How do you play
Buster Blackjack?
Buster Blackjack is not a standalone game as such. Instead, it’s a type of blackjack side bet that you can play as well as your blackjack hand. This side bet pays out if the dealer busts, i.e. their card values exceed 21. Let’s look at an example:
- You place a $1 blackjack bet.
- You also place a $1 buster side bet.
- You are dealt a 9 and Jack (19 total) – you stand.
- The dealer is dealt a 7 and 9 (16 total) – they have to hit.
- The dealer draws another 9 and busts (25 total).
- You get $2 for your standard hand winning.
- You also get $3 for your buster side bet winning.
Simple right? Essentially, you want the dealer to go over 21. The following caveats also apply:
- The Buster Blackjack side bet plays out separately to your hand.
- You can still win the Buster Blackjack side bet even if you bust.
So, in the above example, if you got a 5 and a jack, hit, and got a 10 (25 total), even though you bust, because the dealer bust, your side bet would still payout.
In most variants of this game that you can find at the casinos linked on this page, the payout depends on how many cards the dealer takes to bust – the more cards, the higher your payout:
- 8 or more cards: 250:1.
- 7 or more cards: 50:1.
- 6 or more cards: 15:1.
- 5 or more cards: 4:1
- 3 or 4 cards: 2:1.
Buster Blackjack
highlights
You’ve now got the basics of Buster Blackjack and I’ve summarized the main highlights below:
- Buster Blackjack is a type of blackjack side bet.
- It can be played as an additional bet on any hand.
- The minimum side bet value is $1 (or your equivalent currency).
- Your side bet wins if the dealer busts (their card value exceeds 21).
- Payouts range from 2:1 to 250:1 depending on the number of cards they bust with.
Please remember that this is an OPTIONAL side bet – you can take it on whichever hands you want. I also recommend reading the game rules before playing as some versions only have the standard 2:1 payout regardless of how many cards the dealer busts with.
Can you play
Buster Blackjack
on mobile?
Yes! I’ve played Buster Blackjack in both live and single player variants on my smartphone before. Whether you can play on mobile or not depends on the online casino you choose and the mobile support they have.
The casinos we’ve linked on the banners on this page all have at least a mobile-responsive browser version of their website, and some have a downloadable mobile app. They’ll also likely have a wide range of other casino games available, so you can give popular titles like
Stake crash
a try.
If you play a live dealer version of Buster Blackjack, make sure that you have a stable internet connection so that the same will run smoothly – I’ve had instances before where I’ve had a poor connection which has meant I’ve not been able to hit or stand on several hands in a row!
Conclusion – my take on Buster Blackjack
With Buster Blackjack odds ranging from 2:1 to 250:1, this is one of my favorite blackjack side bets and probably the one I use the most. Still, I don’t use it on every hand. You can place this side bet on every hand, but you will find that your RTP will be closer to the lower end of 93.79%.
In contrast, consider using the Buster Blackjack side bet sparingly – look at the cards you’ve drawn and try to spot points of opportunity, such as when the dealer has had a string of finishes below 21. Remember that there is an approximate 24% chance that the dealer will bust with 3 or 4 cards on any hand, so that is the reality of the chance of winning with Buster Blackjack.
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Buster Blackjack FAQ
🃏 What is Buster Blackjack?
Buster Blackjack is a blackjack side bet. This can be placed on any hand in addition to your standard hand wager. You are betting on whether the dealer is going to bust or not (i.e. their card total exceeds 21 and is an automatic loss).
💰 What is the Buster Blackjack payout?
This can depend on how many cards it takes the dealer to bust. The standard payout is 2:1, but it can go as high as 250:1 if the dealer takes 8 cards to bust. Some games only have the single 2:1 payout option.
📝 How do you make the Buster Blackjack side bet?
You first have to make your standard blackjack hand bet. After that, there should be a set circle on the play table near your standard bet where you can place the additional Buster Blackjack side bet. There is usually a minimum side bet value of $1.
🤔 Is it worth using the Buster Blackjack side bet?
All blackjack side bets should be used strategically and not relied on as a means of profit. It’s best to always play blackjack using optimum strategy and then look at opportunities where you think using the Buster Blackjack side bet will be beneficial – you don’t have to play it every hand.
