Side Bets in Blackjack and Baccarat: Are They Ever Worth It?

Side bets are entertaining. They offer big payouts all at once. You put in a minimal amount of additional money in the hopes of getting a really good hand. Are side bets worth it?

TL;DR — The short answer

• Most side bets are not worth it for long play. They have a higher house edge than the main bet.
• In blackjack, some side bets are “less bad” if the paytable is kind. Still not +EV for normal play.
• In baccarat, Tie at 8:1 is very poor. Dragon Bonus can be less bad with the right paytable.
• Side bets can be okay for fun, small stakes, and once in a while. Not for grinding.
• Rare cases can be +EV: special paytables, big progressives, or advanced advantage play.

First, key terms in simple words

• House edge: The average share the casino keeps from each bet over time. If the edge is 5%, your long-run loss is about $5 per $100 bet.
• RTP: Return to player. If RTP is 95%, the house edge is 5%.
• Variance: How “swingy” results are. High variance means long dry spells and then a big hit.
• Paytable: The list that shows what each hand pays. Small pay changes can swing the house edge a lot.

For deeper math, see the expert breakdowns at Wizard of Odds (wizardofodds.com/" rel="noopener nofollow">wizardofodds.com) and the UNLV Center for Gaming Research (gaming.unlv.edu" rel="noopener">gaming.unlv.edu).

Blackjack side bets: common types, typical edges, and tips

(wizardofodds.com) and UNLV Center for Gaming Research

Popular blackjack side bets

• 21+3 (your first two cards + dealer upcard make a poker hand) Typical house edge: about 3% to 7%, based on the paytable and decks. Good paytables can be near ~3.2% HE; worse ones go much higher. Source: Wizard of Odds – 21+3
• Typical house edge: about 3% to 7%, based on the paytable and decks.
• Good paytables can be near ~3.2% HE; worse ones go much higher.
• Source: Wizard of Odds – 21+3
• Perfect Pairs (your first two cards form a pair; suited pairs pay more) Typical house edge: about 5%–6% with a standard 25-12-6 paytable. Source: Wizard of Odds – Perfect Pairs
• Typical house edge: about 5%–6% with a standard 25-12-6 paytable.
• Source: Wizard of Odds – Perfect Pairs
• Royal Match (your first two cards are suited; KQ suited pays most) Typical house edge: around 3.5%–4% with 8 decks, but paytable matters a lot. Source: Wizard of Odds – Royal Match
• Typical house edge: around 3.5%–4% with 8 decks, but paytable matters a lot.
• Source: Wizard of Odds – Royal Match
• Lucky Ladies (focus on player 20s, with big pays for suited queens) Typical house edge: often very high, like 17%–30%+, by version. Source: Wizard of Odds – Lucky Ladies
• Typical house edge: often very high, like 17%–30%+, by version.
• Source: Wizard of Odds – Lucky Ladies
• Super Sevens (pays for 7s; more 7s and suited 7s pay more) Typical house edge: usually double digits (around 12%+). Source: Wizard of Odds – Super Sevens
• Typical house edge: usually double digits (around 12%+).
• Source: Wizard of Odds – Super Sevens
• Insurance (a side bet vs dealer blackjack when dealer shows an Ace) Not a normal side bet by name, but it acts like one. Typical house edge: about 7.5% unless you count cards. Source: Wizard of Odds – Insurance
• Not a normal side bet by name, but it acts like one.
• Typical house edge: about 7.5% unless you count cards.
• Source: Wizard of Odds – Insurance

• Typical house edge: about 3% to 7%, based on the paytable and decks.
• Good paytables can be near ~3.2% HE; worse ones go much higher.
• Source: Wizard of Odds – 21+3

• Typical house edge: about 5%–6% with a standard 25-12-6 paytable.
• Source: Wizard of Odds – Perfect Pairs

• Typical house edge: around 3.5%–4% with 8 decks, but paytable matters a lot.
• Source: Wizard of Odds – Royal Match

• Typical house edge: often very high, like 17%–30%+, by version.
• Source: Wizard of Odds – Lucky Ladies

