The world of online blackjack has evolved significantly since Bodog Casino first arrived in Canada way back in 1994. The games of the time were fairly primitive, and your options were limited. Today, when you browse our updated blackjack menu here at Bodog, you’ll find all sorts of thrilling variations on the classic game we all know and love.
One of the most exciting recent developments was the introduction of online blackjack side bets. These spicy wagers will be familiar to live players, and now they’re available online, attracting both novice and experienced players alike to the felt.
Blackjack has been popular in Canada for centuries, but the online version has opened up new possibilities for players – especially with those blackjack side bets. These have proven to be a significant draw, offering you the chance for big payouts in addition to the money you can win playing the traditional game.
However, like any aspect of gambling, side bets come with their own set of advantages and disadvantages that players should be aware of. As more people choose to play blackjack online in Canada rather than travel to otherwise popular casino destinations in the United States and elsewhere, it becomes even more important to understand these side bets if you want to maximize your enjoyment and potential winnings.
What are Side Bets in Online Blackjack?
Side bets in online blackjack are additional wagers that players can make at the start of their hand. These bets usually relate to specific outcomes or combinations of dealt cards and typically offer higher payouts than the standard blackjack game. At the same time, they also usually come with a higher house edge, meaning your expected Return To Player (RTP) will be less in the long run.
Chances are you’ve already played blackjack with side bets at Bodog Casino. For years, our standard blackjack games have included the Insurance bet, one of the most popular side bets at the live casinos on the Las Vegas Strip. Our new blackjack menu at Bodog has even more side bets waiting for you, with more excitement and bigger payouts than ever before.
Advantages of Side Bets
Potential for Large Payouts: The highest payout you’ll get in a standard blackjack game is 3:2 for making a “natural” blackjack. But some side bets at Bodog offer payouts as high as 1000:1.
Added Excitement: Side bets inject new moments of anticipation into each hand, which will help keep the good times rolling while you’re at the tables.
Variety: Side bets provide different ways to win, even if your main blackjack hand loses.
Disadvantages of Side Bets
Higher House Edge: Most side bets have a significantly higher house edge than the main game of blackjack, where the house edge can dip below 1% depending on which variant you play.
Higher Volatility: Side bets increase the total amount wagered per hand and they don’t cash in as often as your standard blackjack wager.
Potential Distraction: Focusing on side bets might lead to suboptimal play in the main game, where your decisions will affect your win rate.
Popular Side Bets in Online Blackjack (Canada)
Now that you’ve got the general concept, let’s take a closer look at some of the specific side bets you can make while you play blackjack at Bodog Casino.
Perfect Pairs
Perfect Pairs side bets win if your “hole” cards (first two cards) form a pair, meaning they’re of the same rank. Because there’s more than one deck of cards in the virtual shoe for blackjack games featuring this side bet, you can make pairs in three different ways, each with its own payout:
– Mixed Pair (same value, different suits and colours): usually pays 5:1
– Coloured Pair (same value and colour, different suits): usually pays 10:1
– Perfect Pair (same value and suit): usually pays 30:1
Note: The house edge for the Perfect Pairs side bet is typically around 6%.
21+3
This side bet combines your two hole cards and the dealer’s up-card to form a three-card poker hand. Payouts are usually as follows:
– Flush: 5:1
– Straight: 10:1
– Three of a Kind: 30:1
– Straight Flush: 40:1
– Suited Three of a Kind: 100:1
Note: The house edge for the 21+3 side bet varies from 3% to 8% depending on the paytable.
Super Sevens
This is another side bet that includes your two hole cards and the dealer’s up-card. How many of them will be Sevens? Will they be suited? Here are the payouts:
– One Seven: 3:1
– Two Sevens (unsuited): 50:1
– Two Sevens (suited): 100:1
– Three Sevens (unsuited): 500:1
– Three Sevens (suited): 5000:1
Note: The house edge for the Super Sevens side bet is typically over 10%.
Insurance
This is the classic blackjack side bet we mentioned earlier, which you can place after the first cards are dealt and the dealer’s up-card is an Ace. Insurance pays 2:1 if the dealer has blackjack, and the house edge for this side bet is around 7%.
Comparison Table of Blackjack Side Bets
To help you visualize and compare all of the different side bets you can make when you play blackjack at Bodog Casino, here they are in table form:
| Side Bet | House Edge | Maximum Payout | Popularity in Canada |
| Perfect Pairs | ~6% | 30:1 | High |
| 21+3 | 3%-8% | 100:1 | High |
| Super Sevens | >10% | 5000:1 | Low |
| Insurance | ~7% | 2:1 | Medium |
Tips for Playing Blackjack with Side Bets
Once you know which side bets are available in your blackjack games at Bodog Casino, the question is will you play them? It’s up to you, but before you make that choice, here are five things you should always do when you play blackjack at Bodog.
1. Understand the Odds: Always know the house edge before making any side bet. Blackjack is partly a game of skill, but the side bets are pure chance and have no effect on the standard gameplay.
2. Follow the Basic Strategy: Keep your focus on the core blackjack game for best results. Because you’re playing online blackjack at Bodog, there won’t be any opportunities for card counting like there might be at a live casino. That means the only way to minimize your house edge is to follow the optimal (aka “basic”) strategy for your chosen blackjack variant. You can find and download basic blackjack strategy charts – always stick with reliable sources – and use them as a guide while you play at Bodog.
3. Set Limits: Decide how much you’re willing to spend on side bets. Because online blackjack comes with a house edge attached, you should already be playing this game as a form of entertainment, and not as a financial investment. The added house edge with side bets makes it even more important that you plan your sessions and your bet sizes ahead of time, so you don’t blow through your entire bankroll in just a few short hands.
4. Check Casino Rules: Side bet rules and payouts can vary from game to game. You’ll find the rules for your chosen blackjack variant here at Bodog Casino in your game description, which will be to the left of your display when you’re viewing the lobby in landscape mode. Further details can often be found in-game by clicking/tapping the “hamburger” icon in the top-left corner.
5. Balance Risk and Reward: While side bets offer exciting payouts, they also come with a higher risk. To get the most entertainment value from your blackjack sessions, consider placing less-frequent smaller side bets as the house edge rises. As a general rule, these higher-edge bets will compensate by offering the highest payouts, which brings the fun back in.
Final Thoughts About Blackjack Side Bets
As you can see, online blackjack side bets offer a thrilling twist to the classic game of 21, especially for those of us playing online blackjack in Canada and across the Americas here at Bodog Casino. While side bets can enhance your gaming experience – and potentially deliver big payouts – it’s essential to understand the risks involved before playing.
Now that you have all of the information you need, you’re ready to hit the blackjack tables at Bodog and see what makes us Canada’s No. 1 destination for online gaming. Want to learn more about the world’s most popular card game? Our treasure trove of blackjack strategy articles will show you how to get the most value out of your time at the tables. Bodog’s FAQ and Help guides have the answers to just about any question you might have, and our industry-leading Customer Service team is at your disposal 24/7 if you need further assistance. Get those blackjack cards in the air today at Bodog, and we’ll see you on the felt.