Progressive Side Bet Blackjack
This page will list and describe all the most popular side bets in blackjack that we have come to love (and hate), including Perfect Pairs, Lucky Ladies, Blackpot, Match the Dealer, Royal Match, Lucky Lucky, 21+3, and more.
If you’re a regular blackjack player, you will have no doubt noticed or come across many exciting variations of the standard game. Blackjack is one of the most popular casino card games in the world and it’s only natural to expect several unique changes to be introduced to the game over the time. Some are virtually identical to the original template and others are completely different.
- Bonus bets stand alone from the regular blackjack bet and are sometimes called side-bets; they are optional wagers with brand names like Royal Match, Progressive Blackjack, and Lucky Ladies. To play the bonus bet, place a minimum wage of $1 in the circle for the side-bet next to your regular blackjack bet.
- Each progressive online blackjack game varies slightly in terms of rules and side payouts. Generally, though, they all follow a similar pattern. As mentioned before, you need to make a $1 side bet to compete for the top prize.
- Main Bets and Side Bets in Progressive Blackjack Games Depending on the software developer supplying the game, players may be required to post a side bet to qualify for potentially winning the progressive prize. This bet is in no way linked to their main bet.
- Progressive Blackjack is a standard version of Blackjack that has an optional side bet, usually costing £1/€1/$1 depending on the currency you are using.
One popular aspect regularly added to the traditional game of 21 are side bets. Side bets slightly alter the mechanics of play and offer bonus payouts, but otherwise retain the traditional blackjack template in that they are made separate to your primary wagers and the end goal of obtaining 21.
Blackjack Side Bets Explained
There are several side bets out in the wild and for your convenience, we are covering the most popular ones regularly added onto traditional blackjack games. We’re going to examine their rules and odds to determine whether or not blackjack side bets are worthwhile.
Progressive Side Bets In Blackjack. Progressive side bets are when a player can play to win more money based on if they are dealt with a specific combination of cards. For example, off of a $1 progressive side bet, if a player is dealt 1 ace, the bet pays out 3:1. If they get 2 aces unsuited, they can get $25.
Blackjack side bets are optional wagers offered in many games of blackjack, both in live casinos and online games. They’re specifically designed to offer attractive bonuses which, in turn, lure more players to the tables.
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Types of Blackjack Side Bets
Blackpot: The Blackpot side bet, popular at Melbourne’s Crown Casino, offers players the chance at large payouts if they hit the coveted 6-7-8 combination. Usually holding a minimum bet of $1, if a player draws any combination of a Six, Seven or Eight (cannot be of the same value; must be a Six and Seven, Six and Eight, or Seven and Eight) with his/her first two cards, a payout of 10-1 is immediately granted. Opt to hit to continue the side bet, and if the 6-7-8 combination is completed with the other card value (a total of 21), a 100-1 payout is awarded. If this eventuates, the side bet carries over to the player’s next hand free of charge, and the payouts become even greater if a successful combination is managed again. A subsequent two card combo of any of the three cards nets a 1000-1 payout, and completing the 6-7-8 three-card combo on this second consecutive hand nets a maximum payout of $20,000. Read our Blackpot article for further info about the mechanics of this unique side wager.
Lucky Ladies: The Lucky Ladies side wager is popular throughout the United States and in the online gaming community, and is based on a player’s initial two cards, and those cards totalling 20 points. We have multiple options of initial two cards totalling 20, each which hold different payouts for this side bet: two non-suited cards, two suited cards, two matching cards of the same suit and rank, a pair of Queens of Hearts and finally, the coveted pair of Queen of Hearts with a dealer blackjack, which nets a payout of 1000:1. Find out the probabilities and all payouts of the Lucky Ladies side bet here.
