21+ 3 Blackjack: A Guide to the Most Popular Side Bet

The game of blackjack is already known for its strategic depth, but casino side bets add a different layer of excitement and risk to the table. Among them, the 21+ 3 side bet has become one of the most popular worldwide, combining the best of classic blackjack with a three-card poker twist.

While it can add a fun spark to your game, a disciplined player knows that a side bet is never a substitute for solid basic strategy. This guide will walk you through how the 21+ 3 bet works, what it pays out, and the most important reason to be cautious when placing it.

What is 21+ 3 Blackjack?

The 21+ 3 side bet is an optional wager placed before the cards are dealt. It is based on a simple premise: will your first two cards and the dealer's face-up card form a winning three-card poker hand?

If they do, you win the side bet, regardless of the outcome of the main blackjack hand. If they do not, you lose your side wager. Because of its unique combination of two different games, the 21+ 3 bet is a very popular way to add an extra layer of luck to your round.

The 21+3 Winning Hands & Payouts

The payouts for the 21+ 3 side bet are based on the strength of the three-card poker hand you form with your first two cards and the dealer's upcard. The payouts can vary slightly from casino to casino, but the standard structure is as follows:

Examples of Winning Hands

To make the hands more concrete, here is a quick example:

• Your Hand: Ace of Spades and 2 of Spades

• Dealer's Upcard: 3 of Spades

• Outcome: You have a Straight Flush, which pays out 40 to 1.

The High House Edge: A Word of Caution

The primary reason for a strategic player to approach the 21+ 3 bet with caution is its significantly higher house edge compared to the main blackjack game. While the house edge on a standard blackjack hand is less than 1%, the house edge on this side bet is several times higher.

The house advantage for the 21+ 3 bet varies dramatically based on the number of decks being used.

• 8-Deck Game: The house edge is approximately 2.74%.

• 2-Deck Game: The house edge jumps to 7.26%.

• 1-Deck Game: The house edge soars to a staggering 13.3%.

This means that for every €100 you bet, the casino expects to win an average of €2.74 in an 8-deck game, but a far higher €13.30 in a single-deck game. A higher house edge means you will lose more money over time.

How 21+ 3 Compares to Other Side Bets

To provide context, it’s useful to see how 21+ 3 stacks up against other popular side bets. One of the most common alternatives is the "Perfect Pairs" bet.

• Perfect Pairs: This bet is simpler, based only on your first two cards. You win if your cards are a pair. The payouts vary depending on whether the pair is "mixed" (different colors), "colored" (same color), or "perfect" (same rank and suit).

  
  

• House Edge Comparison: The house edge for "Perfect Pairs" is typically around 3.5% in an 8-deck game. This is slightly higher than the 2.74% house edge of the 21+ 3 bet in the same game, but both are significantly higher than the standard blackjack game.

An Advanced Look: Can You Count Cards on 21+3?

While traditional blackjack card counting (like the Hi-Lo system) is designed to track the advantage for the main game, it is possible to use a different system to track the favorability of the deck for the 21+ 3 side bet.

This advanced strategy is not for the faint of heart, but the principle is simple:

• Cards that are beneficial to the 21+ 3 bet (because they make Straights, Flushes, or Three-of-a-Kinds more likely) are given a positive value.

• Cards that are detrimental to the bet are given a negative value.

A dedicated 21+ 3 counting system would assign a positive value to cards like 9s, Aces, and specific suits. When the count is high, the deck is rich in these cards, and the side bet becomes more favorable. However, it's crucial to understand that this count is separate from the one for the main game, and the bet still relies on luck to hit a high-paying combination.

Is It Worth It?

The simple answer is that the 21+ 3 bet is not a viable way to build a sustainable bankroll. While the excitement of a 100 to 1 payout is tempting, the high house edge means that in the long run, this bet is not in your favor.

Instead of a core strategy, view the 21+ 3 bet as a fun addition to your game to liven up the atmosphere. It's a great way to add a bit of an extra thrill, but a disciplined player knows to stick to a proven basic strategy for their main wagers.