Perfect Blackjack: Mastering Perfect Pair Blackjack and Its Side Bet

There are seemingly numerous blackjack side bet options now available and the Perfect Pairs version has become one of the most popular. Perfect Pair Blackjack offers players the chance at an extra bet and hopefully some extra winnings based on whether the player is dealt a pair of the same cards.

This option adds some extra fun to the traditional blackjack wager and players can win whether they win or lose the main wager. Keep reading to learn all about the rules, strategies, and benefits of Perfect Pair Blackjack.

What is Perfect Pair in Blackjack?

This is an optional side bet available to players on some blackjack tables. Perfect Pairs Blackjack rewards players when they hit a pair on their initial two cards.

Payouts are based on a pay table and players collect some extra winning depending on what type of pair they hold. When making this bet, you are hoping to land one of the following hands:

Mixed pair – A pair in which the cards are of different colored suits, such as 10♣10♥. This is the most common pair and pays out the least.
Colored pair – A pair of the same colored suits, such as 10♦10♥.
Perfect pair – A pair of the same suit, such as 10♦10♦. This is the least common and pays out the most.

The main blackjack wager is unaffected by the Blackjack Perfect Pairs side bet. A player can win on both bets, lose on both bets, or win on one and lose on the other. In live casinos, some blackjack games may even have other side bets available along with the Perfect Pairs wager, such as 21+3, Bust Bonus, and Lucky Ladies.

Understanding Perfect Pairs Blackjack

As noted, players can make the Perfect Pairs Blackjack side bet before any hand. It’s totally up to the player and the bet is completely optional. Here’s how a hand would play out when making this wager.

Make the initial blackjacker wager. Also, make a bet on the Perfect Pairs spot located in front of the player.
Each player is dealt two cards face up along with two cards for the dealer, with just one of those face up.
The dealer will look to see if players who made the side bet were dealt a pair.
Perfect Pair wagers will then be paid out based on the game’s pay table (more on that below). Losing bets will be taken down.
The main blackjack hand then plays out as normal, with players hitting, standing, doubling down, etc. The main wager is unaffected by the side bet.
The dealer pays out winners and collects losing bets on the main blackjack wager.
A new hand begins and players can decide if they want to make the side bet.

Here’s a look at the pros and cons of Perfect Pairs Blackjack.

PROS	CONS
Additional entertaining side bet.	An extra bet that can affect a player’s bankroll.
Potential for higher payouts.	Higher house edge than the main game.
The bet is completely optional.	Could eat into a player’s bankroll that might be better budgeted for a traditional blackjack wager.

Perfect Pairs Blackjack Chart

Since the bet is completely optional and there is no real decision to be made with the Perfect Pairs Blackjack side bet, other than simply whether to make the wager or not, there is no real blackjack chart available for this wager.

Instead, players should review basic blackjack strategy charts and work on their skills at traditional blackjack. This gives players the best mathematical chance to win with the ability to resource the house edge to below 1%.

Strategies for Winning at Perfect Pair Blackjack

As noted, there are no real strategy considerations for Perfect Pairs Blackjack beyond whether to simply make the bet or not. Those who are focused on reducing the house edge may want to avoid this bet as it generally comes with one of the higher house edges among these types of blackjack side bets. Here’s a quick look at those (according to WizardofOdds.com):

Decks	House Edge
2	48.08%
4	21.50%
6	12.54%
8	8.05%

Players on a nice winning streak or who have higher bankrolls may want to make this bet here and there for the chance to win some extra chips. Making the wager less frequently offers the chance to preserve a bankroll for a longer period of time.

For those who do want to make this bet, here’s a look at the payouts tables typically seen for Perfect Pairs Blackjack.

Perfect Pairs Blackjack pay table

Perfect pair	25 to 1 or 30 to 1
Colored pairs	10 to 1, 12 to 1, or 15 to 1
Red/black pair	6 to 1 or 5 to 1

As you can see, payouts may differ a bit depending on the pay table that is used by the casino or online gaming site. The pay table is usually printed right on the table, so you can easily see what payouts to expect.

Common Mistakes to Avoid in Perfect Pair Blackjack

When playing Perfect Pairs Blackjack, here are a few mistakes players make that you may want to avoid.

Making the wager too often as there is a high house edge.
Betting too much on the side bet. The high house edge can drain away a significant chunk of your bankroll when making larger Perfect Pairs bets.
Focusing too much on the side bet and not the main wager. Make use of basic strategy when paying traditional blackjack.
Not using basic strategy to give yourself the best chance at winning overall in the main game.

Playing the side bet only occasionally may be the best way to go when it comes to Perfect Pairs Blackjack.

Conclusion

Perfect Pairs is a side bet available on some traditional blackjack games. The wager is completely optional and allows you to win some extra cash depending on if you are dealt a pair on the first two cards or not.

A “perfect pair” is a hand that has two cards of the exact same suit, such as 5♠5♠. This pays out the most at 25 to 1 or 30 to 1, depending on the pay table the casino or online gaming platform uses. The side bet generally has a high house edge from 8% on a game using eight decks to a gargantuan 48% on games using two decks. Because of the higher house edge, you may only want to make this bet occasionally to preserve your bankroll.

For players looking to work on their blackjack skills and to check out some of these types of side bets, head to Lucky Block Casino for a great gaming experience. Getting started is just a few clicks away and you’ll be hitting the tables in just a few minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Perfect Pair Blackjack?

This is an optional side bet found on some blackjack games that rewards players who receive a pair on the first two cards. Payouts are based on a pay table and a “perfect pair” (those of the same suit) pay out the highest at 25 to 1 or 30 to 1.

How does the Perfect Pair side bet work?

Players can make this bet before any hand and simply place some chips on a betting spot located on the table in front of them. The bet will be paid out after all players receive their first two cards and before the main blackjack wager begins.

What are the payout options for Perfect Pair bets?

A perfect pair pays out at 25 to 1 or 30 to 1. Colored pairs generally pay out 10 to 1, 12 to 1, or 15 to 1.

A mixed pair of a red and black card pays out at 6 to 1 or 5 to 1.

What strategies can improve my chances in Perfect Pair Blackjack?

There are no real strategic considerations besides whether to make the wager or not. Because of the high house edge, players may only want to make this bet occasionally.