Guide for playing the 21+3 side bet in blackjack
The 21+3 side bet in blackjack is a bonus bet on the game. It blends elements of poker with blackjack.
In this article, we will explain the 21+3 in blackjack. You will learn the rules and different hands that can lead to a payout.
What is the 21+3 side bet in blackjack?
The 21+3 blackjack side bet is optional, but it is a good alternative option. With this wager, you go for a three-card poker hand using your two cards and the dealer’s upcard. Your side bet wins if the three cards make a qualifying poker hand.
In the main game, your goal is to get a total close to 21. However, in the 21+3 blackjack side bet, we are going for hands such as straights or flushes.
To win the 21+3 blackjack side bet, you must make one of five winning hands: flush, straight, three of a kind, straight flush or suited three of a kind. Each has its payout, with the rarest hands offering the highest payouts.
Types of 21+3 hands
The 21+3 side bet pays out based on the five poker hands you can make with your two cards and the dealer’s card. Let’s look at the hand types and their winning odds.
Flush
A flush happens when all three cards – the two you receive and the dealer’s upcard – are of the same suit. This hand is the most common.
Payout: 5:1
Straight
You’ll get a straight when your two cards and the dealer’s card are in consecutive order – for example, six, seven and eight.
Payout: 10:1
Three-of-a-kind
You have a three-of-a-kind hand when all three cards are of the same rank. This combination is rarer than a straight, so it has a higher payout.
Payout: 30:1
Straight flush
A straight flush is a three-card hand in which all cards are in consecutive order and of the same suit, such as six, seven and eight.
Payout: 40:1
Suited three-of-a-kind
The suited three-of-a-kind is the rarest 21+3 in blackjack. It means that all three cards have the same rank and suit, such as three jacks of spades.
Payout: 100:1
How to make the 21+3 bet in blackjack
To wager a 21+3 in blackjack, place the money into the specific side-bet box before receiving the cards.
The dealer will deal two cards to you, and one card face up to themselves. The outcome of the 21+3 bet is decided after the cards are revealed. The main blackjack game has no influence here.
If your three cards make a winning hand, the dealer will pay you the corresponding amount based on your hand type. The 21+3 bet is separate from your primary blackjack bet. You can win or lose on this bet independently of your primary hand.
What is meant by the ‘top 3’ in blackjack
Top 3 blackjack is another popular side bet like the 21+3 bet. This bet focuses on only the highest-ranking hands. They are the regular three-of-a-kind, the suited three-of-a-kind and the straight flush. The top 3 bet offers better payouts than the standard 21+3 side bet. This is because the bet is based on hands that are more unlikely.
The top 3 side bet isn’t available at every blackjack table. However, it can be a good option for those who wish to maximise the potential for 21+3 blackjack payouts. The odds are against hitting one of these top combinations, based on the likelihood of them occurring.
The 21+3 side wager is an extra option in the standard blackjack game. It offers alternative ways to acheive payouts. Using poker-style hands, you can land better 21+3 blackjack payouts by winning with flushes, straights and three-of-a-kind.