Casino software behemoth Playtech boasts a rich selection of live casino tables, with one of the most recent additions to the lineup being 21+3 Blackjack, which succeeds in capturing the look and feel of the blackjack tables in sumptuous land-based casinos.
The most distinctive feature of 21+3 Blackjack is a group of thrilling side wagers that can earn you up to 100x your stake. The Playtech developers have married two iconic card games, as some of the side bets pay out when the player’s two cards and the dealer’s upcard form a qualifying three-card poker hand. Other than that, 21+3 Blackjack follows the standard rules of the game, which you can see below.
| 21+3 Blackjack Summary | |
|---|---|
| Software Provider | Playtech |
| Deck Number | 8 decks |
| RTP | 99.46% for the main game, 95.90% for the Perfect Pairs bet, and 96.30% for the 21+3 wagers |
| Minimum Bet | Varies depending on the table and the Playtech casino |
| Maximum Bet | Varies depending on the table and the Playtech casino |
| Blackjack Payout | 3 to 2 |
| Dealer Standing Rule | Stands on all 17s |
| Exposure | Classic |
| Surrender | N/A |
| Jackpot | N/A |
Allowed Moves in 21+3 Blackjack
Playtech’s 21+3 Blackjack plays like conventional versions of the game, where players can choose from the typical moves such as hitting, standing, splitting, doubling, and taking insurance, with insurance paying 2 to 1. The live tables can accommodate up to seven main players. Betting behind is possible when there are no vacant seats left. The dealer draws to 16 and stands on totals of 17. Blackjacks pay 3 to 2, while the other winning hands pay even money.
When players are dealt two cards of identical value, they may split the pair into two separate hands by posting a second wager equal to their initial bet. They can draw as many cards as they like to each split hand.
An exception is made for pairs of aces that cannot be hit after splitting. Instead, the live dealer will draw only one card to each ace, after which the hand automatically stands. As usual, a split ace and a ten-value card do not count as a blackjack. The hand is counted as 21 and pays 1 to 1 instead of 3 to 2. Resplitting is not permitted at Playtech’s live 21+3 Blackjack tables.
If players believe an additional card will secure a win, they may double their bets. This is possible on any two-card total, and the same option is available after a split. If you double when the dealer’s exposed card is an Ace, and they get a blackjack, you lose both your original bet and the double-down bet. However, if the dealer’s upcard has a value of ten and they catch an ace for a blackjack, you lose only your original stake, while the double-down bet is returned.
When you bet behind, you automatically follow the playing decisions of the main player unless they decide to split a pair or double, and your bankroll is insufficient to do the same. In this instance, you hit or stand when the main player has doubled, or follow the right-most hand of the main player if they have split a pair. Another important condition to remember is that players who bet behind cannot insure their hands against dealer blackjacks.
Specific Features of 21+3 Blackjack
Playtech’s live 21+3 Blackjack tables boast an expertly designed interface, which features a set of control buttons that enable players to open the chat facility, change the camera angle, view their betting session history, and quickly top up their balance. Players can also adjust the audio/video settings, enter the game as “watchers,” or join the waiting list until a seat becomes available. Of course, playing behind seated players is also an option.
That said, the most distinctive features of Playtech’s 21+3 Blackjack tables are the two groups of side bets that give you the opportunity to score extra-large payouts. The first category consists of the Perfect Pair side bets. These wagers pay 6 to 1 for red/black pairs, 12 to 1 for pairs of the same color but different suits, and 25 to 1 for perfect pairs consisting of two cards of the same suit.
The Playtech developers have also succeeded in bringing the thrills of poker to the live blackjack tables by introducing a range of side bets that award additional payouts when the dealer’s upcard and the players’ first two cards combine to form a poker hand.
A flush, where all three cards are of the same suit, pays 5 to 1. The other qualifying poker hands from the 21+3 group of side bets include straights (10 to 1), three of a kind (30 to 1), a straight flush (40 to 1), and a suited three of a kind (100 to 1).
It is important to clarify that these groups of side bets are available across many Playtech live tables. Some of these live games follow European rules, meaning no hole cards are used, as the dealer receives only one exposed card at the start of the round.
Most 21+3 live blackjack tables award even money to players with non-busted hands consisting of ten cards, under the 10-card Charlie rule.
Verdict
The 21+3 Blackjack tables are an interesting addition to Playtech’s suite of live games. You have more ways to land a hefty payout, but we advise you not to overdo it with the side bets, exciting as they are, because they offer a lower theoretical Return to Player. Other than that, 21+3 Blackjack yields a decent long-term return of 99.46% if you play the main game without placing the side bets.