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.


These side bets promise massive, life-changing payouts for a tiny one-dollar or five-dollar wager, making them incredibly tempting.

Why Casinos Love Side Bets

The golden rule of casino gambling is simple: the higher the potential payout, the higher the mathematical house edge.


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 decisionIn baccarat, the 'Dragon Bonus' side bet looks enticing but carries a massive 8% to 10% edge depending on the exact rulesIf 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
When Is It Okay to Play a Side Bet?

Mathematically, the strict answer is that you should never, under any circumstances, place a casino side bet.


Never increase the size of your main bet to try and cover the continuous losses generated by chasing a side bet jackpot.

The IllusionThe RealityThe Impact"It's only one dollar"$1 per hand equals $60 an hour lostSteadily drains a small bankroll"The payout is 100 to 1"The true odds of hitting it are 200 to 1The casino pockets the massive mathematical difference

Side bets are the junk food of the casino floor: highly appealing, occasionally satisfying, but ultimately terrible for your financial health.