Blackjack Bonus Bets

Although blackjack is an exciting game as it is, bonus bets provide players with even more ways to win--and more ways to have fun, to boot. These bets are usually side bets that are placed before the first card of the hand is dealt, though there are some exceptions to this rule.

Understand the Minimums and Maximums

The first part of understanding how to best utilize blackjack bonus bets is paying attention to the table limits. In online and in-house casinos alike, every blackjack table has a minimum and maximum bet amount to which players must adhere. Also, many tables will not allow the amount of the raises to exceed the amount of money that is currently in the pot. Before placing any bonus or side bets, players will first need to ask about the limits associated with them.

The Bonus Bets

The next step in winning with bonus bets is understanding how they work. A few of the most common bets found in blackjack are Progressive Blackjack--a shot at winning a network-wide pot, Royal Match and Lucky Ladies. One or more of these bets may be placed at any given time, but players should remember that each one is an additional ante. Most in-house tables feature special side-bet circles in which players place their chips; online venues require the player to click a certain area of the table.

Pay Scales and Odds

Finally, players who are interested in placing side bets in blackjack should first carefully study the payout tables and the odds of winning the bet. For instance, if a particular bet has a buy-in of $20.00, pays out three to one and has a 50% chance of winning, this means that there is an equal chance of the player losing $20.00 and winning $60.00. Conversely, if the buy-in is $5.00 on a bet that only pays out 2 to 1 with a 10% chance at winning, players are more than likely going to lose their initial $5.00 wager.

The side bets in a blackjack game are designed to provide players with even greater opportunities to win--or lose, if they are not careful. By understanding how these bets work and their odds of winning, it is perfectly possible for players to use them to their advantage.