Are Any Blackjack Side Bets Worth It?

There are a few different types of blackjack side bets that you might come across. They’re not all created equal, however, and some of them are definitely worth your while while others are nothing more than a waste of money.

Here’s a look at some of the most popular blackjack side bets and whether or not they’re worth your time and money.

Insurance

One of the most common blackjack side bets is insurance. This bet pays off if the dealer has blackjack, which means that they have an Ace showing and either a 10-value card or a face card.

The insurance bet pays 2 to 1, which might seem like a good deal at first glance. The problem is that the odds of the dealer actually having blackjack are only about 9%, which means that you’re losing money in the long run if you make this bet.

Even Money

Another common side bet is even money, which pays off if the player has blackjack when the dealer shows an Ace. This bet pays 1 to 1, so it seems like a good deal at first glance.

The problem is that the player only has a blackjack about 4% of the time when the dealer shows an Ace, which means that this is yet another losing proposition in the long run.

Perfect Pairs

A perfect pair side bet pays off if the first two cards dealt to the player form a pair, such as two Jacks or two 8s. The odds and payouts for this bet vary depending on the specific rules being used, but it’s generally considered to be a bad bet because the odds of hitting a perfect pair are so low.

In most cases, you’re better off avoiding this bet altogether.

Splitting Pairs

This side bet pays off if the player splits their initial two-card hand into two separate hands. The odds and payouts for this bet also vary depending on specific rules being used, but it’s generally considered to be a bad wager as well since splitting pairs is never always the best play from a mathematical standpoint.

Unless you’re an experienced player who knows when splitting pairs makes sense, it’s best to just stay away from this wager.