Even Money in Blackjack: Is It Really Worth It?
Blackjack can seem a bit confusing at first, especially when terms like “even money” come up at the table or on the screen. If you’re new to the game, you might wonder what this option really means and whether it makes sense to use it.
Understanding your choices could help you feel more confident if you ever decide to approach the blackjack table. In the UK, licensed sites follow rules designed to keep games fair, though the finer points can vary from one table to the next.
Curious to find out what “even money” really involves, and if it’s as straightforward as it sounds? Read on to learn more.
What Does Even Money Mean in Blackjack?
Even money in blackjack is an option you might see if you are dealt a natural blackjack, which is an ace and a ten-value card, and the dealer is showing an ace as their face-up card.
At that moment, the dealer may offer you even money. This means you can take a guaranteed payout of 1:1 straight away, before the dealer checks their own cards. So if you’ve bet £10, you’d receive £10 profit on top of your original stake.
If you refuse and the dealer also has blackjack, the hand is a push and you simply get your stake back. If the dealer does not have blackjack, your blackjack pays at the usual rate, typically 3:2, so a £10 bet would return £15 profit.
A key point that often gets missed is that even money is just insurance in a different wrapper. When you have blackjack and the dealer shows an ace, taking even money is equivalent to buying insurance on that hand, because both lead to the same guaranteed 1:1 outcome. Rules can differ between games, so it could potentially be worth checking the table information if you want to confirm how the option works where you play.
If you do decide to try your hand at blackjack, remember to do so responsibly and within your means; never wager more than you can afford to lose.
Does Even Money Affect Your Blackjack Strategy?
Even money changes the decision you make with a blackjack against a dealer ace, but the wisest choice may become clearer when you look at the numbers. If you decline even money, two things can happen: you either win the standard blackjack payout if the dealer does not have blackjack, or you push if they do.
In multi-deck games, when the dealer shows an ace there is roughly a 30.8% chance they also have a ten-value card. That means about 69.2% of the time they will not. Using a £10 bet as an example:
- Taking even money locks in £10 profit.
- Declining even money pays £15 profit about 69.2% of the time and £0 profit about 30.8% of the time. On average, that works out at around £10.38 profit, which is higher than £10.
This is why many players who focus on expected value choose not to take even money. It does not improve your returns over time compared to letting the hand play out at the standard blackjack payout. It does, however, reduce swings in the short term by giving you a certain result.
In short, if you would not normally buy insurance, you would usually skip even money too, because they are effectively the same decision presented in two ways.
Common Myths About Even Money in Blackjack
It is not a special bonus or a way to beat the game. Even money is simply an alternative payout structure available in a very specific situation, and it replaces the usual 3:2 payout with 1:1.
It does not increase your winnings over time. Because a standard blackjack usually pays more than 1:1, taking even money reduces the average payout across many hands where the dealer does not have blackjack.
It is not offered at every table. Some games do not include the option, and others present it only through the insurance feature. Always check the rules for the specific table you are playing.
It is not inherently “safer.” It changes the timing and size of the payout, not the underlying odds of the cards. What it can do is smooth out results by swapping a higher potential payout for a guaranteed smaller one.
Should You Ever Take Even Money in Blackjack?
Whether to take even money is a personal call. If your priority is to maximise expected value under standard rules, declining it is usually the stronger choice, because the typical 3:2 payout will outperform 1:1 in the long run when the dealer does not have blackjack most of the time.
That said, some players value a guaranteed result in the moment, especially during a session where they prefer steady outcomes over occasional bigger wins. In that case, taking even money can suit their preference for lower variance. Advanced players who have extra information about the remaining cards might also adjust their decision, although that does not apply to most formats.
Whichever approach you lean towards, it could help to know how the option is presented on the table you choose, since procedures and availability can vary.
Play Blackjack Online at 666 Casino
If you’re interested in exploring blackjack from home, 666 Casino offers a simple and straightforward starting point. You’ll find a variety of blackjack tables to suit every level of experience, with clear instructions and detailed rules so you know exactly what is happening at each stage of the game.
The site is fully licensed by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), which means you can count on the highest standards of security and fairness. Every game, including blackjack, goes through strict testing before being made available, and payout details are always easy to access in the game information.
At 666 Casino, you’ll have access to both digital versions of blackjack and live dealer tables where you can interact with professional dealers in real time. You can play at times that suit your own schedule and set your bets to a level that’s comfortable for you. If you’re new to blackjack, you’ll find helpful guides and information to help you get started and learn as you go. Always keep responsible gambling practises in mind.
**The information provided in this blog is intended for educational purposes and should not be construed as betting advice or a guarantee of success. Always gamble responsibly.
*All values (Bet Levels, Maximum Wins etc.) mentioned in relation to these games are subject to change at any time. Game features mentioned may not be available in some jurisdictions.
