Perfect Pairs, Side Bets & When to Use Them
Side bets in blackjack, including popular options like Perfect Pairs, 21+3, Insurance, and Royal Match, add extra excitement to the table by offering the chance of bigger payouts. However, while these wagers may seem attractive, understanding how they work and their true expected value is essential before deciding when to use them.
Popular Side Bets Explained
Perfect Pairs pays out when your first two cards form a pair. Payouts vary depending on the type of pair:
- Mixed Pair(e.g., 7♦ + 7♣)
- Coloured Pair(same colour, different suit)
- Perfect Pair(same rank and suit)
21+3 combines your two cards with the dealer’s up-card to form poker-style hands like Flushes, Straights, and Three-of-a-Kind. Royal Match rewards suited combinations, while Insurance pays if the dealer has blackjack when showing an Ace.
Each of these side bets can be entertaining, but they come with much higher house edges — often 3% to 10% or more, compared to the 0.5% achievable through basic blackjack strategy.
Avoiding Common Traps
The biggest trap is assuming side bets offer good long-term value. While they may produce occasional high payouts, they are designed to favour the casino over time. Insurance, in particular, is a common mistake for beginners; despite appearing “safe”, its expected value is strongly negative.
Expected Value: When Should You Use Side Bets?
From a strictly mathematical perspective, side bets should be used sparingly. Their expected value is lower than that of standard blackjack decisions. However, occasional use is fine if your goal is entertainment rather than advantage play.
In short: side bets can add fun and variety, but disciplined players rely on core blackjack strategy not high-risk wagers to improve their long-term results.
By learning these underlying probabilities, you become a more disciplined and strategic player. Understanding odds not only improves your success at the table but also gives you the confidence to make mathematically sound decisions under pressure.