Side Bet Limits

I was hoping some members from the table game management perspective could weigh in here. Are there concerns from the local/regional casinos perspectives with offering higher limit blackjack sidebets (excluding progressives)? I know odds greater than 300:1 trigger tax forms, is this a deal breaker for any places? Obviously the frequency of outcomes would make this a rare event. Also, would 1000:1 payouts concern anyone, mostly from a risk perspective in the event of having to payout higher odds on larger bets, or potentially being a target of advantage players.

I realize larger casinos probably have little concerns here as I see these style of side bets frequently (Kings Bounty, etc...) ...

Quote: zbrownson

I was hoping some members from the table game management perspective could weigh in here. Are there concerns from the local/regional casinos perspectives with offering higher limit blackjack sidebets (excluding progressives)? I know odds greater than 300:1 trigger tax forms, is this a deal breaker for any places? Obviously the frequency of outcomes would make this a rare event. Also, would 1000:1 payouts concern anyone, mostly from a risk perspective in the event of having to payout higher odds on larger bets, or potentially being a target of advantage players.

I realize larger casinos probably have little concerns here as I see these style of side bets frequently (Kings Bounty, etc...) ...
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1000-1 for top payout is not an issue. Lucky Ladies has been one of the most installed side bets for the last 10 years with a 1000-1 top pay.

Smaller casinos prevent large losses by having a lower side bet max than large ones. The casino I'm at now allows up to $25 on lucky ladies. My previous casino was $1-$10.


ZCore13

No casino will care about having to fill out a W-2G. People are on staff to handle it. Just another piece of paper to deal with.

Risk management, OTOH, that will matter. Enough of a win could wipe out a table, pit, or even all table games for that day or even week though the later would require either a real whale or just a big player in a smaller house. The thing here is if the person is a regular and plays regular the house edge will get it back even if it takes a month. Again OTOH, if it is a "tourist whale" who visits once and cleans you out then you have a big, big hole to fill.

The 6 card bonus side bet in UTH pays 100,000:1 for the highly improbable 6-card royal flush. I think there are other variants that pay even more for a royal in diamonds. The top payout is capped, so when players increase their wager the house edge goes up.

Quote: AZDuffman

No casino will care about having to fill out a W-2G. People are on staff to handle it. Just another piece of paper to deal with.

I wouldn't say casinos don't care. Having to do a W2G does stop the game for a little bit.

My advice to the OP would be to not have several payouts that are over 300:1 in the paytable. Frankly, I'm surprised more games haven't done the Fire Bet trick and put 299:1 payouts in place.

Galaxy's 21+3 Top 3 bonus ingeniusly sets its top payout at 270:1.

Quote: Deucekies

Quote: AZDuffman

No casino will care about having to fill out a W-2G. People are on staff to handle it. Just another piece of paper to deal with.

I wouldn't say casinos don't care. Having to do a W2G does stop the game for a little bit.

My advice to the OP would be to not have several payouts that are over 300:1 in the paytable. Frankly, I'm surprised more games haven't done the Fire Bet trick and put 299:1 payouts in place.

Galaxy's 21+3 Top 3 bonus ingeniusly sets its top payout at 270:1.
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Slows the game but in the scheme it does not matter all that much. It will more than be made up when the winner plays higher or goes for a nice dinner on property.

Thanks everyone for your input. I was also wondering if you had insight into what percentage of the hold for blackjack comes from side bets? How does side bet participation for blackjack compare to poker derivatives like 3CP or UTH?

Quote: zbrownson

Thanks everyone for your input. I was also wondering if you had insight into what percentage of the hold for blackjack comes from side bets? How does side bet participation for blackjack compare to poker derivatives like 3CP or UTH?
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Blackjack side bet participation is way less than poker variations. Blackjack might be 25-50%, depending on the bet. UTH, TCP, HCF are all probably 95%+

Blackjack side bets increase house hold by about 5% or more. Lucky Ladies help increase that. Something like Press Your Luck (Tie bet) brings it down.


ZCore13