How to Read This (RTP vs. House Edge)
RTP (Return to Player) is the long-run percentage of stakes returned as winnings. House edge = 100% − RTP. Side bets usually carry a higher house edge than the main game; they’re designed for excitement and big multipliers, not efficiency. That’s fine — as long as you pick your spots.
Ranking Logic
Below, side bets are grouped from More Player-Friendly (higher RTP in good paytables) to Least Player-Friendly (lower RTP / harsher variance). Ranges reflect common 2025 paytables; the same name can hide very different math across casinos.
At-a-Glance Table (Typical 2025 Ranges)
| Game | Side Bet | Typical RTP Range | Variance | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Three Card Poker | Pair Plus (best common paytable) | ~97–98% | Medium | One of the best-value side bets when the top paytable is offered. |
| Ultimate Texas Hold’em | Trips | ~94–97% | Medium-High | Ranges widely by paytable (e.g., 8-5-4 vs 7-5-4, etc.). |
| Pai Gow Poker | Fortune / Bonus | ~93–98% | High | Paytables vary a lot; “Envy” pays are separate and don’t change RTP. |
| Blackjack | Royal Match | ~90–98% | Medium | Strong or weak depending on suited-king/queen and suited blackjack pays. |
| Blackjack | Perfect Pairs | ~92–97% | Medium | Look for better pays on mixed/suited pairs; huge spread by venue. |
| Blackjack | 21+3 (any variant) | ~89–97% | High | Depends on whether flush/straight pays are generous or nerfed. |
| Let It Ride | 3-Card Bonus | ~93–97% | Medium | Often similar to solid Pair-Plus tables. |
| Baccarat | Dragon Bonus (Player/Banker) | ~89–97% | Medium-High | Depends on margin-of-victory schedule and naturals rules. |
| Baccarat | Dragon 7 / Panda 8 / Super 6 | ~86–93% | High | Fun but pricey; check exact pays (e.g., 40:1, 25:1, 12:1). |
| Baccarat | Player/Banker Pair | ~89–90% | Medium | Common 11:1 pay; typically double-digit house edge. |
| Blackjack | Insurance | ~92% | Low-Medium | Negative unless you’re accurately counting; otherwise avoid. |
| Caribbean Stud | Progressive Jackpot | ~70–85% (typical) | Very High | Can flip positive only at very high jackpots; otherwise very costly. |
| Casino War | Tie | ~80–82% | High | Low value on most deck counts; mainly for novelty. |
| Three Card Poker | 6-Card Bonus | ~84–87% | Very High | Entertaining long-shot table; heavy edge on common pays. |
| Baccarat | Perfect Pair (both hands) | ~82–87% | Very High | Eye-catching headline pays, but usually among the worst RTPs. |
Ranges are indicative. The same label can have very different RTPs under different schedules.
Blackjack Side Bets: What to Favor (and Skip)
Worth Considering (when paytables are strong)
- Royal Match: With generous pays for suited K-Q and suited blackjack, the RTP can approach the high-90s.
- Perfect Pairs: Mixed/colored/suited pair ladders can push RTP into mid-90s; weak ladders sink it quickly.
- 21+3: The best schedules pay fairly for flush/straight/3-of-a-kind; reduced pays on flush/straight are a red flag.
Usually Avoid
- Insurance: Unless you’re legitimately tracking composition or counts, it’s a long-run leak.
- “Fireworks” style jackpots: If the table adds a progressive with tiny base pays, expect a steep edge unless the meter is unusually high.
Baccarat Side Bets: High Flash, Mixed Value
Baccarat’s main bets are efficient; side bets are where edge creeps in.
- Dragon Bonus: Can be decent or poor depending on how wins by margin and naturals are priced. Verify the exact schedule.
- Dragon 7 / Panda 8 / Super 6: Fun sweat, but generally pricey. Treat as entertainment, not EV plays.
- Pairs (Player/Banker) & Perfect Pair: Exciting reveals, weak math. If you must, bet small and infrequently.
Poker-Style Tables: Know Your Paytable
- Three Card Poker – Pair Plus: With the best-known top table (pair=1, flush=3, straight=6, 3-kind=30, straight flush=40), Pair Plus can be one of the fairest side bets on the floor. Downgraded pays slash RTP fast.
- Three Card Poker – 6-Card Bonus: Huge upside with straight flushes and royals, but the common table carries a heavy edge. Treat as a lottery-style add-on.
- Ultimate Texas Hold’em – Trips: Mid-90s RTP on nicer tables; avoid stripped schedules (small pays on trips/straight/flush).
- Caribbean Stud – Progressive: Typically poor unless the jackpot climbs to specific thresholds. Most of the time it’s entertainment only.
- Let It Ride – 3-Card Bonus: Similar dynamics to Pair Plus; verify you’re getting the “good” table before committing.
Pai Gow Poker Bonuses: Wide Spread
Fortune/Bonus paytables range from relatively kind to very stingy. Because hands resolve slowly, many players accept the variance for the sweat; just ensure the pays on straight/flush/full house aren’t overly nerfed, and that top-end hands (quads/straight flush/royal) are rewarded appropriately for the stake.
Bankroll & Variance: How to Size Side Bets
- Keep it small: Cap side bets at a small % of your main wager (for example, 5–10%) to avoid variance spikes.
- Frequency control: It’s okay to take a few shots per shoe/session instead of every hand.
- Session goals: If you’re grinding main-bet EV, avoid heavy side-bet spend; if you’re there for entertainment, budget the side-bet fun separately.
- Track the table: Note paytables and minimums/maximums; the “same” side bet can change value when limits or payouts differ.
Quick “Good Table” Checklist
- Are mid-tier pays (flush/straight) respectable, or have they been trimmed?
- Do top hands (3-kind/straight flush, etc.) pay industry-standard numbers?
- Is volatility aligned with your bankroll, or will a few misses drain your session?
- Does the side bet complement your main strategy, or distract from it?
Bottom Line
Side bets are a spice, not the meal. If you chase value, look for Pair Plus (top table), U.T.H. Trips (good table), and well-priced Pai Gow Fortune. Treat flashy baccarat and progressive jackpots as entertainment spends unless you’ve verified unusually favorable pays. Above all, remember that the label alone tells you little — the paytable is everything.
