The thrill of blackjack comes from beating the dealer with a good strategy. However, in a country like Saudi Arabia, where gambling is banned, some players may need an extra boost to stay in the game. This is where blackjack side bets come in.
Many offshore casino sites allow Saudi players access to blackjack tables. This way, they can enjoy their favorite games and maximize their winning opportunities with side bets. Every player enjoys getting huge payouts now and then.
So, how do blackjack side bets work, and how can Saudi players make the most of them? You’ve got the answers right here.
This guide highlights the nitty-gritty of blackjack side bets and the options available to Saudi players. Read on to get all the details.
What Are Blackjack Side Bets?
Blackjack side bets are optional wagers you place at the same time as your main bet, before any cards are dealt. These bets focus on a specific combination of your first two cards, the dealer’s upcard, or both.
The main appeal of blackjack side bets is how quickly winnings can be determined. Unlike the main game, which could take some time, you can think of side bets as self-contained mini-games. They also do not affect how you play the main hand.
If there is one thing Saudi players love, it’s having options. With side bets, you don’t have to solely focus your strategy on beating the dealer’s hand in one game because you have another winning option. You can lose your main bet but win the side bet or vice versa.
Side bets are available at most offshore online casinos that offer blackjack, including live dealer tables. It’s the go-to for Saudi players who want fast action and bigger multipliers from small stakes. However, these bets come with a key trade-off—a higher house edge than the main blackjack game.
Top Blackjack Side Bets
Before you head to any casino and choose any blackjack side bet, it’s important to know which side bet you are choosing and what to expect. You don’t want to spend extra cash on bets you know nothing about.
To make informed selections, you should know the common rules of each side bet, typical payouts, and likely house edges. This will help you avoid technicalities that may affect your winnings.
Here are the top blackjack side bets.
Insurance
This is one of the most common blackjack side bets. It becomes available when the dealer shows an Ace as their upcard.
Players can wager up to half of their original bet. However, the dealer often has a 10-value card hidden, which would give the dealer blackjack. If the dealer does have blackjack, the insurance bet pays out at 2:1.
While it can act as a short-term hedge to protect the main bet, insurance carries a relatively high house edge of up to 8%. Hence, these weak bets lose money in the long run.
Generally, insurance side bets are a poor long-term proposition for any player. Unless you are using advanced card counting techniques to identify favorable situations, you should avoid this side bet option.
Perfect Pairs
Also known as “Pair Square.” This side bet is popular for its simplicity.
As the name implies, perfect pairs allow players to bet on whether their first two cards will form a pair. The house edge usually ranges between 4% and 11%, depending on the rules and number of decks.
Perfect pairs payouts depend on the quality of the pair. Hence,
- A mixed pair or different suits pays 5:1 or 6:1
- A colored pair or the same color but different suits pays 10:1 or 12:1
- Perfect pair or same suit pays 25:1 or 30:1.
21+3
The elements of table games overlap, and this is one good example. 21+3 is a poker-style side bet that uses the player’s first two cards and the dealer’s upcard to form a three-card hand.
Here’s how the payout works:
- Flush – 5:1
- Straight – 10:1
- Three-of-a-kind – 30:1
- Straight flush – 40:1
- Suited three-of-a-kind – 100:1
With a house edge of less than 7.2%, 21+3 is a decent side bet. Saudi poker players will particularly find this option interesting because of its added poker reference.
Lucky Lucky
In gambling, you need all the luck you can get. This is perhaps why this side bet option is called “lucky lucky.” The bet is based on the combined total of the player’s first two cards and the dealer’s upcard.
Lucky Lucky side bets offer huge payouts for strong card combinations like 6-7-8 or three 7s. The house edge ranges between 2% and 7%, making it one of the most player-friendly side bets.
Lucky Ladies
This is one of the most popular side bet options you will find in offshore online casinos. The rule of Lucky Ladies states that the player’s first two cards must total 20.
Standard payouts start at 4:1 for any 20, but they can go as high as 1000:1 in the best scenarios. You will also get higher bonuses if those cards are a pair of Queens of Hearts.
Lucky Ladies side bets prove that good things don’t come cheap with house edges as high as 25%. This bet will deplete your bankroll faster than you can imagine, so players are advised to approach this bet with caution.
Royal Match
In Royal Match, players bet that their first two cards are of the same suit. You get an additional bonus payout if the cards are a suited king and queen; this is why it’s called the “Royal Match.”
Typical payouts here are 5:2 for any suited hand and 25:1 for the Royal Match. The house edge falls between 5% and 11%, depending on the number of decks.
Match the Dealer
This side bet pays when the player’s first two cards match the dealer’s upcard by rank. You will get a higher payout if the cards are also suited.
This side bet has a house edge of around 3 to 5%. The simplicity of this bet and potential payouts make it a competitive option for many Saudi players.
Conclusion
Blackjack side bets add extra excitement and quick payout options to your online gaming sessions, which is why they are popular among Saudi players. However, because of their high house edges, you need to play with caution.
As a Saudi player, you should prioritize side bets with the lowest house edges to maximize play time and reduce losses. The best options per decent house edge are Match the Dealer, Lucky Lucky, and 21+3.
For a premium gaming experience, choose a reputable international casino that supports Saudi players with secure payment methods like cryptocurrency and Arabic language support. Always gamble responsibly.
FAQs
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What is the best blackjack side bet for Saudi players?
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Are blackjack side bets available at all online casinos?
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Do side bets have higher house edges than regular blackjack?
Omar has worked in the online gambling industry since 2015. He has tested hundreds of casinos and written thousands of articles about online casinos and gambling, establishing himself as a trusted expert for Saudi players.