The standard, mathematically sound bets in table games are no longer enough to satisfy the modern, thrill-seeking casino player.
However, beneath the flashing progressive jackpot meters lies a harsh mathematical reality that every player must understand.
Why Casinos Love Side Bets
While a standard hand of blackjack has a house edge of under 1%, the side bets attached to it are entirely different.
Casinos heavily promote these bets because they represent pure, unadulterated profit for the corporation over the long term.
- The ’21+3′ blackjack side bet, which uses your two cards and the dealer’s upcard to make a poker hand, usually carries a 9% house edge
- Card counters completely ignore side bets because the variance is too high and it draws unwanted attention from the pit boss
- The flashing lights and massive payout numbers printed on the felt are designed to distract you from the incredibly poor mathematical probability
Should You Ever Place a Side Bet?
Mathematically, the strict answer is that you should never, under any circumstances, place a casino side bet.
Never increase the size of your main bet to try and cover the continuous losses generated by chasing a side bet jackpot.
| Popular Side Bet | Game | Average House Edge |
|---|---|---|
| Perfect Pairs | Blackjack | 6.00% – 11.00% |
| Dragon Bonus | Baccarat | 8.00% – 9.00% |
If you understand the math and still want to play them for fun, do so with strict, unbreakable limits.
