The Blackjack Rules Insurance Bet
Perhaps the most debatable option in a game of Blackjack is the Insurance option. According to Blackjack Rules Insurance bet is not a good option for the player because it provides a highe house advantage. Although, for experienced players this option might seem reasonable in some game situations.
So, what is called in Blackjack Rules Insurance bet?
In case the dealer up card is an Ace, the players are offered to insure their bets. The Insurance bet is an extra bet that equals half of the initial bet. The dealer checks his hole card for Blackjack and in case he does have a Blackjack, the insurance bets are paid 2: 1, when the initial bets are lost. However, in case he does not have a Blackjack, the insurance bets are lost, and the players continue playing their hands as usual. Thus, in case your insurance bet wins, you break even and receive the money that are equal to the size of the original bet.
All in all, according to Blackjack rules insurance bet is a side bet that offers a 2;1 pay out in case dealer has 10 in the hole. To count the odds lets assume that you can not see any of the players cards including your own. There are 16 ten valued cards in a 52 card deck, and the 16 cards are among 51 left cards in the deck (minus dealer’s Ace). According to Blackjack rules insurance bet will be the break even bet, if the hole card has to be a 10-valued card 1 out of 3 times, but 16/51 is only 1 in 3.1875.
Can I insure my Blackjack?
In case the dealer up card is an Ace, and the player has a Blackjack, the dealer will probably offer the even money bet. This bet is the same as the insurance bet, however this time you bet the dealer does have a Blackjack. Let’s imagine that you bet $10, and were dealt a Blackjack. Usually, Blackjack pays 3:2, and thus you will collect $15 unless you tie with a dealer’s Blackjack.
The dealer’s up card is an Ace, and you decide to place an insurance bet of $5. The game now has two scenarios:
- Dealer does have a Blackjack. You push with $10, and receive 2:1 for the insurance bet making the total profit of $10.
- Dealer does not have a Blackjack. You lost $5, and received $15 for the Blackjack. And the total profit is $10.
In both cases, you are guaranteed the equal profit whether dealer does or does not have a Blackjack. Some players will consider this a nice option, however remember that you might win more than breaking even.
In Blackjack Rules Insurance bet is not advised by almost all the Blackjack players. The Basic strategy's advice is to ignore both the insurance and even money bets. However, card counters can find situations when the insurance bet might be a profitable one. So, unless you are positive about the result, ignore the offer.