Blackjack Variations & Side Wagers | OLG PlaySmart (2024)

FAQs

What is the top 3 side bet in blackjack? ›

The Top 3 wager is based on a three card hand using the dealer's one (1) up card and the player's two (2) initial up cards to form a three card poker hand. Winning hands of Three of a Kind Suited, Straight Flush and Three of a Kind are paid according to the poasted pay table.

Blazing 7s Blackjack™ is a blackjack casino game where the Player plays against the House to score the closest to 21 as possible without busting, and includes an optional Blazing 7s side bet that takes into account hands that have sevens for a chance to win up to 777x your bet for one hand.

The “21 + 3” blackjack side bet is based on examining the player's two cards and the dealer's up-card. If the three cards form a flush, straight, three-of-a-kind or straight flush, the player wins. In the original version, the payout for each of these was 9-to-1.

Are side bets in blackjack worth it? Side bets can be entertaining and potentially offer higher payouts than the main blackjack game. However, they also have a higher house edge, which means they are riskier in the long run.

Perfect Pairs Blackjack is a variation of the standard Blackjack game that allows the players to place an additional bet to cover the possibility of the first two cards dealt, being a pair. A Perfect Pairs bet may only be placed on a Perfect Pairs Blackjack table. SUN INTERNATIONAL SUPPORTS RESPONSIBLE GAMBLING.

Lucky Lucky® is a bonus wager for blackjack that uses the player's first two cards combined with the dealers up-card (or community card), to form a three-card hand. Winning hands use the ranks of 6-7-8, 7-7-7, or a three-card total of 19, 20, 21. There is no player skill required for this bet.

The Blazing 7s side bet can be played for $1 or $5 and can only be placed after making a standard Blackjack bet. You'll then play a hand as usual – if at least one of your first two cards is a 7, you'll win on your side bet. If you have two 7s, you'll win even more.

In general, if you have a hand that totals 17 or higher, you should stand. If your total is between 13 and 16, consider the dealer's up-card before deciding whether to hit or stand. If the dealer's card is 6 or lower, then you should hit; if the dealer has a 7 or higher showing, then you should stand.

1. Royal Flush of chosen suit – Dealer Blackjack and the player's two cards containing an ace, king, queen and jack of chosen suit. 2. Royal flush any other suit - Dealer Blackjack and the player's two cards and the dealer's two cards containing an ace, king, queen and jack all in same suit other than chosen suit.

These combine to offer the best blackjack strategy according to the math: RULE #1: ALWAYS DOUBLE DOWN ON 11, UNLESS THE DEALER SHOWS AN ACE. RULE #2: WHEN THE DEALER'S UPCARD IS 2-9, ALWAYS DOUBLE DOWN ON AN INITIAL SCORE OF TEN. RULE #3: WHEN THE DEALER'S UPCARD IS A 5 OR 6, ALWAYS DOUBLE DOWN ON A SOFT 13-18.

What is the best blackjack rule? ›

A basic betting strategy is simply to double the bet after losing a hand, also known as the Martingale system. This can go for multiple hands in a row until you win at blackjack. Then, you reset the bet to the starting value. That one bet will cover your previous losses and even provide a profit.

If the total is 16 or under, they must take a card. The dealer must continue to take cards until the total is 17 or more, at which point the dealer must stand.

Do you always double down on 11? Yes, you should always double down in blackjack when you have 11 from the first two cards. Since the most common card value is 10, you are likely to create 21 with one additional card when you start with 11. Doubling the bet will maximize the potential payout.

The Most Common Side Bets in Blackjack

For now, though, focus on the five most common side bets: perfect pairs, insurance bets, the 21+3 bet (also referred to as poker hands or rummy,) Royal Match, and Over/Under 13.

The Dealer's Blackjack Odds Table. All blackjack casinos apply a house edge, and because of this, the dealer will always hold the advantage and have greater odds of winning blackjack than you. The fact that the dealer takes their turn after you and can make decisions based on your outcomes doesn't hurt either.

Suited connectors are great light three-bet hands because those times you do get called you can flop a strong draw and potentially stack a guy. This just isn't going to happen if you're three-betting T♥ 4♣. Another way to look at it: The best hands to three-bet light with are at the very top of your folding range.

These bets, based on luck rather than skill, are independent of the main bet's outcome. Popular side bets include 21+3, Top 3, Hot 3, Lucky Lucky, Lucky Ladies, Royal Match, Over/Under 13, and Perfect Pair. Table of Content: Playing Blackjack Side Bets.

Bet the Set “21” is an optional bonus bet for blackjack that considers the first two cards a player receives. If the player's first two cards are a pair or suited pair, the player wins. The player's hand is independent of the dealer's hand and is unaffected by the dealer's blackjack.