Side bets are bets placed on specific cards in a hand of blackjack. They are popular among casino players because they offer a way to increase their chances of winning while also taking less of a risk than playing the straight or draw hands.
One common side bet is the point spread. This bet is made on the difference between the number of points scored by the player and the dealer.
For example, if the dealer has an Ace and the player has a two, the player might place a point spread bet of -2 points, meaning that he expects to lose two points on every hand. .
Other side bets include money line bets, total payouts, field (or “pot”) bets, and corner (or “box”) bets. Money line bets are made on whether the total payout for all players at the table will be greater or lesser than a set amount, such as $100/$200. Total payouts are bets that specify how much money will be paid out in winnings should a particular hand result in a winner.
Field bets involve wagering whether specific cards will be drawn or not during a given hand. Corner bets involve wagering on specific card positions within a given hand.
Side betting can be very beneficial to casino players because it allows them to take advantage of opportunities that may not present themselves during standard play. For example, if the dealer has an Ace and one other card but no face cards, many players would simply put their money down on black without considering other possible outcomes.
A player who side bets could potentially win by putting down $10 on black with an Ace as one of his cards and then drawing either another ace or another card that would make him eligible to win additional money based on his bet’s payout structure.
Side betting also allows casino players to reduce their risk exposure while still enjoying some potential rewards. For example, if the player is playing blackjack with $50 and wishes to bet $5 on each hand but is not sure whether he will win or lose each time he plays, betting $5 on each hand would result in a total investment of $25 but would also give him the potential to win each time he plays by hitting either an ace or another card that would qualify him for his bet’s payout structure. Side betting allows casino players to spread their risk over multiple hands while still enjoying some potential rewards.
