Many land-based and online Blackjack games offer players the chance to place side wagers. An interesting side bet that’s highly popular among Blackjack players is the Blackjack Insurance bet.
Understanding the working of the Blackjack Insurance bet is simple, but it can be tricky to get right at times. In this guide, we explain all that you need to know about the Blackjack Insurance side bet. We start with the basics of this side wager and then go on to explore its working and odds. Continue reading!
Blackjack Insurance bet basics
The Blackjack Insurance bet is a side wagering option that’s available in many Blackjack variations. Placed as an additional bet, the Blackjack Insurance wager insures your hand against the dealer having a Blackjack. In other words, you’re wagering that the dealer will have a perfect score of 21.
In most Blackjack games, the Insurance bet can only be made if the dealer’s up-card is showing the Ace. As for the wager amount, it can be up to half of your original stake size. The potential payout for getting a Blackjack Insurance bet right is 2 to 1.
It’s important to keep in mind that the Blackjack Insurance bet only pays if the dealer gets a Blackjack. If they don’t, they lose the side wager and the regular gameplay continues.
Blackjack Insurance example
Now that you know the Blackjack Insurance bet, here’s an example to make the concept clearer. Let’s say you’re playing Blackjack online at our UK casino online. And you place a main wager of £10. The dealer then deals your initial two cards and also draws two cards for themselves – one of which is face-up and the other is face-down.
You’re dealt a six and an eight, making your initial hand value 14. As for the dealer’s up-card, let’s assume it’s showing an Ace. So, you go on to place the insurance bet of £5. You then hit and receive a five, making your total hand value 19. After that, you stand.
The dealer then draws a 10-valued card, which results in them having a natural Blackjack. Here, you’ll lose your main bet of £10 as your point total is lower than that of the dealer. But you’ll win the £5 Insurance bet as the dealer's hand is showing a Blackjack.
Blackjack Insurance bet advantages
When used properly, the Blackjack Insurance bet is an interesting move to make at Blackjack tables. Below we’ve listed some positives about the Blackjack Insurance wager:
Foresight - As explained earlier, players place the Blackjack Insurance bet after seeing the dealer’s face-up card. This gives them some extra time to decide whether they should really go with the wagering option or not.
Safety net - If in case the dealer has a Blackjack, the Insurance bet acts as a safety net for players. While players won’t win anything in such instances, they won’t be losing anything either.
Blackjack Insurance bet disadvantages
As with all other things, there are some downsides to this side wager. Below we’ve given them:
Lower winning chances - As there are 10-valued cards in any standard Blackjack card deck, your chances of winning the Blackjack Insurance bet aren’t quite high. The odds for this side bet are 9:4, which gives you roughly 30% chance of landing a win.
Low payout - When placing the Blackjack Insurance bet, your bet amount can’t be more than half of your original stake size. And as the potential payout is usually 2:1, you’ll only be breaking even if you win.
When should I place the Blackjack Insurance bets?
Owing to its risky nature, placing the Blackjack Insurance bet may not always be the best choice. That being said, there are some instances when you might consider placing the Blackjack Insurance bet. If you’re someone who’s just getting started with Blackjack games online, we recommend you go through the online Blackjack safety tips.