Blackjack Insurance: Should You Take It?

Blackjack insurance is a side bet offered when the dealer’s upcard is an Ace, allowing players to wager on the dealer having a blackjack. The bet pays 2 to 1 if the dealer's hole card is a 10-value card but is lost if the dealer does not have blackjack. Many players assume insurance in blackjack is a safety net, but statistically, it increases the house edge. Understanding blackjack insurance rules and strategy is crucial for making informed bets.

Understanding the Basics of Blackjack Insurance

Blackjack insurance is a side bet that allows players to wager on the dealer having a blackjack, offering a 2:1 payout but increasing the house edge.

What is Blackjack Insurance?

Blackjack insurance is a side bet placed when the dealer’s upcard is an Ace, giving players the option to wager that the dealer has a blackjack. This bet is separate from the main hand and can be up to half of the player's original bet. If the dealer’s hole card is a 10, Jack, Queen, or King, the player wins 2:1 on the insurance bet. If the dealer does not have blackjack, the insurance bet is lost, and the game continues as normal.

How Does Blackjack Insurance Work?

The insurance bet follows a simple process:

1. The dealer shows an Ace as their upcard.
2. Players are offered the insurance bet before the dealer checks their hole card.
3. The player places an insurance bet (up to half their original wager).
4. The dealer checks for blackjack:
• If the dealer has blackjack, the insurance bet pays 2:1, but the main bet is lost unless the player also has blackjack, resulting in a push.
• If the dealer does not have blackjack, the insurance bet is lost, and the game continues.

Blackjack Insurance Example

• Original Bet: €100
• Insurance Bet: €50 (half of the original bet)
• Dealer’s Hole Card: 10-value card
• Outcome: The player wins €100 from the insurance bet but loses their main wager unless they also have blackjack.

The Mathematics Behind Blackjack Insurance

Blackjack insurance offers a 2:1 payout, but with only a 30.8% chance of winning, it increases the house edge, making it an unfavorable long-term bet.

Blackjack Insurance Payout Structure

The insurance bet pays 2:1, meaning if you wager €50 on insurance and win, you receive €100 in winnings plus your original bet back. However, the dealer only has blackjack about 30.8% of the time, making this an unfavorable bet in the long run.

House Edge on the Insurance Bet

Statistically, insurance in blackjack increases the house edge, making it a losing strategy over time. The odds of the dealer’s hole card being a 10-value card are roughly 4 in 13 (30.8%). Since insurance pays 2:1, the casino retains a 7.7% house edge on this bet.

Blackjack Strategy Chart and Insurance Bets

A blackjack strategy chart provides a mathematical guide to optimal plays, but insurance is rarely recommended. Basic strategy players should decline insurance in most situations because it does not provide value unless the player is counting cards and knows the deck is rich in 10-value cards.

Why Insurance is a Losing Bet in the Long Run

1. If you take insurance every time, you will lose more than you win over time.
2. The dealer will only have blackjack about 30% of the time, making it a bad bet.
3. Even professional players using a blackjack strategy chart avoid insurance unless card counting.

When Should You Take Insurance in Blackjack?

Blackjack insurance should only be taken by skilled card counters when the deck is rich in 10-value cards, as it is a statistically losing bet for most players.

Situations Where Insurance Might Be Considered

While most blackjack strategy charts advise against taking insurance, there are a few rare situations where it might make sense:

• If you are counting cards and know the deck is rich in 10-value cards.
• If you’re playing in a high-stakes game where risk management is a priority.
• If you have a blackjack yourself, taking insurance can secure a push instead of a loss if the dealer also has blackjack.

Why Most Players Should Avoid Insurance

For casual players, taking insurance is a losing bet because:

1. It does not protect your hand—it is a separate side bet.
2. The house edge is over 7%, making it one of the worst bets in blackjack.
3. Basic blackjack strategy suggests focusing on strong hand decisions rather than side bets.

How Card Counting Affects the Insurance Bet

Professional players using a card counting system may take insurance when the count is high, meaning many 10-value cards remain in the deck. However, without card counting, insurance is statistically a bad bet.

