In the sea of different blackjack variations, it was unavoidable that someone would create a version that somehow combines with another hugely popular casino game, namely poker. Combining poker and blackjack simply seems like a winning formula because it caters to two large groups of players, offering both something to attract them to the tables.

The merger happened in Blackjack 21 Plus 3, the game that’s been around land-based casinos for some time, but only debuted at online casino a few years ago. While the main game follows the standard blackjack rules, it is side bets in Blackjack 21 + 3 where the poker element becomes prominent.

Blackjack 21 Plus 3 Special Rules

Two first cards dealt to a player and the dealer's up-card play the main role in Blackjack 21 Plus 3. Once the player places a side bet at the start of the hand, he or she hopes to combine these three cards to make a valid poker hand (albeit of three instead of five cards).

Although the payout can vary from one casino to another, these are the combinations you'll be trying to make:

• Flush: Three cards of the same suit
• Straight: Three consecutive cards regardless of the suits (e.g. 5, 6, 7)
• Three of a kind: Three cards of the same value (rank) regardless of the suits
• Straight flush: three consecutive cards of the same suit
• Suite three of a kind: Three cards of the same value and of the same suit

The house edge in Blackjack 21 Plus 3 will depend on the exact pay table and it varies from around 3.2% to 5%, which isn’t too bad and makes these side bets a fun addition to the game, even if they will slightly increase the casino advantage.