The Best Casino Table Game Side Bets: Are They Worth It?
The standard, mathematically sound bets in table games are no longer enough to satisfy the modern, thrill-seeking casino player.
These side bets promise massive, life-changing payouts for a tiny one-dollar or five-dollar wager, making them incredibly tempting.
Why Casinos Love Side Bets
The golden rule of casino gambling is simple: the higher the potential payout, the higher the mathematical house edge.
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
Treating Side Bets as Pure Entertainment
However, gambling is ultimately about entertainment, and side bets undeniably add a massive adrenaline rush to the game.
If you want to play purely for the mathematical edge, stick to the main game; if you want a lottery ticket, throw a dollar on the bonus.
| Strategy Tip | Why it Matters | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Ignore the Dealer’s Push | Dealers are instructed to upsell the side bets | Saves you from peer pressure betting |
| Budget Separately | Prevents the side bet from ruining your main strategy | Allows for guilt-free entertainment without breaking the bank |
Side bets are the junk food of the casino floor: highly appealing, occasionally satisfying, but ultimately terrible for your financial health.