Blackjack is one of the most popular card games at casinos. With its low house edge and fast-paced gameplay, it’s no wonder that so many people love playing it.

However, if you’re looking to add even more excitement to your blackjack game, then you may have considered the Blackjack Match the Dealer side bet. This optional side bet is available in certain online blackjack variations and offers the potential to get bigger payouts than the standard game.

In this guide, I’ll explain everything you need to know about the Blackjack Match the Dealer bet, including how it works, what kind of payouts you should expect, and whether or not it’s a good bet to take.

What is the Match the Dealer Side Bet?

The Match the Dealer side bet is an optional wager that is available in certain blackjack games, as well as in Spanish 21 and Down Under Blackjack.

You can place this side bet at the same time as you stake for the main blackjack game, before any cards are dealt.

You are betting that at least one of your initial two cards will match the dealer’s upcard (the card facing upwards at the start of play).

What are the Rules?

The Match the Dealer side bet pays out if the value of either of your initial two cards matches the dealer’s upcard.

You get a higher payout if the suit of either of your cards also matches, and the biggest payouts come if both your cards match the upccard’s value and suit.

If neither of your cards matches the value of the dealer’s upcard, the side bet is lost.

As with all side bets, this is completely independent of your main hand and does not affect the result or payout of the standard blackjack game.

Blackjack Match the Dealer Odds & Pay Table

The payouts for the Match the Dealer side bet may vary from casino to casino, and can also depend on the number of decks being used in the blackjack game.

Since most real-world, online and mobile casinos use either 6 or 8 decks in the majority of their games, I will list the most commonly used payouts for both:

6 Deck Games

1 Match (Unsuited) – 4/1
2 Matches (Unsuited) – 8/1
1 Match (Suited) – 11/1
2 Matches (1 Suited, 1 Unsuited) – 15/1
2 Matches (Suited) – 22/1

8 Deck Games

1 Match (Unsuited) – 3/1
2 Matches (Unsuited) – 6/1
1 Match (Suited) – 14/1
2 Matches (1 Suited, 1 Unsuited) – 17/1
2 Matches (Suited) – 28/1

What is the Best Match the Dealer Strategy to Use?

There is no specific strategy for the Match the Dealer side bet since it is a game of luck and chance.

The only way a player can genuinely improve their chances of winning is to employ an advanced pro technique such as shuffle tracking or hole carding, as these allow players to gain an insight into the cards that are likely to be dealt.

However, for the everyday player, there is no strategy that is effective on this bet.

Is Match the Dealer a Good Bet to Take?

Generally speaking, the match the dealer side bet is not considered to be a good wager in terms of overall chances of winning.

Casinos and online blackjack sites offer this side bet because it’s profitable for them to do so. That means that since there is no strategy you can use, it’s not going to be profitable for you in the long term.

The house edge with this bet is usually between 2% and 6%, which is relatively high compared to other casino games – and much higher than the main blackjack game itself, assuming you are using basic strategy.

This means that you are likely to lose your money more quickly if you choose to take this side bet unless luck is on your side.

That being said, the match the dealer side bet can still be an enjoyable way to spice up a game of blackjack and it is still possible to win larger amounts more quickly than you would on the main game.

Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference and whether or not you are willing to take on the extra risk in return for the potentially higher payouts that this side bet offers.

Last Updated on December 20, 2022

Author
Recent Posts

David Graham

David is the editor and heads up the testing team here at Mobile Betting Site. A keen gambler both online and in the real world! David has been to Las Vegas 9 times and still managed to keep his shirt. He also enjoys sport (especially football, rugby and cricket), drinking beer and watching James Bond films.