Live Blackjack Perfect Pairs
As far as card games go, blackjack is one of the most popular formats. It is considered a classic casino game with great potential to satisfy both novice players and seasoned bettors. Standard blackjack variant has been among us for hundreds of years and has been the staple of many casino floors around the world. Naturally, the game founds its position among the top games in online casinos, as well, and one of the reasons why it has been able to persevere for so long is the existence of optional bets that players can choose to activate alongside their main bets.
A wider range of available bets makes for a more immersive playing environment, gives room to experiment with and injects new life energy into the regular game format that most blackjack players are already well-accustomed to. Side bets are an enticing option because they allow players to wager on payouts that supersede their stakes and standard betting possibilities.
Live blackjack games have many benefits to them, the first being the presence of real dealers who deal cards in real time and interact with participants during the round. In addition to this, live blackjack providers have gone a step further and introduced side bets to their blackjack products, making the games even more appealing for players who seek out more dynamic blackjack play and new ways to earn payouts. Some blackjack side bets are more popular than others and Casino Bloke will present the most notable ones below in a detailed guide to live blackjack side bets. Enjoy the read!
- Due to perfect pairs payouts going up to 30:1, a far cry from your regular 3:2 blackjack payout, Perfect Pairs game tend to appeal to high stakes blackjack players and those chasing big wins, although it is.
- The Perfect Pairs bet gives you the chance to win if your first two cards comprise any pair – for example, two Queens, two Aces or two 3s. There are three types of pairs, each with a different payout: Perfect.
What Are Live Blackjack Side Bets?
The name itself is indicative of what side bets represent. These are bets made “on the side”, alternative bets, optional bets. Players are free to decide whether they wish to use them or not; nothing obligates them to make any of the side bets offered in the game of blackjack they are playing. Side bets come with different payout structures and some of them have specific moments in the game during which they can be made.
Players will need to first make a basic bet in blackjack and add a Perfect Pairs bet to it. Once complete, all players will be dealt 2 cards from a standard deck or a shoe of multiple decks. Pairs are notified to the dealer and are paid out immediately. Playing Perfect Blackjack, or Perfect Pairs Blackjack, online is a great way to enjoy a game that feels instantly familiar but has enough exciting side bets and multi-hand potential to satisfy.
Optional bets promise attractive payouts, but the house edge becomes higher if the player makes a side bet. Undeniably, they add more fun to the game, but they are recommended more to players with above-average bankrolls. It’s not complicated to use side bets when offered. All you need to do is place your main blackjack bet at the round start on the circle/box reserved for the regular bet amount. You will see that there are side bet areas around the box and this is where you will place your side bets, should you choose to do it, at indicated times.
Side bets cover events in the game that are not affected by the main hand play. Therefore, it is important to remember that live blackjack side bets have no impact on the main hand outcome and the success or failure of the main bet. It is also a good idea to have in mind to always check the payout structure for specific live blackjack side bets because different casinos may offer different payouts for the same type of bet.
If you’ve had experience with side bets while playing at physical blackjack tables, the situation is similar in live casino blackjack games. The range of bets is solid, although somewhat smaller than at land-based casinos due to licensing restrictions. Nonetheless, live casino players can select their favourite amount side bets such as Perfect Pairs, 21+3, Lucky 7, Hot 3, Lucky Lucky or Bust It, to name a few.
Perfect Pairs – Most Common Side Bet in Live Blackjack
Nearly every live casino blackjack table comes with a Perfect Pairs side bet. To be able to place this bet, you must have staked a regular blackjack bet at the beginning of the round. Perfect Pairs has you wagering on a pair – your first two cards or the dealer’s first two cards must form a pair. The payout is different, depending on the type of pair formed. The possibilities include:
- Different colour, different suits – Red/Black Pair (Mixed Pair)
- Same colour, different suits – Red/Red Pair or Black/Black Pair (Coloured Pair)
- Same colour, same suit – Perfect Pair
In terms of payouts, the closer the cards match, the bigger the payout. Normally, matching numbers will bring a 6:1 payout. A coloured pair of different suits is worth 12:1, whereas a Perfect Pair, a pair of two identical cards, pays 25:1. The area for the Perfect Pairs bet is usually located to the left of the main bet box and it is often marked with PP. The house edge for the Perfect Pairs side bet stands at 0.576%.
21+3 – A bit of Poker-style Flavour
The 21+3 live casino blackjack side bet is based on the player’s first two cards and the dealer’s upcard. The initial two cards dealt to the player and the one card that is assigned to the dealer’s position facing up form a 3-card poker hand. If you place this side bet and the three cards form a valid poker hand, you will win an additional payout. Compared with Perfect Pairs, the 21+3 requires some knowledge about 3-card poker hands and in that sense, it may be a bit more complicated, but it is still among the most popular alternative bets offered in live casino blackjack games.
