Blackjack Insurance 101: A Beginner’s Strategy Guide

What is Blackjack Insurance, and how can you use it to prevent your losses? Learn all about it, from the basics to pro tips on when to use it, from our expert guide!

Taking a Gamble on the House: Blackjack Insurance Bets

Blackjack insurance is a side bet that becomes available when the dealer gets an ace as the face-up card. This happens before the dealer’s hole card is revealed.

Insurance in 21 is simply another wager you can place at a table if the dealer’s face-up card is an ace. The bet pays 2:1 if the dealer makes Blackjack, which means his second card is a picture or ten-value card.

How Does Insurance Work in Blackjack?

1. The game starts with the dealer showing an Ace.
2. He will say “insurance open”. In live dealer casinos, you receive a notification prompting you to take the insurance.
3. Before he sees his hole card, you must accept it. When he views his card, the offer expires.
4. You should take the bet should you believe it may be a 10-valued card.
5. If you are right, you win at 2:1 odds, should he have blackjack.
6. Nonetheless, you lose the initial wager.

Costs of Blackjack Insurance

Such a bet comes with an additional price tag: 50% or half the value of your original wager. If the dealer has a blackjack, your total returns will be the same value as your initial bet (your winnings + stake).

For example

If you wager $20 in the original hand and the dealer holds an ace, you will take a bet for $10. If he has a blackjack, you win $20.

However, you can not win your stake and the main bet at a go. If your insurance bet wins, you will lose your initial wager. Using our example, if he does not have a blackjack, you will lose your $10 wager.

Making the Call: When’s the Best Time to Opt for Insurance in Blackjack

You should only take this approach in this game when the dealer shows an ace. But here comes the million pounds question: how do you know his next card is a 10 or picture card?

The smartest way of doing this is through card counting. Only through this strategy can you keep track of the remaining cards in the deck. However, you should only appeal to this option if you are playing a single-deck variation. The fewer the decks, the more success you have with the card-counting strategy.

You should place a bet when his upcard is an Ace and you have a decent hand yourself of 15 or higher. Then, even if you lose your bet, you may still be able to win the round.

Experts will also advise you to take the bet when you are dealt a total hand value of 15 or higher. It gives you more opportunity to win this hand if the dealer does not have Blackjack.

Pay attention to the gambling platform you are choosing to take this approach. To make sure you have a safe experience, don’t let your guard down and opt for the best Blackjack online casinos, vetted by professionals.

Bet Payout

If the dealer’s face-down card is a 10, the side bet payout is 1:1. However, when the player has a blackjack, they will find the 3:2 payout comforting.

When Should You Avoid the Blackjack Insurance Bet?

Do not take the insurance bet blackjack if you are not playing a single-deck variant and can not count cards. Technically, it’s like saying that you shouldn’t place the wager at all. Keep in mind that multi-deck 21 games are more common than single-hand versions at UK casinos.

This approach has its ups and downs

Even though some may think placing an insurance bet seems like a smart move, there are many technicalities to be considered. The chances of winning significantly are slightly lower than you thought.

However, in the UK, this game still remains one of the most sought-after casino games as British players.

How Can Blackjack Insurance Wagers Turn Out?

This wager has two outcomes, depending on your luck!

Winning Blackjack Insurance

If you have a winning wager, it will look like this:

• Choose your game from your preferred casino;
• Place your wager, for instance, $10;
• You are dealt a four and a six;
• The dealer’s up card is an Ace;
• You stake insurance at half your main bet- $5;
• The dealer shows his second card and scores Blackjack with a picture or 10-value card;
• Your wager wins; it pays 2:1 ($10).

Losing Blackjack Insurance

In this case, your betting process would look like this:

• You place a wager for $10;
• You receive two hole cards: a six and a King;
• The dealer shows an Ace hole card;
• You insure your hand for $5;
• The dealer’s second card is a 5;
• Your wager loses ($5), but you continue your hand.

The Math Behind Insurance Bets: What Are Your Odds of Winning?

Several factors can make or break your bet odds in a game of 21. Some of them include your chosen version, the number of 10s or picture cards already dealt, and even the number of decks used in the game. Of all the options, the last is the most important.

• The odds of getting good results can reach a percentage of 42.22%. But the house doesn’t automatically win 57.78% of the time because there’s a probability of a push. Almost 8.48% of these games end in a push, leaving the probability of a loss at 49.10%.
• The number of decks a game uses can significantly impact its bet odds. While a single-hand game features a 5.8% house edge, standard 6-8 decks offer a higher 7.5% and even more.
• The multiple decks’ high insurance odds are due to the fact that cards get more difficult to count as decks increase. Also, it increases the probability of the casino operator picking another lesser card and thereby not making Blackjack.

King’s Verdict: Can Insurance Bets Be Good for Your Blackjack Game?

While this insurance may look appealing, compared to other approaches, you might lose a lot more in the long run.

As you can see, the odds may be stacked against you. Even if you get to play a single-deck version, you will be facing off against a massive 6% house edge. Bear in mind that the single-hand odds are calculated with the premise that you will be using the card-counting strategy.

KingCasinoBonus.uk expert advice on insurance betting

If you are curious to get the handle on this bet, inform yourself first! Only go for UK live casinos that have already been attested by the United Kingdom Gambling Commission.

We at KingCasinoBonus only choose licensed online gambling platforms that we also put through a number of tests and verifications.

This is done in order to provide you with an accurate list of Blackjack bonuses that are directly tested and reviewed by us. Moreover, pay attention to your betting habits! Keep a budget plan and stick to it!