The 21+3 side bet is an optional wager in blackjack that combines your first two cards with the dealer's upcard to form a three-card poker hand. Introduced in the early 2000s during the poker boom, it adds a poker-style twist to traditional blackjack gameplay.
The 21+3 blackjack side bet has become one of the most popular optional wagers at casino tables worldwide. If you have ever wondered what that extra betting circle labeled 21+3 means, this comprehensive guide explains everything you need to know about this poker-inspired side bet, from basic mechanics to advanced strategy considerations.
The 21+3 side bet is an optional wager you can place alongside your standard blackjack bet. The name combines the traditional blackjack target of 21 with the three cards used to form a poker hand. Unlike your main blackjack hand where you are trying to beat the dealer without exceeding 21, the 21+3 bet focuses solely on whether your first two cards and the dealer's upcard create a winning poker combination.
This side bet operates completely independently from your main blackjack hand. You can win the 21+3 bet while losing your main hand, lose the side bet while winning at blackjack, or experience any combination of outcomes. The two wagers are resolved separately based on different criteria.
Understanding the mechanics of the 21+3 side bet is straightforward once you know the sequence of events at the table.
Before any cards are dealt, you must place your main blackjack bet in the primary betting circle. If you want to participate in the 21+3 side bet, you place an additional wager in the designated 21+3 betting area, typically a smaller circle adjacent to your main bet. Table minimums and maximums for the side bet may differ from the main game, so check the posted limits.
Once all bets are placed, the dealer distributes cards following standard blackjack procedure. You receive two cards face up, and the dealer takes one card face up. These three cards, your two cards plus the dealer's upcard, form the basis for evaluating your 21+3 side bet.
The dealer immediately checks whether your three cards form any qualifying poker combination according to the paytable. If you have a winning hand, the dealer pays your side bet according to the posted odds. If your three cards do not form a qualifying combination, you lose the side bet. This resolution happens before any additional blackjack decisions are made.
After the 21+3 side bet is resolved, your main blackjack hand proceeds normally. You make your playing decisions to hit, stand, double down, or split as appropriate, and the dealer completes their hand according to house rules. The outcome of your main blackjack hand has no impact on the already-resolved side bet.
The 21+3 side bet uses poker hand rankings to determine winners. The specific hands that qualify for payouts can vary slightly between casinos, but most versions recognize five main combinations.
Suited trips, also called a suited three of a kind, is the highest-paying hand in most 21+3 paytables. This occurs when all three cards are identical in both rank and suit. For example, three Kings of Hearts would be suited trips. This hand is extremely rare because it requires three cards of the exact same rank and suit from the deck.
A straight flush consists of three consecutive cards all of the same suit. Examples include 5-6-7 of Clubs or Queen-King-Ace of Diamonds. The cards must be in sequential order and share the same suit. This combination ranks second in most paytables and offers substantial payouts.
Three of a kind means three cards of the same rank but in different suits. For instance, three 8s with one Heart, one Spade, and one Diamond would qualify. This hand is more common than suited trips because the suits can vary, but it still offers attractive payouts.
When you sit at a blackjack table offering 21+3, you will notice a designated betting circle marked for this side bet. Before cards are dealt, you place your main blackjack wager and optionally add chips to the 21+3 circle. The dealer then distributes two cards to you face up and reveals their upcard.
Your two cards combined with the dealer's upcard form a three-card poker hand that is immediately evaluated against the paytable. If your three cards form a qualifying combination like a flush, straight, or three of a kind, you win according to the specific payout structure. The side bet resolves instantly, while your main blackjack hand continues normally.
A straight is three consecutive cards of mixed suits. Examples include 4 of Hearts, 5 of Clubs, and 6 of Diamonds, or 10 of Spades, Jack of Hearts, and Queen of Clubs. The cards must be in sequential order, but the suits do not matter. Straights are relatively common and typically offer moderate payouts.
A flush consists of three cards of the same suit that are not in sequential order. For example, 2-7-King all of Spades would be a flush. This is usually the most common winning combination and offers the lowest payout among qualifying hands. Some paytable variations do not include flushes as a winning hand, so always check the specific rules at your table.
Payout structures for the 21+3 side bet vary significantly between casinos and even between different tables within the same casino. Understanding these variations is crucial for making informed betting decisions.
The most common payout structure offers 100 to 1 for suited trips, 40 to 1 for a straight flush, 30 to 1 for three of a kind, 10 to 1 for a straight, and 5 to 1 for a flush. This paytable provides the best overall return to players and is considered the standard version.
Some casinos use alternative paytables that reduce the top payouts. A common variation pays 35 to 1 for suited trips, 20 to 1 for a straight flush, 20 to 1 for three of a kind, 10 to 1 for a straight, and 5 to 1 for a flush. These reduced payouts significantly increase the house edge.
Certain tables offer simplified versions that only pay for straights and higher, eliminating the flush as a qualifying hand. While this reduces the frequency of wins, the payouts for the remaining hands may be adjusted to compensate. Always verify which hands qualify and their corresponding payouts before placing your side bet.
The house edge on the 21+3 side bet varies considerably based on the paytable in use and the number of decks being played. Understanding these mathematical realities helps you make informed decisions about whether to place this wager.
