Betting Options in Blackjack

Blackjack, also known as twenty-one, is one of the most popular card games enjoyed by millions of casino buffs. There are several betting options in blackjack such as Insurance, Surrender, Splitting, Double Down, and Even Money. Let us look at these betting options in detail.

Insurance

Insurance is the side bet offered to the box holder up to half the original bet, if the dealer’s face up card is an Ace. By taking insurance the box holder is making a second bet for half the initial amount. If the dealer’s face down card is a 10 point card, then the box holder is paid 2 to 1 on the insurance bet, but the player loses if the dealer’s card is any other card than the 10 points card.

Surrender

A box holder may give up the first two cards in his hand and loses half of the initial bet.

Early Surrender – the dealer permits to surrender the box holder before checking for blackjack.

Late Surrender – in late surrender the dealer first checks whether he has blackjack. Surrender option is not allowed if the dealer has blackjack.

Splitting

Splitting option is permitted when a blackjack player is dealt with two cards with equal values. To take splitting option, the original bet has to be matched. Each hand will be played separately. If the box holder splits two Aces, only one more card is dealt to each hand. A hand will be allowed to split only once.

Double Down

Double down option allows you to double the original bet after the two card deal. When a box holder doubles the bet, the original bet has to be matched and you can hit one cared only. One can also go for the “double down” option after “splitting” a pair. Double down is considered as a good bet if the box holder is in a strong position.

Even Money

The box holder is offered “Even Money” if he is dealt with a natural blackjack and the dealer’s showing card is an Ace. Taking “even money” option means the player believes the dealer’s face down card is a 10 card. If the “even money” option is not taken, then the player is paid at 3 to 2 and the dealer has no blackjack.