Should the player choose to take the 21+3 side bet, the winning outcome will happen if the three cards form the following hands, in ranking order from lowest to highest:
- Flush (three cards of the same suit), pays 5:1
- Straight (sequence of different suits), pays 10:1
- Three of a Kind (three same value cards but of different suits), pays 30:1
- Straight Flush (sequence of the same suit), pays 40:1
- Suited Trips (three identical cards, for example, 3 Queens of Diamonds), pays 100:1
The house edge for the 21+3 side bet is 0.576%. The odds differ, depending on the strength of the hand. The chances of getting Suited Trips are 0.024%, whereas the probabilities for getting a Flush are 5.88%. These numbers apply if the blackjack game is played with 8 decks, so you should always check the rules of any specific blackjack variant you decide to play at your chosen live casino.
Lucky 7 – Is Lady Luck on Your Side?
Lucky 7 is a more exclusive bet and you won’t find it as often as 21+3 and PP. The number 7 is the basis of this optional bet. Payouts are built around how many 7s the player has in hand. It is a very simple bet that you can win if you draw at least one 7. You will receive a payout of 3:1. More sevens will contribute to the size of the payout. A pair of unsuited 7s pays 25:1, whereas a suited pair pays 50:1. Ultimately, you can receive a 100:1 payout if you collect three unsuited sevens and maximise the potential of the Lucky 7 side bet with three suited 7s and a 500:1 payout. Certain games consider two cards from the player’s hand and the dealer’s up card for this side bet.
Hot 3 – Like 21+3, but More Specific
Hot 3 is an uncommon live blackjack side bet, but if you want to try it out you can do it by launching Infinite Blackjack by Evolution Gaming. This wager focuses on the player’s initial two cards and the dealer’s upcard. You are wagering on the specific combinations of cards that result in totals of 19, 20 or 21. Scoring 19 or 20 will earn you even money and 2:1, respectively. A total of 21 pays differently, depending on the suited or unsuited nature of the hand. An unsuited 21 pays 4:1 and a suited 21 is worth 20:1. The biggest payout for a Hot 3 side bet is 100:1 for three sevens.
Evolution’s Infinite Blackjack also comes with an interesting Bust It side bet. If you take it, you will be betting on the dealer going bust.
Final Thoughts
Live blackjack side bets are appealing options to make use of if you aim to earn something more than though regular blackjack play. However, most experienced blackjack players would advise to view them merely as a way to have fun. When won, the side bets can make a big difference, but if you rely on them in the long run, the chances of playing profitably will likely diminish. Occasionally, side bets are a favourable supplement, but they rarely enter the long-term blackjack strategy. If you want to see how some of these side bets work in action, check out our selection of top Blackjack casinos.
If you’re here looking to learn what is perfect pairs in blackjack, then you are at the right page. Blackjack has several side-bets including Perfect Pairs, of which all are compelling to play.
If you’re thorough with the standard format already, you may skip straight away to the Perfect Pairs overview. However, if you’re new to Blackjack, stick around to peep into game rules, its origin, and of course some interesting trivia.
If you’re feeling intrigued by Blackjack’s origin, you aren’t alone because It has always been shrouded in mystery owing to lack of evidence proving where it all began.
Hence, the belief that it originated in Spain. It wasn’t soon before traders and immigrants brought it to Colonial America in the 1800s.
Today, variations like Perfect Pairs, Blackjack Switch, and Super Fun 21 are played across casinos for fun and it gets intense, as each game variant has unique bonus criteria.
Perfect Pairs in Blackjack
Perfect Pair is a side-bet where players get a shot at a bonus of 30 to 1 pay-out without deviating from the regular Blackjack. Moreover, Perfect Pairs can be played side-by-side with the regular Blackjack.
On the table is a box reserved for accepting Perfect Pair wagers. In any case, the dealer makes the move on behalf of players so there’s not much of the game to figure out.
In the round, two initial cards are drawn from two or more decks and distributed facedown from left to right. The two cards forming a pair can be Mixed, Perfect, or Coloured. In all these cases, the winner is picked as per the pay table conditions.
Here is a complete definition of pairs in blackjack
1. Perfect Pair: Similar pairs that include two face cards
2. Coloured Pair: Pair that includes cards of any suit with matching colour
- Example: 7 of Hearts and 7 of Diamonds
3. Mixed Pair: Cards from any suit with an identical face value
GFL Bonusing
Perfect pairs in Blackjack are ideal for Game Floor Live (GFL) bonusing. So before finding out how, let’s start by understanding what GFL bonusing is.
It facilitates a connected ecosystem through special modules so Casinos can track activities across the game floor in a single view.
GFL modules keep players riveted to games through special bonuses. Sort of like a neoteric experience that is bundled with side bets that can be modified then and there itself for specific events.
The GFL bonusing is leveraged by casinos to set up jackpot pools that are payer funded. Casinos add side bets into jackpot pools after the initial put-in. The goal is to self-fund the winning jackpots as well as to top up and enhance the next available jackpot value.
In doing so, players will be kept on the edge rather than packing early. By having a progressive jackpot, every bet increases the jackpot value and will ensure the continuity of the play.
