• Appendices
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  1. Spanish 21 provides players with many liberal blackjack rules, such as doubling down any number of cards (with the option to rescue, or surrender only one wager to the house), payout bonuses for five or more card 21s, 6–7–8 21s, 7–7–7 21s, late surrender, and player blackjacks always winning and player 21s always winning, at the cost of.
  2. Losing 3 card wagers and pay all winning wagers 9 to 1. After all 3 card wagers are settled, the hand continues with standard blackjack procedures. See Blackjack gaming guide for all pay outs and rules. Blackjack 21 + 3 with Top 3 For additional information, dealers are always at your service to provide more in depth.

Multi-hand blackjack is a great game to play as you can play up to three hands at once. IGTs multi-hand blackjack Poker and pairs adds an exciting element. It allows you to bet on a three-card poker hand (Dealers show card is included) and betting on hitting a pair. In this version of blackjack, the dealer must draw 16 and stand on all 17’s. Slots, roulette, blackjack, scratch cards, Blackjack Rules 21+3 craps, baccarat, and video poker are available to play for free. Check if the casino you are playing at has free slots and other game options.

Version 1

Version 1 of 21+3 I noticed at the Las Vegas Hilton in April, 2001. The side bet pays based on the player's first two cards and the dealer's up card. If the three cards equal a flush, straight, straight flush, or three of a kind the side bet pays 9 to 1. The following table shows the probability of each hand in a six-deck game,as played at the Hilton.

21+3 — 6 decks

HandCombinationsProbabilityPaysReturn
Straight flush103680.0020689 to 10.018613
Three of a kind263120.0052489 to 10.047236
Straight1555200.0310219 to 10.279192
Flush2367360.0472219 to 10.424993
Pair+flush561600.0112029 to 10.100819
Pair (no flush)9771840.194918Loss-0.194918
Nothing35510400.708321Loss-0.708321
Total50133201-0.032386

Following is the house edge for 4, 6, and 8 decks.

  • 4 decks — 4.24%
  • 6 decks — 3.24%
  • 8 decks — 2.74%

Version 2

At the Regent (now known as the Rampart) in Las Vegas all hands listed above, plus a pair, pay 5 to 2. I'll call this version 2. Two decks are used in this version. The following table shows a house edge under these rules of 2.78%.

21+3 — 2 decks

HandCombinationsProbabilityPaysReturn
Straight flush3840.0021092.5 to 10.005272
Three of a kind7280.0039982.5 to 10.009994
Straight57600.031632.5 to 10.079076
Flush87680.0481482.5 to 10.120371
Pair349440.191892.5 to 10.479726
Nothing1315200.722225Loss-0.722225
Total1821041-0.027786

Version 3

I have an unconfirmed report that Internet casinos using Wagerworks software use the following pay table, which I will call 'Version 3.'

21+3 — Version 3 — Six Decks

HandPaysCombinationsProbabilityReturn
Suited three of a kind10010400.0002070.020745
Three of a kind33252720.0050410.166352
Straight flush35103680.0020680.072383
Straight101555200.0310210.310214
Flush52928960.0584240.292118
Loss-145282240.903239-0.903239
Total50133201-0.041427

Although Wager Works only uses six decks in their blackjack game, as far as I know, here is the house edge for 3 to 8 decks.

21+3 — Version 3 — 3-8 Decks

DecksHouse Edge
37.76%
45.99%
54.89%
64.14%
73.60%
83.18%

Version 4

What Is Blackjack 21+3

This version, with a 30-20-10-5 pay table, is known as '21+3 Xtreme.' The following return table shows the house edge for six decks is 13.39% (ouch!).

21+3 — Version 4 — Six Decks

HandPaysCombinationsProbabilityReturn
Straight flush3010,3680.0020680.062043
Three of a kind2026,3120.0052480.104968
Straight10155,5200.0310210.310214
Flush5292,8960.0584240.292118
Loser-14,528,2240.903239-0.903239
Total5,013,3201.000000-0.133896

If you happen to see it with other than six decks, here is the expected value for various number of decks.

