Blackjack Side Bets Guide: 21+3

Side bets in blackjack add an extra layer of excitement to the game, offering players the chance to win additional payouts beyond the standard game. These bets can significantly increase the stakes and thrill of playing blackjack, providing opportunities to win big with a variety of unique wagers. Whether you’re new to blackjack or a seasoned player, understanding side bets like 21+3 can be key to maximizing your potential winnings when at a land casino or when playing blackjack online.

What are side bets?

In blackjack, side bets are additional wagers that you can place alongside your main wager. A side bet is independent of the outcome of the main game and focuses on specific card combinations or conditions, offering players a chance to win extra payouts based on the initial cards dealt.

Side bets typically involve smaller minimum stakes compared to the main game bet and are made before any cards are dealt. The most common side bets revolve around the first two cards dealt to the player and, in some cases, the dealer’s first card. Popular side bets include options like 21+3 blackjack, Perfect Pairs, and Insurance, each with its own set of rules and payout odds.

Playing Blackjack Side Bets

Engaging in an optional side bet during a blackjack game offers you an opportunity to add an extra layer of excitement and the potential for substantial payouts beyond the standard gameplay. Unlike the main game, where the focus is on achieving a winning hand by beating the dealer, side bets allow players to wager on specific card combinations or outcomes, with the possibility of winning significant amounts even if their main hand loses.

Why Play Blackjack Side Bets?

The primary appeal of side bets in blackjack lies in their potential for high payouts. While the typical game pays out even money (1:1) or slightly better at 2:1 for a blackjack, side bets can offer much higher rewards. Some side bets, such as the 21+3, have payout odds that can reach as high as 5,000:1. This prospect of hitting it big on a relatively small wager can make side bets an attractive option for players looking to maximize their winnings.

Additionally, side bets introduce a level of variability and excitement to the game. They provide opportunities to win on multiple outcomes within the same hand, offering a chance to recover losses from the main game or to boost overall winnings. For instance, even if you lose your primary hand, a successful side bet could still result in a profit for the round.

The Pros and Cons of Blackjack Side Bets

Pros:

High Payout Potential: Side bets can offer much better odds than the main game, allowing for the possibility of large wins on a small investment.
Increased Excitement: Optional side bets add an additional element of fun and suspense to the game, making each hand more thrilling with multiple outcomes to consider.
Multiple Winning Opportunities: With side bets, you can win on both your main hand and the side bet, doubling your excitement and potential returns.

Cons:

Higher House Edge: While side bets can offer good odds for large payouts, they generally come with a higher house edge compared to the main game. This means that, over time, players are more likely to lose money on side bets.
Purely Based on Chance: Unlike the main blackjack game, where skill and strategy play a significant role, side bets are purely luck-based. This reduces the control you have over the outcome and increases the risk.
Increased Risk: The combination of a higher house edge and reliance on luck makes side bets a riskier proposition. While they can be profitable in the short term, they are less reliable as a consistent winning strategy.

Popular Side Bets Types

Blackjack offers players the opportunity to place various side bets in addition to their main game wagers. These side bets provide an extra level of excitement and the potential for substantial payouts.

Among the numerous side bets available at blackjack tables, three stand out as the most popular: Insurance, Perfect Pairs, and 21+3. Each of these side bets offers different betting odds and rewards based on specific card combinations.

Insurance

The Insurance side bet is one of the most common and straightforward options in blackjack. This bet is available when the dealer’s face-up card is an Ace. The purpose of the Insurance bet is to protect the player against the dealer having a natural blackjack (a hand totaling 21 with an Ace and a 10-value card). Players can place a side bet of up to half of their original bet, and if the dealer indeed has a blackjack, the Insurance bet pays out at 2:1 odds.

While this bet can seem appealing as a safety net, it’s important to remember that it generally favors the house, and many experienced players avoid going for Insurance unless they’re counting cards and have a reason to believe the odds are in their favor.

