As a general guideline, side bets in blackjack have high house edges and should be avoided. But if you insist on trying your luck, at least stick to the side bets that have the lowest house edge. Better yet, learn a counting system that is specific to the side bet and that can give you an edge.

Side bets can be entertaining and potentially offer higher payouts than the main blackjack game. However, they also have a higher house edge, which means they are riskier in the long run.

The Snook (Vera's House) on Holy Island. Anyone who is a fan of the TV series Vera will recognise this building as her house although I'm not sure if the interior shots are filmed there. The film crew were in the car park when I arrived and had just finished filming for the new series.

Vera is one of ITV's highest-rated shows and become a worldwide sensation, watched in more than 20 countries. Brenda lives in Kent, more than 300 miles away from where the drama is filmed, with husband Michael Mayhew and their cockapoo, Jack.