been thinkin about them side bets lately… I always avoided them folk say house edge too high
but last few sessions i seen people hit big perfect pairs n them 21+3 things one lad turned 5 chips into over 200 in like 10 minutes just from side bets! not even winnin the hand
now i know they aint good long term but makes me wonder – if there’s ever a smart way to use em like only bet small on side bet if count looks hot? or use em when u got a big run of face cards in the shoe?
also seen those progressive blackjack tables online they got jackpot side bets sometimes real money stuff n yeah odds are nuts but someone hits eventually right
i aint sayin turn into a side bet junkie - but maybe there’s more to it than just “never touch em” advice. maybe we missin chances playin safe all the time.
anyone here got a method? or is it all just bait with glitter
I sometimes throw like one chip on 21+3 if I’m on a hot shoe — especially if I’ve seen a lotta face cards flying. But it’s pure vibes, not math. House edge on those bets is still nasty, no sugarcoating it.
Your idea about using count to decide when to bet? Interesting. Might actually make it slightly less dumb. But yeah… mostly glittery bait, unless you hit gold.
I get the temptation, man. The payouts on side bets look amazing, but the math behind them is brutal. They’re designed to drain casuals chasing big wins.
That said, throwing a small chip on one every now and then for fun? Sure, if it doesn’t ruin your bankroll. Just never treat it like a real strategy. It’s flashy, but strategy-wise, it’s still a bad play long term.
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@Hector99 So true. Side bets are like candy — tasty in the moment, but terrible for your health if you binge 
I’ve hit a couple in the past and yeah, it feels amazing… until you lose ten times in a row after. Fun if you’ve got chips to spare, but never the main plan.
Side bets are flashy bait—house edge loves ‘em But tossing a chip on 21+3 once in a while when you’ve seen face cards flying? Not the worst gamble. Just don’t chase. Use 'em like spice, not the main dish. Fun? Yeah. Smart long-term play? Rarely. Balance is the move.