The standard, mathematically sound bets in table games are no longer enough to satisfy the modern, thrill-seeking casino player.

However, beneath the flashing progressive jackpot meters lies a harsh mathematical reality that every player must understand.

The Math Behind the Madness

The golden rule of casino gambling is simple: the higher the potential payout, the higher the mathematical house edge.

A player utilizing perfect basic strategy can still go broke incredibly fast if they continuously leak chips onto the side bet circles.

• Dealers are often specifically trained to encourage players to place side bets, as it dramatically increases the table's hourly win rate
• You are betting on completely independent events; the strategy you use for the main game does not help you win the side bet
• Many players falsely believe they are 'due' to hit a side bet after a long dry spell, a classic example of the gambler's fallacy

Should You Ever Place a Side Bet?

However, gambling is ultimately about entertainment, and side bets undeniably add a massive adrenaline rush to the game.

Never increase the size of your main bet to try and cover the continuous losses generated by chasing a side bet jackpot.

If you understand the math and still want to play them for fun, do so with strict, unbreakable limits.