• Typical house edge: usually double digits (around 12%+).
• Source: Wizard of Odds – Super Sevens

• Not a normal side bet by name, but it acts like one.
• Typical house edge: about 7.5% unless you count cards.
• Source: Wizard of Odds – Insurance

What this means for you

• If you must play a blackjack side bet, 21+3 with a strong paytable is often the “least bad.”
• Perfect Pairs can be okay for fun, but it still has a clear house edge.
• Be very careful with Lucky Ladies and Super Sevens. They pay big but tend to have very high edges.
• Insurance is not good unless you are an advanced card counter. For most players, skip it.
• Always read the paytable. One change (for example, straight pays 9:1 vs 10:1) can swing the edge a lot.

Want to dig into the math yourself? You can learn how edges work in simple terms from UNLV’s resources (UNLV Center for Gaming Research) and the American Gaming Association’s research pages (americangaming.org/" rel="noopener">americangaming.org).

Baccarat side bets: common types, typical edges, and tips

In baccarat, the main bets are already quite good:

• Banker bet: house edge about 1.06% with 5% commission.
• Player bet: house edge about 1.24%.

If you want to get mathematical, UNLV’s overview of edge, using small words, is available at

Popular baccarat side bets

• Tie At 8:1: house edge about 14.36% (very poor). At 9:1: house edge about 4.85% (much better, but still worse than Banker/Player). Source: Wizard of Odds – Baccarat Basics
• At 8:1: house edge about 14.36% (very poor).
• At 9:1: house edge about 4.85% (much better, but still worse than Banker/Player).
• Source: Wizard of Odds – Baccarat Basics
• Player Pair / Banker Pair (11:1) House edge: around 10.36% with 8 decks. Source: Wizard of Odds – Baccarat Side Bets
• House edge: around 10.36% with 8 decks.
• Source: Wizard of Odds – Baccarat Side Bets
• Perfect Pair (25:1) House edge: about 13% (varies with decks). Source: Wizard of Odds – Perfect Pair
• House edge: about 13% (varies with decks).
• Source: Wizard of Odds – Perfect Pair
• Big (5–6 total cards) and Small (4 total cards) Big: around 4.35% house edge; Small: around 5.27%. Source: Wizard of Odds – Big and Small
• Big: around 4.35% house edge; Small: around 5.27%.
• Source: Wizard of Odds – Big and Small
• EZ Baccarat: Dragon 7 (Banker 3-card 7 at 40:1) and Panda 8 (Player 3-card 8 at 25:1) Dragon 7: about 7.6% house edge. Panda 8: about 10.2% house edge. Source: Wizard of Odds – Dragon 7 and Wizard of Odds – Panda 8
• Dragon 7: about 7.6% house edge.
• Panda 8: about 10.2% house edge.
• Source: Wizard of Odds – Dragon 7 and Wizard of Odds – Panda 8
• Dragon Bonus (pays if your side wins by a large margin, and sometimes for naturals) House edge varies by paytable. Some common paytables put Banker DB near ~1%–3%, and Player DB near ~2%–3%. Always check the exact paytable at your casino. Source: Wizard of Odds – Dragon Bonus
• House edge varies by paytable. Some common paytables put Banker DB near ~1%–3%, and Player DB near ~2%–3%.
• Always check the exact paytable at your casino.
• Source: Wizard of Odds – Dragon Bonus

• At 8:1: house edge about 14.36% (very poor).
• At 9:1: house edge about 4.85% (much better, but still worse than Banker/Player).
• Source: Wizard of Odds – Baccarat Basics

• House edge: around 10.36% with 8 decks.
• Source: Wizard of Odds – Baccarat Side Bets

• House edge: about 13% (varies with decks).
• Source: Wizard of Odds – Perfect Pair

• Big: around 4.35% house edge; Small: around 5.27%.
• Source: Wizard of Odds – Big and Small

• Dragon 7: about 7.6% house edge.
• Panda 8: about 10.2% house edge.
• Source: Wizard of Odds – Dragon 7 and Wizard of Odds – Panda 8