Is Online Blackjack Rigged?

Many players wonder, is online blackjack rigged? While legitimate online casinos use RNG (Random Number Generators) to ensure fair play, some unlicensed platforms may manipulate games. Licensed casinos follow strict regulations, meaning online blackjack is not rigged at reputable sites. However, taking insurance in blackjack online is just as unfavorable as in land-based casinos due to the same mathematical disadvantage.

Final Verdict: Should You Ever Take Insurance?

• For casual players: Avoid it—insurance increases the house edge.
• For card counters: It can be useful when the deck favors 10-value cards.
• For online players: Stick to licensed casinos to avoid rigged games and follow basic strategy instead of taking insurance.

Why Most Players Should Avoid Blackjack Insurance

Blackjack insurance is a high-house-edge side bet that most players should avoid, as it does not protect their hand and statistically results in long-term losses.

Why Insurance is a Bad Bet for Most Players

Many players believe that insurance in blackjack protects their main bet, but in reality, it is a separate side wager with a high house edge. Since the dealer will only have a blackjack about 30.8% of the time, the odds are stacked against the player, making insurance one of the worst bets in casino games.

How Blackjack Insurance Works Against Players

1. It does not impact your original hand—you are betting solely on the dealer’s outcome.
2. The house edge is around 7.7%, significantly higher than most bets in blackjack.
3. It diverts your focus from optimal strategy, reducing your chances of winning in the long run.

Games With the Best Odds vs. Blackjack Insurance

While blackjack is one of the casino games with the best odds when played correctly, the insurance bet does not offer the same advantage.

• Blackjack (without insurance) has a house edge of around 0.5% with basic strategy.
• Roulette (even-money bets) have a house edge of 2.7% in European roulette.
• Craps (pass line bet) has a house edge of around 1.4%.
• Blackjack insurance has a house edge of 7.7%, making it worse than most casino bets.

The Smartest Approach: Stick to Basic Strategy

Players should avoid blackjack insurance and instead focus on games with the best odds and optimal blackjack strategy to maximize their chances of winning. Only professional card counters may benefit from insurance, and even then, it requires a highly skilled approach.

How Does Insurance Work in Different Blackjack Variants?

Insurance in blackjack works the same way across most blackjack variants, but in games like 21+3 Blackjack, it remains a separate side bet, and in online casinos, it may vary slightly.

Blackjack Insurance in Classic Blackjack

In classic blackjack, the insurance rule remains the same across most land-based and online casinos. Whenever the dealer’s upcard is an Ace, players have the option to place an insurance bet for up to half their original stake. If the dealer has blackjack, the bet pays 2:1. If not, the insurance bet is lost, and the hand continues.

How Insurance Works in 21+3 Blackjack

In 21+3 Blackjack, a variation that combines blackjack and three-card poker, players can place a side bet on the first three cards forming a winning poker hand. While the 21+3 side bet is independent of insurance, the insurance bet remains available when the dealer shows an Ace. The strategy remains the same—insurance is not recommended unless counting cards.

Blackjack Insurance in Online Casinos

Most online casinos follow standard blackjack rules, meaning the insurance bet is offered whenever the dealer shows an Ace. However, in some new online casinos, there may be variations where:

• Insurance pays slightly less than 2:1 (reducing player value).
• Some auto-play features automatically decline insurance unless selected.
• Certain blackjack games do not offer insurance to reduce game complexity.

Blackjack Insurance in European and Single-Deck Blackjack

• European Blackjack: The dealer does not check for blackjack until after all players finish their actions, meaning players risk losing more if the dealer has blackjack.
• Single-Deck Blackjack: Insurance is even riskier due to the reduced number of cards, making it even less favorable for players.

Professional Strategies: Card Counting and Blackjack Insurance

For the average player, insurance is a losing bet. However, for skilled card counters, insurance can become a favorable wager. When counting cards, players are able to track the deck and determine whether there are more 10-value cards (10, Jack, Queen, King) left in the deck, increasing the chances of the dealer having a blackjack. If the deck is rich in 10-value cards, card counters will take insurance when the dealer shows an Ace, as the bet may be more likely to win.

