Out of all variations, many view 21+3 blackjack as the best version of this iconic table game. That’s because it doesn’t take anything away from traditional blackjack; it simply adds a few more side bets. Placing any 21+3 blackjack side bet will make you feel like you are playing poker, and just like in poker, the payouts are affected by the hand score.
In case you want to learn what is 21+3 in blackjack, and how this side bet works, then look no further than our guide below. We’ll explain the 21 3 blackjack rules payout structure and give some tips on how to make the best use of the new wagering options.
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Blackjack 21+3 is a unique spin on a traditional game that adds up to 2 side bets. You need to place these side wagers before the cards are dealt. To do so you need to put chips in one or both designated areas (circles) that are adjacent to your main area for regular bets.
The 21+3 blackjack side bet is about getting a 3-card combo, using two face-up cards dealt to you and one dealer’s face-up card. The card combinations you are aiming for are imported directly from Poker, so we have:
The player needs to place this blackjack side bet 21+3 at the same time as he is placing the main wager for that hand. Also, this side bet is resolved immediately after the cards are dealt. If you get one of the possible 3-card combinations, you get paid based on a payout table. Once the side bet is settled, the game will continue regularly.
Now that you know what does 21+3 mean in blackjack, let’s talk about the side bet itself and show you how it works. First off, you need to make sure that you are playing this version of blackjack, as it’s not possible to place these wagers in the majority of blackjack jack games. So, find an online casino or the best blackjack app, as they are likely to have blackjack 21 + 3.
The rules might vary depending on the casino, but in 21 3 blackjack, you should have one extra circle or betting area, with the number 3 inside, that you use for this special wager. According to 21+3 blackjack rules, you can only make a side bet once you’ve staked chips for a regular bet.
Put your chips in a small circle with the number 3, and the wager will be active when the round starts. Two face-up cards are dealt to you, and one face-up card goes to the dealer. Now, if those 3 cards on the table form one of the following combinations, you immediately win that side bet and get paid.
Now, the above-listed 21+3 blackjack payouts are not universal. They will vary depending on the casino and the game version. After all, the number of decks in the shoe will affect 21+3 blackjack odds for these side wagers, and the payout structure needs to reflect that.
In some variations of blackjack 21 3 there is another side bet called top 3. In this instance, you place an additional wager, but to win it, the hand combination needs to be – a three-of-a-kind, a straight flush, or a suited three-of-a-kind.
When this optional wager is available, you will see that there is another designated area for placing chips, and it will say “Top 3” on that circle. In order to make a top 3 side bet you need to place a regular side wager of 21+3 in blackjack, and then put some additional chips on the circle that says top 3.
If you place both of these bets, the round can start, and you will once again check to see if the two cards dealt to you and the dealer’s hole card create a winning combination. If that winning combo is three-of-a-kind, straight flush, or suited three-of-a-kind, the payouts will be significantly increased.
However, if some of these combinations come up, and you haven’t placed the top 3 side bet, then you only get paid for trips, straight or flush.
In essence, this is what’s 21+3 in blackjack with a “top 3” side wager, and how it affects the winning payouts. That said, each game designer or casino will handle the rules and payouts for this option differently.
There aren’t any side bet variations that weren’t covered in the 21+3 blackjack examples above. The only exception would be if you play a 2 deck version, where suited three-of-a-kind isn’t even possible. But this version might have “Pairs” as a potential winning combo, and it will likely pay 2.5 to 1. It should be mentioned that there are other pairs-related side bets, so it’s not exactly accurate to lump them together with 21+3.
Also, the payout table will differ based on the version you play and how many decks are used in that version. 21 3 blackjack odds are affected by these factors, and you obviously can’t even achieve some of these combinations with a single deck of cards.
If you are paying a top 3 variant of 21 plus 3 blackjack, then payouts on three-of-a-kind, straight flush, and three-of-a-kind suited outcomes will be significantly higher. But you’ll need to spend more chips to participate or “unlock” this as a separate outcome for the resolution.
