Best side bet in Vegas
What is currently the best (meaning lowest house edge) side bet available on the Strip / Downtown? I might feel like trying a sidebet on my upcoming trip, and it should at least be the best one.
Dealers and players have explained to me numerous times that the sidebet is where the money is. On my last trip a dealer pointed out each hand where I would have won the side bet. I asked him to also point out all the hands I saved money by not placing the bet, which he did. In the end, he claimed I would have come out on top by sidebetting, which may have been true.
Quote: CanyoneroDealers and players have explained to me numerous times that the sidebet is where the money is. On my last trip a dealer pointed out each hand where I would have won the side bet.
Wow, what a horrible dealer. Side bets are pretty much always where the biggest house edge on a blackjack table is. Don't ever play a side bet unless you want to give money away. Why are you playing blackjack? Probably because you like it, but also probably because it has such a low house edge. So why up the house edge of your overall blackjack table (a lot) by playing a horrendous side bet (ranging from 3% to 15%)?
I can't stand it when a dealer points out every time I would have hit the crappy side bet. Every time they do I openly remark "Yep, would still be down a lot from the other 100 hands I didn't hit it." First, stop promoting your 9% HE bet. Second, stop rubbing it in that I 'should have' bet. What good does that comment do me now? The other comment I like to make softly is... "Hindsight is always 20/20. Guarantee me before you deal that I'll hit it and I'll bet it every time."
Also, the Wizard has made a side bets page for your convenience (google or site search): https://wizardofodds.com/games/blackjack/appendix/8/
Quote: DRichThe dealers like to recommend the side bets because of the bigger payouts available. Players tend to tip more when winning on a big hand.
I think this is it.
Recently, I have pondered sidebets when playing BJ, which for my personal preference has too low variance. And I have dabbled in that.
I hate to admit something like that in the Wizard's forum. LOL
Favorite situation was when everybody gave up and bet on my hand. I pushed four hands in a row, netting the rest of the table several hundred. -_-
Quote: RomesWow, what a horrible dealer. Side bets are pretty much always where the biggest house edge on a blackjack table is. Don't ever play a side bet unless you want to give money away. Why are you playing blackjack? Probably because you like it, but also probably because it has such a low house edge. So why up the house edge of your overall blackjack table (a lot) by playing a horrendous side bet (ranging from 3% to 15%)?
Also, the Wizard has made a side bets page for your convenience (google or site search): https://wizardofodds.com/games/blackjack/appendix/8/
Hey Romes, don't lecture me on house edge or point me to WOO pages, I find that mildly offensive.
The page doesn't have info about if and where that sidebet is currently available, and that is what I'm looking for.
Quote: DRichThe dealers like to recommend the side bets because of the bigger payouts available. Players tend to tip more when winning on a big hand.
As I've mentioned before, they're probably also instructed to peddle the bonuses by management. I'm pretty sure most places would reprimand, if not fire, any dealer that openly discouraged play on the bonuses.
My takeaway: a dealer that pushes the side bet is not a bad dealer. It's part of their job. As an AP, it's your job to ignore them.
"What's that?"
"Oh, it's a sucker bet."
"...Well there's a vote of confidence."
"Sorry. Yeah, it's a goldmine, as long as it hits!"
"Baby steps."
Quote: CanyoneroHey Romes, don't lecture me on house edge or point me to WOO pages, I find that mildly offensive.
The page doesn't have info about if and where that side bet is currently available, and that is what I'm looking for.
It was not my intention to lecture you but to provide you with more information; I apologize if it came off that way. I have no clue the level of education of every user on this site and just saw you were asking about what side bets to play (to which we all know the answer ideally is none -- baring beatable side bets). If nothing else you can figure out which ones you like from that list and I'm sure you will notice them when going from casino to casino. I was more ranting about the horrible dealer because that's something that actually irks me a bit.
Quote: Romeswhat side bets to play (to which we all know the answer ideally is none.
Well, ideally, I'd stay home, save the money for flight and hotel and be up 4 Grand. But it don't work that way, does it?
Quote: NumpkinThe side bet with lowest house edge in Vegas, from what I have seen, is the lucky lucky side bet, with a HE at around 3%. I have seen this side bet at a green valley ranch, sunset station, and nyny. If you are looking for side bets that's beatable with a counting system, I would recommend lucky lucky and lucky ladies side bet. Lucky ladies can be found in a lot of casinos because its very high off the top HE(24%).
Will look out for those, thanks. 3% is acceptable, if it's any fun. Might be hard to find a 3:2 table at NYNY at a reasonable price though.
Guys, what's the progress of bringing Lucky Stiff to Vegas?
I do not remember the side bet on either.
Edit: All of that was 3:2.
Quote: CanyoneroWell, ideally, I'd stay home, save the money for flight and hotel and be up 4 Grand. But it don't work that way, does it?
Ideally one would play +EV games and play only beatable side bets so you could have your fun trip paid for without spending "your" money =).
Quote: NumpkinThe side bet with lowest house edge in Vegas, from what I have seen, is the lucky lucky side bet, with a HE at around 3%. I have seen this side bet at a green valley ranch, sunset station, and nyny. If you are looking for side bets that's beatable with a counting system, I would recommend lucky lucky and lucky ladies side bet. Lucky ladies can be found in a lot of casinos because its very high off the top HE(24%).
I personally do not like lucky ladies because you only win with a 20. If I am getting enough 20s to make money on side bet then I am probably doing well on the regular game.
My favorite side bet is in between. At least in this game if you get an awesome hand like 3 J you will probably win the side bet. I enjoy this game for the anticipation of the dealer up card to see if I can get the triple match or low card spread.
Quote: GWAEI personally do not like lucky ladies because you only win with a 20. If I am getting enough 20s to make money on side bet then I am probably doing well on the regular game.
My favorite side bet is in between. At least in this game if you get an awesome hand like 3 J you will probably win the side bet. I enjoy this game for the anticipation of the dealer up card to see if I can get the triple match or low card spread.
Yeah, lucky ladies is probably the worst side bet if played blindly due to the 24% HE, but if you are counting the main BJ bet, this side bet can become profitable at around TC +7 or +8. A separate 10 count can actually make Lucky ladies one of the most profitable side bets in Vegas.
Quote: NumpkinThe side bet with lowest house edge in Vegas, from what I have seen, is the lucky lucky side bet, with a HE at around 3%. I have seen this side bet at a green valley ranch, sunset station, and nyny. If you are looking for side bets that's beatable with a counting system, I would recommend lucky lucky and lucky ladies side bet. Lucky ladies can be found in a lot of casinos because its very high off the top HE(24%).
Just a heads up on the Lucky Lucky side bet. I saw it recently at Red Rock but the pay table had been modified, roughly doubling the house edge. Still better than a lot of sidebets, but definitely higher than 3%. I wouldn't be surprised if the other Station properties have done the same.
Quote: CanyoneroGuys, what's the progress of bringing Lucky Stiff to Vegas?
We are making progress in WA & Mississippi, but Vegas is not likely untill at least 2016 provided existing tables continue to perform. Hope to be in CA by the end of 2015. This business moves pretty slowly for new games :-).
