How to Beat The 21+3 Blackjack Side Bet? Real Odds & Winning Tips

Statistics show that every third player in blackjack has made the “21+3” bet. This has long ceased to be just a simple pastime where you can spend the “change” from your bankroll. Now, it’s one of the most popular side bets in many casinos – both online and offline. And the reason for its popularity is quite clear – it can pay out 9 to 1, 30 to 1, and in some cases, even 100 to 1. Plus, it’s a visually attractive combination when you manage to get a flush or straight with the first hand. We’ve explored this topic in detail, keep reading to have all the theoretical knowledge you need to put into practice.

Understanding the 21+3 Blackjack Side Bet: Rules and Mechanics

Before we dive into strategies, card counting, and other details, let’s focus on what the 21+3 bet is, how it works, and why it can turn the game in your favor. 21+3’s a side bet in blackjack, and you win if your two cards, plus the dealer’s upcard, form a poker hand. It’s like a mini-poker game inside blackjack. For better understanding, we recommend launching blackjack in demo mode and working through the points we’ll discuss below in real rounds.

It’s important to place the 21+3 bet before you get your cards. Then, when the cards are revealed, you compare and check. If you have a winning combination – whether it’s a flush, straight, or three of a kind – you win. If not, you lose.

Credit: 20Bet

✅ How the 21+3 Bet Works – Step-by-Step

Let’s go through how the 21+3 bet works step by step:

1. You make your main blackjack bet and, optionally, place a 21+3 bet next to it.
2. The dealer deals the cards. You get two cards, and the dealer gets their cards, with one of theirs face up.
3. You compare the combinations made from your two cards and the dealer’s upcard.
4. A poker hand must appear from your cards and the dealer’s upcard. If you have one, you win based on the payout table.

✅ Winning Combinations – From Common to Rare

There are several combinations that will win your 21+3 bet in blackjack. As mentioned earlier, these are all poker hands.

Note that the combination is made only from your two cards and the dealer’s upcard. You don’t need to wait for the dealer’s whole hand to be dealt or worry about whether you win in the main round. For example, if you have 10♠ and Q♠, and the dealer has K♠, you’ve made a straight flush – congratulations, the win is yours.

Payout Structures and House Edge

This is where things get interesting because, even if you know the rules, can count cards, and hit the right combinations, if the slot payouts aren’t right, all your wins will go in favor of the casino. Let’s take a look at a few key points related to payout structures and the casino’s edge.

If you’ve noticed that the casino pays less than 100:1 for Suited Trips, it’s better to look for another table because this payout won’t be favorable for you. In the classic 21+3 side bet, the payouts are as follows:

Keep in mind: Each online casino may have its own payout structure. While the differences might seem small, they can significantly affect your long-term profits. Make it a habit to check the payout table before you play.

Credit: 22Bet

✅ How Payouts Affect Your Strategy

It’s simple: the lower the payouts, the fewer your chances of walking away with a profit, even if your gameplay is flawless. You simply won’t get the right return. With higher payouts, you can make more aggressive moves, especially if you can feel the deck. Low payouts, however, completely kill your strategic advantage.

House Edge: How Much Does the Casino Make?

Another important aspect is the house edge in blackjack. This percentage shows how much the specific gambling site or land-based establishment earns from each of your bets. Typically, it looks like this:

• With 6 decks and standard payouts – about 3.24%;
• With 8 decks – about 3.70%;
• With reduced payouts – it can jump to 6% or higher.

The takeaway here is simple: fewer decks and payouts closer to the classic structure work in your favor. The ideal setup would be 6 decks with normal payouts.

The Mathematics Behind the 21+3 Side Bet

Understanding the math behind the 21+3 side bet is the opportunity to stop playing blindly. Let’s have a look at the main principles that lie beneath this betting strategy.

• Combination Probability: Not every combination will appear with the same probability. The rarest combinations are often paid at higher odds. For instance, with 6 decks, the probability of Suited Trips is just 0.02%.
• Deck Composition Affects Odds: Since blackjack uses a real deck, not a virtual one, you can see cards and how they exit the game. This helps predict which combination is likely to hit. For example, if you see many suited cards, the chances of hitting a flush or straight flush increase.
• Expected Value (EV): This figure shows how much you can expect to win/lose on average per bet. With standard payouts and a full deck, you lose about 3.24 cents per dollar. If the payouts are reduced, your losses could reach 6 cents.

