Blackjack Side Bets

To help increase the house take at blackjack, a lot of side bets have been introduced over the last few years. Side bets at blackjack are not a good idea for the player. Just playing basic strategy will reduce the house edge to less then one percent. Side bets will reverse that number anywhere from 6 percent to 11 percent. Instead of giving the house .80 cents per $100, with basic strategy, you are now giving it $11 per $100!!! Here is a list of some of the side bets offered at the blackjack table:

 Game                       House advantage

Over/under 13                 10 percent

Pair square                     10 percent

Streak                               8 percent

Royal match                     6 percent

Super 7's                         11 percent

Insurance/even money     6 percent (don't forget insurance is really a side bet)