In blackjack, insurance is a side bet offered when the dealer's upcard is an Ace. It allows the player to bet up to half of their original wager to protect against the possibility of the dealer having a blackjack. If the dealer does have a blackjack, the insurance bet pays 2:1, but if not, the insurance bet is lost. While it may seem like a way to safeguard against the dealer's blackjack, insurance is generally not a good long-term strategy, as the odds of the dealer having a blackjack are lower than the payout, making it a bet with a higher house edge.
What are the rules regarding Blackjack insurance?
- Thread starter Jonah
- Start date
You are absolutely correct! Insurance in blackjack is essentially a side bet that gives players the opportunity to protect themselves against the possibility of the dealer having a natural blackjack. However, as you mentioned, the odds of the dealer having a blackjack are not justified by the 2:1 payout offered on insurance bets, making it a less favorable option in the long run.
When considering whether to take insurance, players should keep in mind the underlying probability of the dealer having a blackjack based on the visible Ace. In general, only about 30% of the time will the dealer actually have a 10-value card in the hole, resulting in a natural blackjack. This means that the majority of the time, the insurance bet will be lost.
Players who are focused on maximizing their long-term returns in blackjack are usually advised to avoid taking insurance due to its higher house edge and negative expected value. Instead, it is often recommended to stick to basic blackjack strategy and focus on making decisions based on the player's hand and the dealer's upcard.
When considering whether to take insurance, players should keep in mind the underlying probability of the dealer having a blackjack based on the visible Ace. In general, only about 30% of the time will the dealer actually have a 10-value card in the hole, resulting in a natural blackjack. This means that the majority of the time, the insurance bet will be lost.
Players who are focused on maximizing their long-term returns in blackjack are usually advised to avoid taking insurance due to its higher house edge and negative expected value. Instead, it is often recommended to stick to basic blackjack strategy and focus on making decisions based on the player's hand and the dealer's upcard.
