21 + 3 combines the classic game of blackjack with an added excitement by incorporating a mini game of Three Card Poker. In this unique setup, players utilize their initial two cards along with the dealer’s face-up card to form a three-card poker hand. This means there’s a significant potential for winnings if luck is on your side.
Steps for Placing a 21 Plus 3 Side Bet in Blackjack
At the beginning of the game, right before the dealer reveals the cards, you will need to place your bets. Your first choice is how much you want to wager on your blackjack hand, and this bet is mandatory if you plan to enter the Three Card Poker side bet. Once you've placed the required minimum on your blackjack stake, you can then proceed to make the Three Card Poker side bet. blackjack After being dealt two cards, the dealer will show one face-up card, which, alongside your two cards, forms the trio for the side bet. If this combination results in a straight flush, three of a kind, a straight, or a flush, you will win the side bet, and the main blackjack game will continue as per standard rules.
The side bet is played before the hand of blackjack When participating in a traditional game of blackjack, you are allowed to make an additional minor wager. However, it's important to note that this side wager is evaluated based on a three-card poker combination rather than the blackjack hand itself.
How to Play Blackjack 21+3
The side wager relies on the combination of your two cards and the dealer’s up card to create a winning poker hand. Players win if they achieve a straight, flush, three of a kind, or straight flush. Regardless of the specific hand, side bets consistently payout at a rate of 9-to-1.
The gameplay follows the standard format of blackjack. Players must make a side bet before the cards are dealt, and once the three-card wagers have been resolved, the conventional blackjack hand proceeds as usual.
Depending on the specific casino you are visiting, there are various game formats available. Typically, a regular version offers a 9 to 1 payout for every successful hand, regardless of its specific combination, meaning that both a straight flush and three of a kind receive the same payout. If you're interested in a game that offers a varying pay scale based on the hand's strength, you'll want to seek out the 21 + 3 extreme version.
Variations on the 21 + 3 Side Bet
When engaging in a standard round of 21 + 3, you can expect the casino to maintain a house edge of about 13.39%. This figure can fluctuate depending on the establishment, resulting in a range between 1.60% to 33.44%. casino This game offers numerous opportunities for players to secure wins, with a return to player rate exceeding 95%, subject to the variant being played.
Flush – A flush consists of three cards that are all from the same suit. There are a total of 292,896 possible combinations, with odds estimated at 73:117. Successfully achieving a flush will earn a payout of 5 to 1.
Straight – A straight is formed when the two cards dealt to the player and the dealer’s face-up card create a consecutive sequence, such as 5-6-7, regardless of their suits. There are 155,520 combinations for a straight, with odds of 31:969, yielding a 10 to 1 payout.
21 + 3: Winning Odds and Payouts
3 of a Kind – This hand consists of three cards that share the same value or rank. If all three cards are from the same suit, it's referred to as a suited 3 of a kind in variant 7, which provides the highest payout of 100 to 1. The chances of getting a 3 of a kind in 21+3 Xtreme are 26,312 combinations at odds of 1:199, with a payout of 20 to 1.
Straight flush – A straight flush is similar to a flush, except the two player cards along with the dealer’s up card must be in sequential order and of the same suit. There are 10,368 combinations for a straight flush, with odds calculated at 1:499 and a payout of 30 to 1.
Potential Winnings with a Blackjack 21+3 Side Bet live dealer While the payout odds may differ from casino to casino, they generally remain consistent. Most establishments offer a side bet payout of 9-5 to-1, regardless of the hand type you hold. Although the likelihood of each hand occurring can vary, the payout structure stays the same.
Keep in mind that there are only a limited number of ways to win with the side bet in Blackjack 21+3. Players need to combine their two cards with the dealer’s face-up card to create a straight, flush, straight flush, three-of-a-kind, or suited three-of-a-kind.
You may not accumulate significant winnings with any of the side bets, but achieving a win can add a positive boost to your bankroll. It's advisable to check with the casino you’re playing at regarding the payout odds before joining the game.
The 'Top 3' is an additional side bet offered by some casinos that pairs with the 21 + 3 game. This option is available at blackjack tables with a 4, 6, or 8 deck shoe.
To place this bet, you must make both a traditional blackjack wager and a 21 + 3 poker wager. This side bet centers around a three-card hand formed from the dealer’s face-up card and the player’s initial two cards. Winnings for three of a kind, straight flush, and suited three of a kind are dictated by the payout table.
Wins occur when the player's initial two cards and the dealer's card merge into a winning hand. The payouts are as follows: 3 of a kind suited at 270 to 1, straight flush at 180 to 1, and three of a kind at 90 to 1.
21+3 Blackjack with Top 3
Winning Strategies for the Blackjack 21+3 Side Bet
Similar to achieving success in blackjack, having a strong mathematical foundation is beneficial before engaging in side bets. Knowledge of the odds for winning, payout rates, and even some card counting can enhance your chances.
Focusing on flushes presents the best opportunity for success. With ten cards in each suit, the odds of forming a three-card flush are roughly 1:480. However, these odds can vary based on card distribution and the number of decks used in the casino's shoe. While there is no fail-safe method to guarantee victory, you can employ strategies to minimize the house edge.
When developing your strategy for the game, it's essential to adhere closely to the standard approaches used for Three Card Poker and blackjack. Since decks are shuffled after each round, predicting upcoming cards for the side bet becomes challenging. The only clear method for improving your odds is to take full advantage of any bonuses offered by the casino.
One of the appealing aspects of this game is its simplicity, making it very accessible for newcomers who have a basic understanding of both blackjack and poker. However, not every casino, including those online, features this game, so it may require some searching to find it.
The 21 + 3 side bet in blackjack involves evaluating the player’s two cards alongside the dealer’s face card. If this combination produces a flush, straight, three-of-a-kind, or straight flush, the player secures a win. Initially, the payout for these hands was set at 9-to-1.
Advantages of 21 + 3 Bets
In certain single-deck games, players might face a house edge for the 21+3 side bet as high as 13.39%. Given that the ideal house edge for standard blackjack is around 0.5%, relying on the 21+3 bet may not be the best choice. blackjack strategy The 21 + 3 game adds an exciting layer to the traditional blackjack experience. After placing the main bet, players have the opportunity to engage in a side bet on a three-card poker hand, contingent on whether their two cards and the dealer’s up card form a winning poker hand.
Are blackjack side bets worthwhile? While side bets can enhance the fun of the game and potentially yield higher payouts than the main game, they generally carry a greater house edge, which increases the risk over time.
FAQ
The house edge for 21+3 blackjack decreases with the use of multiple decks. In a game with six decks where various hands like Flush, Straight, Three of a Kind, Straight Flush, and Suited Three of a Kind have different payouts (rather than a flat 9:1 rate), the house edge is reduced to 4.14%.
Heather Ferris serves as the CEO and Founder of Vegas Aces, bringing over 15 years of expertise in the casino sector. In addition to her role at Vegas Aces, she's also an adjunct professor at UNLV and provides consulting for table games. For a decade, she has been producing articles and video content related to the gaming industry, and her marketing firm assists emerging table game creators in entering the market.
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