Normally, some of the most important rules, such as 'Blackjack pays 3 to 2' and 'Dealer must draw on 16 and stand on all 17's' are printed on the table. To play blackjack you need chips to bet with, and you typically buy your chips directly from the dealer. Simply, taking insurance means betting that the dealer will have blackjack. In blackjack, when the dealer is showing an Ace and before they show their hole card, a side-bet called insurance becomes.
A question I get asked quite frequently by casino players is whether they should take insurance in blackjack. It seems to be something that confuses a lot of people, even among those that fullyunderstand basic strategy and the role that math has to play in blackjack.
When I’m asked this question I usually just give a simple answer (no), but I sometimes feel inclined to expand on this and explain why. I recently did this with a player who asked the question,and for one reason or another he just couldn’t seem to accept what I was saying. He was absolutely convinced that the insurance bet is always the right way to go.
My initial reaction was to wonder why he asked me the question in the first place, as he was so sure he knew the correct answer himself. My second reaction was to think that I should write a blogpost about taking insurance in blackjack. So here it is! I’ll explain exactly what the insurance bet is for any of you who are not familiar with it, and then use some basic math to explain whyit’s a bad bet.
OBJECTIVE: The game is played against the dealer, and the object is to get as close a score to 21 as possible without exceeding that number. In order to win, you must beat the dealers’ total, however, if you go over 21 points that’s considered a bust and you automatically forfeit your bet.
OBJECTIVE: Each participant attempts to beat the dealer by getting a count as close to 21 as possible, without going over 21.
NUMBER OF PLAYERS: Up to 7 Players
NUMBER OF CARDS: One or More 52- deck cards
RANK OF CARDS: A (worth 11 or 1), K, Q, J (face cards worth 10), 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2
TYPE OF GAME: Casino
AUDIENCE: Adults
Blackjack is a game of strategy and statistics. A good player will strive to consider all possibilities and choose moves that give the highest statistical chance for the greatest expected return.
OBJECTIVE:
The game is played against the dealer, and the object is to get as close a score to 21 as possible without exceeding that number. In order to win, you must beat the dealers’ total, however, if you go over 21 points that’s considered a bust and you automatically forfeit your bet.
CARD VALUES:
Kings, queens, and jacks are worth 10 points. Numbered cards retain their face value, meaning a two of clubs is worth two total points.
Aces are worth either one point or eleven points depending on what value advantages the player.
HOW TO DEAL:
The dealer deals to his left. Each player receives one card face down and the dealer deals himself last. From there the dealer deals another round of cards, this time placing the card face up. If the dealer deals himself an ace as the face up card then he is required to ask players if they would like to purchase insurance. Insurance must equal half of the original bet placed. The dealer then flips over the second card and if he has blackjack all players that purchased insurance are given their original bets back and players that also have a blackjack are give their original bets back as well.
HOW TO PLAY:
Official Blackjack Rules
If the dealer does not deal himself an ace as a face-up card, then players are asked if they would like to “hit” or “stand”. To hit is to ask for another card, to stand is to pass. If you choose to hit and then receive a card that puts you over the value of 21, you’ve busted and are now out of that round. You may continue to hit until you are satisfied with your hand.
DOUBLING DOWN:
Doubling down occurs after the first two cards are dealt. At this moment, the player is allowed to place an additional bet equal to the original wager. The player will receive one more card and then stand. A player that doubles down cannot ask for any more hits after he’s been dealt his third card.
SPLIT:
If your first two cards are of the same value, example two eights, you can split them into two separate playing hands. A split hand becomes two separate bets and the dealer will hit with a further card on each of the splits. Generally, one cannot hit, double down, or re-split after splitting their cards. Each table may have individual rules on this aspect of play.
PAYOUTS:
The Rules Of Blackjack
If you beat the dealer you receive a 1:1 payout, meaning if you bet ten you will receive your bet back plus ten from the dealer. If you hit a blackjack you will receive a 3:2 payout, meaning if you bet ten you’ll receive 15.