The question of whether or not to take even money in blackjack is one that can be a difficult one to answer. Some players find it tempting to accept the even-money payout, while others feel it’s a risky move that could cost them in the long run. In this article, we’ll explain why taking even money isn’t a good idea and provide some tips on how to make the right decision in any given situation.
If you’re dealing with a dealer who has an Ace showing and you have a blackjack, you can tell the dealer that you would like to “take even money”. This means that she will pay you $20 for your blackjack hand before she peeks at her hole card. This is similar to winning an insurance bet, but it’s different in a few important ways.
The reason that casinos are willing to offer you even money for your blackjack is because they know it’s a smart play. It guarantees you a win, but at a lower payout than if you wait to see if the dealer has a ten-value card. The casinos also know that the odds of the dealer having a ten-value card are less than if she had an ace, so they can afford to lose more money in the long run from players who take even money.
In some cases, it’s okay to take even money in blackjack if the deck is loaded with high cards. However, most of the time it’s not. A deck with many high cards is a sign that the casino has taken advantage of players using card counting techniques, and this is bad for the overall profitability of the game.
A common mistake that blackjack players make is to assume that a high number of high cards in the deck means that there are more than a few ten-value cards in the pack. This is not true, and even the most advanced card counters will still lose more money over the long run if they assume that a high number of ten-value cards means that the odds of the dealer having a blackjack are higher than they really are.
Ultimately, the decision to take even money in blackjack is a personal choice that every player must make based on their own risk tolerance and bankroll. If you’re an experienced blackjack player who is comfortable with the risks of losing a few dollars on the short-term, then it might be worth taking even money from time to time. However, if you’re an inexperienced or beginner blackjack player, it’s best to avoid taking even money at all times.
It’s important to keep the house edge as low as possible in blackjack, and taking even money can increase it by more than 3 percent in some situations. Sticking to basic strategy is the best way to minimize your losses while maximizing your potential wins, and avoiding even money is the most effective way to do so.