.
Push 22 and dealer bust bets
Push 22 appears on Free Bet Blackjack and pays if the dealer lands exactly 22, at an edge of about 11.8% under common rules. Other dealer-bust bets exist with similar or higher edges.
What blackjack side bets cost per hand
The cleanest way to compare side bets is expected cost: stake multiplied by edge. The examples assume 100 hands, which might be an evening at a live table.
Average cost over 100 hands
Bet
Stake per hand
Edge
Total staked
Average cost
Main hand, basic strategy
£10
0.5%
£1,000
£5
21+3 (5/10/30/40/100)
£2
3.7%
£200
£7.40
Perfect Pairs (25/12/6, 6 decks)
£2
6.1%
£200
£12.20
Bust It
£2
6.2%
£200
£12.40
Push 22
£2
11.8%
£200
£23.60
A £2 side bet can easily cost more than a £10 main hand. Side bets also have high variance: most hands lose the side stake, and occasional large pays make up part of it. Over a short session that can look like value; over many sessions, the edge wins out. Our guide to expected value explains the calculation, and the volatility explainer covers the swings.
How to place a blackjack side bet online
Open the table's help screen and find the side bet pay tables. Note the deck count.
Decide whether you want a side bet this session and how much. Keep it small compared with your main stake.
Place your main stake first, then click the side bet spot to add chips before the betting timer ends.
Watch the side bet settle straight after the deal (pair and poker bets) or at the end of the round (dealer bust bets).
Check your net position on screen, which UK casino games have displayed since the 2025 rule changes.
Most side bets cannot be placed without a main bet, and many have their own maximum. Live tables usually show side bet limits in the same panel as the main limits.
UK rules on blackjack side bets
No UK rule bans or caps blackjack side bets specifically. They are covered by the same requirements as the rest of the game.
All online casino games, including side bets, must be started by you: autoplay was banned on non-slot casino games from 17 January 2025.
RNG table games have a minimum 5-second game cycle from the same date; side bets don't speed this up.
Rules under the game design rules ban celebrating a return no bigger than your stake on slots, and the 2025 changes extended several design rules to other casino games. A flashing side bet win can still leave you down on the round, so watch your net position.
Pay tables and theoretical returns appear in game information, in line with the RTP display rules.
The £5 slot stake limit doesn't cover blackjack or its side bets; your own limits do.
"Side bets hedge a bad main hand." They are independent bets with their own edge. Adding one raises your total cost per round.
"Pairs are due after a long dry spell." Each deal is independent, especially with continuous shuffling. See the gambler's fallacy.
"Bigger pays mean better value." A 100 to 1 top prize says nothing about the edge. Only the full pay table and deck count do.
"Card counting makes side bets profitable online." Some side bets can be counted in ideal land-based conditions, but online shuffles and shoe cuts remove that, as the card counting online page explains.
Staking plans such as the Martingale system are especially poor on side bets, because a long losing run is the normal state of a low-probability bet.
Choosing between blackjack side bets
If you decide to play one, these rules of thumb keep the cost down. Prefer bets with the lowest published edge on your table, which is often 21+3 or Perfect Pairs with a generous pay table and eight decks. Avoid insurance and dealer-22 bets. Keep side stakes to a small fraction of your main stake. And remember that skipping side bets is always the cheapest option. The online blackjack UK guide puts side bets alongside table choice, and which casino games have the best odds compares them with other games.
Where to play blackjack with side bets in the UK
Side bets are offered on many blackjack tables at UK-licensed casinos, but which ones depends on the table and supplier. We don't list side bet availability by partner; check the help screen on each table in the lobby, for example from the Casumo live casino page. Browse more games in the games hub.
The offers below are welcome offers, not blackjack or side bet promotions; 18+ and full terms apply. Casumo's is a 50% bonus up to £100 on a first deposit of £20 or more, with 10x wagering on the bonus within 7 days and a £5 maximum bet; game restrictions apply. PlayOJO's is 80 spins on Big Bass Bonanza, 10p each, for a first deposit of at least £10, with no wagering on winnings and Northern Ireland excluded. Coral's is 100 spins at 10p on selected slots after you deposit and bet £10 on slots, with no wagering on spin winnings.
We have no blackjack offer to show from our partners. Casumo's 50% match is paid as bonus funds with game restrictions, so check whether blackjack or its side bets count; PlayOJO and Coral give slot spins.
Significant terms: 18+. New customers only. Opt-in required. 50% deposit bonus up to £100 on first deposit. Minimum deposit £20. 10x wagering on the bonus amount. Maximum bet or spin £5. Bonus valid for 7 days. Game, play and payment method restrictions apply. Full T&Cs apply. GamCare.org.uk
Read the Casumo reviewLicence: Recro Limited, UKGC account 61549. Offer checked 5 October 2026.
Significant terms: 18+. New UK customers (excluding Northern Ireland). First deposit only. Minimum deposit £10. 80 free spins on Big Bass Bonanza, £0.10 each. No wagering requirements; winnings paid in cash. Cannot be used with any other offer. Only available to players who arrive through the designated offer link. Full T&Cs apply. GamCare.org.uk
Read the PlayOJO reviewLicence: Skill On Net Limited, UKGC account 39326. Offer checked 5 October 2026.
