What Is 21+3 in Blackjack?
Since the earliest days of blackjack being accessible in casinos, people have been thinking up new and intriguing variants of the game to play. Some of these are more well-known than others and have taken off to become just as popular as the original game. One particular variant of the game is Blackjack 21+3. Several developers have crafted games that surround this idea of the table game, and it can be found in various online casino lobbies.
But what exactly is it? How does Blackjack 21+3 work and what can you expect to gain from playing it? Is it markedly different from classic versions of blackjack? And should you be accessing it more so than that classic version of the game? All these questions are what we will look at here, and we will provide some details on how to proceed with playing it at your chosen online casino sites.
How Exactly Does 21+3 Differ to Classic Blackjack?
Does this game of online blackjack really differ so much to the classic variation? Well, in actuality, it isn’t that different at all. 21+3 simply operates as a side bet that can be played during gameplay, and it provides the potential for some great payouts to occur. The general basis behind the blackjack game in play remains the same, so you still receive two cards dealt out to you and the dealer receives two as well. With 21+3 games, a single one of the dealer’s cards is dealt face-up though, as this is what makes the third card up in the +3 part of the game.
A 21+3 bet is placed alongside your initial bet when playing blackjack variants that include it. Essentially, it’s like a combination of blackjack and three-card poker coming together in one game. And it has some appealing odds connected to it, too. That’s the prime difference between it and standard blackjack, though. 21+3 is simply a side bet that you can utilise to your advantages.
How to Play Blackjack 21+3
If you do decide to access a blackjack game with the 21+3 side bet also included, then you will start out in exactly the same way as other blackjack games. This requires you to first make a wager on the general hand dealt out to you. So, you will be betting on if you believe your hand will be better than that which the dealer can achieve. Blackjack always requires you to get as close to 21 as possible without going bust, and if you achieve this and the dealer’s hand does not, you win.
Once you have placed that bet, you can select a 21+3 side bet to participate in as well. This side bet looks at the two cards you have received and the single upturned card of the dealer’s hand. These three cards can combine to form one of five different poker hands, and you will be placing your side bet on this being the case.
After that side bet has also been placed, you can have the cards dealt out to you as normal. The three cards in question will then be analysed and if a combination is formed, you receive a payout for it. The poker hands that you can form in 21+3 are as follows:
Flush – presenting three cards of the same suit.
Straight – Displaying three cards of consecutive values, such as J, 10, 9.
Three-of-a-Kind – Dealing out three cards of the same value or three of the same face card.
Straight Flush – Three cards of consecutive values that are all in the same suit will be displayed.
Suited Trips – You will see three cards of the exact same value or face card, all of which are the same suit.
Each of these different 21+3 combinations pay out different rewards to you. The payouts for each respective one are as follows:
- A 5:1 payout for a Flush
- A 10:1 payout for a Straight
- A 30:1 payout for a Three-of-a-Kind
- A 40:1 payout for a Straight Flush
- A 100:1 payout for a Suited Triple
Different odds are attached to each of the five different side bet wins, and these obviously relate to your probability of achieving such. Of course, it is advisable to check into the odds from casino to casino, as they can have a degree of difference from location to location.
How to Strategically Play Blackjack 21+3 Side Bets
Generally speaking, the key to mastering the blackjack part of the game is to know the basic rules and find a specific strategy that tailors to your ways of gaming. Obviously, it would be ideal to test out a variety of strategies for this, and then sticking with one that works better for you. When it comes to trying to get the better of the 21+3 side bet though, you may need to utilise an alternative method.
Of course, this is a voluntary side bet, not one that you have to place. So, you can still play standard blackjack without the side bet, even if you are specifically accessing a Blackjack 21+3 title. Of course, why would you do that if you are not intending to place the side bet at some point?
If it is your intention to participate in the 21+3 side bet, then you should probably be aware that there really isn’t any kind of good deal relating to it. The lowest house edge that can be calculated comes in at 2.58%, while the highest is an unsavoury 13.70%. In this event, you really have to have a deep desire to place the 21+3 side bet. Even when at its best, it will still deviate you away from the game’s general beneficial low house edge.
That is not to say that you definitely should not engage in the side bet. However, the general rule is to steer clear of side bets in blackjack in general and just adhere to the base game. With 21+3, it is probably better to only engage in placing such a side bet every now and then. You never know, you may be lucky with a payout from it. But the odds of such hands being dealt out to you and the dealer that three-card poker hands are displayed is quite small. You are definitely gambling with luck here, rather than utilising any sort of skill.
