What is Blackjack Insurance and Should You Accept It?
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Blackjack is the most well-known and popular casino table game for good reason. With a low house edge and players feeling like they have some sense of control, blackjack is an attractive game at online casinos.
The game of blackjack is much more than simply knowing when to hit or stand. Making the right decisions, including knowing when to double down, split, and surrender, is important for being a profitable blackjack player.
Additionally, blackjack insurance is another predicament that you will come across while playing blackjack. There is one specific instance where insurance in blackjack can be taken. However, should you accept the dealer’s offer?
Let’s take a deep dive into the basics of blackjack insurance and if you should ever take it. This is invaluable blackjack advice that could help save you hundreds or thousands of dollars at the tables.
Blackjack insurance is a side bet that can be taken when the dealer’s up-card is an Ace. Before the dealer peeks on their second card, you will have the option of accepting or declining insurance.
If you took the insurance, and the dealer has a blackjack, you will win the side bet at half of your original wager at 2:1 odds. However, if the dealer doesn’t have a blackjack, the insurance bet counts as a loss. By taking insurance, you are betting on the dealer’s second card being a 10, Jack, Queen, or King.
Players at the table who did not take insurance will lose their original wager on a dealer’s blackjack. Only players who took the insurance win the 2:1 wager. So, is it a good idea to take blackjack insurance?
The 2:1 odds on insurance in blackjack sounds like a tempting proposition. On the surface, it probably sounds like taking insurance is a smart move. However, in general, you should not take insurance in blackjack.
With any casino strategy, the utmost importance has to be looking at the casino’s house edge and the math behind every bet. When it comes to insurance in blackjack, the math is advantageous for the house.
Taking insurance does not favor the player in blackjack. There is one situation where taking insurance makes sense, but it only applies to a very small percentage of the population. Let’s get into all the details below.
Blackjack has one of the best house edges in the casino. Playing live dealer online blackjack is one of the best decisions that you can make for yourself as a gambler
There aren’t many casino games where the house edge falls below one percent. However, with blackjack, this is possible at some 3:2 blackjack tables.
Unlike vehicle insurance, insurance in blackjack is not required.
Therefore, why would you willingly afford the casino a considerable edge?
Depending on how many decks there are in the blackjack game, the house edge will vary from 5.9-7 percent.
In a blackjack game with six to eight decks, which is the most popular offering by casinos, the house edge on the insurance side bet is seven percent.
The best online blackjack is single-deck blackjack, offering 3:2 odds. Even this favorable variant of blackjack doesn’t afford gamblers good odds for insurance. With a house edge of 5.9 percent, roulette is a better bet than taking insurance in a single-deck blackjack game.
If the house edge isn’t enough of a reason to stay away from taking insurance, let’s examine the probability of winning this blackjack side bet. We are assuming that you are a smart gambler and opt to play single-deck blackjack when it is available.
Keep in mind that single-deck blackjack will provide players with the lowest house edge on an insurance side bet.
However, you only have a 30 percent chance of winning after taking insurance. This is assuming that all the Jacks, Queens, Kings, and 10s remain in the shoe and not in play. When these cards are on the table, in your possession, or with other players, the odds will drop further.
The odds of winning on insurance can drop to roughly 20 percent in this instance. Despite insurance paying 2:1 odds, it still isn’t a worthwhile wager given these odds.
Now, remember that single-deck blackjack is your best wager on insurance. Taking insurance in six or eight-deck games is considerably worse, so you can imagine how bad this bet can get for players.
For the vast majority of blackjack players, insurance should never be considered. It is considered a sucker’s bet. There is one small exception for the minority of blackjack players, though.
There is one instance where you should take insurance in blackjack, and it only applies to card counters. Do you have experience being a successful card counter or want to learn? Then knowing this important blackjack insurance tip can be helpful.
The Hi-Lo method is the easiest strategy for counting cards.
Following the shuffle, for every 2-6 ranked card that is visible on the table, assign a score of +1. Conversely, cards ranked 10 to Ace are assigned a score of -1.
That is card counting in its simplest form, which can be highly effective if it is done properly. You are likely wondering why doesn’t everyone card count then. It sounds so easy. Mastering card counting is tougher than it appears, and casinos have safeguards against card counters.
Players who have experience counting cards correctly should take insurance in blackjack when the True Count in the deck is +3. Apply the card counting rules that we mentioned above to know when to take insurance.
However, if you don’t know how to count cards and use basic blackjack strategy instead, the right call is to always decline insurance.
Before playing blackjack online, it is essential to ensure that you deposit money at the best online gambling sites. When selecting an online casino for blackjack, there are a few things that you must be cognizant of.
First and foremost, the website has to be a safe online casino. You do not want to deposit money and have your account locked for some unforeseen reason. Also, it’s imperative that payout requests are completed in a timely manner.
Of course, a variety of convenient deposit and withdrawal methods are required, as well. The online casino experience is best when there are a number of cashier options at your disposal. Furthermore, deposits should come equipped with lucrative bonuses for your favorite blackjack games.
The BetUS online casino checks all of these boxes, while providing a superior blackjack experience. Currently, BetUS is offering a 150% welcome bonus worth up to $3,000 for traditional deposit methods, such as a credit card or bank transfer.
If you want an additional bonus, deposit using crypto for a 250% welcome bonus up to $5,000 in free credits to play blackjack. After you’ve collected your free bonus, check out the multiple blackjack tables available at BetUS.
BetUS has blackjack tables for all budgets, including low and high-roller tables. Wager as little as $1 or over $1,000 on one hand of blackjack. For a realistic live casino experience, there are real dealers ready to deal you in today. Just remember to say no to blackjack insurance.
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