What Is 21 + 3 Blackjack? Your Complete Guide

Blackjack is one of the most popular table games, and as a result, it’s very much worth knowing the different rules. Once you have an idea of how the game works on a fundamental level, and you’ve experimented with different strategies, you’ll then start thinking about side-bets – such as the 21 + 3 bet. 

Despite being one of the most common types of side bets, that doesn’t mean you should jump in with no previous experience or research. 21 + 3 has various advantages and drawbacks, and understanding these is imperative. Moreover, you must think about the house edge; this is just as important as the odds, if not more so. 

In this complete guide, you’ll get all the information you need to use the 21 + 3 bet in blackjack properly. Without further ado, let’s get started.  

21 + 3 Hand Combinations and Payouts

Before we look at how to play the 21 + 3 side bet, we need to go deeper into the different combinations and payouts. These will depend on the type of 21 + 3 hand combination you bet on. 

To help you out, here’s a brief rundown: 

• Flush: 5/1 payout. This is the lowest for a 21 + 3 hand combination and side bet. 
• Straight: 10/1
• Straight flush: 30/1
• Three of a kind: 40/1
• Suited three of a kind: 100/1. This is the highest payout. 

With each of these numbers, you receive your stake plus the profits. So, if you wagered $1 on a suited three of a kind with 21 + 3, you’d get $101 back (your stake plus the $100 profits). 

See also: What Is a Soft 17 in Blackjack?

Odds and House Edge of the 21 + 3 Bet

The odds are largely the same with this side bet, regardless of where you place it. However, the house edge will differ. This can significantly affect your chances of winning, so it’s very important to understand and keep in mind.

Generally speaking, the house edge is around 13.39%. This is significant, and it makes the 21 + 3 bet much less tempting than it might otherwise be. However, this number is not fixed.

In some cases, the house edge may range between 3% and 7%. It’s worth looking for the lower end, as this will significantly improve your chances of winning and your payout if you do. If you’re playing somewhere with the highest house edge, this side bet is largely worth skipping. 

Your percentage-based probabilities of winning the 21 + 3 bet are: 

• Winning at all: 8.7% 
• Flush 4.96%
• Straight: 3.26%
• Three of a kind: 0.24%
• Straight flush: 0.22%
• Suited trips: 0.02%

Tips and Strategy for Playing 21 + 3 Blackjack

Now that you know the basics of 21 + 3 blackjack, let’s look at some tips and strategy ideas to help you win more effectively. We’ve listed some of our top recommendations below. 

Look for Casinos With Progressive Jackpots

Since the 21 + 3 bet is difficult to win with sometimes, it’s a good idea to look for places where you can potentially get a bigger advantage. Progressive jackpots are one way to do this. 

Some casinos offer progressive jackpots with blackjack and other table games. Check to see if the one you’re playing with does this. You’ll find it at various land-based casinos, along with places you might want to wager online. 

Use the Bet Sparingly

Most side bets in blackjack can complicate things rather than increasing your chances of winning. They’re largely for entertainment purposes, and as a result, you shouldn’t try using them every single time. Many casinos might place limits on how often you can use them, anyway. 

Use the 21 + 3 bet when it makes sense, and only at that point. In some cases, other side bets might be a better choice. And in other instances, you might not even find any extra advantages from using any side bets at all. Use logical thinking here and keep things simple. 

Understand the House Edge

The house edge for 21 + 3 is often much higher than other bets in blackjack, and for that matter, it’s also bigger than other casino games in some circumstances. The good thing, however, is that it can fluctuate. As a result, you can get better deals in some cases. 

When playing blackjack, understand the 21 + 3 side bet’s house edge for your unique situation. If it’s too high, you should avoid using it; the bet won’t really give you any extra advantages, and the odds don’t justify the risk. But if you see an opportunity, you might want to take the risk. 

Only Use It as a Side-Bet

This seems obvious, considering that the 21 + 3 bet is – well – a side bet. But in some cases, it can be easy to get carried away. This is particularly true if you win even once with it. In these instances, you should be extra careful to not use it more than needed. 

The 21 + 3 side bet should not be your go-to, and most of the time, it won’t even be feasible. Understand that the bet exists, but don’t make it a core part of your toolkit. 

Understand the Payouts for Your Form of Blackjack

Blackjack tables differ, and as a result, you might not be getting the payouts you’d want. So, before placing a 21 + 3 bet, it’s important that you look into the payouts before deciding if it’s even worth playing the wager. 

See also: How many decks in blackjack are used: Single and multi decks

Pros and Cons of the 21 + 3 Side Bet

Before fully deciding if this side bet is worth playing, it’s worth understanding the pros and cons. To help you out, we’ve listed the benefits and drawbacks of using the 21 + 3 side bet below. 

Some of the advantages associated with using the 21 + 3 bet are: 

• Potential winnings: Some of the odds with 21 + 3 bets in blackjack are pretty good, which could get you solid payouts. Moreover, you could use this bet to cover any losses you may have gotten from the main one. 
• Combination of different games: The 21 + 3 bet is a combination of blackjack and poker. Besides being more interesting, you can also use it to learn some of the basics associated with poker if you ever decide to play. 
• Accepted at many casinos: You shouldn’t have too many issues finding a casino where you can wager with the 21 + 3 side bet. As a result, you don’t need to pick multiple strategies and hope that one of them will be accepted. 

Despite these pros, however, you’ll still need to think of the cons associated with 21 + 3 blackjack bets. 

• Very volatile: This bet is very volatile, with the house edge and payouts varying significantly. If you’re risk-averse, this might not be the best choice. 
• High house edge: Some of your bets will have a high house edge, which can result in worse payouts than you otherwise would have received. 

Is 21 + 3 Blackjack Worth Playing?

The 21 + 3 blackjack bet can be worth playing in some cases, but you’ll need to understand the situation before wagering. Its house edge can be very high, and when it is, you’re better off not bothering at all. However, you can play the bet if you see a potential opportunity to win or offset some of your losses. 

If you’re interested in poker, the 21 + 3 bet is a nice middle ground between blackjack and poker. Moreover, this bet is helpful for those scenarios in which you want to make your game a bit more exciting.

See also: Blackjack Side Bets. The Complete Guide