How Do You Play Blackjack With Insurance?

When you play blackjack with insurance, you are essentially betting that the dealer’s hand will be a natural blackjack. This side bet pays 2-1 odds if the dealer does indeed have a blackjack.

The insurance bet is placed before any other action is taken on the hand, and it must be equal to half of your original bet. For example, if you bet $10 on your hand, you would also bet $5 on insurance.

If the dealer does not have a natural blackjack, you lose your insurance bet and play out your hand as normal. If the dealer does have a natural blackjack, your insurance bet pays off and you push (tie) on your original bet.

Insurance is a way to protect yourself from losing big when the dealer hits blackjack.

Some people recommend always taking insurance when the dealer shows an ace, since there’s a good chance they have a blackjack. However, this strategy has its detractors too.

Insurance is a negative expectation bet, meaning that over time you will lose money if you take insurance every time the dealer shows an ace.

Whether or not to take insurance is ultimately up to you. Some players never take it, while others always insure their hands when the dealer shows an ace.

Ultimately, it’s a personal decision that depends on your own risk tolerance and betting style.