21+3 — Version 4 -- 1 to 8 Deck Summary

DecksExpected
Value
1-0.227330
2-0.172736
4-0.143780
5-0.137863
6-0.133896
8-0.128912

The Caesars Entertainment Blog mentions that the xtreme version of 21+3 can be found in the Party Pit at the Paris casino in Las Vegas. I had to chuckle at their sense of humor with this remark,

'We would calculate the odds of hitting these side bets, but being in Vegas isn't about math, it's about having fun. And just never-you-mind that this is the blog of a casino company. Check out the new Ooh La La Party Pit at Paris Las Vegas the next time you’re in the neighborhood.

Hey, it is about the math everywhere, even in the Party Pit!

Version 5

I saw this version at an Internet casino using live dealers from Evolution Gaming. Following is the return table, based on eight decks.

21+3 — Version 5 — 8 Decks

EventPaysCombinationsProbabilityReturn
Suited three of a kind1002,9120.0002440.024446
Straight flush4024,5760.0020630.082524
Three of a kind2561,5680.0051690.129213
Straight10368,6400.0309470.309465
Flush5700,9280.0588410.294207
Loser-110,753,5360.902736-0.902736
Total11,912,1601.000000-0.062882

Following is the house edge for this pay table for various numbers of decks.

Blackjack 21+3 Rules

  • 4 decks: 8.78%
  • 5 decks: 7.81%
  • 6 decks: 7.14%
  • 7 decks: 6.29%

Version 6

I have an unconfirmed report that the Ameristar in Kansas City is using the following pay table with two decks.

21+3 — Version 6 — 2 Decks

EventPaysCombinationsProbabilityReturn
Straight flush73840.0021090.014761
Three of a kind77280.0039980.027984
Straight75,7600.0316300.221412
Flush710,0160.0550020.385011
Pair033,6960.1850370.000000
Loser-1131,5200.722225-0.722225
Total182,1041.000000-0.073057

The next table shows the house edge of the Version 6 pay table by number of decks.

21+3 — Version 6

Version 7

This pay table I hear is used by live dealer casinos by Evolution Gaming, which use eight decks.

21+3 — Version 7 — 8 Decks

EventPaysCombinationsProbabilityReturn
Suited three of a kind1002,9120.0002440.024446
Straight flush4024,5760.0020630.082524
Three of a kind3061,5680.0051690.155055
Straight10368,6400.0309470.309465
Flush5700,9280.0588410.294207
Loser-110,753,5360.902736-0.902736
Total11,912,1601.000000-0.037039

Here is the house edge for four and six decks.

  • Four decks: 6.39%
  • Six decks: 3.70%

How To Play Blackjack 21

Version 8

I think I saw this version at the Global Gaming Expo, but I'm not sure. This version is noteworthy because it pays a progressive jackpot for three suited aces. Here is the full pay table. Pays are on a 'to one' basis.

Version 8 Pay Table

EventPays
Suited three acesJackpot
Suited three of a kind125
Straight flush25
Three of a kind20
Straight7
Flush3

The following table shows my analysis based on a six-deck game.

Version 8 Return Table — Six Decks

EventPaysCombinationsProbabilityReturn
Suited three aces?800.000016?
Suited three of a kind1259600.0001910.023936
Straight flush2510,3680.0020680.051702
Three of a kind2025,2720.0050410.100819
Straight7155,5200.0310210.217150
Flush3292,8960.0584240.175271
Loser-14,528,2240.903239-0.903239
Total5,013,3201.000000-0.334360

The lower right cell shows that a house edge of 33.44%, before considering the value of the jackpot. If the minimum bet is $1, then each $1,000 in the meter decreases the house edge by 1.60%. If the minimum bet is $5, then each $10,000 in the meter decreases the house edge by 3.19%.

The breakeven points, where the house edge is zero, is $27,016.90 for a $1 bet and $135,084.50 for a $5 bet, based on six decks.

Version 9

I saw this version at the Rampart casino in Las Vegas on January 29, 2021 . This version is similar to version 8, except a suited three of a kind in queens to aces is required to hit the jackpot and it is a $1 'red light' bet, meaning pays are on a 'for one' basis. Following is the pay table.