Blackjack Card Values and Insurance

The decision to take insurance heavily depends on the Blackjack card values remaining in the deck. If a higher concentration of 10-value cards exists, the likelihood of the dealer getting blackjack increases, making the insurance bet more appealing. On the contrary, when fewer 10-value cards are left, the bet becomes less favorable. Card counters use the true count (adjusting the running count by the number of decks left) to determine if the insurance bet is advantageous.

When to Buy Insurance in Blackjack

• When to take insurance blackjack: If the count is high, insurance might be a viable option.
• When not to take insurance blackjack: If the count is low or neutral, insurance is statistically a losing bet.
• For real money casinos, the availability of card counting and insurance strategies may vary depending on the casino’s game rules and deck penetration (how deeply the deck is shuffled before reshuffling).

Insurance and Real Money Casinos

In real money casinos, insurance works the same as it does in most land-based casinos, but players should always check the specific rules of the game. Some real money casinos might offer more favorable insurance conditions, while others may not offer it at all. Knowing the rules of the specific blackjack variant is crucial to making an informed decision about taking insurance.

Blackjack Insurance Myths and Misunderstandings

Common myths about blackjack insurance include the belief that it protects your bet or is a good strategy when the dealer shows an Ace, but it is statistically a losing bet for most players.

Myth #1: Insurance Protects Your Bet

Many players think that insurance in blackjack is a way to protect their original bet, but it’s simply a separate side wager with a high house edge. It doesn’t impact the outcome of your main hand.

Myth #2: Insurance Is a Good Bet When the Dealer Shows an Ace

While it might seem like a good idea to protect yourself when the dealer has an Ace, statistically, the insurance bet increases your chances of losing. The house edge for insurance is around 7.7%, making it a poor choice for most players.

Myth #3: Insurance Is Required

Insurance is never required. It's an optional side bet that should only be taken in specific circumstances, such as when card counting or under very specific conditions. For most players, declining insurance is the best strategy.

Final Verdict: Should You Ever Take Insurance in Blackjack?

For most players, taking insurance in blackjack is not recommended, as it increases the house edge and is generally a losing bet in the long run.

The Best Approach: Decline Insurance

For most players, the best approach is to avoid taking insurance in blackjack. The house edge on insurance is significant and it’s a side bet with unfavorable odds. Even though insurance might seem like a protective measure, it does not improve your chances of winning in the long run.

When to Consider Insurance

• Professional card counters may use insurance to their advantage when the deck is rich in 10-value cards.
• If you are playing blackjack casually, it’s recommended to decline insurance and focus on basic strategy to maximize your chances of winning.

Conclusion

• For most players, insurance is a losing bet and should be avoided.
• Card counters may find it useful in certain situations, but basic strategy dictates that insurance is never a smart choice for casual players.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Blackjack Insurance

1. What is blackjack insurance?

Blackjack insurance is a side bet offered when the dealer's upcard is an Ace, allowing players to wager on the dealer having a blackjack.

2. Should I take insurance in blackjack?

For most players, taking insurance is not recommended, as it increases the house edge and generally results in long-term losses.

3. How does insurance work in blackjack?

If the dealer has a blackjack (a 10-value card in the hole), the insurance bet pays 2:1. If the dealer does not have blackjack, the insurance bet is lost.

4. What is the house edge on blackjack insurance?

The house edge on the insurance bet is approximately 7.7%, making it an unfavorable bet for players.

5. When should you take insurance in blackjack?

Insurance can be considered by card counters when the deck is rich in 10-value cards, but it is generally not recommended for casual players.

6. Does insurance protect my original bet?

No, the insurance bet is separate from your original hand and does not impact its outcome. It only pays if the dealer has a blackjack.

7. Can I avoid insurance in blackjack?

You can always decline the insurance bet, and basic blackjack strategy advises against taking it for most players.