in

Insurance in Blackjack

ace of spades card

What Is Insurance in Blackjack?

Hardly any of you reading this does not know what insurance in blackjack is, but we will still refresh your memory of this moment the rules.

Insurance is offered to a player if a dealer opens an ace. If you think that he has a natural blackjack, you can protect yourself from a loss, by applying for insurance. It is equal to half of your original bet. If a dealer has blackjack, insurance is paid 2:1.

According to the basic strategy, insurance is disadvantageous for the player, so it is not recommended. However, not everything is so simple if you count cards. In such a case, you should not always refuse insurance.

When Should You Buy Insurance in BJ?

We will not go into lengthy mathematical calculations.

Let's just say that if you use a counting system of High/Low (also known as "Plus/Minus"), it is possible to make insurance if the TRUE count is above 3.3. According to the "halves", this value should not be less than 3.7.

If you are not using the system of card counting, you can consider tens remaining in the shoe. If the dealer's odds of having a ten are above one to three, purchase insurance. But it is better to use a standard card counting system.

What about Even Money in BJ?

There is also an option known as "even money " in most blackjacks."

If you have a blackjack and the dealer opens an ace, he offers you a payout at the ratio of 1:1.

It is unnecessary to accept the proposal without counting cards since it means the average gain in the 26/27 ratio. As you can see, by refusing, you save 1/27 of beys.

The calculations mentioned above for insurance are valid for "even money." It is up to you to decide whether you should complicate the card counting process with this option. If you have just started mastering this technique, it is best to refuse insurance initially.

Finally, we note that there is insurance from the dealer's ten in some casinos. It would help if you always ignored it. This bet has a high house edge.

Frequently asked Questions

👎 Should I purchase insurance in blackjack?

No. This option is not favorable for players. It increases the house edge. Card counters sometimes apply for it if the true count is beneficial. 

❓ Should I agree to even money in blackjack?

No, you'd better not. Even money is good for the casino and not for you. 

🧐 What is the house edge in blackjack?

The house edge in blackjack depends on numerous rules, such as the number of decks, the rules for splitting or doubling, the availability of surrender, etc. In the best versions of BJ, it is lower than 0.5%.

Denis Anipchenko
Denis Anipchenko
Editor-in-chief and online gambling expert

Denis is a true professional with many years of experience in the gambling industry. His career started back in the late nineties when he worked as a croupier, pit boss, manager and casino manager. This unique experience allowed him to deeply understand the world of gambling from the inside. Since the late noughties Denis has dedicated himself to writing articles and analyses about gambling, and since the early tens he has become a key figure in the Casinoz team. Here he not only writes and edits content, but also creates reviews, shares his expertise and helps readers understand the intricacies of gambling. Denis combines practical experience and in-depth knowledge, making him one of the most respected experts in the industry. His writings are always up-to-date, proven and useful information for anyone interested in the casino world.

An expert in:
  • casino operations
  • management
  • gambling analytics
  • RTP
  • volatility
  • regulation
  • trends
  • reviews
  • editorial
  • expertise
Facts checked Alex Vasilev Scientific editor and fact checker
Write a comment
Typed 0 synbols, min 50, max 2000
Rate
You rated
0/10