Anytime the dealer is showing an ace, players find themselves in the worst position in Blackjack according to statistics. There is also a key difference between this scenario and other hands, which is that insurance is offered to players. While taking insurance is only worth it in specific positions, knowing the ins and outs of this side bet can help you to increase your chances of success at the table.
Join us in this article as Heart Bingo explains exactly what insurance is and how it works. We also offer strategies for using it effectively!
What is Insurance in Blackjack?
Insurance in Blackjack is a side bet on offer when the dealer’s up card is an Ace. It pays 2:1, protecting against the possibility that the dealer has a natural blackjack.
If the player opts for insurance and the dealer does have Blackjack, they receive a payout at the rate of 2:1. Essentially, this serves as a protective measure against losing their initial bet if the dealer hits a natural blackjack.
While it can be seen as hedging one’s bets against a strong hand from the dealer, careful consideration should guide this decision since taking insurance may not always align with the optimal strategy.
When to Use Insurance in Blackjack
Of course, there are some situations in which taking the insurance side bet makes more sense than others. There are two main scenarios in which insurance should be strongly considered:
- The player has a Strong Hand – If you have a strong hand, such as a pair of tens, taking insurance could prove to be worthwhile. This hand combination has a greater-than-average win rate, so protecting it could be a good idea.
- Card Counting – When counting cards, experienced players can identify the ratio of high to low cards left in the shoe. If there are more high cards left than low cards (A true count of 3+), then taking insurance is worthwhile. This makes sense, as a higher count often means that there are more tens remaining, increasing the dealer’s chances of having a blackjack.
When to Avoid Taking Insurance in Blackjack
On the opposite end of the spectrum, players should avoid taking insurance if they have a bad hand. This includes combinations that add up to 14, 15, or 16. Such hands are considered to be bad because hitting has a high probability of leading to a score greater than 21, thus busting. Alternatively, standing on these hands doesn’t present much of a challenge to the dealer.
Risks of Taking Insurance in Blackjack
Taking insurance in Blackjack presents the risk of losing the side bet, potentially leading to a higher overall loss for the hand. Insurance comes with a payout of 2:1 if successful, which is a sign that it’s not likely to occur.
If we take a look at the actual odds of a blackjack occurring, when the dealer has a face-up ace card, they sit at 31.5%. This is calculated by taking the number of cards that represent ten (10, J, Q, and K), before dividing by 52. Interestingly, it doesn’t matter how many decks are being used and the odds will remain the same in a single-deck or eight-deck game, provided that the player is not card counting.
Another risk associated with taking insurance in live Blackjack is that you are only protecting your current hand against the dealer having a ten as their face-down card. Your insurance side bet could lose and the dealer still ends up beating your hand.
For example, if the dealer’s face-down card is a 9, you’d need a score of exactly 21 to beat their hand. This is why some players opt to only take insurance if they have a strong hand, as starting combinations that total 14, 15, or 16 are beaten by the dealer more often than not.
What Are The Other Blackjack Side Bets I Can Do?
Insurance isn’t the only side betting option presented in Blackjack. Different variations of the game come with their own unique side bets that can throw another layer of entertainment into the mix.
Typically, online blackjack games will have more diverse rules and a wider range of options, with titles such as Mega Fire Blaze Blackjack and Lightning Blackjack being particularly unique.
Here’s a look at some of the other blackjack side bets that are regularly offered when playing online:
- 21 + 3 -This side bet combines the player’s initial two cards and the dealer’s up-card to form a poker hand. If the three cards form a flush, straight, three of a kind, straight flush or suited three of a kind, the player is awarded at a predetermined rate.
- Perfect Pairs – Players wager on whether their first two cards will be a perfect pair (identical cards in rank and suit), a coloured pair (same rank and colour) or a mixed pair (same rank but different suits).
- Lucky Lucky – This side bet is based on the total of the player’s first two cards and the dealer’s up-card, forming various combinations that can result in payouts. All of these combinations will usually be shown on the betting area itself.
- Buster Blackjack – Players wager on whether the dealer will bust and exceed 21 points.
- Over or Under 13 – Players predict if their first two cards total will be under or over 13.
- Royal Match – This side bet focuses on whether their first two cards are a suited match or an unsuited match.
- Super Sevens – A progressive blackjack side bet that awards players with the jackpot if they get two sevens in their hand. This can also be offered at a fixed payout rate.
- Double Attack Blackjack – Players can double down after seeing the dealer’s up-card, which adds a new strategic element to traditional Blackjack.
- Lucky Ladies – This side bet is placed on whether the player’s initial two cards total 20 points, with potential bonus payouts for specific combinations such as the Queen of Hearts pair.
- Match the Dealer – Players bet on one or both of their initial cards matching the dealer’s up-card, with varying payouts based on these matches.
Play Blackjack Online at Heart Bingo
Here at Heart Bingo, we have a range of interesting blackjack variations that feature unique rules. Popular live dealer games such as the aforementioned Mega Fire Blaze Blackjack and Lightning Blackjack can be found within our portfolio, alongside more traditional titles such as On Air Eclipse Blackjack!