Perfect Pairs: Simple enough and very enjoyable to play, the Perfect Pairs side wager is one of the most accessible and thus one of the most commonly played side bets in the game of blackjack. Based on a player’s initial two cards, if these two cards are of the same value, a payout is awarded. There are three types of pairs – a mixed pair (two cards which differ in suit and colour, but are of the same rank); a coloured pair (two cards which differ only in suit); and a perfect pair (two identical cards). A mixed pair holds the lowest payout, the coloured pair then holds a slightly higher payout, and the perfect pair holds the greatest payout. Payouts can differ depending on the casino. This side wager is also used in baccarat and can be added to other card games, too. For a full chart of payouts, probabilities and combination, read our Perfect Pairs article here.
Match the Dealer: A popular side wager found in blackjack as well as Spanish 21, if either or both of a player’s initial two cards match the dealer’s up-card, that player is awarded a payout based on the type of match: one non-suited matching card; one suited matching card, two non-suited matching cards; one non-suited match and one suited match; and two suited matching cards. Different games hold different payouts for each outcome, with two suited matches owning the largest payout (differs from 18:1 to 28:1).
Royal Match: This side bet is based only on the player’s first two cards. If the player’s initial two cards are suited (i.e. a seven and four of Spades), he/she is rewarded with a bonus payout (most commonly 2.5 to 1). Drawing a ‘royal match’ – defined as a suited King and Queen – holds a 25:1 payout. The house edge on this wager differs depending on the numbers of decks used in a typical game.
Lucky Lucky: The Lucky Lucky wager is commonly found in Las Vegas casinos and some online blackjack games, too. It holds one of the lowest house edges of any blackjack side bet (around 2.65%, depending on how many decks are used), and has multiple combinations which receive bonus payouts when the bet is played. Based on the player’s first two cards and the dealer’s up-card, here are the results which net a bonus return (payouts in parentheses):
- Suited 7-7-7 (200:1)
- Suited 6-7-8 (100:1)
- Unsuited 7-7-7 (50:1)
- Unsuited 6-7-8 (30:1)
- Suited 21 total (15:1)
- Unsuited 21 total (3:1)
- Any total of 20 (2:1)
- Any total of 19 (2:1)
For example, if the player is dealt two royal cards (let’s say a King of Diamonds and a Jack of Hearts), and the dealer’s up-card is an Ace of Clubs – we have three unsuited cards totalling 21 and the player is awarded the specific payout for that outcome (3:1), assuming he/she placed the Lucky Lucky wager.
21 + 3: The 21 + 3 wager, like Lucky Lucky, is also based on the dealer’s up-card and the player’s initial two cards. If these three cards make a flush, straight, straight flush or three of a kind, a payout (often of 9:1 for all the above outcomes) is awarded.
Hi/Lo 13: The aim of the Hi/Lo 13 side bet option is to accurately guess whether your first will be valued at more than, less than or exactly at 13, with each result offering a fixed payout.
Blackjack With Side Bet Games
High Streak: The High Streak blackjack side bet awards a progressive bonus payout when you win several hands in a row.
Super 7 Side Bet: The Super 7 side bet option is a wager that you will be dealt a seven card of any suit.
Understanding Side Wagers
Side bets are popular because they’re easy to understand, easy to play and usually offer attractive returns, separate from the main hand. As attractive and fun as side bets can be, we should use them sparingly. They are not designed for players to expect consistent winnings by banking on them, as the casino always employs a significantly higher house edge than that of the traditional blackjack game (side bets can carry a house edge anywhere from around 2% to as high as 75%).
Blackjack has been around since the early 1700’s when it is believed to have been introduced to casinos in France.
There are now too many versions to mention in casinos around the world, the aim of all, which is to get closer to a total of 21 than the Dealer without going over and going ‘Bust’.
One of the versions with the biggest potential payout is Progressive Blackjack. With the jackpot increasing until it is won and a chance to win a percentage of it as well as the full amount, Progressive Blackjack is well worth a go.
Progressive Blackjack Rules
Progressive Blackjack is a standard version of Blackjack that has an optional side bet, usually costing £1/€1/$1 depending on the currency you are using.
