If you're learning more about side bets in blackjack, you might have come across the term suited trips. This blog will help you understand exactly what that means within the 21+3 side bet. It's one of the optional bets you may see when playing blackjack at online casinos like Wizard Slots.
In this post, you’ll find a simple explanation of what suited trips are in the context of 21+3, how the 21+3 side bet works, and the odds connected with it. This can help you make more informed decisions when choosing whether or not to place a side bet.
Whether you're new to blackjack, or just looking to better understand what suited trips are, this guide aims to explain everything clearly and responsibly.
What Are Suited Trips In Blackjack? (21+3 Side Bet)
Suited trips is one of the highest-ranking outcomes in the 21+3 side bet, which is an optional wager you might see when playing blackjack. This type of bet uses a combination of three cards – your two cards and the dealer’s face-up card – to try and form a hand similar to what you’d see in three-card poker.
A suited trips outcome happens when all three cards are the same number or face (like three Kings) and all from the same suit (for example, all Hearts). For example, if you’re dealt two 7s of Hearts, and the dealer’s up-card is also a 7 of Hearts, that would be classed as suited trips.
It’s important to know that suited trips is not part of the main blackjack game. It’s part of a separate, optional bet placed before the hand begins. The 21+3 side bet focuses only on the card combination, and doesn’t consider whether you win or lose the main blackjack hand.
The chance of landing suited trips is quite low because it relies on a very specific combination of rank and suit. The probability of hitting suited trips, based on a standard 52-card deck, is typically around 0.01%, or roughly 1 in 5,000 hands. However, this may vary depending on how many decks are used in the game you’re playing. Some online casinos may offer blackjack games that use six or eight decks, which can affect the overall odds and potential payouts.
Payouts for suited trips are usually among the highest for 21+3 side bets, sometimes advertised as up to 100 to 1, but this is not guaranteed. Wagering outcomes depend on the rules of the specific game and on chance. As with all gambling activity, results can’t be predicted or assured.
Different online casinos may have slightly different rules and paytables for the 21+3 side bet. That’s why it may be a good idea to check the game information, house rules and paytable before placing any wagers. Most platforms will provide this clearly within the game lobby or under the ‘Help’ or ‘Info’ sections.
It’s worth mentioning that all forms of betting carry risk, and the 21+3 side bet is designed as an optional extra. If you’re choosing to bet, consider setting limits that work for you and only using money you’re prepared to lose. Tools such as deposit limits, reality checks and time-outs are available at UK-licensed online casinos to help support responsible gambling.
How To Play 21+3 In Blackjack
The 21+3 side bet is an optional wager that can be placed before the main hand of blackjack begins. It uses your first two cards along with the dealer’s face-up card to create a three-card hand. The idea is to try and form certain combinations that are similar to hands seen in three-card poker.
To take part in the 21+3 side bet, you place a separate chip in the 21+3 betting area before the dealer deals any cards. The size of the bet is your choice, based on the minimum and maximum limits of the table or game you're playing.
Once the cards are dealt, your first two cards and the dealer’s visible card are used to check for one of several possible outcomes. These combinations are based on poker-style rankings. Common outcomes that can potentially result in a payout include:
-
Flush – All three cards are the same suit (e.g. Hearts).
-
Straight – Three cards in sequence (e.g. 5-6-7), regardless of suit.
-
Three of a Kind – Three cards of the same rank (e.g. three 9s), but not all of the same suit.
-
Straight Flush – Three cards in sequence and all of the same suit.
-
Suited Trips – Three cards of the same rank and same suit (e.g. three Queens of Spades).
Each combination has a specific payout rate, which can vary depending on the rules set by the game provider or platform. For example, a flush may pay at 5 to 1, while a straight flush might offer 40 to 1. Suited trips often offer the highest payout.
It’s worth noting that the outcome of the 21+3 side bet is decided independently from the main blackjack hand. This means you can win or lose the side bet, regardless of how your main hand performs against the dealer.
Some blackjack games use multiple decks, which can affect the likelihood of certain outcomes appearing. Most online blackjack tables will display how many decks are in play, usually between 4 and 8. The more decks there are, the lower the probability of specific combinations forming.
Different online casinos may offer variations of 21+3. For example, one version might include extra bonus hands or slightly different paytables. Because of this, it may be a good idea to check the game rules and paytable before placing any side bets.
21+3, like all forms of betting, includes an element of chance. There is no method to ensure a winning outcome. If you’re choosing to place side bets, it can help to set personal limits on time and spending.
21+3 Blackjack Odds
The 21+3 side bet in blackjack uses a separate three-card hand made up of your two dealt cards and the dealer’s up-card. These cards are checked for specific combinations, and each combination has its own odds and potential payout. These figures reflect how likely each outcome may appear during play.
Below are the typical odds of getting each 21+3 hand ranking when playing with a standard six-deck shoe, which is common in many UK-regulated online blackjack games:
-
Suited Trips (three cards of the same rank and suit):
Odds – around 0.01% (1 in 5,000)
Example payout – 100 to 1 -
Straight Flush (three consecutive cards of the same suit):
Odds – around 0.22%
Example payout – 40 to 1 -
Three of a Kind (three cards of the same rank, different suits):
Odds – around 0.30%
Example payout – 30 to 1 -
Straight (three consecutive cards, mixed suits):
Odds – around 3.26%
Example payout – 10 to 1 -
Flush (three cards of the same suit, not in sequence):
Odds – around 5.88%
Example payout – 5 to 1
These probabilities are only estimates based on standard six-deck play. If the game uses a different number of decks, such as eight or fewer, these figures can change slightly. That’s because the number of remaining cards in the shoe affects the chances of specific combinations appearing.
It’s important to point out that the actual payout amounts for 21+3 hands can also vary depending on the game provider and the rules of the table. Some versions of blackjack may use alternative payout structures, or include additional hand rankings. This is why the odds and potential prizes you see can differ from one game to another.
To view the exact odds and payout table for a specific blackjack game, you can usually check the 'Game Info', 'Help', or 'Paytable' section within the game itself. UK-licensed online casinos are required to display this information clearly. It may also be listed under the game’s terms or rules within the platform’s menu.
It’s important to remember that the outcomes of 21+3 side bets depend on chance, and there is no way to influence which cards appear. If you choose to place side bets, it can help to understand the potential odds and outcomes before doing so. UK online casinos offer a range of safer gambling tools like time-outs, spend trackers and deposit limits to help support responsible play.
*All values (Bet Levels, Maximum Wins etc.) mentioned in relation to these games are subject to change at any time. Game features mentioned may not be available in some jurisdictions.
**The information provided in this blog is intended for educational purposes and should not be construed as betting advice or a guarantee of success. Always gamble responsibly.