People head to the casino dreaming of hitting it big. They may try slots, or their favorite table game, waiting for their moment to arrive.
A man, identified only by the name of Joshua, was lucky enough to win a massive jackpot while playing Blackjack at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort in North Carolina.
Josh won over $840K on Blackjack progressive with a royal flush in diamonds. The casino posted a picture of him, moments after his big win, on its X account.
THIS JUST IN 📢
Our lucky winner Josh just won over $840K on blackjack progressive with a royal flush in diamonds! 💠 His first thoughts: "This has to be a mistake!" No mistake, Josh. Congrats!
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21+
Know when to stop before you start. Call 1-800-522-4700 pic.twitter.com/4CKjYo5yCI— Harrah's Cherokee (@HarrahsCherokee) October 10, 2024
His total win amounted to $841,711.75. That is a life-changing amount of money.
What’s ironic about Josh’s story is that when he hit the jackpot, he was more confused than excited. His first reaction when a casino representative told him that he won was, “This has to be a mistake.”
The casino rep assured him it was no mistake and presented him with an oversized check to mark the occasion.
What Side Bets Can You Make in Blackjack?
In Blackjack, players can choose from many side bets, with some of the most popular being:
Insurance bets: If the dealer shows an Ace as their face-up card, you can place an insurance bet if you think the dealer will hit Blackjack. Blackjack insurance is a side bet that is usually half your original wager and pays 2 to 1.
21+3 bets: These bets are based on your first two cards and the dealer’s face-up card. You bet on whether these three cards will make poker-like combinations:
- Flush: All three cards are of the same suit, like a four, nine, and Queen of diamonds. This usually pays 5:1.
- Straight: The cards form a sequence, regardless of suit, such as a five of spades, six of clubs, and seven of hearts. This often pays 10:1.
- Three of a kind: The cards are the same rank, regardless of suit, like three Kings. This generally pays 30:1.
- Straight flush: The cards form a sequence and are all of the same suit, such as a six, seven, and eight of spades. This usually pays 40:1.
- Suited three of a kind: The cards are the same rank and suit, like three nine of hearts. This typically pays 100:1.
It's like turning Blackjack into your own personal game of Poker.
Other Available Blackjack Side Bets
Other available blackjack side bets include the Perfect Pairs bet, which wagers on whether your first two cards form a mixed pair, a colored pair, or a perfect pair.
The Easy Match is a side bet that the first two cards in your hand will be of the same suit.
You can also play Match the Dealer, which is a bet on whether the rank of at least one of the first two cards in your hand will match the dealer’s face up card.
There are many side bets you can try in Blackjack. Keep in mind that most side bets are hard to win, which is why they often have high payouts. Plus, you can't include them in standard Blackjack strategies, so they give the dealer and the house a much bigger edge than the main game.
And the types of side bets offered will vary.
If you'd like to practice your strategies, or try some side bets before you hit the casino, check out the list of best online Blackjack legal sites. But remember to always play responsibly.
