Explaining the Lucky Ladies Side Bet

Side bet options are one of the hallmarks of casino table games. This is especially true in the world of online casino games, as providers jockey to try and create a new feature that takes the online gaming world by storm.

One such Side Bet is found at Blackjack tables online and in live casinos. It’s called Lucky Ladies. Let’s take a look at the ins and outs of this popular Side Bet so that you know how to take advantage of the option the next time you’re at the online Blackjack tables.

Basic Payouts & Hand Types

The Lucky Ladies side bet rewards players based on the specific combination of their first two cards only, and crucially, these must total exactly 20 points to qualify for a win. This makes hands like 10-10, J-Q, or Q-Q prime candidates for triggering payouts. While Blackjack players often strive for 21, in this case, hitting 20 becomes the winning formula.

If you hit a 20 made up of an unsuited pair, for example 10♣ and Q♦, you’ll receive a payout of 4:1 on your original side bet. If the cards are of the same suit—say, 10♥ and Q♥—the payout rises to 10:1, offering a solid return for what is still a fairly achievable outcome. Things get even more exciting with a matched pair like two Jacks of Spades, which pays 25:1. But the real thrill comes from landing two Queens of Hearts, also known as the “Lucky Ladies” themselves, this pays out a whopping 200:1.

And if you hit the Queen of Hearts pair and the dealer reveals Blackjack, then the payout skyrockets to 1,000:1—a once-in-a-blue-moon moment that can deliver a life-changing win, even on a modest side bet stake.

Origins & Popularity

The Lucky Ladies side bet was developed in the United States and has gained significant traction in both brick-and-mortar casinos and online live dealer platforms. It was first popularised in Washington State casinos and quickly became a hit due to its high payout potential and the memorable theme centred around the Queen of Hearts.

The bet was designed to offer a fresh layer of excitement to standard blackjack gameplay, which traditionally has low volatility and consistent betting options. By introducing Lucky Ladies, game developers were able to give players a reason to cheer even before the full hand is resolved.

Volatility and Frequency

Because Lucky Ladies only pays when your starting hand totals 20, and delivers the biggest payouts only in rare scenarios, it’s considered a high volatility side bet. 

This means that while the potential returns are large, they don’t come around often. Players might go dozens of hands without a single win, only to suddenly land a payout that boosts their bankroll significantly.

The likelihood of hitting a regular 20 is around 9.2%, while the odds of hitting a suited 20 drop to about 1.2%. A matched 20 occurs only about 0.35% of the time, and the fabled Queen of Hearts pair appears in just 1 out of every 1,250 hands on average. 

The jackpot scenario—Queens of Hearts plus dealer blackjack—is even rarer, occurring in approximately 1 in 150,000 hands.

Because of these odds, bankroll management becomes crucial when playing Lucky Ladies. It’s best used sparingly and treated as a small side play rather than a main betting strategy.

Final Thoughts: When (and Why) to Use Lucky Ladies

Lucky Ladies isn’t a side bet for players looking to play the percentages. Its house edge is too steep and the volatility too wild to be considered a smart long-term play. However, that doesn’t mean it has no place at the table. For many players, especially those seeking entertainment and the chance for a big payoff on a small stake, Lucky Ladies offers exactly that.

It can be a fun addition to a low-stakes session, particularly if you’re playing in a live casino setting and want to spice up the experience. Just keep in mind: it’s a high-risk, high-reward gamble, and like all side bets, it should be approached with moderation. Think of it less as part of a blackjack strategy and more as a bonus game you occasionally enter when you’re feeling lucky.