Of the many blackjack variations out there, 21+3 Blackjack is particularly intriguing. Combining elements of poker with the base blackjack experience is an interesting notion and it has proven popular with the general player base. Several software providers have come out with their own take on this variation and you can find these across hundreds of online casinos.
Every time we manage to hit 21 and get a blackjack, we get paid extra as this pays 3:2 (2.5 times the stake), as long as the dealer doesn’t also have 21 as we would then just get our stake back. The 21+3 area appears to the right of your betting area and becomes highlighted during the betting window.While the payouts of the 21+3 side bets are significantly higher, it’s recommended to play them once you’ve sharpened your skills a tad bit more.There are 5 types of 21+3 side bets. 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 bet, the outcome is known as soon as the cards are dealt. The odds of the 21+3 bet. The first thing any gambler should think about before making a bet is: what are the odds I will win? There’s no point playing if the odds of winning are 0%. Likewise, the casino isn’t going to offer the game if the odds of winning are 100%. Yet there is a different calculation that is even more important: the house. Top 3 is a second house banked optional proposition wager used in the game of blackjack in conjunction with the +3 wager. The Top 3 wager can only be offered on blackjack tables with the +3 wager. Top 3 is available only for 4, 6 and 8 deck shoe games. Players can only make the Top 3 wager if they make the +3 wager along with their blackjack wager.
When it comes to unique changes, 21+3 Blackjack does not mess around with the base formula. Often, the base game will be the classic version of blackjack and if you have ever played it before, you will be immediately familiar with it now. Players still take the same actions in the form of hitting, standing, splitting, doubling, etc. A blackjack hand still pays 3:2, the dealer stands on a soft 17, while Insurance offers a 2:1 payout. Nothing really is changed, since the 21+3 side bet does not affect the gameplay in any significant way.
When it comes to 21+3 Blackjack, there is very little that is actually required of you. More specifically, you only have to place the bet. So what does this side bet does? The 21+3 side bet is inspired by the rules of poker and it forms winning poker hands from your first two cards and the dealer’s face-up card.
These combinations can range from a Pair to a Suited Three of a Kind or a Straight Flush. What hands will be included depends entirely on the software provider or the establishment, as are the payouts. The same is also true for the minimum qualifying hand, as some games will pay for a Pair, while others will only pay for a Flush or better. As for payout, this can also vary widely between the different available games, though usually, the highest hand rewards you with x100 the bet value. For example, Evolution Gaming uses the following paytable for the eight-deck version of 21+3 Blackjack:
Insurance is often offered in 21+3 Blackjack, whenever the dealer draws an Ace. To prevent losing to the dealer’s blackjack, the game gives you the opportunity to put down an Insurance bet valued at half of the original bet, which pays 2:1. In the event that the dealer really does hit a blackjack, you will lose the original bet but win the Insurance wager, keeping your net balance the same. Insurance is a touchy subject in the world of online gambling, with many advocating for and against it.
The Double Down action is of great importance to the general gameplay in any blackjack title. When you have a good hand, you may want to increase the size of your bet and the potential of the winnings. Doubling Down is generally available in 21+3 Blackjack on a starting hand of 9, 10, or 11 and even after splitting. Though useful, you need to be careful when using this feature as it may cause your bankroll to deplete if you Double Down randomly.
When it comes to splitting hands in 21+3 Blackjack, the game is both liberal and conservative with its rules. You can split any hand with identical-valued cards, however, you can only do this one time for a maximum of two hands. As a result, if you are dealt another pair, you will not be able to resplit it. However, you will be able to hit on split Aces and even Double Down on split hands.
Surrender is a useful option in blackjack, giving you the opportunity to get back half of your bet on a potentially bad hand. It works wonders for your bankroll and players are thankful when it is available. Unfortunately, 21+3 Blackjack rarely has this option enabled and you will most likely not get the opportunity to use it.
Something to always consider is the house edge and return-to-player percentage of any casino game. As it happens, blackjack has some of the best odds in the whole industry in general. But how does 21+3 Blackjack stack up against other variations? The base game is not all too different from regular blackjack and as such, it comes with a casino advantage of over 99%. This is in-line with blackjack standards and some of the best odds in the casino world.
However, the 21+3 side bet comes with slightly different odds than you might expect. The house edge of the 21+3 bet is highly dependant on the number of decks in play. It can range between 7% to 2.7%, with a lot of different numbers in between. The general rule is that the lower the number of decks, the higher the probability of a winning combination. Take this into account if you want to play 21+3 Blackjack.
Dealer stands on all 17s in wagerworks 21 + 3 Blackjack. You may double down, even after a split or re-split. Re-splitting is allowed once per split card. Split aces are treated like any other split card, but Blackjack is not possible on Split cards. Any eight-card player hand that is not Bust will beat all dealer hands except for dealer blackjack. Additional rules apply to the 3 Card Side Bet – the two player up cards and the one dealer up card can produce extra wins if they form a special hand, as outlined below under Wagers and Payouts.
In 21 + 3 Blackjack, wagers are made using a combination of five different chips, ranging in denomination from 1 to 500. The minimum bet amount per hand is €/£1, and the maximum is €/£1000. This same limit applies to the 3 Card Side Bet. Payouts are as follows: blackjack pays 3:2, insurance pays 2:1, other wins pay 1:1, and all ties push. Additional payouts for winning 3 Card Side Bet hands are as follows:
This game plays as smooth as can be. The buttons are easy to find and out of the way, leaving the whole playing area clear so that you can focus on your game. The cards are bold and very readable. The graphics are descent, though the table is blue instead of the traditional green. Subtle animations add a nice touch to card movements, chip actions, and other parts of the game. Overall, it looks quite good, and plays very well.
The 3 Card Side Bet is what makes this game unique, turning the first 3 up cards of a hand into a 3 card poker hand that can help you win big. But remember, while the proper clackjack portion of this game involves a mix of luck and skill, this side bet is based purely on luck. You’ll lose more often than you win, but when you win, the payouts are great!
We all love a good game of Classic Blackjack. Many of us are poker fans too. So when this game first came out, many of us were excited to try it. 21 + 3 Blackjack definitely does not disappoint! It adds a little thrill to the deal, and a chance to win some extra cash, but then once you’ve won or lost you can focus on blackjack – it’s the ideal side bet scheme that doesn’t get in the way of the game!