Blackjack Side Bet Odds Calculator

Calculate the odds, house edge, and expected value for popular blackjack side bets including 21+3, Perfect Pairs, Insurance, Lucky Ladies, and more.

Formula:House Edge = (1 - Total Return) × 100

House Edge

22.32%

Expected Value

$-1.12

Per bet

Recommendation

Very high house edge - avoid this bet

Select the side bet to analyze

$

Amount wagered on the side bet

Affects Perfect Pairs and some other bets

Payout Table - 21+3

OutcomeProbabilityPayoutContribution
Suited Three of a Kind0.0455%100:14.55%
Straight Flush0.2170%40:18.68%
Three of a Kind0.2350%30:17.05%
Straight3.2600%10:132.60%
Flush4.9600%5:124.80%
Total Return77.68%

Quick Answer

The 21+3 side bet has a house edge of 22.32%. This is a high house edge bet that should be avoided for serious play.

Key Facts

  • •Side bets typically have 2-25% house edge vs 0.5% for basic blackjack
  • •Insurance is only profitable at true count +3 or higher when counting
  • •21+3 combines your cards with dealer upcard for poker hands
  • •Perfect Pairs odds improve with more decks in play
  • •Side bets are designed for entertainment, not profit

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best blackjack side bets?

The best side bets are those with the lowest house edge. 21+3 typically has around 3-7% house edge depending on paytable, while Perfect Pairs can range from 2-11%. Insurance is almost always a bad bet at 7.69% house edge unless you're counting cards.

Should I take insurance in blackjack?

Generally no. Insurance has a 7.69% house edge with a standard deck. However, card counters may take insurance when the true count indicates more tens remain in the deck (roughly +3 or higher true count).

What is the house edge on 21+3?

The 21+3 side bet typically has a house edge between 3-7% depending on the specific paytable used. The bet wins when your two cards plus the dealer's upcard form a poker hand (flush, straight, three of a kind, etc.).

Are Perfect Pairs worth playing?

Perfect Pairs has a house edge of 2-11% depending on deck count and paytable. With standard 6-deck rules and 25:1 for perfect pairs, the edge is around 4-6%. It's one of the lower-edge side bets available.