21+3 Blackjack Rules

21+3 Blackjack is a popular casino game that combines the rules of traditional blackjack with a three-card poker side bet. The game is played with a standard 52-card deck and the goal is to get a higher hand value than the dealer without exceeding 21.

The player and the dealer each receive two cards, with the dealer’s second card dealt face down. The player can then choose to hit (take another card) or stand (keep their current hand total).

The 21+3 side bet is based on the player’s first two cards and the dealer’s face-up card. If these three cards form a winning poker hand, such as a straight, flush, or three of a kind, the player wins the side bet.
21 + 3 was first rolled out at the Las Vegas Hilton (now known as the Westgate) in 2001.
In 21+3 Blackjack, the player must beat the dealer’s hand to win the main game. If the player’s hand exceeds 21, they lose the round, even if the dealer also busts. If the player and the dealer tie, the round is a push and the player’s bet is returned. The 21+3 side bet is independent of the main game and can be won or lost separately.

When you bet chips on 21+3 Blackjack, you have the chance to win based on the first three cards dealt. These cards consist of your first two cards and the dealer’s first card. You can win if these three cards form one of the following combinations from poker: three-of-a-kind, straight, flush, or straight flush. The payout for each combination varies by casino, with a straight flush typically offering the highest payout and a regular flush the lowest. The exact payouts can be found on a payout table at the casino where you are playing.

The specific winning combinations and payouts for the 21+3 side bet vary depending on the specific rules of the game. Here’s an example from a six-deck 21+3 Blackjack game:

The house edge for variants with 4, 6, and 8 decks: