Newcomers to blackjack generally stick with the most basic bet types that are available in the game, which is certainly a sensible strategy as you get to know the ropes.
As you become more experienced, you might want to broaden your horizons into some of the more ‘exotic’ blackjack variants – those that offer unique bet types and exciting ways to maximise your gameplay.
One of those is the 21 + 3 side bet, which offers players an opportunity to win twice with any given hand – or lose twice, it has to be pointed out.
But for players who want to up their stakes – literally and metaphorically, the 21 + 3 blackjack side bet is a particularly interesting option.
What is Blackjack 21 + 3?
If you know a little bit about poker – or at least willing to learn some very simple hand rankings – then you may find that blackjack 21 + 3 becomes one of your favourite bets to place the casino.
You wager as normal on traditional blackjack gameplay, i.e. you’re willing to beat the dealer by getting as close to 21 as possible. That’s still very much the order of the day when playing a blackjack variant that offers 21 + 3, with the action unfolding as normal.
So the 21 + 3 side bet is simply that: a side wager that bears no outcome on the result of your blackjack game. Here, you are looking to land a particular grade of hand with your two hole cards plus the upturned card of the dealer. If this trio is up to scratch, you will win the payout detailed in the game’s paytable.
So what are the different poker hands of relevance in blackjack 21 + 3?
- Flush – all three cards must be of the same suit
- Straight – the three cards must be numbered consecutively, i.e. 4-5-6
- Three of a Kind – all three cards must be of the same value, i.e. a trio of fives or kings
- Straight Flush – your three cards must be numbered consecutively and the same suit, i.e. 4-5-6 of diamonds
- Suited Three of a Kind – because the dealers use multiple decks of cards for blackjack, you can land three identical cards, i.e. the ace of spades three times
How to Place a Blackjack 21 + 3 Bet
Naturally, the 21 + 3 side bet is placed before any cards are dealt – it wouldn’t be particularly wise of the dealer to let you have a look first.
Whether you are playing at the casino or online, you’ll see a segment on the bet table for 21 + 3 if the bet type is available – simply place your chips here to make the dealer aware of your intention.
The cards are then dealt and you will see whether your 21 + 3 side bet has been successful or not. You will continue on with the standard blackjack gameplay, with all winning bets placed at the end of the round – or chips disposed of in the case of a loss.
What are the Payouts?
It should be said that the blackjack 21 + 3 odds can vary depending on which variant of the game you are playing and which casino you are playing it at.
But as a rough guide, this is a common blackjack 21 + 3 payout structure:
- Flush – 5/1
- Straight – 10/1
- Three of a Kind – 30/1
- Straight Flush – 40/1
- Suited Three of a Kind – 100/1
To calculate your return on winning bets, you simply multiply your stake by the odds. So, if you bet £1 on the 21 + 3 side bet and your three cards land as a straight, you will win £10.
Blackjack 21 + 3 Strategy
It should be reiterated at this point that there’s no skilful way to increase your chances of winning a 21 + 3 side bet – this is purely a game of chance.
If your luck is in, you may well win one of the big prizes – but remember that the likelihood of that is low (you don’t see many casinos going bankrupt, do you!).
The best advice for playing the 21 + 3 side bet is to stake a much smaller percentage of your standard blackjack wager. That way, you won’t eat into your bankroll as quickly – particularly if your standard blackjack play, which features a much lower house edge, is going well.
If you are a truly expert card counter, you may want to monitor the occurrence of specific connected numbers or certain suits. That will help to give you something of a predictive edge, although remember that card counting in multi-deck blackjack is a very difficult art to master.
Is the Blackjack 21 + 3 Side Bet Worth It?
Consider your 21 + 3 side bet like wagering on the horses.
It’s very rare that a 100/1 shot comes in, but it does happen – maybe you’ll be on the right side of the variance of the cards.
But it is, remember, a very low probability chance given the number of cards in the shoe, so you must stake accordingly if you want to bet on 21 + 3.
Casinos never give away their profits easily – the 21 + 3 side bet has its own in-built house edge (as high as 13%), so as long as you are ready to ride the wave by staking appropriately, there’s no harm in taking on this blackjack side bet to add a little extra intrigue to your game.