You’ll see it written in large letters on most Blackjack tables, “21 + 3 Pays 9 to 1”. This pays rule is one of the more important rules for British gamblers because it reduces the house edge and offers players a chance of winning the game. It is not a strategy for beating the dealer though; it is just a way to reduce the house edge and make the game more profitable.
What does 21+3 mean in blackjack?
The 21+3 blackjack side bet is an optional wager that pays bonus hands based on the poker value of three dealt cards. To place this side bet, you must first stake your regular blackjack wager and then place the 21+3 bet box before the dealer deals the cards. The player’s initial two cards and the dealer’s up card are then compared to the pay table to determine if they form a Straight, Flush, Suited Three of a Kind or Straight Flush.
Payouts for this side bet vary depending on the software provider and blackjack variation in use, but most of them are similar to poker hand payouts. For example, a Straight pays 5/1, a Flush pays 10/1 and a Suited Three of a Kind pays 40/1. The payouts are also influenced by the number of decks used in the shoe; a double-deck game will have a higher house edge than an eight-deck shoe.
Most professional blackjack players avoid side bets like 21+3, even if the payouts are tempting. They understand that these bets are not the best way to maximize their casino earnings. They are often not profitable in the long run, and the high house edge means that they will lose their money much faster than if they simply played basic strategy.
While these bets can add a little excitement to a blackjack session, they are not a good investment for the average player. If you play basic blackjack strategy and a solid card counting method, you can significantly reduce the house edge and improve your chances of making some good profits.
In addition to using a solid card counting strategy, you should always play at reputable online casinos. Licensed operators must provide players with a compelling reason to sign up, and they usually do this by offering generous match play bonuses. This is the most common way to lure new customers to their online blackjack rooms. These bonuses can be worth up to $1000, which is more than enough to cover the cost of a single blackjack round at some of the best real money casinos online.