The image shows a blackjack table with three playing cards laid face-up in the center: two Aces and a King. Several players' hands are visible, each holding poker chips and engaged in the game. The table's green felt surface is marked with gold and red text, indicating the betting areas. Multiple stacks of chips are positioned around the table, suggesting active and intense betting. The scene captures the suspense and excitement of a high-stakes blackjack game, with the players focused on the outcome. The warm lighting and rich colors contribute to the classic casino atmosphere.

Perfect pairs

Perfect Pairs is a side bet that focuses on the player’s initial two cards. The objective is to wager on whether these two cards will form a pair. There are three possible outcomes for this bet, each with its payout odds on the pay table:

Mixed Pair: Two cards of the same value but different suits and colors (e.g., 7 of hearts and 7 of spades). This bet typically pays 5:1.
Colored Pair: Two cards of the same value and color but different suits (e.g., Queen of Clubs and Queen of Spades). This bet usually pays 12:1.
Perfect Pair: Two identical cards in both value and suit (e.g., two 3 of diamonds). This bet offers the highest payout, typically around 25:1.

21+3

The Blackjack 21+3 side bet combines elements of poker with blackjack, allowing players to wager on the potential poker hands formed by their first two cards and the dealer’s face-up card. The possible winning combinations and their respective payouts are as follows:

Flush: All three cards are of the same suit, paying out at 5:1.
Straight: The three cards form a sequence of consecutive values, regardless of suit, paying out at 10:1.
Three of a Kind: All three cards are of the same value but from different suits, paying out at 30:1.
Straight Flush: The three cards are in consecutive order and of the same suit, paying out at 40:1.
Suited Three of a Kind: All three cards are of the same value and suit, paying out at 100:1.

The 21+3 Blackjack side bet adds a layer of complexity and excitement to the game by incorporating poker-like hands into the standard blackjack format. It is one of the more popular side bets due to its potential for high rewards, though it comes with a higher house edge.

These three side bets—Insurance, Perfect Pairs, and 21+3—are among the most widely available and commonly played at blackjack tables. Each offers its own unique set of bet odds and potential payouts, making them attractive options for players looking to diversify their betting strategies and increase the excitement of the game.

Other Important Blackjack Side Bets

While Insurance, Perfect Pairs, and 21+3 are among the most popular side bets in blackjack, there are several other intriguing options available to enhance your gameplay. Each of these side bets offers its own unique rules and potential payouts, adding extra excitement and complexity to the game.

Super Sevens

The Super Sevens side bet focuses on how many sevens appear in the player’s hand. The payout structure is as follows:

One Seven: Pays 3:1 if the first card is a seven.
Two Sevens: If the first two cards are sevens, the payout is 50:1 for unsuited sevens and 100:1 for suited sevens.
Three Sevens: If the third card is also a seven, the payout jumps to 500:1 for unsuited sevens and an impressive 5000:1 for suited sevens.

This bet offers some of the highest potential payouts in blackjack, though it comes with a substantial house edge due to the rarity of hitting these combinations.

Any Pair

The Any Pair side bet is similar to Perfect Pairs but focuses on whether the player’s first two cards will form a pair, regardless of suit or color. The payouts are usually:

Mixed Pair: Pays 5:1 for a pair of different suits.
Suited Pair: Pays 25:1 for a pair of the same suit.

This bet is simpler than Perfect Pairs, making it an appealing option for players looking for a straightforward side bet with decent odds.

Over/Under 13

The Over/Under 13 side bet is a wager on whether the total value of the player’s first two cards will be over or under 13. The specifics are:

Over 13: Pays even money if the total exceeds 13.
Under 13: Pays even money if the total is less than 13.

In most cases, exactly 13 results in a loss, although some variations may allow bets on exactly 13 as well. This bet is straightforward but carries a high house edge, making it more of a fun gamble than a strategic play.

