Hot 3 Blackjack Side Bet – Rules and Payouts
Landing a 19, 20, or 21 in a hand of blackjack puts you on course for a big payout. You’re not hitting those cards, and while you won’t always win, the odds are definitely on your side. The Hot 3 blackjack side bet takes that a step further by adding the dealer’s card to the equation and paying out whenever the total of the first three cards (two from the player and one from the dealer) scores 19, 20, or 21.
But that’s not all, as this guide shows.
Hot 3 Blackjack Meaning
Hot 3 Blackjack covers the first three cards that the player sees—both of their cards and one of the dealer’s cards. It returns payouts for totals of 19, 20, and 21, with the lowest coming from 19 and the highest from three 7s (totaling 21).
The side bet was introduced by live casino studio Evolution Gaming, which used it in the Infinite Blackjack game.
As with all blackjack side bets, the result doesn’t impact the main hand, and vice versa. So, you can win the main hand and lose the side bet, or win the side bet and lose the hand.
Hot 3 Side Bet Example
You place your wager and receive your first two cards, a 5 and a Jack. The dealer’s upcard is a 5.
Instantly, you win the Hot 3 side bet with a score of 20, returning a 2:1 payout ($20 profit from a $10 bet for a total return of $30). You hit and are dealt another picture card, causing you to bust. You lose your main bet but still win the side bet.
Hot 3 Blackjack Payouts
Whether you score 19, 20, or 21 will impact your return. Most payouts are small but still eclipse the 3:2 offered for a natural blackjack in the base game. There’s also a big payout on offer here, although it’s pretty rare:
· Total of 19: 1:1
· Total of 20: 2:1
· Total of 21 (Unsuited Cards): 4:1
· Total of 21 (Suited Cards): 20:1
· All 7s: 100:1
Three 7s (two from your hand and one from the dealer’s) not only equal 21 but also trigger the game’s jackpot. For a $10 bet, this outcome would return a profit of $1,000.
These payouts are comparable to other popular blackjack side bets, including 21+3 blackjack payouts.
How to Use the Hot 3 Blackjack Side Bet
Blackjack is a game of strategy and luck. Side bets are all down to chance, and there is no strategy for beating them. You can only check the odds and payouts and then judge if it’s worth the risk, as those odds will always be worse than the main game.
You will lose more often than you win, and if you place an optional side bet on every hand over an extended session, the odds will gradually start working against you. You can still win, of course, but blackjack is all about playing the percentages, and that usually means avoiding high-risk side bets.
For instance, you may place a few side bets when you’re up for the day and sitting on a comfortable bankroll. If you’re down and chasing losses, give all side bets a miss. In such cases, it’s best to compose yourself, stay responsible, and avoid anything with tempting payouts and low RTPs.
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Conclusion: Hot 3 Blackjack Meaning
So, what is Hot 3 in blackjack? It’s a simple side bet that pays for scores of 19, 20, and 21 when calculating the player’s opening two cards and the dealer’s upcard. It usually has an RTP of 96.21%, and payouts are based on the score and cards.
If you’re ready to check it out, try our blackjack games. For more information, read the following guide: What are side bets in blackjack?
Blackjack Common Queries
What is a Hot 3 in blackjack?
It is a side bet that first appeared in an Evolution Gaming title. This optional wager applies to the initial three upcards (the dealer’s upcard and the player’s first two cards). It pays when the score totals 19, 20, or 21, with the lowest payout for a 19 and the highest for three 7s.
What does Top 3 mean in blackjack?
Top 3 is a side bet that also focuses on the first three cards. The difference is that it forms a poker hand from these cards and pays for big hands like three of a kind and a straight flush.
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