Why I Started Paying Attention to the Price Up on Table Games
I spend most of my time betting on football accumulators and tennis match winners. The casino side of things was always a secondary thought, something I’d hit after a big win or during a boring international break. But I noticed something over the last few months. The variance in sports betting can be brutal. You can do all the research, watch the form, and still lose because of a red card in the 89th minute. That randomness pushed me to look at RNG table games, specifically blackjack and baccarat. And the one thing that caught my eye? The price up on certain side bets.
It’s not about the main hand. It’s about the side bets where the odds shift. From what I’ve seen, the “Perfect Pairs” or “21+3” side bets in blackjack often have a price up that makes them actually worth a punt. The standard house edge on the main blackjack hand is boring. But when the casino bumps the payout on a specific pair? That changes the math.
RNG Blackjack: Where the Price Up Actually Matters
Let’s talk about blackjack. Not the live dealer stuff with the slow shuffle. The RNG version. It’s fast. You can cycle through dozens of hands in an hour. The key is to find the tables where the side bet payouts have been increased. I saw this at Betway a few weeks ago. They had a promotion where the “Perfect Pair” payout was priced up from 25:1 to 35:1 for a specific weekend. That is a massive shift in expected value.
Now, I’m not saying you should chase side bets blindly. But if you are going to play blackjack anyway, why not wait for the price up? It turns a sucker bet into a semi-decent bet. Check the promotions page before you load the table. Unibet and LeoVegas do this quite often. They bump the price on the “Mixed Pair” or the “Suited Pair” for a limited time. It’s a small edge, but in RNG blackjack, small edges add up over 200 hands.
Roulette: The Price Up on Straight Ups is Rare
Roulette is harder to find a good price up on. The standard 35:1 payout on a straight up number is pretty set in stone. But I have seen some casinos offer a boosted payout on specific numbers during a “Lucky Number” promotion. 888 Casino ran a thing last year where if you hit number 17, it paid 40:1 instead of 35:1 for one day. That is a real price up.
For the most part, I stick to the even money bets in roulette (Red/Black, Odd/Even) because the house edge is lower. But if you see a promotion where the casino is offering a price up on a specific bet, take a small shot. Just don’t chase it. It’s a rarity, not a strategy.
Baccarat: The Price Up on the Tie Bet (Don’t Do It)
I have to be honest here. The tie bet in baccarat is a trap. It pays 8:1 or 9:1 usually, with a massive house edge of over 14%. I have seen some casinos offer a price up on the tie bet, bumping it to 10:1 or even 11:1. It still stinks. The house edge is still huge. Even with the price up, you are fighting an uphill battle.
But, if you absolutely must play baccarat, look for the “Player” or “Banker” side bets. Sometimes the price up applies to the commission. A few UKGC licensed casinos like Casumo and Mr Green have offered a “Zero Commission” baccarat table for a limited time. That is a price up in disguise. It saves you the 5% rake on Banker wins. That is a real edge.
The One Obscure Slot Game You Should Actually Play
Okay, I said I don’t play slots much, but there is one old game I still go back to. It’s called “Break da Bank Again” by Microgaming. It’s from 2010. It looks ancient. The graphics are terrible. But here is the thing: the volatility is insane, and the “Feature Free Spins” mode can pay out 200x your stake very easily. I hate modern video slots with 40 paylines and 5000 ways to win. They drain your balance slowly. Break da Bank Again is simple. 5 reels, 9 paylines. The price up on the wild symbol during the free spins is what makes it. The wilds stack. If you get a full reel of wilds during the feature, the payout is huge. It’s not a “price up” in the traditional sense, but the game itself has a built-in price up on the wilds during the bonus round. It’s the only slot I recommend to my sports betting mates.
How to Spot a Genuine Price Up Offer (And Avoid the Traps)
Not every promotion is a real price up. Some of them are just marketing fluff. Here is how I check if it is worth my time.
- Check the wagering requirements: If the price up comes with a 50x wagering requirement on the winnings, it’s not a price up. It’s a loan. Look for 10x or lower, or ideally, wager-free.
- Check the max bet: Some offers limit your stake to £1 or £2. A price up on a £1 bet is not going to move the needle. Look for max stakes of £10 or higher.
- Check the time limit: I saw a Bet365 offer that had a price up on blackjack pairs, but you had to opt-in and play within 24 hours. That is tight but doable. Avoid offers with a 2-hour window unless you are already logged in.
- Check the eligible games: Some “price up” offers only apply to specific game variants. Make sure your favourite RNG blackjack or roulette game is included.
Fresh for Summer 2026: The Current Best Price Up Offers
Last updated: June 2026. Here are three offers I have my eye on right now for UK players. These are verified as of this week.
| Casino | Offer Type | Details | Wagering |
|---|---|---|---|
| LeoVegas | Blackjack Side Bet Boost | Suited Pairs pay 30:1 instead of 25:1. Max stake £10. Use code: LEOBJ30 | 0x on winnings (cash) |
| 888 Casino | Roulette Lucky Number | Number 7 pays 40:1 on RNG roulette. Valid for 48 hours. Max bet £5. | 10x on bonus funds |
| Unibet | Baccarat Commission Free | No commission on Banker wins for 24 hours. Max stake £50. | 0x (instant cash) |
These are the kind of price up offers that actually have value. The LeoVegas one is the best because the winnings are paid as cash, not bonus money. No wagering. That is rare.
FAQ: Your Price Up Questions Answered
What exactly is a price up in casino terms?
It is when the casino temporarily increases the payout for a specific bet. For example, a side bet in blackjack that normally pays 25:1 is temporarily priced up to 35:1. It’s a promotional tool to get you to play a specific game.
Is a price up on a side bet worth it?
Sometimes. If the price up is significant (like 10:1 to 12:1) and the wagering requirements are low, it can reduce the house edge to almost zero. But if the wagering is high, it is not worth it. I personally only play price up offers with 0x wagering on the winnings.
Can I use a price up on sports betting?
Yes, but it is called “Price Boost” in sports betting. The concept is the same. The bookmaker increases the odds on a specific outcome. For casino, we call it a price up on the payout. It’s the same principle applied to RNG games.
Do UKGC licensed casinos offer price up promotions?
Yes, most of them do. Betway, 888, LeoVegas, and Unibet all run these promotions regularly. They are fully compliant with UKGC rules. Just remember to read the terms. 18+. T&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org.
What is the best game to use a price up on?
From my experience, blackjack side bets are the best because the variance is lower than slots. The price up on a “Perfect Pair” or “21+3” can turn a negative expectation bet into a positive one for a short period. Baccarat commission-free is also excellent.