19/02/2024 19:00
What is the meaning of 21+3 in Blackjack? Complete explanation
In quite a few online casinos it is possible to place a 21+3 side bet when you are playing blackjack. This 21+3 side bet is an additional betting option that is played on the outcome of the player's first 2 cards and the dealer's card. In this article, we will zoom in on the different hand combinations of the 21+3 side bet and how it works.
What is blackjack?
Blackjack, also known as 21, is a card game you can play in casinos, both online and offline. The aim of the game is to obtain a hand value higher than that of the dealer, without exceeding 21. At the beginning of each round, you place a bet, after which you receive two cards. Cards with numbers retain their face value, jacks, queens, and kings are each worth 10 points, and the ace can count as 1 or 11, depending on what works in your favor. You have the option of asking for additional cards ("hit"), passing ("stand"), doubling ("double") your bet with only one additional card, or, if you have two equal cards, splitting ("split") them into two separate hands.
The game, like many other online casino games, requires a combination of luck and strategy; by making smart decisions you can increase your chances of winning. In addition to the standard game, Blackjack also offers the option of side bets, which offer additional chances of winning regardless of the outcome of the main hand, which we will tell you more about in the next paragraph.
What is a side bet?
Side bets, which you place in addition to your main bet, are based on specific conditions or combinations of cards. They are independent of the outcome of the main hand, meaning that even if you lose your main hand, you can still win with a side bet.
One of the best-known side bets is the 21+3 bet, in which the outcome is based on your first two cards and the dealer's face-up card. This combination is evaluated as if it were a poker hand, with specific payouts for combinations such as flushes, straights, three-of-a-kinds, and straight flushes. In the next paragraph, we will take a closer look at the 21+3 side bet, a popular choice among players looking for additional winning opportunities within the classic game of Blackjack.
Want to know more about how side bets work? Then read our blog.
Explanation 21+3 side bet
When you decide to bet on the 21+3 side bet in blackjack, you base your chances of winning on the first two cards dealt to you plus the dealer's face-up card. This combination is viewed as if it were a hand in poker, with different payouts for specific hand combinations. Let's take a look at the possibilities:
Straight Flush: this is the most profitable hand, where you get three consecutive cards of the same symbol. An example is 7 of spades, 8 of spades, and 9 of spades. The payout for such a hand is high because the probability of getting this combination is relatively low.
Three of a Kind: In this option you have three cards of the same value, but not necessarily of the same symbol. Imagine you get two hearts 10s and the dealer shows a clubs 10, then you have a Three of a Kind.
Straight: this involves three consecutive cards of different symbols. An example of a Straight could be a 4 of clubs, a 5 of hearts, and a 6 of diamonds. Although the symbols are different, the consecutive values form a Straight.
Flush: a Flush consists of three cards of the same symbol, regardless of their value. For example, if you have a diamond 2, a diamond 6, and the dealer shows a diamond Ace, you have a Flush.
This side bet thus offers additional chances to win regardless of the outcome of your main hand. Adding the 21+3 option to blackjack strategy can increase both excitement and potential winnings, making each round of Blackjack even more engaging.
How does the 21+3 side bet work
Now that you know what the 21+3 side bet is, it's time to explain how it works. We will do this using the steps below:
Determine your bet: you can only bet on side bets, and therefore the 21+3, if you also participate in the regular online blackjack game. The blackjack rules are very clear about this. So as a player, you first bet an amount on the classic blackjack game, then you can also bet on the various side bets.
Win a sum of money: if your side bet catches one of the above combinations (straight flush, three of a kind, straight or flush), then you are lucky and win the sum of money associated with that combination.