Royal Match

The Royal Match side bet is based on the player’s first two cards being suited. This bet is popular in six-deck games and offers the following payouts:

Suited Cards: Pays 5:2 if the two cards are of the same suit.
Royal Match: Pays 25:1 if the two suited cards are a King and Queen.

This side bet is particularly popular in Las Vegas casinos, where it adds an extra level of excitement for players who enjoy chasing these specific combinations.

Lucky Ladies

The Lucky Ladies side bet pays out when the player’s first two cards total 20. The payouts depend on the specifics of the cards:

Unsuited 20: Pays 4:1.
Suited 20: Pays 10:1.
Matched 20 (Same Rank and Suit): Pays 25:1.
Two Queens of Hearts: Pays 200:1.
Two Queens of Hearts and Dealer Blackjack: Pays 1000:1.

This side bet is commonly found in multiple decks games and offers some of the highest potential payouts in blackjack, making it a favorite for players looking to win big.

The image shows a close-up view of a blackjack table with two face-up cards—a King of Hearts and an Ace of Diamonds—forming a blackjack hand. The green felt surface of the table is marked with red text and yellow outlines indicating different areas for betting. In the background, there are stacks of poker chips, blurred to keep the focus on the cards in the foreground. The scene captures the excitement of achieving a winning hand in a game of blackjack, with the rich colors and lighting enhancing the overall casino atmosphere.

Bust It

The Bust It side bet involves betting on whether the dealer will bust. The payouts vary depending on how many cards it takes for the dealer to bust:

Three Cards: Pays 1:1.
Four Cards: Pays 2:1.
Five Cards: Pays 9:1.
Six Cards: Pays 50:1.
Seven Cards: Pays 100:1.
Eight or More Cards: Pays 250:1.

This bet is often available in games with a six-deck shoe and adds an extra layer of excitement, especially when the dealer is at risk of going over 21.

Perfect Pairs

Perfect Pairs side bet pays out based on whether the player’s first two cards form a pair. This bet is particularly attractive in six decks games, where the increased number of cards improves the chances of hitting a pair. The payouts vary:

Mixed Pair: Pays 5:1.
Colored Pair: Pays 12:1.
Perfect Pair: Pays 25:1.

This side bet is popular for its simplicity and potential for substantial rewards.

Hot 3

The Hot 3 side bet is similar to 21+3, focusing on the player’s first two cards and the dealer’s upcard. The possible combinations and payouts include:

19 Total: Pays 1:1.
20 Total: Pays 2:1.
21 Total (Unsuited): Pays 4:1.
21 Total (Suited): Pays 20:1.
Three Sevens: Pays 100:1.

Hot 3 is a popular choice in games with multiple decks or a six deck game, where the chances of hitting these combinations are slightly higher, adding an extra layer of strategic depth to the game.

FAQ

So, what is 21+3 in blackjack? If you want to know everything about the 21+3 blackjack side bet, you should look at the questions other players frequently ask.

What does 21+3 mean in blackjack?

The 21+3 Blackjack side bet at Instant Casino allows players to wager on the combination of their first two cards and the dealer’s upcard. Winning combinations include straights, flushes, and three-of-a-kind, with payouts reaching up to 100:1.

What are the Blackjack options available at Instant Casino?

Instant Casino offers a variety of blackjack tables by renowned Evolution Gaming. These tables feature popular side bets like 21+3 and Perfect Pairs, providing an engaging live dealer experience with high-quality streaming and interactive features.

How do side bets affect my chances of winning hands in blackjack?

Side bets can offer higher payouts, but they also come with higher house edges. While they can increase the excitement and potential winnings, they typically lower your overall odds of winning compared to the main game.

Can I play blackjack with 3 blackjack side bets simultaneously at Instant Casino?

Yes, at Instant Casino, you can place multiple side bets, such as Insurance, 21+3, and Perfect Pairs, during the same round of blackjack. This flexibility allows you to customize your betting strategy and maximize your potential rewards.