What are Perfect Pairs in Blackjack?

Perfect Pairs is arguably one of the two most common types of blackjack side bets, the other one being 21+3.

The 21+3 side bet wins if the player’s initial two cards and the dealer’s visible card can be combined into a three-card poker hand. In the classic iteration of the bet, the player wins 9:1 if they arrange a Flush, Straight, Three of a Kind, or Straight Flush.

This side wager also appears in several variants, largely distinguished by different paytables. For example, many versions offer ‘stepped’ rewards that pay more for stronger poker hands, ranging from 5:1 for a Flush to 100:1 for a Suited Three of a Kind.

The table below shows the most common paytables for the 21+3 side bet, as well as the probabilities for every winning outcome and the average estimated house advantage for each variant.

Note that 21+3 paytables can be even more varied than Perfect Pairs because they have more possible outcomes, and thus more variables. The house advantage can sometimes be extremely high (such as Version 3, often called Xtreme 21+3), so we advise caution when selecting a table if you intend to play this side bet.

Perfect Pairs and 21+3 in blackjack are typically offered at the same time. In most cases, their betting positions are placed on the sides of the main betting circle and marked by ‘PP’ and ‘21+3’, respectively.

Should You Play Perfect Pairs? (Bankroll & Reality Check)

Whether you should play Perfect Pairs or not depends on your goals while playing blackjack.

Statistically speaking, the side bet is significantly worse than the main bet in terms of house advantage. Even the best possible variant of PP offers 2.16% house edge, as indicated in the table above. While this is a relatively low advantage compared to many other casino games, it’s still four times higher than the main bet at a good blackjack table.

This problem is compounded by the fact that most versions of Perfect Pairs offer 3-5% HE. That’s why side bets are never a part of blackjack strategy charts. Their house edge is simply too high to ever be the optimal answer.

On the other hand, Perfect Pairs bets typically offer higher potential rewards than the main bet. This makes them attractive to players who want to win more than the usual 1:1 and 3:2 payouts you’re likely to see in blackjack.

However, we should stress that playing casino games is not always about picking the statistically optimal solution. Every bet you can possibly make at a casino has a house advantage – it’s just a matter of degrees. This means that entertainment should be your priority instead of trying to win more. If you find blackjack side bets to be fun, feel free to play them.

Bankroll tip: As always, money management remains an important piece of every gaming strategy. If you’re planning to play Perfect Pairs, we recommend setting aside a small budget specifically for the side bet – for instance, 10% of your total bankroll. Simply use this budget separately from the main bankroll, and stop playing the side bet once it’s spent. This is a great way to mitigate some of the inherent volatility of the wager.

Rules Differences You’ll See at Tables (Check Before You Bet)

Broadly speaking, most Perfect Pairs variants only differ in terms of payouts. You can check out the official rules, definitions, and variants of Perfect Pairs here, as listed by the Nevada Gaming Control Board.

• Unlike the main game of blackjack, ‘face cards’ (Jacks, Queens, and Kings) do not count as 10s. For example, a 10 and a King are not a pair in any variant, but two Kings always are.
• The definitions of Perfect Pairs remain largely the same across different types of games and variants. Such pairs are only possible in games in which multiple decks are used.
• Tables also vary in terms of stake minimums and maximums. In most cases, they’re separate from the limits of the main bet. Both the minimum and maximum limits tend to be lower than the main game.

Quick Cheat Sheet

Note: Payouts vary – check the felt or in-game paytable before playing.

FAQ

• What is PP in blackjack?

PP stands for Perfect Pairs, an optional side bet that rewards players if their first two cards are of the same rank.

• Does Perfect Pairs affect basic strategy?

No; the main blackjack hand is still played normally, regardless of whether you have an active Perfect Pairs side bet or not.

• What are common Perfect Pairs payouts?

The most common variant pays 25:1 for Perfect Pairs, 12:1 for Colored Pairs, and 6:1 for Mixed Pairs. However, other variants such as 30/10/, 25/12/5, and 25/15/5 also exist. The paytables significantly impact the house advantage of the side bet, as does the number of decks in play.

• What’s the difference between Colored and Perfect Pairs?

Colored Pairs are pairs of cards with the same rank and color, but different suit. For example, a 5 of Hearts and a 5 of Diamonds are a colored pair.

Perfect Pairs are pairs of cards with the same rank and suit. For example, two 5s of Hearts are a Perfect Pair.

• What is 21+3, and why is it alongside PP?

21+3 is a separate side bet that uses your two hole cards and the dealer’s up-card to form poker hands. 21+3 is often offered alongside Perfect Pairs, but they are separate wagers and are placed and resolved independently of each other.