After the jackpot is claimed, the game isn’t reset. Instead, other players can continue playing and winning until the last one standing. The perks of adopting GFL bonusing is that it can help casinos weave game experiences personalised to demographic tastes.
It makes jackpot events more lucrative and boosts table revenue by luring new players to the pit. We’ve seen something similar when the slot technology boomed, allowing players to find a new way to amuse themselves.
In a nutshell, GFL bonusing is a bus that shouldn’t be missed because it has allowed room for newer elements like Perfect Pairs and event-based jackpots to make the game enticing.
Playing Perfect Pairs in Blackjack
Playing Perfect Pairs in blackjack may seem like a piece of cake if you understand the rules below:
- On a regular Blackjack table, there are dedicated boxes for playing Perfect Pairs. Your side bets should go into this box to become eligible for Perfect Pair Jackpot.
- Before any cards are dealt, the side-bet must go into the Perfect Pairs wager box
- If the first two cards dealt are a pair, the player wins the Perfect Pair jackpot
- If the first two cards dealt don’t form a pair, the player forfeits the wager
- Each game will have a pay table and the Perfect Pairs pay-outs will be based on it
- Once the two cards are dealt, the losing wagers must be collected and paid to winning hand
- After the pay-out is sent, the round resets but the game doesn’t
- The dealer resumes dealing cards and collecting wagers from the participating players
Winning Hacks in Perfect Pairs
Perfect Pairs is a game of skill so there’s more than one way to read conditions at the table and call out playing decisions. Make sure to follow these methods for a better winning odds:
- Start by analysing the number of decks used in the Perfect Pairs Blackjack.
- In a typical Perfect Pairs game, the dealer starts with two decks. So the chance of getting two cards of similar value (perfect pair) is greater than Pay-out of 30 to 1.
- The side bets in Perfect Pairs can get interesting as it’s full of surprises. You can go for a mixed pair wager if your risk appetite isn’t higher than most players. This would increase your odds slightly as more cards land in the shoe.
- There isn’t a hard and fast strategy to win, but whatever stakes you prefer, be prepared to hit or stand at well-timed moments.
- If you have high pairs it may be a good idea to split, but it’s unlikely to bring better outcomes whilst having an open side bet whose outcome is dependent on your hand.
House Edge of the Perfect Pairs in Blackjack
With Perfect Pairs, the number of decks decides the hold percentage. It increases or decreases with the deck size. Often, the pay-out odds are adjusted for a better house edge. At any given instance, the pay table mustn’t provide a hold percentage greater than 7%.
Casinos stand to gain from Perfect Pairs because players often get convinced that the wagers are fair while in reality, it’s far from it. This is one of the main reasons behind a great turnover for Casinos.
In theory, the hold percentage can be as high or as low as the deck size. The chance of scoring Perfect Pairs are higher when played with more than eight decks and lower with four. However, with just a single deck, Perfect Pair becomes unachievable.
How Competitive are Perfect Pairs?
You could be wrong in assuming Perfect Pairs are just petty wagers like watered-down liquor because it’s not a scheme that’s played with a low limit.
Today, most major casinos world-wide are offering Perfect Pairs in Blackjack tables. In most cases, wagers are off the charts in VIP rooms where game rounds get intense as bet size jumps by hundreds of dollars.
Time and again Perfect Pairs have proven to be the biggest revenue sources for casinos and since its inception, not many have rolled back to the regular table action.
Side Bets in Live Blackjack
Did you know there are many variants of Blackjack with side bets? Sometimes, variations in the gameplay can occur too. Here are some of the popular variations:
1. Double attack blackjack
If you’re looking for a variant with most side bets and most action, then “Double Attack Blackjack” is worth a try. The pay-out is way higher when the dealer “busts”. The winning criterion is that the dealer must bust with no more or no less than three cards.
It doesn’t end there. You also get to wager on whether the dealer up card is a picture card. In this case, pay-outs are equal to 3 to 1. Additionally, you can also get a 6 to 1 and 10 to 1 if the dealer busts with nine and seven consequently.
The most interesting pay-out is the 50 to 1 which is handed to winners when the dealer busts with an 8-8-8 of the same colour.
2. Super Fun 21
Super Fun 21 is a must-try variant because it’s a slight departure from the regular format but double the excitement.
In this format, players get additional pay-outs for hitting Blackjack. The pay-out is as follows:
- 2 to 1 for hitting with two diamonds
- 2 to 1 for counting a total of 21 with fewer than five cards
- 1 to 1 for counting a total of 20 with six cards or less
3. Blackjack Switch
The Blackjack Switch is a variation where additional pay-outs on side bets are offered to players. In this format, two hands are dealt with each player. If the player is dealt a Perfect Pair at the beginning, a 5 to 1 pay-out is rewarded by side bet.
In the European format of the same game, the players are eligible for Insurance and can double down.
Perfect Blackjack Chart
Now that you have learn what is perfect pairs in blackjack, get playing.