Blackjack+ by WildTangent brings all the excitement of Blackjack to your desktop for FREE! Build your bankroll by playing up to three hands at once on different tables like Six Deck, Single Deck, and High.

Overview of 21+3 Blackjack

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.

1. Blackjack Plus is dealt with 6 standard blackjack decks. The game is dealt using the European style; where the dealer does not receive their hole (second) card until all players have finished.
2. In Blackjack Plus by WildTangent, the dealer must draw on 16 and stand on 17. Blackjack pays 3 to 2, and Insurance pays 2 to 1. Give Blackjack Plus by WildTangent a try today and we promise you.

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.

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. 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

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	Best Game
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.

Blackjack Plus 3 Strategy

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)

Blackjack Plus Wildtangent

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%.