Live casino tables are already exciting, but side bets take them up a notch. The problem is that most players jump in without knowing the odds and end up wasting chips. I’ve tried them all, and in this guide, I’ll show you which add-on bets are actually worth playing.
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What Side Bets Really Are
Side bets are optional wagers. They sit next to the main game, waiting for you to toss a chip. They don’t change the main outcome – you can win the hand and lose the side bet, or the other way around.
Casinos love them because the edge is usually higher. Players love them because the payouts can be big and quick. I see them as a spice.
Blackjack Side Bets Worth Knowing
I’ve spent hours testing blackjack optional bets. Here’s what stands out.
Perfect Pairs
This pays when your first two cards match. A red 8 and a black 8 count as a mixed pair, and that pays less. The same color is better, and an exact pair (same suit) pays the most. It’s fun when it lands, but it doesn’t come often. I only toss a chip here and there, not every hand.
21+3
This mixes blackjack with poker. Your two cards plus the dealer’s up card form a hand. Flush, straight, and three of a kind – those trigger payouts. This one hits more often than Perfect Pairs, at least in my play. I like it because even when the main hand is dull, this side bet can keep things moving.
My tip? If you want to try a blackjack side bet, go for 21+3 first. It balances fun and frequency. Perfect Pairs is more like a rare treat.
Roulette Add-On Wagers
Roulette doesn’t always get called “side bets,” but some live versions add extras.
Racetrack bets
On normal wheels, there are racetrack bets—neighbors, thirds, and so on. I’ve used them when I want to cover groups without filling half the board. It feels like a side bet, though it’s really just a shortcut.
Boosters
Then there are multiplier versions like Lightning Roulette. Here, straight-up numbers can get boosted with random multipliers. Land one, and it feels like you’ve struck gold. The hit rate is lower, but the rush is real.
These kinds of twists show up more often now, especially if you check out newest casino sites. Many of them push multiplier games or side bet variants right from launch, which makes it easier to find fresh tables if you want something beyond the usual wheels.
When I want roulette to be more than just red or black, I lean on these boosted numbers. But I only use small chips, so I don’t burn through the balance waiting for the lightning strike.
Baccarat Table Add-Ons
Baccarat looks simple, but special bets give it another layer.
Player/Banker Pair
Pays when the first two cards form a pair. It doesn’t hit all the time. But it shows up quite enough to keep it fun.
Dragon Bonus
This pays when your side wins by a large margin. For example, if Banker beats Player by 9 vs 0, the bonus pays extra. I’ve had good hits here, but only when I was patient.
Perfect Pair
This one is pretty similar to blackjack. However, it’s even rarer. I don’t bother much with it.
For me, Banker Pair feels the most solid. It doesn’t blow up the bankroll and pops up often enough to keep me engaged.
Poker Extra Options
Poker tables in live casinos often come with extras. I’ve tested two main ones.
AA Bonus (Casino Hold’em)
You win if your first two cards plus the flop make a pair of aces or better. The better the hand, the bigger the payout. What I like is that you don’t need to wait until the end to score – it hits early.
Pair Plus (Three Card Poker)
You get paid if your three cards form a pair or better, no matter what the dealer has. It’s straight to the point. Sometimes, this feels more fun than the base game.
I use these when I want a steady side track while waiting for the main hand to play out.
Craps & Other Games
Craps is full of side-style bets. The one that stands out is the Fire Bet. It pays when the shooter makes multiple different points before sevening out. The odds are long, but the payout can be massive. I’ve seen players hit it and go nuts, though I’ve never had that luck myself.
In Sic Bo, you can bet on triples – like all three dice showing the same number. That’s a long shot, too. But when it hits, it feels unreal. I throw a small chip there sometimes just for the fun factor.
Side Bets: Pick the Right Spice
Not of these added bets are worth your chips. The best ones, for me, are 21+3 in blackjack, Banker Pair in baccarat, and multipliers in roulette. They balance risk and reward and keep the table exciting.
The rest? They’re fun once in a while, but hardly reliable (at least, for me).
