What is the Value of Side Bets at Online Casinos?
When the online casino industry first emerged, developers kept things simple. Classic table games like roulette and blackjack were digitalised for players on the internet in their traditional form.
As the games have evolved, though, and live streaming has played an increasingly important role, plenty of twists on these iconic tables have emerged, as we’ve covered in our blog.
Now, it’s all about the side bets. Everywhere you look, there are titles that offer you extra wagering options. The question is, how do you navigate them all? Are they worth paying for, or should they be ignored?
Which Online Casino Games Offer Side Bets?
If you’re interested in side bets but don’t know where to start, look in the live casino category at your favourite UK casino.
You can often tell which games offer side bets, as their names usually expand on the original table on which they’re based.
For example, side bets are available in titles like Mega Fire Blaze Roulette Live From Vegas, Bellagio Blackjack VZN 1, and Sticky Bandits Roulette.
There are countless different side bets in today’s online casino titles. These include betting on certain hands coming out in blackjack and poker, or paying an extra wager to enter a bonus draw.
For example, in blackjack, you can place side bets on outcomes such as Perfect Pairs.
This is a wager on whether you’ll receive a pair in your hand, with payouts for same rank and suit, same rank and colour, and same rank but different colour.
You can also often find the 21+3 side bet, which involves your two cards and the dealer’s upcard forming a poker hand.
There are different payouts for the various hands that could be made, so make sure you check the game’s rules and paytable before you bet.
Does It Make Sense to Place a Side Bet?
If you’re the type of player who likes to mix things up, it could make sense to place a side bet from time to time. This can give you different ways to experience your favourite games.
However, if you want to get the best mathematical value for your bets, they may not always be attractive.
Many side bets are designed with a higher house edge than the main wager, so the casino has a greater long-term mathematical advantage.
The main attraction of a side bet is that there’s often the chance of a much larger payout if it comes to fruition.
They bring volatility to games that may sometimes be lacking. Before you decide to take the option of making a side bet, just make sure you do your due diligence. Check the odds and consider how likely it is to pay off.
Remember that you’re playing famously uncertain games, so there’s a chance you could lose everything.
Whether you’re a fan of them or not, side bets are here to stay. Games that include them have boomed in popularity in the live casino era, and developers are likely to come up with new options for players.
If you want to place a side bet, make sure you know what the chances of winning are first.
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