21+3 Blackjack Side Bet Explained

Updated: 25.07.2024

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Blackjack is a popular casino card game where players try to beat the dealer by getting as close to 21 as possible without going over. It's one of the most popular casino games in the world and is available at mostly every online casino in Canada. On top of the base game, many variants of blackjack offer a side bet option, meaning that players can win even if their primary bet loses. This enhances the enjoyment for players by offering more ways to win. Arguably the most popular side bet in blackjack is "21+3." We'll explore how the bet works, what payouts you can expect, and much more!

What is the Blackjack 21+3 Side Bet?

The blackjack 21+3 bet is an optional side bet that can be made at the blackjack table that combines elements of blackjack and poker. It uses the player's first two cards and the dealer's up-card to create three-card poker hands; such as a flush, a straight, and three-of-a-kind, and pays out depending on the strength of the hand.

21+3 is a popular blackjack side bet as it has a relatively low house edge, does not require the player to have a winning hand, and offers potentially large payouts. This blackjack side bet is based on 3-card poker, allowing it to appeal to both blackjack and poker players.

HOW TO MAKE A 21+3 SIDE BET

Whether you play classic blackjack at an online casino or a brick-and-mortar casino, you'll likely find a table offering 21+3. Placing one of these bets is easy, so to help you get started, we've created a guide that you can use when playing online blackjack or live dealer blackjack.

Choose your favourite 21+3 game and click on the icon to start playing.
Select your bet size using the options at the bottom of the game and place your main bet (the bet must be placed concurrently with your bet on the game of blackjack).
Place your 21+3 side wager in the space provided - this side bet is usually located above the rectangular betting area for a standard blackjack hand.
When you're ready, press the Deal button, or wait for the next round to begin.
Once the cards have been dealt, you'll immediately find out whether or not you win this bet, as the bet is determined and paid out automatically before you make your decision.

Odds and Payouts of 21+3

The rules and payouts of this bet vary from casino to casino, so make sure you read the rules before you place a 21+3 side bet. However, to give you an idea of what the average 21+3 payouts look like, we've created the table below. This table explains what hands you need to make to win the 21+3 side bet, and what payout you can expect upon winning a 21+3 side bet.

Table of odds and payouts of Blackjack
Combination	Cards	Odds	Payouts
Flush	Three cards of the same suit (e.g. Kd9d6d)	73:117	5 to 1
Straight	Three sequential cards (e.g., 3, 4, 5)	31:969	10 to 1
Three of a kind	Three cards of the same rank (e.g. 7s7d7c)	1:199	20 to 1
Straight flush	A straight and a flush in the same suit (e.g. 4c5c6c)	1:499	30 to 1
Three of a Kind Flush	Three cards with the same rank and suit (e.g. JhJhJh)	1:4999	100 to 1

House Edge of 21+3

One of the reasons people enjoy 21+3 is because the odds of winning a 21+3 bet are better than many other bets in the casino. Assuming a standard blackjack game with six decks and a varied payout table (i.e. different hands pay out at different rates), the house edge is only 4.14%. While this may be high compared to the main blackjack game, it's lower than other side bets, like Perfect Pairs.

The house edge of 21+3 in blackjack varies depending on the number of decks in play and the payout table used. When playing 21+3 blackjack, fixed payout tables (i.e. all side bets pay out at the same rate) have a higher house edge than varied tables, so we recommend you only bet on blackjack games with varied tables. Also, games with more decks lower the casino's edge in 21+3 compared to games with fewer decks.

Are There Any 21+3 Blackjack Strategies?

Due to the house edge, it's close to impossible to beat 21+3 blackjack over the long term. However, as with any casino game, players can use a few strategies to improve their chances of winning - or at least limit their losses, when playing the 21+3 side bet in blackjack.

Here are some tips to keep in mind when you play the 21+3 blackjack side bet:

Learn the 21+3 blackjack odds

Before placing your bets, it's essential to understand the odds for each hand combination in 21+3. This will help you make more informed decisions and avoid unnecessary risks.
Don't lose focus

The 21+3 side bet is an optional wager that gives you an alternative way to win, but you shouldn't let it distract you from your blackjack hand. So, once the cards have been dealt, don't lose focus, and stick to your basic blackjack strategy, even if you have a winning 21+3 blackjack side bet.
Check the paytable

The 21 + 3 side bet odds vary from casino to casino, with some casinos using a fixed paytable while others use a variable paytable. We recommend you only place a side bet in games that use a variable paytable, as these games pay more for strong hands such as straight flushes and have a considerably lower edge for the casino.
Don't chase big payouts

While the 21+3 blackjack side bet offers enticing payouts for certain hand combinations, it's important to avoid getting carried away. Remember to always gamble responsibly and never gamble with money that you can't afford to lose.

Overview of the 21+3 Blackjack Side Bet

21+3 is a side bet based on 3-card poker that can be played while playing blackjack. The game is popular amongst casino players as it offers another chance to win while playing blackjack as well as higher potential payouts. While it has a built-in edge for the casino, it's lower than many other games at just 4.14%. Players can find different odds depending on where they play, but we recommend only playing this game with a varied payout table, as these offer the best rates of return for the player.

Blackjack 21+3 FAQ

How can you tell if the 21+3 side bet is an option at a blackjack table?

All blackjack games offering the 21+3 side bet will have a 21+3 logo or symbol on the table. There will also be a small circle next to the rectangular playing area where the bet is placed. Your side bet must be placed within this circle before the cards are dealt if you want to play it.

Is 21+3 a good side bet in blackjack?

21+3 is one of the best side bets available at the blackjack table. Depending on the pay table used, the casino's edge is only 3-4%, and many pay tables offer large returns for players who make the strongest hands. However, the casino edge in blackjack is significantly lower than any of the side bets on offer, so we recommend sticking to the main game to give yourself the best chance of winning in the short term.

Can 21+3 be beaten by using card counting strategies?

With a favourable pay table, it is possible to gain an edge in 21+3 by using card counting strategies. Players can track the appearance of different suits throughout the game, making bets when a particular suit has been under-represented; this means those suits are more likely to appear at the end of the shoe, making it more likely a player makes a flush.

With over 5 years of experience in iGaming, Dmitry Rogalchuk leads a content team at CasinoCanada, ensuring that every article on the CasinoCanada website is informative and engaging for our readers.

Dmitry Rogalchuk

5.0

Former Head of Content

The University of British Columbia

Master of Business Administration - MBA, Digital Marketing and Business Analytics