• House edge varies by paytable. Some common paytables put Banker DB near ~1%–3%, and Player DB near ~2%–3%.
• Always check the exact paytable at your casino.
• Source: Wizard of Odds – Dragon Bonus

What this means for you

• Banker and Player are already good bets. Side bets usually make the math worse.
• Tie at 8:1 is one of the worst common bets in the pit. At 9:1 it is less bad, but still not great.
• Dragon Bonus can be one of the least-bad side bets if the paytable is friendly. Check it closely.
• Big/Small are mid-range in edge. Still worse than Banker/Player.
• Pairs and Perfect Pair are mostly for fun. Expect a higher long-run loss per dollar.

The math that matters: simple expected loss

Here is a quick way to “feel” the cost of a side bet.

• If a side bet has a 5% house edge, the long-run loss is about 5 cents per $1 bet.
• Make a $5 side bet every hand for 100 hands. That is $500 bet in total. At 5% edge, the expected loss is about $25.
• At 10% edge, the same $500 in side bets has an expected loss of about $50.

Side bets often have higher variance. You can hit a big win. But the average cost per bet is worse than the main game. So enjoy the ride if you want, but size it small. For a longer read on EV and variance in plain math, see this primer at Khan Academy (expected value).

When can side bets be +EV? Rare, but it can happen

• Unusual paytables: Once in a while, a casino uses a very kind paytable by mistake or for a promo. Always do the math or check trusted sources.
• Progressive jackpots: If the jackpot “meters up” high enough, the long-term value can flip. You must know the break-even point.
• Advantage play: Some blackjack side bets are “countable.” With skill and the right conditions, a pro can gain a small edge. This is advanced and not stable.
• Targeted promos: Match plays or loss-back deals can shift value. Read the terms in full.

Note: Casinos adjust rules when a bet gets too good. Always confirm current rules and paytables on the felt, on the game placard, or on the casino’s site.

Practical bankroll tips if you want to try side bets

• Keep side bets small. A simple cap is 5%–10% of your main bet, or even less.
• Hit and quit. If you land a nice win, take profit and pause the side bet for a while.
• Never chase. Loss streaks happen a lot with high-variance bets.
• Pick the lowest-edge versions. If the paytable looks stingy, skip the side bet that day.
• Set a stop loss before you start. When you reach it, you stop.

Picking tables and casinos: rules matter more than you think

Here’s a fast method to “get a feel” for the price of a sidebet.

If you like to compare rules before you play, we keep a simple, up-to-date list of blackjack and baccarat variants, real paytables, and house-edge notes here: https://norskcasino.pro/">https://norskcasino.pro/. It helps you spot fairer versions and avoid poor side bets. We also show screenshots when we can, so you can see what the felt looks like before you sit down.

Side bets have higher variance. You might get a big win. But on average, the bet costs more than the base game. So have fun if you like, but keep your bet small. For a longer discussion on EV and variance in plain math, see this primer at Khan Academy

Real examples of paytable sensitivity (why small changes matter)

• 21+3: One casino might pay 9:1 for a straight; another pays 10:1. That one step can change the edge by more than a full percent. Over a long session, that is a big deal.
• Tie: Tie at 8:1 is very bad (~14.36% HE). Tie at 9:1 is much better (~4.85% HE). Same bet name, very different value.
• Dragon Bonus: Some paytables pay more for big wins (say, win by 9 points). Others pay less. That swing can turn a “fair-ish” side bet into a bad one.

Always check the exact pays on the felt and the number of decks. If in doubt, look it up on a trusted source like Wizard of Odds or ask the floor for the rules sheet.

Quick comparison charts (typical ranges)

These are typical ranges from public math sources. Exact edges vary by decks and paytables. Confirm locally.

