21+3 blackjack side bet

21+3 Blackjack Rules Explained

Though novice blackjack players just tend to utilise straight bets at the blackjack table, by limiting themselves to these wagers they are missing out on some potentially massive wins. For this, you’ll need a good understanding of the side bets available in blackjack. The 21+3 blackjack side bet can give you a staggering payout of 270 to 1 with some luck! But it’s important to understand exactly the optimum time to play it. As well as how it affects the overall house edge and the game play. Read on to see the 21+3 blackjack rules explained. This will give you a better understanding of the game and it’s strategies.

21+3 Blackjack Rules Explained: The Blackjack Side Bet 

The 21+3 blackjack side bet first saw the light of day in the casinos of Las Vegas in 2001. Since then it is gone on to become of the most popular side bets you place during the game of blackjack. It’s a great addition to your secret blackjack winning tips. If you’re a German online gambler, then you’re probably wondering how the 21+3 blackjack side bet functions. With this article, we’ll explain the ins and out of utilising the 21 + 3 blackjack side bet. Along with the expectations that come with its use.

What Is The 21+3 Blackjack Side Bet?

In a regular game of blackjack, the dealer will give you your first two cards. They then turn over their up card. Now if the dealer’s top card and your first two cards make a straight or a flush or a three of a kind, then you’re the winner. As you can see, one of the main reasons for blackjack’s popularity is that it’s so easy to play. You place the 21+3 blackjack side bet in a small circle to the side of the main wager. This is why it’s known as a “side bet.”

21+3 blackjack side bet
Picture Source: Flickr

If you are playing online at a casino like 22Bet Casino, which we consider to be the best gambling site for blackjack, or you’re playing in a land-based, brick-and-mortar casino in Germany, then you should be able to find bets for as low as €1. Nevertheless, if you’re visiting some of the big and expensive gambling hubs, from Macau to Las Vegas, you may only find minimum bets starting at $5.

21+3 Blackjack Rules Explained: Payouts

The original game featuring the 21+3 bet is now the property of Galaxy Gaming. You can find it in use across land-based and online casinos all around the world, including in Germany. Now keep in mind that a straight, a flush, or three of the kind will payouts a simple 9 to 1. It’s worth noting that online casinos have evolved and other companies have seen the potential of the game. So it’s no surprise that its payoff structure has also evolved. As such, you may well find some casinos that offer the game as a progressive jackpot. These prizes may be given out on such things as three aces suited, with payouts of a staggering 270 to 1 for three of a kind suited. The fundamental thing you need to keep in mind is that they all play out in the same manner.

21+3 blackjack side bet
Picture Source: Pxhere

Remember that your first two cards, along with the dealer’s top card, need to combine to make a winning hand. You may well find that several different online game providers will offer a different payout structure depending on the hand dealt. When it comes to the online version of 21+3 blackjack side bets, then the most common of these is from the pay table of IGT. They offer a 4.14% house edge when the game makes use of a 6-deck shoe. 

The IGT Odds

Below we’ve listed some of the odds depending on the hand you receive:

  • Suited Three of a Kind        100 to 1
  • Straight Flush                         35 to 1
  • Three of a Kind                       33 to 1
  • Straight                                     10 to 1
  • Flush                                           5 to 1

The Evolution Gaming Odds

There’s a very similar payout from Evolution Gaming, which has an even better 3.62% house edge with a 6-deck shoe.

  • Suited Three of a Kind        100 to 1
  • Straight Flush                         40 to 1
  • Three of a Kind                       30 to 1
  • Straight                                     10 to 1
  • Flush                                            5 to 1

If you’re playing at a German casino or online blackjack for fun, then you may well come across the fact that the top three side bets will often accompany the 21 + 3 blackjack side bet. That’s because they are both properties of the same company. And therefore marketed across all their casinos, both online and offline. Essentially, the requirement is to bet the top three-bet as well as the 21 + 3 blackjack side bet simultaneously. In this case, if the dealer’s up card and your two cards are three of a kind, then you’ll receive a payout of 90 to 1.

21+3 blackjack side bet
Picture Source: Pxhere

On the other hand, a straight flush will earn you 180 to 1. Moving on up, three of a kind suited will land you 270 to 1. In addition to this, you’ll also get your 9 to 1 payout on your regular 21+3 bet. Keep in mind that the house advantage on the top three bets is very high at approximately 9%.

21+3 Blackjack Rules Explained: More Decks, The Merrier

Depending on the number of decks in play, then you’ll see that the number of these can influence the house advantage by a few tenths of a point with your blackjack hand. Also, the house advantage on your 21+3 blackjack side bet can move several percentage points depending on the number of decks in play. Be warned that all casinos across Germany, make use of a Shufflemaster Machine. This ensures that all the decks are shuffled properly before the game begins. It also stops any ideas of counting cards dead in their tracks. 

Below we’ve listed the pay table for utilising between one to eight card decks.

  • 8 decks             2.74 percent
  • 6 decks             3.24 percent
  • 4 decks             4.24 percent
  • 2 decks             7.26 percent
  • 1 deck                13.3 percent

Compare Pay Tables

When having the 21+3 blackjack rules explained, then one thing that’s worth taking note of, is that if you play a 21+3 blackjack side bet on a double-deck game, then the German casino’s advantage is more than twice that compared to you’re playing an 8-deck shoe. If we look at both Evolution Gaming and IGT’s payout tables, we can see that there’s almost a whole percentage point difference between a 6-deck shoe and an 8-deck shoe.

21+3 blackjack side bet
Picture Source: Pixabay

This means that for the best chance of a 9-to-1 payout, it’s best to play on an 8-deck shoe. If you happen to be visiting a casino in Germany, then we suggest that you slowly walk the gaming floor looking for blackjack games utilising as many decks as possible.

21+3 Blackjack Rules Explained: Can It Be Beaten?

So the $6 million questions is, with a lower house edge, is it still possible that you can beat the game? Well, the answer is, yes it is. It’s been shown that a simple count of suits was enough to beat the game. But keep in mind this is with a very low expectation of return. It also comes with a high degree of difficulty. Furthermore, take note that many casinos in Germany prefer progressive pay tables. This suits many individuals, as well as teams, who realise that they would be able to find progressive payouts that would be large enough to give them an advantage. Though such cases are far a few between, you’ll find that the odds are swinging into your favour as the size of the jackpot grows. This is because it offsets the slight house advantage as it rises.

We think it’s always a good idea to keep one eye on the progressive meters. Especially when you’re looking for a German 21+3 blackjack side bet table. Also, consider the smaller jackpots associated with these progressive games. You may be playing at a much worse house advantage than if you were simply playing at a conventional game. Once again, it’s something that you should be wary of. The same advice goes for playing online games on websites like 22Bet Casino. Though playing online will give you better odds, more bonuses, and bigger prizes.

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21+3 Blackjack Side Bet Is Here To Stay

Whatever variant of blackjack you’re playing on a German land-based casino gaming table, then you’ll find that having the 21+3 blackjack rules explained will show you that it’s a simple and fun addition to the game. Just be sure you stick with perfect blackjack strategies. As you can see from the above, you must place this bet with care. That’s because it doesn’t have a very big house advantage. Nevertheless, this side wager can certainly add a lot of excitement and spice up the game play. If you make it, then you’ll find the whole table will be pulled together for you. We would suggest that it’s probably the social aspect of the wager that has ensured its long life over the last two decades. And we imagine that the 21 + 3 blackjack side bet will be with us for many decades more.