In order to bring an exhilarating twist to the classic casino game, certain blackjack variations offer the 21+3 side bet. This inventive addition takes inspiration from three-card poker, as it combines the player’s initial cards with the dealer’s face-up card.
This guide will delve into the mechanics of the 21+3 side bet, covering its odds, payouts, and various locations where you can experience the 21+3 variation of blackjack. Furthermore, we will also explore other captivating side bets within the realm of blackjack.
How the 21+3 blackjack side bet works
In blackjack, the term “21+3” refers to a side bet where you wager that your initial two cards, along with the dealer’s visible card, will form a winning three-card poker hand. This bet offers five potential combinations that can result in an extra payout.
- In card games, a flush refers to a hand where a player holds three cards of the same suit, such as 5♣ 7♣ J♣.
- A straight is a series of three consecutive cards, like 6♦ 7♥ 8♦.
- A collection of three cards, specifically a group of three cards with the same rank (such as: 5♣ 5♠ 5♥).
- When three consecutive cards of the same suit are held, it is called a straight flush. An example of this would be the cards 5♠ 6♠ 7♠.
- For example, three kings of clubs (K♣ K♣ K♣) constitute a set of three cards with the same rank and suit.
Your winnings will be determined based on the paytable, which depends on the combination formed by your initial two cards and the dealer’s revealed card. It is crucial to understand that the paytable can vary between casinos. The specific amount you win will be determined by the three-card hand you receive.
21+3 blackjack odds
The original version of 21 plus 3 blackjack included a 9:1 payout ratio for each winning hand. This specific paytable can still be found in various physical casinos across the country.
The emergence of legalized online casinos that allow players to gamble with real money has resulted in modifications to the paytable for the 21+3 game. The amount of money awarded in this blackjack variant may vary depending on the particular version of blackjack and software provider utilized by each casino website. To illustrate, IGT’s rendition grants a 35:1 payout for a straight flush, whereas Evolution Gaming’s live dealer blackjack variant featuring the 21+3 side bet offers a 40:1 payout.
The payout for each of the five winning hands is generally determined based on the likelihood of obtaining that specific hand. As the probability of getting the hand decreases, the corresponding payout increases.
The prevailing odds and payouts for each hand in regulated online casinos are shown in the table below. This particular version is the live dealer variant provided by Evolution Gaming, which uses eight decks.
| Hand | Payout | Probability of Landing | Total Number of Combinations | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flush | 5:1 | 0.059 | 700,928 | 0.294 |
| Straight | 10:1 | 0.031 | 368,640 | 0.031 |
| Three of a Kind | 30:1 | 0.005 | 61,568 | 0.155 |
| Straight Flush | 40:1 | 0.002 | 24,576 | 0.082 |
| Suited Three of a Kind | 100:1 | 0.0002 | 2,912 | 0.024 |
House edge of 21+3
The variation in the house edge for the 21+3 side bet can be attributed to the number of decks in play, and this difference can be significant, reaching up to several percentage points.
As mentioned earlier, the eight-deck version of the game has a house edge of 3.62%. In contrast, the six-deck version has a slightly higher house edge of 3.7%, and the four-deck variant has a significantly higher house edge of 6.39%. Additionally, there are single-deck versions with a very unfavorable house edge of 13.39% for a 21+3 side bet.
Is it worth playing 21+3? Not really, because the house edge in blackjack when using the optimal (basic) strategy is around 0.5%. Although casual players may not find this difference significant, high-volume players can experience substantial losses over time.
In summary, it is recommended to avoid side bets when playing blackjack. Nevertheless, if you are determined to take a chance with 21+3, we recommend selecting the six-deck or eight-deck variation as it offers the best odds for your bet.
Where can you play 21+3?
The 21+3 side bet made its debut in Las Vegas back in 2001 and has since become a favorite among gamblers in both physical and online casinos across the United States. If you’re eager to try it out, here are some renowned establishments where you can personally enjoy this thrilling experience:
- Renowned online casinos in the US, like BetMGM, Caesars, and Golden Nugget, are regulated and offer various blackjack variations, such as 21+3. The popular live dealer blackjack lounges powered by Ezugi and Evolution Gaming also include this side bet. Moreover, some online casinos provide RNG-based 21+3 blackjack developed by IGT.
- In Las Vegas, along the famous Strip, you can find a variety of casinos offering 21 + 3 blackjack. Some of these establishments include MGM Grand, Caesars, M Resort, and Rampart Casino.
- Both the Tropicana and Hard Rock Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey, feature dedicated areas exclusively for the game of blackjack. Within these areas, visitors can enjoy tables offering the 21+3 betting option.
Other blackjack side bets
Alongside the 21+3 side bet, there exist several other additional wagers that you might come across during a game of blackjack.
- In the game of blackjack, players have the opportunity to protect their bets through an insurance option. This option becomes available when the dealer’s face-up card is an ace. The insurance is worth half of the original wager and can be taken to guard against the dealer having a natural blackjack. If the dealer does have a blackjack, the insurance pays out at a ratio of 2:1. However, it is crucial to understand that in a game played with six decks, the house maintains an advantage of 7.4% for insurance bets.
- When the player’s first two cards form a pair, the Perfect Pairs bet grants a payout. The amount of payout varies depending on the type of pair, which can be classified as either same suit, same color, or mixed color.
- Super 7s: While this bet is optional, it offers a reward if you have one or more 7s in your hand. If you successfully acquire three consecutive 7s of the same suit, it will pay out at impressive odds of 5000:1.
- Ladies who are in luck, pay heed! Your challenge lies in obtaining a total of 20 from the first two cards dealt to you.
- In the game called “Over/Under 13,” players make a side bet by predicting if the total value of their two-card hand will exceed or be below 13. In this game, aces are valued as one. If your prediction is accurate, you will receive a payout equivalent to your initial bet.
- The Royal match is an extra bet that rewards you with a payout when your first two cards are of the same suit. The payout varies based on the particular combination, with the highest being 25:1 for a suited queen and king.
- Pair Square is similar to Perfect Pairs, where players are rewarded if their first two cards create a pair or share the same suit. Higher payouts are given when the pair is of the same suit.