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"Insurance" is an optional side bet offered to players in blackjack when the dealer's upcard is an Ace. The purpose of insurance is to provide a form of protection in case the dealer has a blackjack (a natural 21). While insurance can offer a safety net, it's essential to understand how it works and its impact on the game.
Here's how insurance in blackjack typically works:
Here's how insurance in blackjack typically works:
- Offered when the Dealer's Upcard is an Ace: If the dealer's Upcard is an Ace, the dealer will pause the game momentarily and offer players the opportunity to take insurance. This is done by placing an additional bet, typically equal to half of the player's original wager, on the insurance line on the table.
- Payout for Insurance: If the dealer indeed has a blackjack (a 10-point card as their hole card), the insurance bet pays out at odds of 2:1. In other words, if a player placed a $10 insurance bet and the dealer has a blackjack, the player would receive a $20 payout on the insurance bet, effectively covering their initial bet.
- The outcome of the Main Bet: Regardless of whether the player wins or loses the insurance bet, the
outcome of the main bet remains unchanged. If the player has a winning hand against the dealer, they receive their regular payout based on their original bet, separate from the insurance bet.
- Dealer Does Not Have a Blackjack: If the dealer does not have a blackjack, the insurance bet is lost, and the player continues playing the round with the main bet.
- Insurance as a Side Bet: It's important to note that insurance is a separate bet from the main blackjack game. Players are not insuring their own hands; instead, they are betting on whether the dealer has a blackjack.
Insurance is a controversial strategy in blackjack and one that many experienced players advise against using regularly. The reason is that over the long run, insurance bets tend to have a negative expected value, meaning that, on average, players will lose more money by taking insurance compared to not taking it.
The decision to take insurance should depend on several factors, including the specific game situation, the player's risk tolerance, and their knowledge of basic strategy. Some players may choose to take insurance in certain circumstances, such as when they have a strong hand themselves and want to protect against the dealer having a blackjack. However, it's generally considered a less optimal move in the long run.