The standard, mathematically sound bets in table games are no longer enough to satisfy the modern, thrill-seeking casino player.

They add an extra layer of volatile excitement to a game that might otherwise feel slow or repetitive.

The Math Behind the Madness

While a standard hand of blackjack has a house edge of under 1%, the side bets attached to it are entirely different.

Casinos heavily promote these bets because they represent pure, unadulterated profit for the corporation over the long term.

• The ’21+3′ blackjack side bet, which uses your two cards and the dealer’s upcard to make a poker hand, usually carries a 9% house edge
• Card counters completely ignore side bets because the variance is too high and it draws unwanted attention from the pit boss
• The flashing lights and massive payout numbers printed on the felt are designed to distract you from the incredibly poor mathematical probability

Treating Side Bets as Pure Entertainment

Mathematically, the strict answer is that you should never, under any circumstances, place a casino side bet.

If you want to play purely for the mathematical edge, stick to the main game; if you want a lottery ticket, throw a dollar on the bonus.

If you understand the math and still want to play them for fun, do so with strict, unbreakable limits.