Explore whether Blackjack Insurance is a beneficial wager or not with this comprehensive guide.

Joseph Havens

Casino expert

Updated:
Blackjack Insurance

Despite being a well-known side bet in Blackjack, insurance can spark debate. Understand why it's often seen as controversial.

What is insurance in Blackjack?

What-is-insurance-in-Blackjack

This side wager is an option when the dealer's visible card is an Ace. It banks on the possibility of the hidden card being valued at ten, potentially resulting in a Blackjack.

Insurance isn't free and requires a bet that's half your original wager. The payoff is set at 2:1.

Understand the mechanics of how insurance works within a game of Blackjack.

For instance, if you initially place a $20 bet and the dealer's visible card is an Ace, you have the option to place an additional bet of $10 as a side wager.

Should your prediction be right and the dealer makes a Blackjack, you'd earn $20 on your insurance bet.

Risks

But if the dealer doesn’t have a Blackjack, you’ll lose that $10 side stake. Yet, your main bet remains active for the game.

Find out the ideal scenarios for opting for insurance in a game of Blackjack.

At what point does taking insurance make sense in Blackjack?

Many seasoned players consider this betting strategy a losing one unless the chance of the dealer having a ten-value card is high. However, there are particular situations that might warrant an insurance bet in Blackjack.

The ideal situations

Consider taking insurance when the dealer shows an Ace, and your hand is a sum of 15 or more.

Even if you lose the side bet, your chances to win the main game remain strong. You may still receive a 3:2 payout if your hand remains intact against the dealer’s.

Moreover, it’s advisable to play Blackjack and other high-stakes games precisely, ensuring that everything remains fair and free from collusion. at the best online casinos It's a common recommendation among experts to steer clear of this extra bet.

Know when to avoid insurance

Know-when-to-avoid-insurance

Even if your card counting skills are superior and your bankroll substantial, proceed with caution when contemplating this side wager. Numerous online casinos view this practice unfavorably, which might influence your eligibility for future promotions and withdrawals.

For newcomers, avoiding this wager is sound advice. Consider places offering Free Blackjack to enhance your skills. The insurance bet doesn’t necessarily increase your winning odds. On the contrary, it amplifies the house edge to around 7% and can diminish your long-term profitability. .

If the dealer's second card turns out to be a ten-value, resulting in a Blackjack, you benefit. You secure your insurance win and break even, yielding a gain of $30 in the hypothetical scenario we discussed. and get acquainted with the rules.

House edge effects

However, losing your $10 stake doesn’t eliminate you from play, as your main hand continues.

Blackjack insurance examples

Winning insurance

  • Select your Blackjack variant
  • Place your chosen stake, let’s say $20
  • The dealer deals you a nine and a King
  • The dealer’s face-up card is an Ace
  • You take this chance at the cost of $10
  • The likelihood of winning this bet shifts depending on various factors, such as game type and the number of cards or decks being used.
  • A single deck game has a house advantage of 5.8%. When playing with 6 to 8 decks, the casino's edge can soar to 7.5%.

Losing insurance

  • You place a wager for $20
  • You are dealt a Jack and a 6
  • The croupier’s face-up card is an Ace
  • You insure your bet for $10
  • The dealer’s hole or second card is a 4
  • The odds are stacked against the player in making this side bet, reinforcing the advice to avoid insuring your hand.

Insurance bet odds

Insurance-bet-odds

Is Blackjack insurance really something you should consider?

Avoid this side bet even if you're adept at counting cards. Since outcomes are unpredictable, leveraging this skill remains challenging.

Websites without certified RNGs aren't safe for gameplay.

Is opting for Blackjack insurance a wise decision?

Interestingly, this strategy benefits the dealer about one-third of the time. Imagine you're playing and the dealer's card shown is an Ace; with two non-face cards, out of 49 remaining cards, 16 might be valued at ten.

Even if you win sometimes, it’s unsustainable long-term. Bet $2 on insurance, win 16 times, lose 33 times — your winnings ($64) are outweighed by losses ($66).

The most prudent decision regarding Blackjack insurance is notably not to engage in it.

Stats & examples

This tactic is notorious enough to be highlighted in instructional guides as a poor example.

Long-term effects

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Conclusion

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