With the standard paytable offering 100 to 1 for suited trips, the house edge typically ranges from approximately 3.24% with six decks to around 2.78% with eight decks. The alternative paytable with reduced payouts can push the house edge above 7%, making it significantly less favorable. The house edge on 21+3 is substantially higher than the house edge on the main blackjack game when played with basic strategy, which is typically under 1%.
The probability of forming each winning hand varies based on deck composition. Flushes occur most frequently, with odds of approximately 73 to 1 in a six-deck game. Straights appear at roughly 31 to 1, three of a kind at about 424 to 1, straight flushes at approximately 1,082 to 1, and suited trips at around 10,823 to 1. These probabilities shift slightly with different deck configurations.
The expected value of the 21+3 side bet is negative, meaning you will lose money over time if you consistently place this wager. While the potential for high payouts on rare hands creates excitement, the mathematical reality is that the casino maintains a significant edge. This side bet should be viewed as entertainment rather than a profitable strategy.
The 21+3 side bet is just one of many optional wagers available at blackjack tables. Comparing it to other popular side bets helps contextualize its risk and reward profile.
Perfect Pairs is another common side bet that pays when your first two cards form a pair. The house edge on Perfect Pairs typically ranges from 2% to 11% depending on the paytable. While Perfect Pairs offers more frequent small wins, 21+3 provides the potential for larger payouts on rarer hands. Both side bets carry higher house edges than the main game.
Insurance is a side bet offered when the dealer shows an Ace, allowing you to wager that the dealer has blackjack. Insurance carries a house edge of approximately 7.4% in most games, making it one of the worst bets in blackjack. The 21+3 side bet with a favorable paytable offers better odds than insurance, though both should generally be avoided by players seeking optimal strategy.
Lucky Ladies pays based on the player's first two cards totaling 20, with bonuses for suited combinations and Queen pairs. Royal Match pays when the player's first two cards are suited. These side bets typically carry house edges ranging from 3% to over 20% depending on specific rules. The 21+3 side bet with a standard paytable generally offers more favorable odds than most versions of these alternative side bets.
Deciding whether to place the 21+3 side bet depends on your playing style, bankroll management approach, and entertainment preferences.
The primary advantage is the potential for significant payouts relative to your wager, particularly on rare hands like suited trips or straight flushes. The bet adds variety and excitement to standard blackjack play, creating additional winning opportunities on each hand. The simple mechanics make it easy to understand and play without disrupting the flow of the main game. For recreational players seeking entertainment value, the side bet can enhance the overall casino experience.
The house edge on 21+3 is substantially higher than properly played basic strategy blackjack, meaning you will lose money faster when placing this side bet consistently. The volatility of the bet means long stretches without wins are common, which can deplete your bankroll quickly. Serious players focused on minimizing the house edge should avoid side bets entirely. The bet cannot be influenced by skill or strategy, making it purely a game of chance.
If you choose to play the 21+3 side bet, only do so at tables offering the most favorable paytable, ideally 100 to 1 for suited trips. Limit your side bet wagers to a small percentage of your overall bankroll to minimize the impact of the higher house edge. Treat the side bet as entertainment rather than a money-making strategy. Never increase your side bet sizing to chase losses, as this accelerates bankroll depletion. Most experienced players and advantage players avoid side bets entirely, focusing their bankroll on the main game where proper strategy can minimize the house edge.
The 21+3 blackjack side bet offers an entertaining poker-style twist to traditional blackjack gameplay. By combining your first two cards with the dealer's upcard to form three-card poker hands, this optional wager creates additional winning opportunities with potentially substantial payouts. Understanding the mechanics, hand rankings, payout structures, and mathematical realities of the bet allows you to make informed decisions about whether to incorporate it into your blackjack play. While the higher house edge compared to the main game makes it unsuitable for serious advantage play, recreational players may find value in the added excitement and variety. Always verify the specific paytable at your table, manage your bankroll responsibly, and remember that side bets should be viewed as entertainment rather than a path to consistent profits.
The house edge on 21+3 typically ranges from 2.78% to 3.24% with favorable paytables in six to eight deck games. Alternative paytables with reduced payouts can increase the house edge to 7% or higher, making paytable selection crucial.
Yes, the two bets are completely independent. You can win both, lose both, or win one while losing the other. The 21+3 bet is resolved immediately after initial cards are dealt, while your main hand continues through normal blackjack play.
The flush is the most common winning hand, occurring approximately once every 73 hands in a six-deck game. It pays the lowest among qualifying hands, typically 5 to 1, but appears far more frequently than straights or three of a kind.
No, payout structures vary significantly between casinos and even between tables. Always check the posted paytable before playing. The standard version pays 100 to 1 for suited trips, but some tables offer reduced payouts that substantially increase the house edge.
Most card counting systems do not provide a significant advantage on the 21+3 side bet. While extreme deck compositions might theoretically create favorable situations, the complexity of tracking three-card poker combinations makes this impractical. Advantage players typically avoid side bets entirely.
Your overall winning frequency depends on which hands qualify at your table. If all five standard hands pay, you will win approximately once every 14 to 16 hands. If only straights and higher qualify, winning frequency drops significantly to roughly once every 35 to 40 hands.
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Industry analysis reveals that 21+3 side bets now appear at over 70% of blackjack tables in major gaming jurisdictions.