Introduction to Blackjack Insurance Bet

However, if a player decides to place the insurance bet, it will cost him up to half of the original stake to make such a move. The value of the insurance bet can vary, but it can’t exceed half of the initial wager.

In case the dealer hits a natural blackjack, you’ll receive the amount equal to the original wager, as the insurance pays 2:1. Essentially, you’ll get double your insurance bet, as your stake will be lost due to the fact the dealer won a natural blackjack.

Placing the Insurance Bet

As we’ve already mentioned, insurance pays at 2:1. These odds sound very appealing, and many players will be tempted to place the wager. That raises another important question: when is the right time to make the insurance bet?

There are a couple of things you should bear in mind. Buying the insurance is probably not worth doing if the deck has four ten-value cards for nine others, as this puts you in an unfavourable position when compared to the casino.

However, the casino will lose its advantage once there are four ten-value cards for eight others. In that case, making the insurance bet would be a reasonable move.

If that ratio drops even lower, the player will gain the advantage, and making the bet won’t be worthwhile.

Unless you are counting cards, you should probably avoid buying insurance.

But there is a situation when making the bet is an advisable even for a non-card counter. When more than five Blackjack hands are dealt in a single round, and if a ten-value card is not among upcards, you should proceed and place the insurance bet, as the chance for a ten-value card is significantly higher.