Perfect Pairs

How to Play Perfect Pairs Blackjack

Those who are used to playing traditional online blackjack should have no trouble adjusting to Perfect Pairs. That’s because Perfect Pairs uses the same basic rules as 21; the main exception is that players can place a side bet on whether or not they’ll have “perfect pairs.”

Before a hand is dealt, players decide how much to bet on the outcome of the blackjack hand, and then they can choose whether or not to make a perfect pairs wager. If a player chooses to place a perfect pairs bet, the bet will be decided within the first two cards. The following illustrates payouts for perfect pair hands:

- Any hand that includes a pair of the same suit will pay out at 30:1 (i.e. 6c-6c).
- If the player receives a pair that’s not the same suit, but is still the same color, they’ll receive a 10:1 payout.
- Any pair that is not the same color or same suit will pay out at 5:1.

As mentioned before, Perfect Pairs plays out much like blackjack except for the perfect pairs bet. In short, the only thing separating Perfect Pairs and regular 21 is the optional side bet. This being the case, many people will play perfect pairs just because it gives them a little extra variety.

Overall, the house edge for a 6-deck perfect pairs side bet is 6.76%, assuming the payouts are as described above. But keep in mind that the payouts are lower in some casinos, which increases the house edge even more.

That’s why it’s important to find the best payouts you can if you’re going to play perfect pairs blackjack. The house edge is already quite high, so you don’t want it increased any more through lowered payouts. In any case, it’s always fun to play perfect pairs blackjack just because it gives you the option to make side bets.