Overview of 21+3 Blackjack
21+3 features an exciting European-style Blackjack game with an exhilarating side bet that pays up to x100. The Three Card Poker side bet pays based on your first two cards combined with the Dealer's up card. How to play 21 + 3 Blackjack. In 21+3 Blackjack you try to beat the Dealer by accumulating a card value total close to, but not over, 21. 21+3 Blackjack Bet. 21+3 blackjack side bet that first 2 player cards and dealer up card will make a 3-card poker hand. This bet is an optional one and is made before the cards are dealt. If the player places this.
The 21+3 side bet is optional, and its size does not need to be the same as the main bet. In order to play the side-bet, you need to participate in the main hand.
Placing a bet in the 21+3 square is all you need to do to participate. As soon as the deal is made, and before any player takes any actions the 2 player cards and the dealer's up-card (or only card in European Blackjack) are compared to the pay table.
There are several variations of 21+3 payouts, the most simple pays from a ‘flush +pair' and up, with 9-to-1 payouts in each case. When pairs are also included, this is hit more often, so the prizes are lowered to reflect this. There are 3-to-1 for all hands (pair, flush, straight, trips and straight flush) or there are staggered pay tables.
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When the prizes are staggered, a straight flush or better can win significant money. Here is an example:
- Flush – Pays 5:1
- Straight – Pays 10:1
- Straight Flush – Pays 35:1
- Three of a Kind – Pays 33:1
- Suited 3 of a Kind – 100:1
Keep in mind that depending on the pay table, the house edge can get as high as 13% for this side bet. You can find examples of games (depending on the number of decks in use) where this is around 2.78% instead.
Strategy for 21+3 Blackjack
It goes without saying that knowing the correct basic strategy of the base game is a prerequisite here. Without this you are just handing money to the house.
Your main ‘strategy' decision over the long run with the 21+3 side-bet is whether to play or not. The house edge is bigger than in most base games. If you know this, then you get to decide whether the added interest and entertainment (and chance of a windfall win) are worth it to you. If the extra engagement from the 21+3 bet works for you – then you can simply add a little to your bankroll to cover this.
Card counters can beat this game by memorizing the suits as they are dealt. It is possible on some deals to find one suit over-represented as the shoe gets smaller – turning the edge positive for players. The expected hourly rate for this is very low compared to other forms of counting. Online the deck is shuffled after each hand, making card counting impossible.
Pros and Cons of 21+3 Blackjack
Adding a poker style hand to blackjack makes for an interesting variation – though I do wonder whether ‘purists' in either discipline would approve! Depending on which of the pay tables you use there is the chance of a 9-to-1 or even bigger windfall. That elusive suited 3-of-a-kind (paying 100-to-1) would certainly be memorable.
Whether you participate depends on your attitude towards side-bets in general. Some players like these bets, and are happy to pay the extra house-edge for the chance of the occasional big win. Others scorn these bets as long-term losers.
21+3 Blackjack is a very popular side bets blackjack variation, invented and patented by Derek J. Webb in 2000. The game is a combination of blackjack and three card poker, where your first 2 cards and the dealer's face up card are used to combine a three card hand. If you are familiar with Perfect Pairs, then you can look at 21+3 as its further development.It is considered one of the latest additions and therefore it is not offered by most blackjack sites. Nevertheless, there are 3 versions of 21+3 Blackjack available online and we are sure that more to come.
Content1. Game reviews
2. 21+3 payout variations
3. Where to Play
4. 21+3 rules
5. Online games comparison
6. Summary
Game Reviews & Free Play
21+3 Payouts
21 plus 3 Blackjack has two common payout tables which you can find below, however some casinos offer their own rule sets. If you encounter any discrepancies, we recommend that you check the appropriate house edge before you proceed.
*We've also added option #3 since it's the one used in IGT online casinos. The odds are calculated based on 6 deck games.
Option #1
Flush – 5:1
Straight – 10 to 1
3 of a kind – 30 to 1
Straight flush – 40 to 1
Suited three of a kind – 100 to 1
Odds: 95.38%
Option #2
Flush – 9 to 1
Straight – 9 to 1
Three of a kind – 9 to 1
Straight Flush – 9 to 1
Odds: 96.76%
Option #3
Flush – 5:1,
Straight – 10 to 1,
3 of a kind – 33 to 1,
Straight flush – 35 to 1
Suited three of a kind – 100 to 1.
