Do You Ever Buy Insurance in Blackjack?

Blackjack is one of the most popular casino games in the world, and for good reason. It’s a game of skill, strategy, and a little bit of luck. However, as with any casino game, there are certain nuances that can be confusing to new players.

One of those nuances is insurance. So, do you ever buy insurance in blackjack Let’s explore this topic further.

What is Insurance in Blackjack

In blackjack, insurance is a side bet that you can make when the dealer’s up card is an ace. The bet pays out 2:1 if the dealer has a blackjack (a two-card hand with an ace and any 10-point card), but loses if the dealer does not have a blackjack.

The idea behind insurance is to protect your original bet if the dealer has a strong hand. For instance, if you have a $10 bet and the dealer’s up card is an ace, you can make an additional $5 insurance bet.

If the dealer has a blackjack, you lose your original $10 bet but win $10 from your insurance bet for a net loss of $5. If the dealer does not have a blackjack, you lose your insurance bet but play out your original hand as usual.

Is Insurance a Good Bet

Most experienced blackjack players will tell you that insurance is not worth it in the long run. There are several reasons for this:

• The odds are against you: In a standard six-deck game of blackjack, there are 16 cards (out of 312) that are worth 10 points (10s and face cards). That means there are 296 cards that are not worth 10 points. Therefore, if you assume that the dealer has an ace, there are 9 possible cards that could give the dealer a blackjack and 23 possible cards that would not.

  This means the odds of the dealer having a blackjack are approximately 1 in 3, making insurance a losing bet over time.

• Insurance does not affect the outcome of your hand: Even if you win an insurance bet, it does not help your original hand. You still lose your original bet if the dealer has a blackjack, and if the dealer does not have a blackjack, you are still left to play out your hand as usual.
• Insurance increases the house edge: Because insurance is a losing bet over time, taking insurance actually increases the house edge. The exact amount varies depending on factors like how many decks are in play and what rules the casino has in place, but it typically ranges from around 0.5% to 1%.

When Should You Consider Insurance

There are some situations where experienced players might consider taking insurance. For example:

• If you have a strong hand: If you have a strong hand (e.g. a natural blackjack or a hand with a total of 19 or higher), taking insurance can be seen as more of an “insurance policy” than anything else.

  In this case, it might make sense to protect your winnings by taking insurance.

• If you’re counting cards: If you’re an experienced card counter and have reason to believe that there is a higher likelihood than usual that the dealer has a blackjack (e. because there are many high cards left in the deck), then taking insurance might be a good idea.

The Bottom Line

In general, novice players should avoid taking insurance in blackjack. While it might seem like a good idea to protect your bet, the odds are against you, and in the long run, taking insurance will only increase the house edge. However, experienced players might consider taking insurance in certain situations, such as when they have a strong hand or are counting cards.

Ultimately, whether or not to take insurance in blackjack is up to you. Just remember that it’s always wise to weigh the potential risks and rewards before making any big bets at the blackjack table.