Blackjack 21+3 Strategy

Posted on 4/11/2022 by admin

21+3 Blackjack is a very popular side bets blackjack variation, invented and patented by

21+3 Blackjack is a very popular side bets blackjack variation, invented and patented by Derek J. Webb in 2000.The game is a combination of blackjack and three card poker, where your first 2 cards and the dealer’s face up card are used to combine a three card hand. 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.

Derek J. Webb in 2000. The game is a combination of blackjack and three card poker, where your first 2 cards and the dealer’s face up card are used to combine a three card hand. If you are familiar with Perfect Pairs, then you can look at 21+3 as its further development.

It is considered one of the latest additions and therefore it is not offered by most blackjack sites. Nevertheless, there are 3 versions of 21+3 Blackjack available online and we are sure that more to come.

Content

1. Game reviews
2. 21+3 payout variations
3. Where to Play
4. 21+3 rules
5. Online games comparison
6. Summary

Unfortunately, non of the online versions of 21+3 are available at USA friendly blackjack casinos.

Game Reviews & Free Play

21+3 Payouts

21 plus 3 Blackjack has two common payout tables which you can find below, however some casinos offer their own rule sets. If you encounter any discrepancies, we recommend that you check the appropriate house edge before you proceed.

*We’ve also added option #3 since it’s the one used in IGT online casinos. The odds are calculated based on 6 deck games.

Option #1

Flush – 5:1

Straight – 10 to 1

3 of a kind – 30 to 1

Straight flush – 40 to 1

Suited three of a kind – 100 to 1

Odds: 95.38%

Option #2

Flush – 9 to 1

Straight – 9 to 1

Three of a kind – 9 to 1

Straight Flush – 9 to 1

Odds: 96.76%

Option #3

Flush – 5:1,

Straight – 10 to 1,

3 of a kind – 33 to 1,

Straight flush – 35 to 1

Suited three of a kind – 100 to 1.

Odds: 95.86%

Where to Play

Casino	Bonus	Why it’s here
100% up to $1000	Best for USA and AUS casino	Single Deck – 0.08% house edge
100% up to £/$/€ 100	Best for UK, Canada and EU	Classic Blackjack – 0.21% house edge
150% up to $1500	Highest USA Blackjack Bonus	N/A

21+3 Blackjack Rules

21+3 is based on European blackjack rules, meaning that the dealer doesn’t check for blackjack. Therefore in case the dealer has a natural, your doubles and splits will be lost as well. Other rules:

Usually played with 6 standard decks.
Dealer stands on all 17s.
Double down rules vary, but usually you can double on 9,10, 11 value.
Doubled down hands receive one card.
Split up to 2 hands, including Aces.
You can hit or double split hands, including Aces.
Blackjack pays 3:2
Similar value hands are push.

The house edge under these rules is 0.48%.

Blackjack 21+3 Online Games Comparison

There are three 21+3 games available online. The first can be found in Wagerworks (IGT) casinos. The second one was developed by Felt Gaming and can be found only in Unibet casino. The third one is a live dealer game by Evolution Gaming.

Basic Game Rules

We will mention only the rules that differ from the common ones listed above.

IGT (Wagerworks): You can split two 3 hands and re-split Aces. Double down on any 2 cards.

Felt Gaming: Standard rules

Evolution: Played with 8 decks. Also offers Perfect Pairs side bet. Double down on any 2 cards. Single card to split Aces.

21+3 Bonus Comparison

Evolution: Standard Option #1, but played with 8 decks which lowers the side bets house edge by roughly 1%.

Felt: Standard Option #1.

IGT (Wagerworks): Option #3.

Bottom Line

Wagerworks (IGT)

Base Game: 99.70%

Side Bets: 95.86%

Evolution Gaming

Base Game: 99.41%

Side Bets: 96.38%

Update: Realistic Games also offer 21+3 blackjack. The special rules are: based on American Blackjack (dealer checks for blackjack). Double down on any 2 cards. Split Aces receive only 1 card. Bonus payouts are as on Option #1, except the 3 of a Kind which pays 25:1. Under these rules basic odds are 99.59%. The side bet odds are extremely low, just 92%.