A Detailed Guide to Online Live Blackjack Insurance

While most blackjack fans see it as a gamble they'd rather avoid, some players in Kenya consider blackjack insurance a lifesaver when luck turns sour.
Therefore, blackjack insurance is definitely one of the most debated topics in the Kenyan gambling scene. So, if you're still new to the blackjack tables, this article will equip you with all the ins and outs about blackjack insurance and why it's usually best to keep your distance. Read on!

What Exactly is Blackjack Insurance?

Blackjack insurance is presented as a side-bet when the dealer's face-up card is an ace. As the name implies, it's meant to shield you if the dealer gets a 'blackjack'. Usually, an insurance bet is half of your original wager and pays out at 2 to 1. Simply put, the maximum you can stake on this side bet is half of your main bet.

This side bet is only settled after the dealer reveals their second card. If it's a king, queen, jack, or ten, the dealer has a blackjack. In this scenario, you win your insurance wager. If the dealer doesn't have a blackjack, you lose your insurance bet, but you can still win your original stake.

Should You Take the Insurance Bet in Blackjack?

Generally, taking insurance isn't a smart move for most players, especially in Kenya. It's usually only worth considering if the blackjack game you're playing follows specific rules, like the dealer standing only on soft 17. Moreover, you'd ideally have a strong hand yourself, like a 20, 19, or 18, to even consider it. Otherwise, your hand might not stand a chance against the dealer's potential blackjack.

• Imagine you're at your favourite live online casino and place a KES 500 blackjack bet.
• After that, you're dealt a nine or Jack of Hearts, and an ace is the dealer's upcard.
• Now you decide to take $2.5 insurance, which is half your original bet.
• Next, the dealer reveals ten as his/her second card. In return, the insurance bet will payout 2 to 1 and break even on your hand.

When It's Necessary to Take Insurance

Taking insurance during a blackjack game can be irresistible if an ace the dealer's upcard. There is a 1 to 3 probability that the subsequent card has a 10-value card in that case. But unless you're counting cards, it's not worth risking your hard-earned money on blackjack insurance. Mathematically, taking blackjack insurance will result in losses in the end.

You can generally win your insurance wager only if the dealer's hole card is a 10-value card. As said before, you must be an expert card counter to know for sure the amount remaining in the deck. So, if you're green about counting cards, stay away from this sucker bet.

Blackjack Insurance, Odds, Price, and House Edge

So, what are the blackjack insurance odds? The probability of a blackjack being dealt by the dealer when playing a regular table game is 9:4. However, the odds for a player to win an insurance wager aren't similar. They may vary depending on the number of decks and 10-point cards already dealt. In short, the odds are stuck against the punter.

When it comes to the price, the player can only win if the dealer's facedown card is a 10. In this case, the insurance payout is 1:1. If the player's hand is a blackjack, the payout is 3:2 or $3 for every two bets or 1.5 times the wager.

Lastly, a single deck blackjack insurance has a steep house edge of around 5.8%. But it's worth noting that you're likely to play modern blackjacks with 6 to 8 decks. In such cases, the house edge can hit 7.5%.

Blackjack Insurance: Final Advice

If you're an expert card counter, then blackjack insurance can be very profitable. Card counters have a rough idea of the number of 10-point cards remaining in a deck. Also, the payout is handsome if you already have a blackjack in hand. Bust, as said, the odds are always against the player. What's worse, taking insurance when playing multi-deck blackjacks will expose you to a painfully high house edge.