Significant terms: 18+. New players only. Offer runs 01/10/2026 to 01/02/2027. Deposit (certain types excluded) and bet £10+ on slot games to get 100 free spins (selected games, £0.10 each, 48 hrs to accept, valid 7 days). No wagering on free spin winnings. Deposits by Neteller, PayPal, Paysafe, Skrill, prepaid cards and certain debit cards do not qualify. Restrictions and T&Cs apply. GamCare.org.uk
Read the Coral reviewLicence: LC International Limited, UKGC account 54743. Offer checked 5 October 2026.
18+. Gambling should be entertainment that costs money, not a way to make it. Set a deposit limit before you play: how to set deposit limits. Free, confidential help: National Gambling Helpline 0808 8020 133.
Frequently asked questions
What are blackjack side bets?
Blackjack side bets are optional extra wagers placed alongside your main hand that win on specific events, such as being dealt a pair, making a poker hand with the dealer's upcard or the dealer busting. They are settled separately, so your side bet can win while your main hand loses. They offer bigger payouts but usually carry house edges of about 3% to 12%, much higher than the main game. Our side bet glossary entry and the blackjack rules page give more background.
Which blackjack side bet has the best odds?
It depends on the pay table and deck count at your table, but 21+3 and Perfect Pairs with generous pay tables are often the cheapest, at roughly 3% to 4%. Wizard of Odds puts the Evolution-style 21+3 table at about 3.70% and Perfect Pairs paying 25, 12 and 6 at about 4.10% with eight decks. Insurance and Push 22 are among the most expensive. None beats the main game's roughly 0.5% edge with basic strategy. See which casino games have the best odds and our house edge explainer.
Are blackjack side bets worth it?
On the numbers, no: every common side bet has a higher house edge than the main hand played with basic strategy, so adding one raises your expected cost per round. Some players still enjoy the occasional large payout and treat the extra cost as part of their entertainment spending. If you do, keep side stakes small and fixed, and never raise them to chase a near miss. Our gambling budget guide and what is a fair casino bonus page discuss value more widely.
How does the Perfect Pairs side bet work?
Perfect Pairs wins when your first two cards are the same rank. A mixed pair, same rank in different colours, usually pays 6 to 1. A coloured pair, same colour but different suits, usually pays 12 to 1. A perfect pair, two identical cards, usually pays 25 to 1. With that pay table the edge is about 6.11% with six decks and 4.10% with eight, according to Wizard of Odds. Cheaper pay tables push it near 10%. The shoe glossary entry explains decks, and blackjack basic strategy covers playing pairs in the main hand.
How does 21+3 work in blackjack?
21+3 takes your first two cards and the dealer's upcard and treats them as a three-card poker hand. A flush, straight, three of a kind, straight flush or suited three of a kind wins. A common live pay table pays 5, 10, 30, 40 and 100 to 1 respectively, with an edge of about 3.70%. Older versions pay a flat 9 to 1 for any qualifying hand. The bet is settled right after the deal. Our three card poker page explains poker hand ranks, and online blackjack UK covers table choice.
Should you ever take insurance in blackjack?
Not if you are playing basic strategy without counting cards. Insurance is a side bet that the dealer has blackjack, paying 2 to 1, and in six or eight-deck games the true chance is too low for that pay. The house edge is around 7%. Even money on your own blackjack is the same bet in a different form. Only skilled counters in favourable land-based conditions take it selectively. Our insurance glossary entry and blackjack basic strategy page explain why.
Can you play a side bet without the main bet?
Usually not. Most blackjack tables require a main bet before you can place a side bet, and many cap the side bet at the size of the main stake or at their own limit. Some live tables let players without a seat bet behind on another player's hand, which may include side bets depending on the game. Rules differ by table, so check the help screen. Our bet behind glossary entry and the live casino UK guide explain how live tables are set up.
Do blackjack side bets count towards bonus wagering?
Often they don't, or they count at a reduced rate. Many UK bonus terms exclude table games or weight them at 10% or less, and some exclude side bets entirely. Since 19 January 2026 wagering requirements are capped at 10x the bonus, but the contribution rate still decides how much play is needed. Always check the bonus terms and game list before using bonus funds on blackjack. Our game weighting guide and the blackjack bonus page explain what to look for.
Are blackjack side bets rigged?
Not at UK-licensed casinos. Side bets are settled from the same random deal as the main hand, and RNG games are tested by approved labs before release in Great Britain. Their higher edge comes from openly published pay tables that pay less than the true odds, not from manipulation. Reading the pay table tells you exactly what you are buying. Our explainers are online casinos rigged and how casino games are tested cover the safeguards.
Why do casinos offer blackjack side bets?
Because they earn far more per pound staked than the main hand. A well-played blackjack hand returns around 99.5% of stakes on average; most side bets return between about 88% and 97%. Side bets also add excitement for players who want a chance at a larger payout, which is why suppliers keep inventing new ones. Knowing this helps you treat them as an optional extra cost. Our guides to how online casinos make money and RTP explained give the wider picture.
Gambling can be addictive. Free, confidential help is available 24 hours a day from the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133. Get free support from GamCare or NHS gambling support, or block yourself from all UK-licensed gambling sites with GAMSTOP.
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