The short answer is that side bets are not always worth it in blackjack. In general, they are not as profitable as playing blackjack “straightup.
” However, there are cases where side bets can be profitable.
One important consideration is the house edge. The house edge in blackjack is always 0.5%. This means that for every $100 wagered, the casino will earn $50.
In other words, for every 100 hands played, the player will lose 50 hands (50/100 = 50%). So if you are considering a side bet, it is important to understand how much of your total bankroll you are risking.
If you are betting $10 per hand on a total of 20 hands, for example, your net profit would be $200 (20 x $10 = $200). However, if you are betting $25 per hand on a total of 40 hands, your net profit would be only $400 (40 x $25 = $800).
So even if the house edge is only 0.5%, side bets can result in significant profits if they are properly executed.
However, there are also cases where side bets can lose money. For example, if you bet $10 per hand on a total of 40 hands and the house edge is only 0.5%, your net profit would be $400 (40 x $10 = $400).
However, if you bet $25 per hand and the house edge is 2%, your net loss would be ($200 x 2%) or $400. So it’s important to understand the risks involved before making any side bets.
Ultimately, whether or not side bets are worth it depends on a variety of factors, including the house edge and the odds of winning.