Many players avoid the 21+3 side bet because, statistically, these bets often lose. However, these losses are usually justified by mistakes on the player’s part:

• Bets are made randomly without considering the math;
• Players don’t check the payout table;
• The game is played with more than 8 decks, which gives the casino a significant edge;
• The order and suits of the cards aren’t tracked.

With the right approach, excellent results are achievable. If you track the deck composition, you’ll already have a significant advantage. Also, look for decent payouts, avoid 8 or more decks, and use card counting not for the classic blackjack, but for suits and ranks.

Card Counting for the 21+3 Side Bet

A common mistake for beginner players is using card counting methods for classic blackjack when playing side bets. However, in 21+3, the dynamics are completely different.

Traditional card counting methods like Hi-Lo, KO, and Omega II are designed to predict when there’s a high probability of a blackjack. In 21+3, it’s different – here, you need to consider suits and specific rank combinations. Two methods worth mastering are Suit Tracking and Rank Clustering:

• Suit Tracking is when you keep track of which suits (spades, hearts, etc.) have already been played. In 21+3, this matters because one of the combinations is three cards of the same suit. If many such cards are still in the deck, your chances of winning go up;
• Rank Clustering is when you notice that cards of the same rank (like a lot of jacks or nines) keep showing up. This can help you hit a three-of-a-kind or a straight — and those come with solid payouts.

Advanced Strategies for Beating the 21+3 Blackjack Side Bet

The use of strategies like Suit Tracking and Rank Clustering requires not only attention to the cards but also the right conditions at the table. One of the key factors here is deck penetration — that is, how deep the dealer goes into the deck before reshuffling it.

Deck penetration affects how much information you can gather before the deck is shuffled. The deeper the deck is used, the higher your chances of making more accurate decisions. Ideally, 70–80% of the deck should be used. If you notice the dealer shuffling after only half the deck, it might be a good idea to consider changing tables.

Let’s dive into the advanced strategies that can help improve your odds in the 21+3 side bet.

Credit: Karamba

✅ Maximizing profit

A key point is to stay calm and not let emotions guide you when raising your bet. Here are a few moments when increasing your bet will work in your favor:

• The suit count is above +6–7;
• You see patterns in the ranks (6-7-8, etc.);
• The deck is “warmed up” and you’ve reached a good depth.

Also, avoid placing too large bets. Adding +10 to your current bet is usually sufficient. Remember that even a 0.5% edge over the long run is a significant gain.

✅ Camouflage: How not to get caught by the casino

Remember that if you suddenly start making high bets on side bets, the casino will notice. This is definitely something to avoid. Here are a few ways to camouflage your actions:

• Bet fluctuations should look natural. Change the size not just on the side bet but also on the main game;
• Sometimes losing a few hands works in your favor;
• Play relaxed. Casinos prefer “dumb players” who aren’t paying close attention to the cards.

How the 21+3 Compares to Other Blackjack Side Bets

Modern casinos offer players a variety of side bets for blackjack, with some of the most popular being Perfect Pairs, Lucky Lucky, Royal Match, and Hot 3. However, it’s important to remember that most of them sound appealing but are often traps for players. 21+3 is one of the few side bets where a player can gain a significant mathematical advantage.

Below, you’ll find a comparison of some popular side bets and their chances of success.

✅ Why 21+3 is not just luck

Unlike other side bets, 21+3 is a bet based on specific logic and predictable patterns:

• You can track suits and ranks;
• The cards on the table give you information;
• There are specific mathematical models;
• You can use suit tracking, rank counting, and even team play.

Optimal Playing Conditions for 21+3 Blackjack Success

Sometimes the outcome is determined by the atmosphere at the table, the rules of a specific casino, or even who is sitting next to you. Not all casinos are the same, especially when it comes to side bets. Here’s what’s important to look for:

• Payout Table – You need the classic or improved version;
• Minimum and Maximum Bets – Make sure your bankroll allows you to make side bets consistently;
• Live Dealer or Live Casino – There are better chances for counting and tracking here;
• Non-Automatic Shuffle.

The fewer decks, the higher your chances of accurate counting and predictions. 1-2 decks are ideal, but they’re rare. 4-6 decks are fine, especially with suit tracking. 8 decks or more – harder to count and track, and the house edge increases.

Where to sit for the best view? The best option is the last positions – you can see more players’ cards before your deal.

