Blackjack Match the Dealer Side Bet Rules and Payouts
You’ll encounter your fair share of side bets when playing blackjack at BetUS. In addition to common wagers like 21+3 and Perfect Pairs, you can also take a shot at Match the Dealer, a simple but fun side bet with enormous payout potential.
What is the Blackjack Match the Dealer Bet?
Match the Dealer is a side bet commonly found at Las Vegas tables, created in 1999 by Masque Publishing, the same team behind Spanish 21 (a blackjack variant that removes the 10s). As with general strip blackjack rules, it’s very easy to follow:
· It is an optional bet that runs alongside the main hand
· It pays when the player’s cards match the dealer’s upcard
· The payouts vary depending on how well-matched those cards are and whether one or both form a match
Match the Dealer Bet Examples
Most blackjack games use multiple decks, so it’s possible to have exactly the same card as the dealer.
For instance, if you draw two 4 of Spades, and the dealer also shows a 4 of Spades, you will win the Match the Dealer side bet with two suited matches. This is the highest possible Match-the-Dealer payout.
If you have a 4 of Spades and a 5 of Spades, and the dealer’s upcard is a 4 of Diamonds, you will win with one unsuited matched, the lowest possible return.
If we suppose the dealer’s upcard is a King of Diamonds, a winning hand might look something like this:
· One Unsuited Match = King of Spades and 5 of Hearts
· Two Unsuited Matches = King of Spades and King of Hearts
· One Suited Match = King of Diamonds and 8 of Diamonds
· One Suited Match and One Unsuited Match = King of Diamonds and King of Hearts
· Two Suited Matches = King of Diamonds and King of Diamonds
For more information on winning with blackjack side bets, see our guide on how to win big on side bets.
Match the Dealer Odds
It might seem like you have a decent chance of matching the dealer’s card, but the odds of hitting two suited matches are 0.021% in most six-deck games (actual odds vary by game type and total decks).
There is a 0.19% chance of getting one suited and one unsuited match, increasing to 10.75% for just one unsuited match. Consider these and compare them to the payouts (below) to understand the value.
Match the Dealer Blackjack Payout
Payouts are more significant for games with fewer decks, as there is less chance of landing them.
Depending on the number of decks, Match the Dealer payouts should look something like this:
· One Unsuited Match = 3:1 to 4:1
· Two Unsuited Matches = 6:1 to 8:1
· One Suited Match = 11:1 to 19:1
· One Suited Match and One Unsuited Match = 15:1 to 23:1
· Two Suited Matches = 22:1 to 30:1
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