Version 9 Pay Table

EventPays
Suited three of a kind (Q's-A's)Jackpot
Suited three of a kind (2's-J's)$125
Straight flush$25
Three of a kind$20
Straight$6
Flush$2

The following table shows my analysis based on a six-deck game.

Version 9 Return Table — Six Decks

EventPaysCombinationsProbabilityReturn
Suited three of a kind (Q's-A's)Jackpot2400.000048?
Suited three of a kind (2's-J's)$125.008000.0001600.019947
Straight flush$25.0010,3680.0020680.051702
Three of a kind$20.0025,2720.0050410.100819
Straight$6.00155,5200.0310210.186128
Flush$2.00292,8960.0584240.116847
Loser$-4,528,2240.9032390.000000
Total5,013,3201.0000000.475444 + ?

The lower right cell an expected return of 47.54%, before considering the value of the jackpot. Each $1,000 in the jackpot increases the return by 4.79%. For example, at the time I saw this side bet the jackpot was at $3,886.15, for an expected return of 66.15%.

The breakeven point, with no house edge, is at a jackpot of $10,957.37.


Written by: Michael Shackleford

US Players and Credit Card, BitCoin Deposits Accepted!

The game of blackjack has rules that the players and dealers must follow. These rules are subject to changes when playing different variations of blackjack but usually they are the same. The laws of blackjack are actually quite simple. It is best to have a good grasp of the rules in order to take advantage of strategies and make the gaming experience more fun.

Traditionally, each player is dealt two cards facing up and the dealer is dealt two cards, one facing up and the other one facing down. The rule says that the dealer must have one card facing down, but there are some versions of blackjack where the dealer has both cards facing up. The values on the cards are determined by card rank in which the number on the card is face value except for the aces and royal cards. The player must also place a bet before any cards are dealt.

Blackjack 21 Objectives of the Game

The rules say that you use the card rank to accumulate points. Each card dealt is equal to some amount of points and each card that you draw extra is more points added to the total. The objective of the game is to score 21 points without going over. If you go over 21, then you go bust and automatically lose the bet. Although this rule also applies to the dealer as well. The goal of blackjack is essentially get a higher score than the dealer.

Blackjack 21 player and dealer rules

The main concept for the dealer rules is that the dealer must take a 'hit' when their point total is less than 17 and must 'stand' on points of 17 or higher. Also, when the player gets a blackjack, the dealer must pay 3:2 or $3 for every $2 bet. Some casinos have blackjack tables that pay 6:5 but these have a greater house edge, meaning you won't win as much.

Blackjack players have more features and decisions to make and the rules are more liberal. That's why it is important to know the rules so that you can play the game correctly instead of having an frustrating experience. Another important twenty one rule is that the player must finish their hand before the dealer starts his turn. In fact, the player could go bust and lose before the dealer even does anything!

Blackjack Definitions and Terms - Quick Glossary

The terms and definitions below are choices that the player can make while playing:

How To Play Blackjack 21+3

Blackjack 21 3 RulesBlackjack 21 rules
  • Hit - This is asking the dealer to draw an extra card for the player, usually to increase a score.
  • Stand - Players will stand when they are satisified with their score or feel that the dealer will go bust. When a player 'stands', then it's the dealers turn to flip his cards.
  • Split - When a player is dealt a pair of cards with the same rank, he or she can decide to split the cards up and make a seperate bet. So there would be two hands and two bets going at the same time.
  • Double Down - This is a move that a player makes when he or she is in a situation of high winning probability. You double the bet in the middle of play but you can only draw one card and then the player must stand.
  • Surrender - Some versions of blackjack have a rule that will let the player surrender half their bet. This usually happens when the player has a stiff hand and the dealer has a good hand and the odds just say to surrender.
  • Insurance - Many blackjack games have an insurance rule. This feature becomes available when the dealer has an ace showing. Then the dealer checks his face down card to see if he has a 10 point card to make a blackjack. This is highly probable with the high density of ten point cards in the deck so you can buy insurance at a cost of half the bet. If the dealer does have a blackjack, your bet is returned. If the dealer doesn't have a blackjack, then you lose the insurance.


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