Whilst the important thing is to get as close to 21 as possible without going over, the same as standard Blackjack, the Progressive Jackpot side bet can give you a much bigger win than simply winning a hand against the Dealer.
The side bet focusses on Aces that you are dealt consecutively during the hand. The exact rules vary from casino to casino so the below isn’t set in stone and we recommend that you check the rules regarding the casino before you start playing to ensure you are getting the best deal possible.
If the first 2 cards that you are dealt with are both Aces, you win, the more Aces you are dealt the higher your reward. There is also a difference between suited Aces and non-suited Aces, as Progressive Blackjack is normally played with 6 decks of cards, you are looking to get as many Aces of the same suit as you can, up to a maximum of 4.
Remember, it only counts for your first cards, so the moment you are dealt a card other than an Ace, the Progressive Jackpot side of the hand is over and any payouts are made.
Payout Chart
The following is a fairly standard payout chart, as mentioned though this does vary from casino to casino:
2 Aces, Non-Suited: $25
2 Aces, Same Suit: $50
3 Aces, Non-Suited: $250
3 Aces, Same Suit: $2,500
4 Aces, Non-Suited: 10% of Progressive Jackpot
4 Aces, Same Suit: 100% of Progressive Jackpot
As you can see, even getting 2 Aces as your first 2 cards pay out considerably more than if you are simply playing Jackpot for a small stake, so when you find a Blackjack game that offers a Progressive jackpot it is worth having a go. The odds of winning are much lower than the standard game, but the much higher rewards on offer more than offset this.
Above is an example of the layout for a Progressive Blackjack game, the slot in front of each position is where you need to place your bet for the Progressive Jackpot, as you can see, it is possible to play more than one hand and you don’t have to play the Progressive Jackpot side bet for each hand, only those you choose to play.
The Progressive Jackpot for this table is over $210,000 so if you are dealt 4 Aces of the same suit in the same hand, that amount is yours!
| Progressive Blackjack Rules | |
|---|---|
| RTP: | 99.53% |
| Blackjack Pays: | 3 to 2 |
| Number of Decks: | 6 |
| Dealer Rule: | Stand on all 17’s |
| Dealer Peek: | No |
| Insurance: | Yes |
| Surrender: | No |
| Split: | Yes |
| Re-Split: | No |
| Double: | Yes |
| Double after Split: | Yes |
| Hit Split Aces: | Just Once |
| Side Game: | Yes |
| Multiple Hands: | Yes |
Progressive Blackjack Strategy
There is no real strategy to the Progressive Jackpot side of the game as this is down to luck in being dealt Aces at the start of a specific hand.
However, as the hand also contains a standard game of Blackjack, we recommend you follow the Strategy outlined below and either play the side bet for each hand on top or reduce your stake for the game and play the side bet too if you want to be in with a chance of taking home a percentage of the jackpot.
Progressive Blackjack Tips
As the 6 decks of cards in Progressive Blackjack are shuffled after each hand, there is no use in trying to card count or remember how many Aces have been dealt and therefore what your chances are of getting the Progressive Jackpot as this resets after every hand.
If you want to play a standard game of Blackjack without the Progressive bet, we suggest you find a version that doesn’t include this bet as the house edge is lower than the usual game due to the extra amount that is added to the Progressive Jackpot.
If you are going to play the Progressive side bet which is the main reason for playing this version of Blackjack, remember to factor in the cost when determining how much to bet on the actual hand itself. Always ensure you play within your budget at all times.
As with any casino game, the main aim should be to have fun and this will only be done if you play within your means and don’t gamble with funds that you can’t afford to lose.
Don’t play when you are frustrated or angry – with the Progressive Jackpot often at life-changing amounts, it is understandable that if you get close and just miss out this can be frustrating. If you find yourself getting angry or upset at any time, walk away and calm down before playing as this will inevitably affect your decision making and could lead to higher losses than necessary.
Blackjack References:
Progressive Betting In Blackjack
Standard Blackjack Rules Strategy & Tips
Card Counting in Blackjack
Play Blackjack For Real Money