Royal Match was one of the first bonus bets to hit the casinos. It is a side-bet, made in addition to the standard blackjack bet and pays a bonus based on your first two cards only. To play Royal Match you must first make a standard blackjack bet. Once you have your bet in the larger betting circle, place a bet of at least $1 in the small circle for Royal Match. The dealer will be happy to assist you with minimums and maximums.


If your first two cards are of the same suit, an Easy Match, you will win five chips for every two you bet. A $1 wager wins $2.50 for the player. If your first two cards are not suited, the bonus bet is lost.

If your first two cards are a Royal Match, specifically a king and queen of the same suit, you win a 25-to-1 bonus on your bet. A $1 wager wins $25. If your first two cards are not suited, the bonus bet is lost. This payoff schedule has a casino edge of 10.8 percent for single-deck games. With a six-deck shoe, the casino edge is lowered to 6.66 percent.

Some casinos offer Royal Match with a payoff of 3-1 on the Easy Match and 10-1 on the Royal Match. This payoff schedule has a house edge of 3.8 percent for single-deck games. With a six-deck shoe the casino edge is just 1.11 percent.

Royal Match is offered in other varieties, the most popular of which has a house advantage of 3.7 percent:

• Royal Match pays 25 to 1
• Suited Player Blackjack pays 5 to 1
• Easy Match pays 5 to 2