What is 21+3 in Blackjack?

Blackjack 21+3 side bets are an exciting way to kick up your winning potential. This optional side bet is a combination of classic blackjack and three-hand poker. Double the gambling thrills in one hand. Best of all, you don’t need an expert strategy to win a lucrative payout. While this kind of game is making the hot list at various iGaming platforms’ live casinos, we wanted to test it out for ourselves to see what does 21+3 mean in blackjack. This page will cover everything you need to know about this variation and how it works. Keep reading for more insight into the 21+3 blackjack meaning.

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    What is the 21+3 Side Bet?

    So, what is 21 + 3 blackjack? This is an optional side bet that players can select when they place their wagers. The results of this wager will be based on the two cards that the player was initially dealt and the dealer’s upright card.

    The rules of this game are relatively straightforward. It’s played out like a traditional round of blackjack. No matter how many cards the player or dealer takes during a game, it won’t affect which cards are used for the side bet. The three initial cards turned upright will always be selected.

    One of the best aspects of the 21+3 blackjack side bet is that players can still win on losing hands. Even if the dealer beats them in the initial round, they could still have a winning combination for the side bet.

    Possible Hands in 21+3

    While online blackjack is the game’s name, think of the side bet as a round of poker. We like to think of 21+3 blackjack as multiple winning possibilities. With this side bet, various hands could result in a win.

    • Flush- all three cards are the same suit
    • Three of a kind- three of the same cards (number or face)
    • Straight- a series of consecutive cards (ie-8,9,10)
    • Straight flush- a series of consecutive cards in the same suit
    • Suited three of a kind- three matching cards of the same suit (i.e., three 10 of diamonds)

    As you can see, these card combinations could result in a win during a hand of poker. The only difference with the 21 + 3 side bet compared to a round of poker is that blackjack players will win for the side bet combination as long as they place a wager on this option. They aren’t competing against the dealer or another player for the highest side bet. This makes winning a lot easier, especially for beginners.

    These card combinations are only available on the three upright cards. Unfortunately, if you make a +3 combination out of other cards dealt during the 21 + 3 blackjack round, you won’t be able to use them to make a winning side bet.

    How to Play 21+3 in Blackjack

    Now that we’ve explained what’s 21+3 in blackjack, it’s time to talk about how to play. If you’re familiar with playing online blackjack, it won’t take long to learn the ropes of this side bet. But this bet isn’t only for seasoned players. 21+3 blackjack is also straightforward enough for newcomers to navigate. Let’s take a look at how to play.

    1. Choose an online casino: Choose the best casino that has 21+3 blackjack.
    2. Register at the online casino: Fill out your personal details and instantly create a casino account for full access to the platform.
    3. Make your first deposit: Choose a preferred payment method to make your first deposit. You will also have the option to claim the welcome bonus.
    4. Choose a variation of blackjack 21+3: These games can be found under ‘Table Games’ and ‘Live Casino.’
    5. Place blackjack wager: Review the minimum and maximum wager amount and select how much you want to bet on the initial round of blackjack.
    6. Select the side bet option for 21+3 blackjack: Some variations may have multiple options. Choose the option for 21+3 and select how much you want to wager.
    7. Confirm your wagers: Review the total amount for your bets and select ‘Deal’ or a similar option to start the game.
    8. Hit or Stand: After your initial two cards are dealt, and the dealer has one upright and one face-down card, you can accept another card or stand. Your goal is to get a hand closest to 21 without going over. You can accept as many cards as you want until you stand or go over 21.
    9. Dealer’s turn: The dealer will now get to hit or stand. They are required to collect cards until their hand reaches 17.
    10. Winner revealed: Results will be displayed for whether the player or the dealer won the game.
    11. Payout received: If you win the blackjack round and/or side bet, you will receive a winning payout automatically.

    Payouts and Odds

    We like to think of side bets like 21 + 3 blackjack, meaning a higher winning potential. While these side bets don’t guarantee a win, they set players up with greater winning possibilities. That’s because various winning combinations can be formed on top of the initial blackjack game.

    The odds of the 21+3 side bet vary based on which combination is formed since combos like the flush are more common than a suited three-of-a-kind. Now, the house has the edge in nearly any casino game. With the blackjack game, players have an estimated 42.22% chance of winning, 49.10% of losing, and 8.48% of a tie.

    Now, when the 21 + 3 blackjack side bet is added to the mix, another set of odds is at play. Here is a quick breakdown of the theoretical odds of each possible hand.

    Flush73:1177
    Straight31:969
    Three of a Kind1:199
    Straight Flush1:499
    Suited Three of a Kind1:4999

    As you browse through blackjack games at online casinos, you will notice 21+3 featured by various providers. The RTP will vary per game, but this game has an average RTP of 95.38%. In theory, that results in a 21+3 blackjack payout rate of $95.38 to winning players for every $100 wagered on the game. If players win a side bet, they could receive the following payout based on their wager:

    • Flush- 5x
    • Straight- 10x
    • Three of a kind- 33x
    • Straight flush- 35x
    • Suited three of a kind- 100x

    On average, the payout for a blackjack game is 3:2 for blackjack and 1:1 for standard wins. So, if you were to bet $1 and get a blackjack, you would win $1.50 and get the $1 back. While a standard win would be $1, and your $1 returned. A winning side bet would then be multiplied by your wager, such as $33 for three of a kind.

    Conclusion

    We’re thrilled to help you answer the question, ‘What is 21+3 blackjack?’. This side bet is a popular choice for online blackjack games. Players enjoy it because it adds a higher winning potential to each round they play. Since multiple combinations can be formed, this side bet can provide a win even on losing hands of blackjack.

    While this side bet amplifies the player’s winning potential, it doesn’t guarantee a win. That’s why it’s essential to always play responsibly. Make sure you set a limit for yourself with your budget and gameplay session. You can also benefit from looking into responsible gambling tools featured at online casinos, like deposit and loss limits. Playing responsibly makes 21 + 3 blackjack meaning more enjoyable.

    Author

    Oliver Scott igaming expert
    Oliver Scott
    Oliver is our gambling guru 🔥 All the texts on our site are written or edited by his professional hands. He played in most of the best New Zealand casinos which are on iCasinoreviews. 10 years in iGaming ❗ Lots of conferences and tournaments. Everything to become the best casino expert for you.