{"id":22066,"date":"2026-06-04T17:34:23","date_gmt":"2026-06-04T14:34:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/7bet.co.uk\/blog\/?p=22066"},"modified":"2026-06-04T17:34:23","modified_gmt":"2026-06-04T14:34:23","slug":"what-is-the-213-side-bet-in-blackjack-and-how-does-it-work","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/7bet.co.uk\/blog\/what-is-the-213-side-bet-in-blackjack-and-how-does-it-work\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is the 21+3 Side Bet in Blackjack and How Does It Work?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The 21+3 side bet in blackjack is an additional wager that combines elements of blackjack and poker. It is based on the player\u2019s first two cards and the dealer\u2019s upcard, forming a three-card hand.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While standard blackjack focuses on reaching a hand value close to 21, the 21+3 side bet is settled separately and depends on whether those three cards form specific poker-style combinations.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This blog explains what 21+3 blackjack is, how it works, the types of hands that qualify, and how 21+3 blackjack payouts are typically structured.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b>What Is 21+3 in Blackjack?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In blackjack, the term \u201c21+3\u201d refers to:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><strong>player\u2019s two cards<\/strong><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><strong>dealer\u2019s visible card<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These three cards are combined to create a poker-style hand. The outcome of the side bet depends on whether the combination matches predefined hand rankings.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The 21+3 side bet is optional and does not affect the outcome of the main blackjack hand. The side bet is commonly available alongside other table games if you choose to play an <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/7bet.co.uk\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">online casino<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> version.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b>How Does the 21+3 Side Bet Work?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To place a 21+3 bet:<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A separate stake is placed alongside the main blackjack bet.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cards are dealt as usual.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The player\u2019s two cards and the dealer\u2019s upcard are evaluated together.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If the three cards form a qualifying combination, the side bet pays out according to the table rules. If no qualifying combination is formed, the side bet loses, regardless of the outcome of the main blackjack hand.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can typically find this option in selected blackjack tables or within <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/7bet.co.uk\/live-casino\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">live casino<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> environments, depending on availability.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b>21+3 Blackjack Hand Combinations<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The 21+3 side bet uses poker-style hand rankings. Common qualifying combinations include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><strong>Flush:<\/strong> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Three cards of the same suit.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><strong>Straight:<\/strong> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Three cards in consecutive order.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><strong>Three of a Kind<\/strong><b>: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Three cards of the same rank.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><strong>Straight Flush:<\/strong> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Three consecutive cards of the same suit.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><strong>Suited Three of a Kind:<\/strong> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Three identical cards in both rank and suit.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Not all tables include every variation, and available combinations may differ depending on the game provider.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b>21+3 Blackjack Payouts<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">21+3 blackjack payouts are based on the type of combination formed, with higher-ranking hands typically receiving larger returns. Rather than using fixed values across all tables, payout structures vary depending on the game provider and configuration.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In general:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><strong>Lower-ranked combinations<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> such as a flush tend to return smaller payouts.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><strong>Mid-tier combinations<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> like a straight or three of a kind offer higher returns.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><strong>Higher-ranked hands<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, including straight flushes or suited three of a kind, are usually associated with the largest payouts.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is important to review the specific rules displayed at the table before placing a bet because payout tables can differ.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b>How 21+3 Differs From Standard Blackjack<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The 21+3 side bet operates independently from the main blackjack game.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Key differences include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The side bet is based on <\/span><strong>card combinations<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, not hand totals.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It uses <\/span><strong>three cards<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, rather than two or more drawn cards.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It follows <\/span><strong>poker-style rankings<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, not blackjack scoring.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The outcome <\/span><strong>does not<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> affect the main blackjack result.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Because of this, a player may win the main blackjack hand but lose the 21+3 bet, or vice versa.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b>What Affects 21+3 Outcomes?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Several factors influence how the 21+3 side bet plays out:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The random distribution of cards<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The number of decks used<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The specific payout table applied<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Game rules set by the provider<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As with all casino games, outcomes are determined by chance, and individual results can vary.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b>Is the 21+3 Side Bet Always Available?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The 21+3 option is not present at every blackjack table. It is more commonly available in:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/7bet.co.uk\/live-casino\/blackjack\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Online blackjack<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> variants<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Live dealer blackjack games<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tables offering additional side bets<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Availability depends on the specific game and platform. In live environments, the side bet may appear alongside standard blackjack features, which are explained in more detail in this guide to what a live dealer casino is and how it works.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b>Understanding 21+3 Blackjack Payouts and Gameplay<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The 21+3 side bet combines elements of blackjack and poker by using a three-card hand made up of the player\u2019s cards and the dealer\u2019s upcard. In live formats, the pace and structure of gameplay can differ slightly from standard online tables, so it\u2019s helpful to know what to expect when joining a live dealer casino.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Outcomes are based on predefined hand rankings, with payouts varying depending on the combination achieved. Because the side bet is separate from the main blackjack game, it introduces an additional layer to how results are structured without changing the core gameplay. As with all casino games, outcomes are determined by chance, and results can vary between sessions.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b>Frequently Asked Questions About 21+3 Blackjack<\/b><\/h2>\n<h3><b>What is 21+3 blackjack?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">21+3 blackjack is a side bet based on the player\u2019s first two cards and the dealer\u2019s upcard, forming a three-card poker-style hand.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>What does 21+3 mean in blackjack?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It refers to combining the player\u2019s two cards with the dealer\u2019s visible card to create a three-card combination.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Does 21+3 affect the main blackjack game?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">No. The side bet is separate and does not influence the outcome of the main hand.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>What are the best hands in 21+3 blackjack?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Higher-ranking combinations typically include straight flush and suited three of a kind, depending on the table rules.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Are 21+3 payouts always the same?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">No. Payouts can vary depending on the game provider and table settings.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><em><strong><span style=\"color: #18ae62;\">Betting is only available to participants aged 18 years and over. Please bet responsibly. BeGambleAware.org<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The 21+3 side bet in blackjack is an additional wager that combines elements of blackjack and poker. It is based<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":16954,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[501],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-22066","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blackjack"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.7 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>What Is 21+3 Blackjack and How Does It Work? | 7bet<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Uncover what 21+3 blackjack is, how the side bet works, different hand combinations, and 21+3 blackjack payouts.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/7bet.co.uk\/blog\/what-is-the-213-side-bet-in-blackjack-and-how-does-it-work\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"What Is 21+3 Blackjack and How Does It Work? 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