Odds: 95.86%
Where to Play
21+3 Blackjack Rules
| Casino | Bonus | Why it's here | Best Game |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100% up to $1000 | Best for USA and AUS casino | Single Deck – 0.08% house edge | |
| 100% up to £/$/€ 100 | Best for UK, Canada and EU | Classic Blackjack – 0.21% house edge | |
| 150% up to $1500 | Highest USA Blackjack Bonus | N/A |
21+3 Blackjack Rules
21+3 is based on European blackjack rules, meaning that the dealer doesn't check for blackjack. Therefore in case the dealer has a natural, your doubles and splits will be lost as well. Other rules:
- Usually played with 6 standard decks.
- Dealer stands on all 17s.
- Double down rules vary, but usually you can double on 9,10, 11 value.
- Doubled down hands receive one card.
- Split up to 2 hands, including Aces.
- You can hit or double split hands, including Aces.
- Blackjack pays 3:2
- Similar value hands are push.
The house edge under these rules is 0.48%.
Blackjack 21+3 Online Games Comparison
There are three 21+3 games available online. The first can be found in Wagerworks (IGT) casinos. The second one was developed by Felt Gaming and can be found only in Unibet casino. The third one is a live dealer game by Evolution Gaming.
Blackjack 21 Free
Basic Game Rules
We will mention only the rules that differ from the common ones listed above.
IGT (Wagerworks): You can split two 3 hands and re-split Aces. Double down on any 2 cards.
Felt Gaming: Standard rules
Evolution: Played with 8 decks. Also offers Perfect Pairs side bet. Double down on any 2 cards. Single card to split Aces.
21+3 Bonus Comparison
Evolution: Standard Option #1, but played with 8 decks which lowers the side bets house edge by roughly 1%.
Felt: Standard Option #1.
IGT (Wagerworks): Option #3.
Bottom Line
Wagerworks (IGT)
3 of a kind – 30 to 1
Straight flush – 40 to 1
Suited three of a kind – 100 to 1
Odds: 95.38%
Option #2
Flush – 9 to 1
Straight – 9 to 1
Three of a kind – 9 to 1
Straight Flush – 9 to 1
Odds: 96.76%
Option #3
Flush – 5:1,
Straight – 10 to 1,
3 of a kind – 33 to 1,
Straight flush – 35 to 1
Suited three of a kind – 100 to 1.
Odds: 95.86%
Where to Play
21+3 Blackjack Rules
| Casino | Bonus | Why it's here | Best Game |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100% up to $1000 | Best for USA and AUS casino | Single Deck – 0.08% house edge | |
| 100% up to £/$/€ 100 | Best for UK, Canada and EU | Classic Blackjack – 0.21% house edge | |
| 150% up to $1500 | Highest USA Blackjack Bonus | N/A |
21+3 Blackjack Rules
21+3 is based on European blackjack rules, meaning that the dealer doesn't check for blackjack. Therefore in case the dealer has a natural, your doubles and splits will be lost as well. Other rules:
- Usually played with 6 standard decks.
- Dealer stands on all 17s.
- Double down rules vary, but usually you can double on 9,10, 11 value.
- Doubled down hands receive one card.
- Split up to 2 hands, including Aces.
- You can hit or double split hands, including Aces.
- Blackjack pays 3:2
- Similar value hands are push.
The house edge under these rules is 0.48%.
Blackjack 21+3 Online Games Comparison
There are three 21+3 games available online. The first can be found in Wagerworks (IGT) casinos. The second one was developed by Felt Gaming and can be found only in Unibet casino. The third one is a live dealer game by Evolution Gaming.
Blackjack 21 Free
Basic Game Rules
We will mention only the rules that differ from the common ones listed above.
IGT (Wagerworks): You can split two 3 hands and re-split Aces. Double down on any 2 cards.
Felt Gaming: Standard rules
Evolution: Played with 8 decks. Also offers Perfect Pairs side bet. Double down on any 2 cards. Single card to split Aces.
21+3 Bonus Comparison
Evolution: Standard Option #1, but played with 8 decks which lowers the side bets house edge by roughly 1%.
Felt: Standard Option #1.
IGT (Wagerworks): Option #3.
Bottom Line
Wagerworks (IGT)
21 Plus 3 Blackjack
Base Game: 99.70%
Side Bets: 95.86%
Evolution Gaming
Base Game: 99.41%
Side Bets: 96.38%
Update: Realistic Games also offer 21+3 blackjack. The special rules are: based on American Blackjack (dealer checks for blackjack). Double down on any 2 cards. Split Aces receive only 1 card. Bonus payouts are as on Option #1, except the 3 of a Kind which pays 25:1. Under these rules basic odds are 99.59%. The side bet odds are extremely low, just 92%.
