Overview of 21+3 Blackjack

One of the most popular games in the casino world is the online Blackjack card game. It brings the excitement of the game straight to your screen creating an exceptional gaming experience. Blackjack 21+3 brings an even more interesting turn to the styles of the Blackjack 21 games with a side bet. These depend on the pay table in use – there are several variations. 21 +3 Blackjack can be played online and in live casinos. This page gives you a complete overview of 21+3 Blackjack. I have used the live version as a basis, using the US rules – though the format is the same with European blackjack rules.

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.

Pros and Cons of 21+3 Blackjack

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.

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.

Free Casino Games 21 Blackjack

Blackjack is also known as Pontoon or Vingt-en-un (this is a French word for 21). It is one of the most played games in the world.
Blackjack is an extremely popular casino game. There are many different kinds of Blackjack games available out there today but the aim of basic Blackjack is to get as close to 21 as possible without going 'Bust'.

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Free Online 21 Blackjack Game

Blackjack can be played with up to 8 decks of cards at a time depending on where you play.
Each player gets dealt 2 cards face up on the
table and they can either 'Stand' or 'Hit'. The dealer is dealt one card face up and one card face down on the table. Players may 'Hit' as many times as they like.
Players usually make their decision to 'Hit' or 'Stand' (Refer to Blackjack Terms. ) by looking at the dealers one face up card. If a player at the table has Blackjack (Ace and Face Card) the player will win as the dealer can only draw one more card if his face up card is an Ace.
Blackjack (21) is the highest hand you can get - the winning hand. If nobody gets Blackjack the highest hand will then win..

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