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In online blackjack with a live dealer, the table has side bets in addition to the main box - small boxes near your hands with the words 21+3, Perfect Pairs, Bust It, Hot 3. The most famous providers of these games are Evolution Gaming (Blackjack Party, Speed ββBlackjack, Infinite Blackjack), Pragmatic Play Live (ONE Blackjack) and Playtech (All Bets Blackjack). They pay interesting multiples - sometimes up to 100:1 - and that's why they're popular. However, mathematically they are significantly worse than the game itself.
This article breaks down the four most common side bets, shows specific numbers for the New Zealand market and explains why even the "least bad" side bet is seven times worse than the main game. For a complete math breakdown of blackjack and other table games, check out house edge in live casino games .
Main game vs. side bets - comparing math
The main bet in blackjack has a casino margin of 0.5-0.6% when making the right decision (basic strategy, 4-8 deck game). On a β¬ turn you lose on average 12 - NZ$ 0A detailed chart with the correct decision for each combination of cards is in the article blackjack basic strategy chart .
You add side bets "next to" the main bet. The game evaluates them separately according to specific rules - most often according to the combination of your cards or the dealer's card. The casino margin is much higher:
| Bet | Casino margin | Loss on β¬ turnover | Ratio to the main game |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main game (basic strategy) | 0.5-0.6% | 12 - NZ$ 0 | 1Γ |
| 21+3 | 3.7-4.2% | NZ$ 0 | 7x |
| Hot 3 | 5.8% | NZ$ 0 | 10x |
| Perfect Pairs | 5.8 - 11% | 150 - NZ$ 10 | 10-20x |
| Bust It | 6.8% | NZ$ 10 | 12x |
In other words: if you play a main bet of NZ$ 10per hand and a side bet of NZ$ 10on Bust It, your "total" casino margin will not be doubled, but significantly worsened. From a NZ$ 30spin, approx. NZ$ 0goes to the casino from the main game and NZ$ 0from Bust It - a total of NZ$ 0for the same hand. For the NZ$ 30main game itself, it's only β¬.
21+3 β poker combinations of three cards
A 21+3 bet looks at your first two cards plus the dealer's up card and evaluates them as a poker hand (as if you had 3 cards for a poker hand). Paying combinations:
| Combination | Explanation | Payment | Probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suited three of a kind | Three of the same value in the same suit (for example, the three Q of hearts) | 100:1 | 1 in 5,525 |
| Straight flush | Three in a row of the same suit (for example, 7-8-9 of spades) | 40:1 | 1 in 460 |
| Three of a kind | Three equal values ββof different colors | 30:1 | 1 in 425 |
| Straight | Three in a row in different colors | 10:1 | 1 in 33 |
| Flush | Three cards of the same suit | 5:1 | 1 to 19 |
The casino margin at 21+3 ranges from 3.7% to 4.2% depending on the specific paytable and the number of packs in play. With a bet of NZ$ 0and a turnover of β¬ (20 bets) you lose on average around NZ$ 0For the same β¬ on the main game you would lose around NZ$ 0
Perfect Pairs β your first two cards are a pair
The Perfect Pairs bet evaluates whether your first two cards form a pair (of the same value). There are three categories based on what kind of pair fell:
- Mixed pair β same value, different suits and different suits (for example, 7 hearts and 7 hearts). Payout usually 5:1.
- Colored pair β same value and same suit, but different suits (7 red hearts and 7 red diamonds). Payout 10:1.
- Perfect pair β same value, same color and same suit (7 of spades and 7 of spades from the second deck). Payout 25:1.
The casino margin at Perfect Pairs varies greatly depending on the specific paytable:
- Generous version (Perfect 30:1, Colored 10:1, Mixed 5:1): casino margin 5.8%.
- Standard version (25:1/10:1/5:1): casino margin 6.7%.
- Lean version (20:1/8:1/5:1): casino margin 11%.
Always check the table in the table rules before placing a bet. You lose on average NZ$ 0(in the best version) to NZ$ 10(in the worst) per β¬ turn.
