Side bets looks fun, But what do they really cost?

[Swordsoffreedom]

You know, biggest red flag for side bet is combination of casinos high payout, low probability and high house edge. Just look at Baccarat Tie and you'll see that even with 8:1 payout, house edge is still 14.36%.

But there are exception too. For serious advantage player and card counters, side bet often differ greatly depending on specific count and composition.

So not all side bet are mathematically bad in all situation. But if you say they are usually too expensive for average recreational player then that would be more accurate.

Personally, I look at paytable and house edge before looking at payout. If any casino shows me 50:1, my first question is why are they giving me 50:1?

[Betwrong]

~ Curious what everyone else does with side bets. Do you usually ignore them, throw a little on occasionally, or actually check the house edge first?

I don't check no house edge first. I make sided bets when I feel like it, but mostly I just ignore them. Why I don't check the house edge and calculate which option is better is because I'm confident that in purely luck-based games all options are equal. If there were an advantageous option, casino would go bankrupt pretty soon. If you are just having fun with your calculations, keep doing it, but know that it will not increase your chances of wining.

[purple_sparkles]

I don’t really expect big rewards, and I use things like side bets when I’m simply in the mood to play. However, this is not connected to any particular strategy, so I can’t say that it gives me better chances of winning. It simply adds more variety to the game, which is appealing, because similar processes can often become repetitive, while this adds something new.

[Alvin_talk]

Sometimes this outcome are usually generated by me when playing the side bets with a friend and one thing about most of this side bet is that even before the game ends or before full time one has already won or lost as the case may be. But the danger in this side bet is that it involves taking an additional risk that can lead to higher losses and most times it usually ends in a caos with friends who refuse to accept the outcome of the bet.

I think you are missing the point here. OP is referring to side bets involving online casinos such as Perfect Pairs, Lucky Ladies, not the one we play with family and friends.  The one you are talking about are informal warger where you and your friends set the conditions, whereas in casino side bets you follow fixed conditions and rules set by the casino.

The main difference between the two is where the risk originates from.  In casino side bets the risk is centrally tied to high house edge, while in  side bets with friends, house edge does not exist, rather, the risk comes from trust and enforcement. That is, the person who lost may refuse to pay the agreed amount which normally results to the chaos you mentioned. So for sanity sake, I usually avoid playing side bets with families and friends.

[Makus]

It can be very surprising when side bets can actually end up becoming more profitable than main bets but to be on the safe side I always keep my expectations low and mostly stake small amounts of money that I can afford to lose. Since side bets are mostly casual I don't check the house edge, odd or anything, I just play the game and hope to get lucky, I take a lot of risks because I know I'm not risking anything that affects me. This can only become a losing game when you side bets is higher than your main or actual bets, this takes away the balance.

[free-bit.co.in]

Who is sane when they see 25:1 or 50:1 payout? Greed is hard to control!

But three questions you raised, how much is payout, how many times does it hit, and what is the house edge?
Most player get stuck on first question & forgetting last two

What's the payout?

The payout may look huge, but it is an illusion.

How often does it actually hit?

Very small. For example, tie bet in Baccarat is so small that the 14% house edge is drain on players pocket.

What's the house edge?

In main game where house edge can be kept to 0.5% with basic strategy in Blackjack but casino has an edge of 10% to 25% in Lucky Ladies & Perfect Pairs. That means they get $10 to $25 for every $100 bet.

[Emitdama]

I think this is probably the most sensible approach to side bets - see them as something you do for fun, not as a way to increase your profits.
And I’d even say that the size of the bet matters more here than how often you win. If you have a good gambling session and put a small part of your profit on a side bet just for fun, losing it probably won’t have much impact on your overall result. But if you regularly put a significant part of every main bet on side bets, they can quietly eat up a pretty large part of your bankroll.
So I don’t see much of a problem with trying them from time to time just for fun either.

In early part of gambling life, I has never been in favour of having enough checking in many things but in few bets while I have good profit I started good interest and this give me good return because side bets always works good instead of having main bet even its enough risky still I love to do this for fun.

Putting small amount with good odds make good change even it's never been easy still it gives good return and also have fun to stay in touch but here sticking with good strategy is also important because as mentioned if someone taking this serious it could be ending up with big loss and it's never been good deal for any gambler, losing bankroll even trying for fun always increase stress hence having things under control and manageable always works better.

[Smack That Ace]

The big payout isn't necessarily the problem. It's the **probability behind that payout**.

Speaking of me, I personally try to ignore side bet completely.
To me, placing any side bet is like giving the casino free tax.
But yes, sometime when I sit down for casual table session with friends, I throw in couple of small chips just for fun. But I know that money is just a waste!

Nowadays, there are many new side bets and progressive jackpot option coming online, which are even more aggressive.
That last point you made is the real essence.
Problem is not large size of payout, but the probability behind it.

