If you are a fan of playing online blackjack, then the likelihood is that you will know all of the terms and slang connected with it. However, one that you may not know is what a straight flush is in relation to the game. Obviously, most people would associate that term with playing poker. So, what is its meaning when you consider it in blackjack terms? Well, that is what we are here to provide some insight into.
What can you expect to see on the game screen when you obtain a straight flush during a round of blackjack? And how is this of any benefit to you as the player? Well, let us take a look at this unique enough hand and discover more about it.
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What Does a Straight Flush Mean?
Blackjack for many people is about betting on whether they believe their hand will be better than the hand dealt out to the dealer. If you can make it closer to 21 and outdo the dealer, then you win. Simple premise. However, for some others, it is also about the side bets that you can make use of in different variations of the game. A straight flush is one of those side bets, which can be utilised when playing the 21+3 version of the table game.
In that respect, how does a straight flush appear on the blackjack table? Well, a 21+3 side bet involves the two cards that you as the player have been dealt initially as well as the upturned card of the dealer. This is able to provide a payout to you for a selection of different combinations, with the straight flush being one of them. Let us take a look at these combination in full:
Flush
All three cards are of the same suit and a payout of 5:1 occurs.
Straight
All cards run consecutively on from one another and a payout of 10:1 occurs.
Three-of-a-Kind
Three of the same card are in operation but they don’t have to be in the same suit and a payout of 30:1 occurs.
Straight Flush
All three cards run consecutively and are of the same suit, with a payout of 40:1 being provided.
Suited Trips
Three of the exact same card are displayed paying out 100:1.
So, as you can see, the straight flush option requires a very specific outcome to occur from your two initial cards and the dealer’s upturned card.
How can this be displayed, then? Well, let’s say that your first two cards are of the 4 and 5 of clubs. The dealer then deals his own hand out and the upturned card is the 6 of clubs. These cards are all of the same suit, that being clubs, and they run on consecutively from one another 4, 5 and 6.
Let us say then that you had placed a 21+3 side bet of €1, and those three cards were dealt. You would then be the recipient of a 40:1 payout, resulting in a €40 reward before you have even gotten to the actual hitting or sticking part of blackjack itself.
When it comes to placing a side bet such as this, the house edge will vary depending upon the number of card decks being utilised. If four decks are used, for example, then the house edge stands at around 8.78%, whereas if seven decks are being used, the house edge is reduced to 6.29%.
You do not specifically need to select Straight Flush as your chosen 21+3 side bet, either. Instead, when playing blackjack that offers this kind of side bet, you simply wager on the 21+3 side bet and if one of the aforementioned outcomes occurs with your two cards and the dealer’s upturned card, you receive a payout.
Is It Worth Placing a Wager on a Straight Flush Occurring?
Unlike the standard game of blackjack, the side bets that you can place in such are based purely on luck. Certain skill can be employed for the basic game, but this is not the case when it comes to the side bets. Essentially, you are betting on the luck of the draw in general. Of course, it is also key to note that the returns from the side bets associated with blackjack do not actually reflect the odds of each bet winning. Therefore, the house has quite a significantly larger edge than expected.
With this being the case, can it really be said that it is ever worth placing a wager on a side bet when playing blackjack? Well, maybe here and there it is not such a bad thing. However, placing a side bet on each and every round you play is not something that we recommend. Card counters may find themselves with more of an intent on placing a side bet if they have managed to successfully count cards in a land-based establishment (and the cards haven’t been shuffled since the beginning). However, when playing online blackjack games, this is difficult to do.
Therefore, we do not recommend that you place so many hopes on a 21+3 side bet, or any of the others available. They are good for a bit of an extra risk for one or two rounds, but if you find yourself being more enamoured by the potential for a 40:1 or 100:1 payout just because a side bet has a small possibility of occurring, it may be time to walk away.
