21+3 blackjack Side Bet Guide
Blackjack is, on the face of things, a fairly simple card game. There’s you, and a dealer, and a few simple bets to take into account. You turn over two cards and decide whether or not you want to turn over another to get closer to a total of 21 – or risk going bust.
But what does the dealer hold? If they get closer to 21 than you, then you’re out of the game. It can be a difficult game in many ways, and some players look for different ways to mix things up.
Some players choose to make side bets to ‘enhance’ the game – and one of the most daring of these is the 21+3 blackjack side bet.
But what is the 21+3 blackjack side bet in practice? What does it entail, and is it a move that’s recommended for beginners, or is it more suited for experienced players? In this guide, we take a look at everything you need to know about the 21+3 blackjack side bet.
What is the 21+3 side bet in blackjack?
The 21+3 blackjack side bet combines two card games together, in that as well as playing a standard game of blackjack, you’ll also bring three-card poker into the mix.
Tables that offer this side bet will present a separate box for you to bet into while the main blackjack action takes place. You can find out if 21+3 blackjack is available by taking a look at the table’s details before you start. If you see 21+3, then you’ll be able to combine poker and blackjack together!
How to play the blackjack 21+3 side bet
First, you need to make your bets before starting a game of blackjack as usual. Alongside your main bet on the blackjack game, place your chips on the 21+3 bet. This means that you’re betting on whether or not the three cards you receive are classed as a strong three-card poker hand.
The 21+3 bet is calculated based on the two cards you receive face-up at the start of a blackjack game, plus the dealer’s face-up card. If the three cards make a winning combination within the rules of three-card poker, you get a return on that 21+3 bet.
You don’t have to literally play poker against the dealer at the same time as blackjack! It’s a slight twist that can increase odds for players who don’t just want to play the standard or straight game of blackjack.
Remember, however, that playing any side bets in blackjack carries risks. Rather than placing all your money and interest inside bets, it’s wise to manage your bankroll effectively and to walk away before you chase wins or losses.
Generally, we suggest that you only try side bets in any casino or table games once you’re familiar with how blackjack works and once you know how to control your bankroll carefully.
Once you know how to play the 21+3 side bet, it’s a good idea to brush up on the winning combinations that apply in this version of the game!
21+3 winning card combinations
When playing blackjack 21+3, look for the following combinations, ranked from worst to best. Each has its own odds and payouts (listed below).
The simplest winning combination you can make to convert on a 21+3 bet is the** flush**. This is a run where you get three cards in the same suit. They don’t have to be in order; they must simply match to make a flush. So, for example, you’d class a king, a 10 and a 5 of clubs as a winning flush.
The next hand up is the straight. This hand is three cards in a row in any suit – so, for example, 1-2-3. This means that you can claim a straight bet if you get a 1 of clubs, a 2 of diamonds and a 3 of spades.
Next up is the three of a kind. In this hand, you need to get three cards together of the exact same rank. For example, you’d win the bet with this hand if you have three queens, one a diamond, one a club and another a heart.
The second-best hand you can claim in 21+3 blackjack is the straight flush. This means that you need to claim three cards in a row, or sequence, all in the same suit. So, for example, you’d need to get a 10, jack and queen of spades to win with this hand.
The very best hand you can hope for in 21+3 blackjack is the suited three of a kind. This hand is pretty rare – you need to get three cards of the exact same ranking and suit. Ideally, you must get three picture cards in the same suit – for example, a king, queen and jack of hearts.
As you might imagine, getting these hands can be rare, but it’s all down to the luck of the draw! Blackjack 21+3 side bets pay separately to any wins you might claim in the main game, so be sure to balance your bets.
21+3 odds for winning hands
As expected, the rarer the hand, the longer the odds – meaning that hands such as the straight flush and the suited three of a kind are the highest-paying of their kind.
Keep in mind also that the odds on each of these hands converting into winning bets will vary depending on where you play. Be sure to check out the table rules and any paytable information that might be available before you start placing any money down!
On average, you can expect the following odds for winning hands in blackjack 21+3:
Flush: 5 to 1 Straight: 10 to 1 Three of a kind: 25 to 1 Straight flush: 40 to 1 Suited three of a kind: 100 to 1
So, the odds get pretty long – it’s never a good idea to bank on these side bets converting! Be sure to keep these average odds in mind when you start playing and looking into side betting in any game of blackjack.
21+3 payouts
Some players choose 21+3 blackjack side bets because they can increase the potential payouts they might expect. As you can see from the odds above, they can significantly boost the prize odds – but this also means that winning becomes rarer.
Don’t just base your gameplay and your choice of side bets on the odds and your gut instinct alone.
Use tools such as those available through LeoVegas to carefully monitor your bankroll and to ensure that you’re within a safety net you can feasibly afford. Remember, there’s never a guarantee that you will make money from side bets (or any part of blackjack for that matter).