Straight Flush Blackjack Meaning & Rare Hands Explained
Some card hands in blackjack are extremely rare and can catch the eye of new and experienced players alike. One of these is the straight flush, a combination more closely linked to poker but still found in certain blackjack games and side bets.
There is often confusion about how such hands apply in blackjack, what they mean, and whether they receive any special payout under standard rules. Suits and sequences matter a lot in poker, but blackjack is scored very differently.
This blog post explains what a straight flush means in blackjack, how often it appears, which side bets might pay for it, and how payouts are worked out. It also looks at other rare hands, with examples for clarity, and contrasts casino rules with those used in poker.
Read on to learn more.
What Is A Straight Flush In Blackjack?
A straight flush in blackjack is a hand of cards in sequence that are all from the same suit. For example, the 7, 8, and 9 of hearts dealt together would be considered a straight flush.
This is not part of the scoring in regular blackjack. The aim of the main game is to reach a hand value as close as possible to 21, rather than to collect specific combinations.
However, some tables offer side bets that recognise poker-style combinations. In those, particular hands, such as straight flushes, can receive special payouts when formed from the first three relevant cards, typically the player’s first two cards and the dealer’s upcard.
So, are straight flushes rewarded in the main game itself? Not under standard rules, as the next section explains.
Are Straight Flushes Paid Under Standard Blackjack Rules?
Under standard blackjack rules, straight flushes do not receive any special payout. Only the final hand value compared with the dealer’s hand, or achieving a blackjack, affects the result.
Extra payouts for sequences or matching suits appear only in side bets or specific variants. These sit alongside the main game and can vary by table and provider.
If straight flushes are going to matter, it is through these optional wagers rather than the core rules.
Which Blackjack Side Bets Pay For A Straight Flush?
Straight flushes feature in side bets that build poker-style hands from the first three relevant cards. The most common is 21+3, where the player’s first two cards and the dealer’s upcard can form hands such as a flush, straight, three of a kind, straight flush, or suited three of a kind.
By contrast, Perfect Pairs focuses on whether the player’s first two cards are a pair. It does not pay for straight flushes, though some tables offer both 21+3 and Perfect Pairs alongside each other.
Paytables differ by game, so qualifying hands and payout amounts can vary. It is worth checking the rules in the game information panel before adding any side bet.
Curious how often these rare outcomes actually appear? That comes down to probability.
How Rare Is A Straight Flush In Blackjack?
A straight flush is one of the rarer three-card outcomes in blackjack side bets because it needs a precise sequence and all cards in the same suit. In a single-deck game, the chance of any three random cards forming a straight flush sits in the region of roughly one in a few hundred outcomes. With multiple decks, the exact figure changes slightly, but it remains uncommon.
Because the hand is rare, it tends to be placed near the top of most 21+3 paytables, with higher payouts than more frequent results such as a simple flush or straight. That balance reflects how infrequently the combination appears.
How Payouts For Straight Flushes Are Calculated
Payouts for straight flushes are tied to the specific side bet, not to the main blackjack result. Each table sets out a paytable that lists how much is paid for each qualifying three-card hand.
Many versions of 21+3 pay a fixed multiple for a straight flush, often 30:1 or 40:1. The exact numbers depend on the rules in place. It is also helpful to note whether a game displays odds as “to 1” or “for 1,” as that affects how the total return is shown.
For example, if a side bet of £5 pays 40:1 “to 1,” the win would be £200 plus the £5 stake returned, totalling £205. If the same game paid 40 “for 1,” the total return would be £200, which includes the stake. The difference is small but worth knowing before you choose to add the bet.
Examples Of Straight Flush Hands And Typical Pay Tables
A straight flush in these side bets is formed by three consecutive cards of the same suit. For example, if the player’s first two cards are the 5 of Spades and the 6 of Spades, and the dealer’s upcard is the 7 of Spades, that qualifies. Other valid sets include 10 of Diamonds, Jack of Diamonds, and Queen of Diamonds, or 2 of Clubs, 3 of Clubs, and 4 of Clubs. In most rule sets, an ace can be high or low, so both Ace of Clubs, 2 of Clubs, and 3 of Clubs, and Queen of Hearts, King of Hearts, and Ace of Hearts would count.
As mentioned earlier, many tables list a straight flush at around 30:1 or 40:1, with suited three of a kind above it and hands such as a flush, straight, or regular three of a kind below it. The precise payouts can differ, so the on-screen paytable is the best reference point for the version you are playing.
Other Rare Blackjack Hands Explained
Beyond the straight flush, several unusual three-card results can appear in side bets:
A suited three of a kind occurs when all three cards are the same rank and suit, for example, 9 of Clubs, 9 of Clubs, and 9 of Clubs in multi-deck games. It is exceptionally rare and typically sits at the top of the 21+3 paytable.
A three of a kind pays when the three cards share the same rank, regardless of suit. It is easier to hit than the suited version.
A straight is three cards in consecutive order with mixed suits, while a flush is any three cards of the same suit in non-consecutive order. Both tend to pay lower than a straight flush because they occur more often.
Perfect Pairs side bets, where available, look only at the player’s first two cards. They usually categorise pairs as mixed, coloured, or perfect (same rank and suit), with increasing payouts as the match becomes more exact.
These hands do not change the main blackjack outcome. They only matter if a relevant side bet is in play.
Comparison With Poker: Why Suits Matter In Poker But Not In Blackjack
In poker, both rank and suit are central to hand ranking. Flushes, straights, and straight flushes are ranked combinations, and suits can even help settle ties in some formats.
Blackjack, by contrast, is scored on hand totals. The suits do not affect the result of the main game, and there are no extra rewards for sequences or matched suits. Suits become relevant only in optional side bets that borrow poker-style rankings.
Keeping that difference in mind makes it clearer why a straight flush can be meaningful for a side bet yet irrelevant to the main hand outcome.
Common Misconceptions About Straight Flushes In Blackjack
A common misconception is that a straight flush brings an automatic bonus in regular blackjack. It does not. Only side bets that list the hand on their paytable will pay for it.
Another belief is that poker rules carry across to blackjack, including tie-breakers based on suit or hand ranking. In standard blackjack, none of that applies; the hand total is what counts.
Some assume that landing a rare hand boosts their chance of winning the main game. It does not. The dealer still compares totals, and the usual rules decide the result.
If you are unsure about a rule or payout, check the table’s information panel. It is the quickest way to see which combinations are recognised and how they are paid.
Play Blackjack Online at King Casino
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You can choose between live blackjack with real dealers and automated RNG tables, with several variants available. Side bets such as 21+3 are offered on selected games, and each table displays its own rules and paytable. Account tools are available to help you manage your play, including deposit limits, time reminders, and access to support.
If you decide to join King Casino, create an account to explore our blackjack tables, set your preferences, and play at a pace that suits you. Whether you stick to the main game or add the occasional side bet, understanding how these rare hands work can help you make informed choices.
**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.