Bust It β the dealer busts
The worst of the common side bets. It tracks whether the dealer burns 21 (goes over 21 and loses) and what card it was. The more cards the dealer has dealt before he overfires, the higher the payout:
| The dealer overshot the card count | Payment |
|---|---|
| 3 cards | 1:1 |
| 4 cards | 2:1 |
| 5 cards | 9:1 |
| 6 cards | 50:1 |
| 7 cards | 100:1 |
| 8 or more cards | 250:1 |
The casino margin on Bust It is 6.8% β the highest of any regular side bet. The most common results (the croupier burns with 3 or 4 cards) have a high probability, but low payouts. High payouts (50:1 and above) are extremely rare. On β¬ turnover you lose NZ$ 10on average.
Hot 3 β card sum of 19, 20 or 21
Hot 3 keeps track of whether the sum of your first two cards plus the dealer's up card is 19, 20 or 21. Payouts:
| Result | Payment |
|---|---|
| Total 19 | 1:1 |
| Sum of 20 | 2:1 |
| Total 21 | 4:1 |
| Three sevens (7 + 7 + 7= 21) | 100:1 |
The casino margin on Hot 3 is 5.8%. Common results (total 19) pay 1:1, but their probability is lower than what would correspond to a fair price. On β¬ turnover you lose NZ$ 0on average.
Insurance - why never and detailed mathematics
Insurance is not a "classic" side bet - it is offered only when the dealer shows an Ace. The game will ask if you want to "insure" your main bet in case the dealer has blackjack. The insurance price is half of the main bet, the payout is 2:1 if the dealer actually has blackjack.
It looks tempting, and the croupier often offers it with the tone "it will work from time to time". Detailed math will show that insurance is mathematically a losing bet on every game except when you can count cards:
Math at 8 decks (414 undetected cards after first deal)
The dealer has one card face up - Ace. The second card can be any of the 415 remaining. For the dealer to have blackjack, it must be a 10 card (10, J, Q, K). There are 128 such cards in 8 packs. You already have 2 of them on hand (average of 8 packages). Dealer Blackjack Probability:
- Chances that the second card is a 10: 126/415= 30.36%.
- Chances that the dealer does not have blackjack: 289/415= 69.64%.
When betting NZ$ 10on the main game and NZ$ 0on insurance:
- The croupier has blackjack (30.36%): insurance pays NZ$ 10(profit NZ$ 0), the main game loses NZ$ 10(if you also have blackjack). Net result: -NZ$ 0
- The dealer has no blackjack (69.64%): insurance loses NZ$ 0the main game continues normally.
- Average insurance value: 0.3036 Γ NZ$ 0β 0.6964 Γ NZ$ 0= βNZ$ 0per NZ$ 0bet= casino margin 7.40%.
The casino margin of 7.40% for insurance is ten times higher than the casino margin for the main game with basic strategy (0.5-0.6%). In other words: if you were to take insurance at every opportunity, you would lose seven times more money in the long run than in the main game itself.
Never accept insurance, even if you have blackjack ("even money"). The dealer offers "even money" (1:1 payout instead of 3:2 for blackjack), which apparently acts as a "sure profit". But in a long turn, the normal 3:2 payout pays more (8 out of 13 times you win 3:2= 1.5x, which is better than 1:1 every time on average). Even money is therefore an invisible version of insurance - equally lossy.
A detailed chart with the correct decision for each combination of cards - including situations where the dealer shows an Ace - can be found in the article blackjack basic strategy chart . For a wider context of blackjack rules in New Zealand casinos will help blackjack New Zealand .
The effect of the number of decks on the casino margin for side bets
The casino margin on side bets varies slightly depending on how many decks are in play. With fewer decks, the chance of pairs or threes is slightly higher (since each card makes up a larger part of the collection):
| A side bet | 4 packages | 6 packs | 8 packages |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21+3 (standard) | 4.24% | 4.09% | 3.70% |
| Perfect Pairs (standard 25:1) | 6.75% | 6.40% | 5.95% |
| Bust It | 6.91% | 6.80% | 6.68% |
| Hot 3 | 5.98% | 5.80% | 5.67% |
Practical conclusion: more decks= slightly better side bet for players. However, the difference is so small (approx. 0.3-0.5 percentage points) that it makes no sense to change the table because of it. In the main game, on the other hand, fewer decks are better for the player (easier card counting) - but online live blackjack uses 8 decks with frequent shuffling, so the difference blurs.