First, you need to have an account on an online casino with regular or live dealer blackjack. It would be ideal to read the reviews and confirm that they have this version of the game before you make an account. The same goes for land-based casinos, make sure to check if they have 21 + 3 blackjack.
Step 1: Buy chips, take a seat at the blackjack table, and place the regular bet first.
Step 2: Then put a chip on a circle next to the area for regular bets. The circle should have the number 3 inside of it.
In a version with the top 3 bet, there will be another separate circle next to a designated area for main bets. You will have to place a regular bet, then an optional side bet, and then you can put chips on the top 3 side wager.
Step 3:Wait for the cards to be dealt.
Step 4:Check if you got a winning combo, and if you do, collect the winning chips.
Step 5:Proceed with the regular game of blackjack.
As stated, payouts vary for each version, but in a typical 8-deck variation, the payouts look something like this:
In the 6-deck variation, the following payout structure will likely be in place:
But if you play some top 3 versions, then payouts on all outcomes might be 9:1, and if you make an additional side bet for the top 3, the payouts on those combinations will look like this:
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The house edge on these side bets does give casinos more advantage. For a 6-deck version, the house edge is around 4.14% and for an 8-deck it’s 3.18%. It can also, get higher depending on the payout structure and the number of decks used.
It’s always better to play on sites that try to keep the house edge to a minimum. So, go over the reviews of the best blackjack casinos and check if you can get a promo or cashback perk to even out some of your disadvantages.
Well, we’ve covered in detail what is 21 + 3 in blackjack, but we haven’t discussed if this optional wager is worth it. Here are the odds of hitting these winning combos in versions that use 6 decks and 8 decks.
| Combination | 6-deck | 8-deck |
|---|---|---|
| Straight | 0.031021 | 0.030947 |
| Flush | 0.058424 | 0.058841 |
| Straight flush | 0.002068 | 0.002063 |
| Three of a kind | 0.005041 | 0.005169 |
| Three-of-a-kind suited | 0.000207 | 0.000244 |
Assuming you already know the basics of how to play blackjack, there are a few ways to improve your odds and use the optional wager to your benefit.
Card counting can be a valid 21+3 blackjack strategy, but you’d really have to use some sort of software to execute it properly. Regular card counting strategy doesn’t rely on memorizing exactly which cards remain in the shoe. It simply helps you tell whether the majority of the cards remaining are high-value (10, J, Q, K, A) or low-value (2, 3, 4, 5, 6) cards.
There is free card counting software available online, but using it is against casino rules. Therefore, if you are caught, casinos have the right to deny you payouts. Card counting without the use of software is perfectly legal, and it’s how professional gamblers make their money.
You would also have to calibrate the app or software to measure the odds of winning on these side bets based on the cards that remain in the shoe. In other words, you would have to start with the fresh shoe and then enter the cards that were dealt each round.
There is a lot to like about this version of blackjack, and as with any other game, there are some aspects you might find bothersome. The pros and cons list below sums up our thoughts on this subject.
If you wish to win on these side bets, be prepared for a lengthy game. Here’s a short list to keep in mind if you want to boost your odds of winning.
Both land-based and live dealer online casinos host multiple variations of blackjack. What makes each version unique are the side bets they have available. For those of you unfamiliar, here are some other optional wagers.
In theory, any online casino that hosts live dealer games from Evolution should have this version of blackjack. That said, you shouldn’t just pick a brand based on the games they host. It’s crucial to choose an operator that guarantees user safety and that gives neat player benefits. Here’s a list of things to check:
If you wish to give 21+3 blackjack a go, then signing up with TG.Casino would be a good place to start. The brand meets all of the above-mentioned standards and you can play on your phone through the Telegram app.
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The best strategy for having fun while gambling is to manage your bankroll carefully and to gamble responsibly. If losses start getting to you, it’s time to give up. Don’t shy away from using tools and resources available on the gambling sites. This way, you can limit how much you spend and how long you can play.
You can also apply for self-exclusion if you have a hard time controlling this habit. For more insightful advice on problem gambling, consult the links below:
Call 1-800-GAMBLER if you need to talk to a trained counselor who can help with gambling addiction.
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