[sunsilk]

Curious what everyone else does with side bets. Do you usually ignore them, throw a little on occasionally, or actually check the house edge first?

I usually ignore them at most times and only focuses on the bets that I am doing. As for the house edge, it's normal to check it before going first for any game that I may like.

But it's only about checking and other than that if I don't like to do some bets, I won't even push for it.

The curiosity is there about how much house edge the game has got but, it stays there if I have no reason to gamble at that time or not in mood.

[Mate2237]

Side bets might look fun until they are not and this happens when they become something that you repeat constantly because it becomes a habit. Placing bets on the side can be a waste of time because this isn't something that you put in much thoughts into which reduces the chances of winning that bet. I try to focus my attention on my main bets, playing side bets is could end up being a waste.

As a gambler that is experienced I would say that the damages side bets can cause depends on how a gambler handles it. Playing safe bets does really seem like it is nothing but accumulatively you are going to end up losing a lot of money In the long run, side bets cost a lot in the long run and it is even worse when you don't apply any form of risk management.

[Alphakilo]

Curious what everyone else does with side bets. Do you usually ignore them, throw a little on occasionally, or actually check the house edge first?

I usually ignore them at most times and only focuses on the bets that I am doing. As for the house edge, it's normal to check it before going first for any game that I may like.

But it's only about checking and other than that if I don't like to do some bets, I won't even push for it.

The curiosity is there about how much house edge the game has got but, it stays there if I have no reason to gamble at that time or not in mood.

Sude bets for me are for those more serious gamblers that want to take advantage and win by any means necessary, otherwise simple bettors or gamblers may see it as a waste of time or money. The worst I could think of is when someone is so serious about betting that they place normal bets after much analysis and do same for side bets too.
Side bets are separate from the normal table deal and the variance is huge but any one still willing to indulge in it should try to use tiny amount of their funds just Incase they get lucky and Incase they don't, it's just a loss that may not be worth much.

 

[Darker45]

~snip~

~snip~

Lol, exactly my thoughts too, side bets are finished math that needed no strategy, it's already against the gambler, I don't know why people don't see things this way, something was already designed to put you in an unfair place and you think you are going to fight your way out, it's not you on the ring throwing hands where you can outperform, the system is already against the gamblers and it's why I don't think about making some money via gambling. If I am doing it then I am doing it with what I can afford to lose.

It's probably the gambler's mindset to give weight to the existence of possibility. So, regardless if the odds are stacked against you, the mere fact that the possibility of winning is there, it's worth betting. The difficulty of winning is somehow disregarded. Aside from possibly winning it however unlikely it may seem, the profit is also inviting. The prize makes up for the difficulty.

This is probably the same mindset that runs in the heads of lottery gamblers. I know of people who have been betting on lotteries all their lives and never winning. Perhaps they're only driven by the possibility of winning and the amount of the jackpot.

[Ayers]

With regards to baccarat:
I will just throw a little bit, minimum bet on pairs both banker and player or the tie. For pairs the payout is 11:1, while the tie is 8:1, there could be some variations though of this side bet. Really hard to time this, and even if there is so called pattern that players are looking, I don't think it's a guarantee.

You're right that there's no guarantee that any pattern will work when making side bet.

I'll add one more thing here, the problem isn't just whether pattern works, but what is mathematical expectation of bet. Let's say a side bet has house edge of 10%, so in short run we can easily win, but in repeated play our expected cost per $100 wager is about $10.

So hitting 5 or 6 time or making profit in few round doesn't prove any strategy by itself. I personally look at paytable and probability rather than streak or pattern. House edge is also important. In any random game, previous result don't make our next outcome due. Such distinction is very important IMO.

[Sim_card]

I don’t really expect big rewards, and I use things like side bets when I’m simply in the mood to play. However, this is not connected to any particular strategy, so I can’t say that it gives me better chances of winning. It simply adds more variety to the game, which is appealing, because similar processes can often become repetitive, while this adds something new.

I agree with you that side bets only add varieties to the game and doesn't mean that you have a higher chance of winning your bet. In gambling no strategy guarantee you profit. All we do is just to have fun because the outcome of your bet depends on luck. I place side bets whenever, my instinct says so.

[L E G E N D A R Y]

It can be very surprising when side bets can actually end up becoming more profitable than main bets but to be on the safe side I always keep my expectations low and mostly stake small amounts of money that I can afford to lose. Since side bets are mostly casual I don't check the house edge, odd or anything, I just play the game and hope to get lucky, I take a lot of risks because I know I'm not risking anything that affects me. This can only become a losing game when you side bets is higher than your main or actual bets, this takes away the balance.