Side bets in other live games - Casino Hold'em, Three Card Poker, Ultimate Texas
Side bets are not a blackjack specialty - they are in other live card games as well. They always have a significantly higher casino margin than the main game:
| Game | Side bet | Main game casino margin | Side bet casino margin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Casino Hold'em | Bonus/AA+ (your two cards + flop) | 2.16% | 6-8% |
| Three Card Poker | Pair Plus/6 Card Bonus | 3.37% | 2.32 - 7.28% |
| Ultimate texas hold'em | Trips/Big Bad Beat | 2.19% (with optimal strategy) | 1.90 - 8.21% |
| Caribbean Stud Poker | 5+1/Progressive | 5.22% | 10-25% (depends on progressive jackpot) |
| Baccarat | Tie/Perfect Pair/Either Pair/Dragon Bonus | 1.06% (Banker)/1.24% (Player) | 10 - 14.36% (Tie)/2 - 11% |
The pattern is clear: the main game has a casino margin of 1-5%, the side bet 5-15%. The marketing of live producers often emphasizes these side bets ("win 1000x on 5+1 Pair Plus!") - the attractive payout will overshadow the fact that the real probability of falling is extremely low. For details on baccarat side bets and optimal strategy, see the article baccarat in an online casino . It will help to compare the casino margin in other live games house edge in live casino games .
Other side bets in blackjack that occur
You will find other side bets on different tables - the casino margin is almost always high:
- Lucky Ladies: your first two cards add up to 20. Casino Margin 3 - 24% depending on version.
- Royal Match: your first two cards are a king and queen of the same suit. Casino margin 6-8%.
- Lucky Lucky: a combination of your two cards and the dealer's face-up card with a fixed sum (19, 20, 21 or 7-7-7). Casino margin 2.67 - 6.8%.
- Match the Dealer: one of your cards matches the dealer's face up card. Casino margin 3-6% depending on version and number of packages.
- Top 3 (in some Evolution tables): your first two cards + the dealer's up card make a three of a kind, straight flush or suited three of a kind. Casino margin 3.5%.
- Buster Blackjack: watches if the dealer busts (similar to Bust It) but with a different paytable - casino margin 6.2 - 12%.
Comparison of losses on different turnover
The influence of side bets is best understood through a specific turn. The table shows the average long-term loss:
| Bet | β¬ turnover | NZ$ 0turnover | NZ$ 0turnover | NZ$ 0turnover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Main game (basic strategy) | NZ$ 0 | NZ$ 0 | NZ$ 0 | NZ$ 30 |
| 21+3 | NZ$ 0 | NZ$ 30 | β¬ | β¬ |
| Perfect Pairs (standard) | NZ$ 10 | NZ$ 40 | β¬ | β¬ |
| Hot 3 | NZ$ 0 | NZ$ 40 | β¬ | β¬ |
| Bust It | NZ$ 10 | NZ$ 40 | β¬ | β¬ |
Why people still play them: the individual payouts are enticing. Suited three of a kind in 21+3 pays 100:1 - on a bet of NZ$ 0the casino pays NZ$ 0Players remember these wins and don't remember that the combination falls once in 5,525 hands. The brain chooses emotionally intense events. However, you can't change the probability even by being careful. With each bet, you give the casino 4-11% of the turnover.
