Blackjack 21+3 Strategy

Overview of 21+3 Blackjack

Any trusted online blackjack strategy guide will start with basic strategy. This approach informs players, based on their hand and the dealer's upcard, which action is most likely to win. Using basic strategy reduces the house edge of the game as much as possible, and in games that use only a single deck, gives players a slight edge over the house. 21 + 3 Version 1 Version 1 of 21+3 I noticed at the Las Vegas Hilton in April, 2001. The side bet pays based on the player's first two cards and the dealer's up card. If the three cards equal a flush, straight, straight flush, or three of a kind the side bet pays 9 to 1. This Blackjack game features an additional bet '21 + 3'. Not compulsory, it is however interesting if you are looking to win a max in one hit! It will take into account your two cards and the one returned from the croupier to make a combination. A blackjack can only be made with the original two cards. 21+3 Blackjack strategy. In most online blackjack games that offer a side bet the goal is to lower the odds for the player. The overall percentage in 21+3 blackjack is 99.70% which means that the casino returns a shade over 0.99 cents on each dollar wagered. This is for the variation of 21+3 that pays 9 to 1 for Straight Flushes, Straights, Flushes, and Trips. A flush is the most common winning hand in the 3CP side bet. In a full 6 deck shoe, there are 303,264 three-card flush combinations. There are 5,013,320 total 3 card combinations.

The 21+3 side bet is optional, and its size does not need to be the same as the main bet. In order to play the side-bet, you need to participate in the main hand.

Placing a bet in the 21+3 square is all you need to do to participate. As soon as the deal is made, and before any player takes any actions the 2 player cards and the dealer’s up-card (or only card in European Blackjack) are compared to the pay table.

There are several variations of 21+3 payouts, the most simple pays from a ‘flush +pair’ and up, with 9-to-1 payouts in each case. When pairs are also included, this is hit more often, so the prizes are lowered to reflect this. There are 3-to-1 for all hands (pair, flush, straight, trips and straight flush) or there are staggered pay tables.

When the prizes are staggered, a straight flush or better can win significant money. Here is an example:

• Flush – Pays 5:1
• Straight – Pays 10:1
• Straight Flush – Pays 35:1
• Three of a Kind – Pays 33:1
• Suited 3 of a Kind – 100:1

Keep in mind that depending on the pay table, the house edge can get as high as 13% for this side bet. You can find examples of games (depending on the number of decks in use) where this is around 2.78% instead.

Strategy for 21+3 Blackjack

It goes without saying that knowing the correct basic strategy of the base game is a prerequisite here. Without this you are just handing money to the house.

Your main ‘strategy’ decision over the long run with the 21+3 side-bet is whether to play or not. The house edge is bigger than in most base games. If you know this, then you get to decide whether the added interest and entertainment (and chance of a windfall win) are worth it to you. If the extra engagement from the 21+3 bet works for you – then you can simply add a little to your bankroll to cover this.

Card counters can beat this game by memorizing the suits as they are dealt. It is possible on some deals to find one suit over-represented as the shoe gets smaller – turning the edge positive for players. The expected hourly rate for this is very low compared to other forms of counting. Online the deck is shuffled after each hand, making card counting impossible.

Blackjack 21 Strategy Chart

Pros and Cons of 21+3 Blackjack

21+3 Blackjack Strategy

Adding a poker style hand to blackjack makes for an interesting variation – though I do wonder whether ‘purists’ in either discipline would approve! Depending on which of the pay tables you use there is the chance of a 9-to-1 or even bigger windfall. That elusive suited 3-of-a-kind (paying 100-to-1) would certainly be memorable.

Blackjack 21+3 Strategy Games

Whether you participate depends on your attitude towards side-bets in general. Some players like these bets, and are happy to pay the extra house-edge for the chance of the occasional big win. Others scorn these bets as long-term losers.