Blackjack side bets (typical house edge)

21+3	~3%–7%	Wizard of Odds
Perfect Pairs	~5%–6%	Wizard of Odds
Royal Match	~3.5%–4% (8D)	Wizard of Odds
Lucky Ladies	~17%–30%+	Wizard of Odds
Super Sevens	~12%+	Wizard of Odds
Insurance	~7.5% (if not counting)	Wizard of Odds

Baccarat side bets (typical house edge)

Tie (8:1)	~14.36%	Wizard of Odds
Tie (9:1)	~4.85%	Wizard of Odds
Player Pair / Banker Pair (11:1)	~10.36% (8D)	Wizard of Odds
Perfect Pair (25:1)	~13%	Wizard of Odds
Big	~4.35%	Wizard of Odds
Small	~5.27%	Wizard of Odds
EZ Baccarat – Dragon 7 (40:1)	~7.6%	Wizard of Odds
EZ Baccarat – Panda 8 (25:1)	~10.2%	Wizard of Odds
Dragon Bonus (varies)	~1%–3% (Banker); ~2%–3% (Player)	Wizard of Odds

https://norskcasino.pro/.

Do side bets change blackjack basic strategy?

You can look up rules and compare to something like Wizard of Odds - they have a page for:

How to spot a fairer side bet in the wild

• Read the felt. Find the exact pays. Snap a photo (if allowed) to check later.
• Count the decks. Many side bets get worse with more decks.
• Compare pays across tables and pits. You may find a better version nearby.
• Search the exact paytable name on trusted sites to get the house edge. Start with Wizard of Odds. You can also browse academic notes at UNLV (gaming.unlv.edu).
• If you play online, look for game info screens with RTP. Regulated sites often publish them. For consumer info and standards, see the American Gaming Association (AGA: Responsible Gaming).

Responsible gambling and legal note

Only bet what you can afford to lose. Set time and money limits. Take breaks. If gambling stops being fun, step away.

Don't forget to confirm the payouts on the table and the number of decks in use. If you aren't sure of something, reference the Wizard of Odds, or ask the floor to see the rules card.

• National Council on Problem Gambling (US): ncpgambling.org and 1-800-522-4700
• GamCare (UK): gamcare.org.uk
• GambleAware (UK): begambleaware.org

As always, these are approximate values taken from public math resources.

FAQs

Is insurance in blackjack ever worth it?

For most players, no. Insurance is a bet that the dealer has blackjack. The math is bad unless the deck is very rich in tens and Aces. That usually takes card counting skill. Source: Wizard of Odds – Insurance.

What is the worst common baccarat side bet?

Tie at 8:1 is a strong candidate. The house edge is about 14.36%. Tie at 9:1 is much better at about 4.85%, but still worse than Banker or Player. Source: Wizard of Odds – Baccarat Basics.

Are any baccarat side bets close to “fair”?

Note: Paytables can vary from one casino to the next, even in the same state or country. Check the rules where you play. Many casinos post paytables on their websites where legal. You can also find paytables in rulebooks at sites like those of the UK Gambling Commission

What is the “least bad” blackjack side bet?

(gaming.nv.gov).

Do side bets change how I play my main hand in blackjack?

MOST side bets do not affect the way you play your primary hand. You play your primary bet with normal basic strategy.

Why do casinos push side bets so much?

Wizard of Odds – Blackjack Strategy.

Bottom line

• Blackjack and baccarat side bets are usually not worth it for value.
• If you want to try them, pick the kindest paytables and bet small.
• Always read the felt, compare rules, and confirm the math.
• For easy rule checks and real paytables across versions, see https://norskcasino.pro/ and the math pages at Wizard of Odds.

Sources and further reading

• Wizard of Odds (Michael Shackleford) – Blackjack and Baccarat Math: Blackjack, Baccarat, Blackjack side bets index, Baccarat side bets index
• UNLV Center for Gaming Research: gaming.unlv.edu
• American Gaming Association – Responsible Gaming: americangaming.org
• UK Gambling Commission – Player info and rules: gamblingcommission.gov.uk
• Nevada Gaming Control Board: gaming.nv.gov
• GamCare (UK): gamcare.org.uk
• GambleAware (UK): begambleaware.org
• National Council on Problem Gambling (US): ncpgambling.org

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