The Best Casino Table Game Side Bets: Are They Worth It?

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.

When you place a $5 side bet, you are essentially buying a lottery ticket with terrible odds disguised as a table game.

• The famous ‘Any Pair’ side bet in blackjack usually carries a house edge of around 11%, making it a mathematically terrible decision
• In baccarat, the ‘Dragon Bonus’ side bet looks enticing but carries a massive 8% to 10% edge depending on the exact rules
• If the side bet is tied to a progressive jackpot meter, the house edge is often upwards of 20% until the jackpot reaches a break-even tipping point

Should You Ever Place a Side Bet?

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.

Always remember that the massive resort was built exactly by collecting millions of those ‘harmless’ one-dollar side bets.