Side bets, casinos and what have you, gambling is still gambling and even though one may appear to be more profitable than the other, it’s crucial to understand that they are literally just the same things. Yes, because they both involve risks, at the end of the day you’ll have both winners and losers, and no matter how profitable one may look, you can’t always be on the winning side, it’s still all about chances and luck and forgetting this means letting your guard down as a gambler, which can be very detrimental for anyone.

[Floxynice]

It can be very surprising when side bets can actually end up becoming more profitable than main bets but to be on the safe side I always keep my expectations low and mostly stake small amounts of money that I can afford to lose. Since side bets are mostly casual I don't check the house edge, odd or anything, I just play the game and hope to get lucky, I take a lot of risks because I know I'm not risking anything that affects me. This can only become a losing game when you side bets is higher than your main or actual bets, this takes away the balance.

Side bets, casinos and what have you, gambling is still gambling and even though one may appear to be more profitable than the other, it’s crucial to understand that they are literally just the same things. Yes, because they both involve risks, at the end of the day you’ll have both winners and losers, and no matter how profitable one may look, you can’t always be on the winning side, it’s still all about chances and luck and forgetting this means letting your guard down as a gambler, which can be very detrimental for anyone.

Bets are bets, whether they are side bets or the main bets. I was still going to say this until I read your post. Both bets involve risks, so if you did not make budgets for side bets in your original plan before using the casino, you have to control yourself not to get distracted. Really, side bets look attractive and they were kept there for a reason; definitely something to get your attention and make you spend more on gambling. If these side bets were made too easy to win, the casinos won't make it public for gamblers to easily bet on them. I always say that the casinos always make their decisions to favour themselves. Ignore the house edge that is written  and bear in mind that the the house has the higher edge.

[Charles-Tim]

Curious what everyone else does with side bets. Do you usually ignore them, throw a little on occasionally, or actually check the house edge first?

Correct me is I am wrong about this.

Example of main bet in football is the moneyline, but all others that are available to bet on like under/over, number of red cards and others are the side bet?

No difference between the side bets and the main bets. Nothing is fun because they all have house edges and most players will lose.

[NewRevelation]

It can be very surprising when side bets can actually end up becoming more profitable than main bets but to be on the safe side I always keep my expectations low and mostly stake small amounts of money that I can afford to lose. Since side bets are mostly casual I don't check the house edge, odd or anything, I just play the game and hope to get lucky, I take a lot of risks because I know I'm not risking anything that affects me. This can only become a losing game when you side bets is higher than your main or actual bets, this takes away the balance.

For me, wether side bets or main bets, they are all gambling and it's all risky, therefore I keep my expectations low, and also bet low. Of course, sometimes, some cash out of the side bets can be bigger than the main bet, maybe, for me, side bet will be few games with big risk, and without expectations at all. While on the other hand, the main bet are plenty games with just low risk probability. The major difference here becomes the risk outcome. But I also try to keep my expectations low because there are bigger risk in my side bets. Whichever way, one can be lucky to win any of them or even both and sometimes too, the opposite.

[Yablee0]

Really, side bets look attractive and they were kept there for a reason; definitely something to get your attention and make you spend more on gambling.

Every business person knows how to decorate his or her business in a way that will attract more customers to come and patronize them. Maybe this is like a similar case and it's left for the said gambler to apply wisdom so he wouldn't fall victim and end up spending above his budget.

If these side bets were made too easy to win, the casinos won't make it public for gamblers to easily bet on them. I always say that the casinos always make their decisions to favour themselves.

Well said mate. The casinos are always ahead in the game whether we like it or not. Moreover, no business owner is aiming at lost while building a business. Making profits is one of the major reason they're in that business, so we weren't expecting them to please the gamblers first then displease their own selves, it wouldn't work that way.

Ignore the house edge that is written  and bear in mind that the the house has the higher edge.

A smart gambler will never overlook this fact in his game because doing so is a big red flag that can cost a whole lot , and sometimes can drive one towards addiction . However, considering the house edge before getting started will saves a gamble from the risk of chasing lost, using above what they can't afford to lose and again set you at peace throughout your gambling experience.

[iv4n]

~ Curious what everyone else does with side bets. Do you usually ignore them, throw a little on occasionally, or actually check the house edge first?

I don't check no house edge first. I make sided bets when I feel like it, but mostly I just ignore them. Why I don't check the house edge and calculate which option is better is because I'm confident that in purely luck-based games all options are equal. If there were an advantageous option, casino would go bankrupt pretty soon. If you are just having fun with your calculations, keep doing it, but know that it will not increase your chances of wining.

It's the same with me... I play games I like, and I make side bets when I feel it's a good time for that. I also don't bother about the house edge, as you wrote, with luck-based games, it's all about luck. So I simply enjoy playing & trying something. Sometimes it works, sometimes not... it's all gambling, and it's about entertainment. Too much thinking & too much math can ruin the experience, and it's not like that increases our chances.