Simulating a 50-hand session with 21+3 and Perfect Pairs
For a concrete understanding of the impact of side bets, we present the average spread of a 50-hand session. The player bets NZ$ 10on the main bet, plus NZ$ 0on 21+3 and NZ$ 0on Perfect Pairs. Total turnover: 50 hands x NZ$ 10= NZ$ 0:
| Bet | Total turnover | Casino margin | Average loss | A portion of the total loss |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Main Game (NZ$ 10/hand Γ 50) | NZ$ 0 | 0.55% | NZ$ 0 | 9% |
| 21+3 (NZ$ 0/hand Γ 50) | β¬ | 4.00% | NZ$ 0 | 13% |
| Perfect Pairs (NZ$ 0/hand Γ 50) | β¬ | 6.70% | NZ$ 10 | 22% |
| In total | NZ$ 0 | 1.93% (weighted average) | NZ$ 10 | 100% |
From the table it can be seen that side bets make up 28.57% of the turnover (β¬ out of NZ$ 0), but 80% of the total average loss (NZ$ 10out of NZ$ 10). In other words: if you moved those β¬ from the side bets to the main game (increased the bet to NZ$ 10per hand), the average loss would drop from NZ$ 10to NZ$ 0- i.e. 71% less. These numbers are long-term averages, but one session can be completely different - sometimes even with side bets you get a suited three of a kind and the session ends up in the black.
Side bets at Evolution, Pragmatic Live and Playtech - where they differ
The main three live blackjack table manufacturers for the New Zealand market offer side bets with slightly different paytables. Practical differences:
Evolution Gaming
- 21+3: standard table (100:1/40:1/30:1/10:1/5:1). Casino margin 3.70% on 8 packs. Available on all tables except Free Bet Blackjack.
- Perfect Pairs: standard table (25:1/12:1/6:1). Casino margin 6.99%.
- Bust It: extended table with payouts up to 250:1 at 8+ cards. Casino margin 6.80%.
- Specialty: Lightning Blackjack adds multipliers of 2x β 25x on the main game. Difference for side betas: none, they are separate.
Pragmatic Play Live
- 21+3: slightly more generous table (90:1/40:1/30:1/10:1/5:1). Casino margin 4.10%.
- Perfect Pairs: standard table. Casino margin 6.90%.
- Hot 3: special bet for Pragmatic tables. Casino margin 5.80%.
- Specialty: ONE Blackjack and Speed ββBlackjack offer lower minimum bets than Evolution, suitable for smaller banks.
Playtech
- 21+3: standard table. Casino margin 3.75%.
- Perfect Pairs: slightly reduced payouts (20:1/10:1/5:1). Casino Margin 11.00% - significantly worse than Evolution.
- Bust It: only available on All Bets Blackjack. Casino margin 7.40%.
- Specialty: All Bets Blackjack combines all common side bets on one table, simplifying selection.
A practical conclusion for New Zealand players: if you want to play Perfect Pairs, look for Evolution tables (6.99% casino margin) instead of Playtech (11%). The difference in β¬ turnover is NZ$ 0For 21+3, Evolution and Playtech are comparable, Pragmatic is 0.4% worse. For Bust It, Evolution is always a slightly better choice.
Practical rules for New Zealand players
- If you're playing blackjack for fun and the sides add to the tension, use the minimum bet (usually 10 - NZ$ 0). Keep the main bet higher.
- Never use side bets as a strategy to compensate for a previous loss. Variability is high and will only accelerate the bankroll decline in the longer term.
- The best mathematical choice: play only the main bet with basic strategy - you have the best numbers in the whole casino (0.5 - 0.6%).
- Check the pay table at the table before your first side bet. Perfect Pairs may vary by 5 percentage points between tables.
- For the overall bankroll, the plan will help online casino budget management .
Side bets in New Zealand licensed casinos
All listed side bets (21+3, Perfect Pairs, Bust It, Hot 3) can be found in the live games sections of the major New Zealand licensed operators (Tipsport, Fortuna, Sazka, SYNOT TIP, Chance). Specific tables where available:
- Evolution Gaming: Blackjack Party, Speed ββBlackjack, Infinite Blackjack, Free Bet Blackjack, Blackjack VIP - all have 21+3 and Perfect Pairs. Bust It is found on selected tables.
- Pragmatic Play Live: ONE Blackjack, Speed ββBlackjack Pragmatic - they have 21+3, Perfect Pairs and Hot 3.
- Playtech: All Bets Blackjack - combines all common side bets on one table.
Casino margins can vary by tenths of a percent between manufacturers. The most accurate information is always in the rules of a specific table - available via the i button or Rules at the table. For a wider overview of New Zealand live casinos, check out live casino New Zealand .
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