Credit: BetWay

Bankroll Management for Side Bet Specialists

Remember, even a great strategy will collapse without proper bankroll management. Here’s a formula for calculating bankroll that many professionals use:

Bankroll = (Bet × Volatility) × 100-150

At least 150 bets on a side bet in reserve is the base. For more aggressive strategies, it’s better to have 300+ bets. One of the best skills is knowing when to walk away from the table. Here are some points:

Common Mistakes to Avoid

There are also a number of mistakes that will make side bets almost always a losing proposition for you:

• Don’t bet on 21+3 automatically – It’s not the main bet, and without counting, you have a negative expectation, especially at tables with unfavorable payouts;
• Inconsistency in using the counting system – It’s better to focus for 40 minutes than to play 3 hours on autopilot;
• Ignoring basic strategy in the main game;
• Focusing too much on 21+3, players often forget about basic blackjack;
• Playing at unfavorable tables.

Emotions at the table. You get angry after losing three times in a row and think, “I feel it’s going to hit now». That’s it, strategy’s over. Emotions kill discipline. And without discipline, a strategy doesn’t work.

Case Studies: Real-World Success Stories

One Reddit user shared a story where he and three other players each won $450 from a $5 bet when all four got a triple of fours. The dealer had to pay out around $2,000 in chips. After that, the player won another $600 on the main bet and decided to end the game.

Some enthusiasts also try to use card counting to estimate the probability of certain combinations, such as a flush, but the effectiveness of such strategies is limited and requires further research.

Legal and Ethical Considerations

When you start seriously approaching a side game like 21+3, the inevitable question arises: am I breaking any rules? Especially if you’re using advanced techniques like card counting or suit tracking. Yes, card counting is not illegal. But there are no laws prohibiting the use of your mind and memory, whether for the main blackjack game or side bets like 21+3. You’re not using any technical devices, not cheating – you’re simply analyzing what’s already on the table.

However, casinos are private property. If they don’t like how you play, they have the right to ask you to leave or no longer allow side bets. This is legal, and it happens more often than you might think.

Developing Your 21+3 Blackjack Side Bet Strategy

Without practice, you’re going nowhere. Here’s how to train:

1. Use an online blackjack simulator, even simple practice with a deck and a notebook will give results.
2. Watch real session recordings (YouTube, Twitch) and try “counting aloud”.
3. Do sparring sessions with a friend where one deals, and the other counts.

Track if your strategy works:

• Number of hands played;
• Number of 21+3 bets;
• Number of wins;
• Which combinations appeared most often;
• Profit/loss.

What to explore to improve understanding of 21+3:

• Don Schlesinger’s Blackjack Attack: A classic on blackjack math;
• YouTube channels – The Blackjack Apprenticeship, StevenBridges (Professional player with documentary videos of real sessions), Lessons on Blackjack and other games.

Responsible Gambling

Never forget about the gambling addiction guide, even if you have an edge in the game. Here are some key points:

• Don’t play with money you’re not prepared to lose;
• Keep your emotions in check – especially after a series of losses;
• Don’t treat a lucky streak as proof that you “always win”;
• Take breaks and avoid playing when tired or frustrated.

Conclusion

We’ve gone through the entire journey: from the basic rules of 21+3 to advanced counting systems and real success stories. Here’s a quick list of what really matters:

✅ Understanding payouts and rules – the foundation of any strategy;

✅ Analyzing probabilities and math – separates gambling from calculation;

✅ Specialized counting – gives a real edge;

✅ Tactical behavior at the table – don’t reveal yourself, don’t rush;

✅ Bankroll management – allows you to stay in the game even after a losing streak.

FAQs

Is It Worth Playing 21+3 if It Has a High House Edge?

Yes, but only if you play with your head. In regular play, it’s entertainment with negative math.

Can You Apply the Classic Counting System as in Regular Blackjack?

No, standard systems don’t work. You need to track suits and specific card ranks.

What Are the Best Combinations in 21+3?

Super sets like Suited Trips (three identical cards of the same suit) – they offer the highest payouts, but the chance of them appearing is the lowest.

How Much Money Is Needed for a 21+3 Strategy?

For comfortable play with progressive betting and the ability to “survive” a losing streak, aim for 100-200 bets of the minimum size.

Can Casinos Punish You for Playing With a Strategy?

Card counting is not illegal, but casinos may ask you to leave or stop making side bets. Be careful and stay under the radar.