Politics and betting might seem worlds apart, but they're more entangled than you'd think. In this article, we'll get into how political events shape the odds, trends, and opportunities in sports and political betting markets. From historical context to modern intricacies, we uncover a relationship worth betting on. Brief Overview of the First Betting Markets  Before we can dissect how politics influence betting markets, we’ll walk you through some of the very first bets ever placed, and how betting grew throughout the ages. From laying bets on papal elections in the cobblestone streets of 16th-century Rome to 19th-century Wall Street traders wagering on presidential contests, betting markets have a rich and varied history. These early incarnations were not just whims of the crowd; they were, in many cases, the precursors to the sophisticated markets we see today. By the 20th century, the theoretical framework provided by economists like Friedrich Hayek and Ludwig von Mises added intellectual heft to prediction markets. This paved the way for the Iowa Electronic Markets in 1988, transforming these markets from clandestine activities to subjects of academic study.  Decentralized platforms like Augur have ushered in the latest chapter, expanding access through blockchain technology. Intriguingly, betting on papal elections was already described as "an old custom" as far back as 1503, underscoring the deep historical roots of prediction markets. Now that we have a better understanding of how and where it all started, let’s take a closer look at the relationship between politics and betting markets, after which we’ll discuss the main factors that influence betting markets.How Politics Shape the Betting World In a world where political climates can change as rapidly as the weather, betting markets are uniquely influenced. From sports arenas to campaign trails, the impact of political events is far-reaching, altering odds and outcomes on betting platforms across the spectrum. Here's how political events cast their long shadows on both sports and political betting: The Intersection of Politics and Sports Betting Political events often have unexpected ripple effects in the world of sports betting. Be it new regulations or international politics, these events can dramatically alter the landscape. Regulatory shifts: Government decisions to regulate or deregulate sports betting can open or close entire markets, affecting the kind of bets you can place and who can place them. International politics: Let's say the diplomatic relations between two countries sour just before a major international sports event like the Olympics or the FIFA World Cup. This political shift could impact team morale, public perception, and ultimately, the odds themselves. Platforms for Political Betting When it comes to casting your predictive net over the sea of political outcomes, certain platforms have become household names. For instance, PredictIt and the now-defunct Intrade offer(ed) robust markets for political wagering. PredictIt: A hub for policy wonks and political enthusiasts, PredictIt allows you to buy and sell shares based on the likelihood of political events, from election outcomes to legislative actions. Intrade: While it shut down in 2013, Intrade was a trailblazer in this space, particularly famous for its engagement during the 2008 and 2012 US Presidential Elections. Political Events and Their Impact on Political Betting Odds In the realm of political betting, stakes are high and odds are ever-changing, often swayed by the latest headlines and happenings. Election announcements: The moment a high-profile candidate announces their run, odds for that election can swing dramatically. Political scandals: Scandals or unexpected news can plummet a frontrunner’s odds in a heartbeat, while boosting the underdogs. By understanding how political events mold the betting landscape, you not only become a more informed citizen but also a potentially more successful bettor.  Betting Markets and the Factors That Shape Them In the ecosystem of betting markets, several elements come into play that can make or break the odds. No, we're not talking about just intuition or gut feeling here. Market dynamics are influenced by a blend of sentiment, regulations, economic principles, information imbalances, tech advancements, and even cultural beliefs. Here's how: Sentiment: The collective mood can shift rapidly, influenced by anything from breaking news to social media buzz. Regulatory changes: Laws can be game-changers. Legalizing sports betting in a state, for instance, will likely cause a ripple effect across the market. Supply and demand: Basic economic principles apply here too. A flood of bets on one outcome can skew the odds, luring latecomers to the opposite bet. Information asymmetry: Those in the know can shift the odds, especially in sectors like horse racing where insider info is invaluable. Technology: Big data and machine learning are refining predictions, offering insights that can tip the scales in favor of certain outcomes. Social and cultural influences: Never underestimate the power of collective psychology or cultural superstitions—like betting on "lucky" numbers or favored horse names. The Bottom Line on How Politics Alter the Betting Field From legislation changes that make or break markets to international politics that can rattle the odds on the sports field, the political arena is a powerhouse of influence. Platforms like PredictIt have even turned political outcomes into a market of their own, embodying the very essence of how deeply interlinked politics and betting can be. So, when someone says politics and betting are worlds apart, you can confidently argue otherwise. In a sense, they're more like distant cousins, influencing each other in ways both overt and subtle. Intrigued to see where they go next? Well, that might just be a good subject for a future bet.

Without a doubt, the best goalscorer in the World Cup history is Miroslav Klose. However, in this post, I'll focus on the best goalscorers participating in the 2022 World Cup. So, when I say World Cup top scorers, I don’t mean overall in the history of just the World Cup, but in general. I’ll write about the players that are most likely to be among the best FIFA World Cup players this year. World Cup Overview FIFA World Cup is the most important sporting competition in the world, along with the Olympics. It happens once every four years, which adds to its excitement and importance. The 2022 World Cup in Qatar will be the last time 32 teams will participate. This format started in 1998, and FIFA expanded it to 48 teams for the 2026 World Cup in North America. Also, the Qatar World Cup will be the first tournament held during the winter months. That also means that, for the vast majority of players, the World Cup will be played in the middle of the club season. So, we’ll see the effects of this change for the first time. World Cup Schedule: November 21: Opening Ceremony, Group A Opener (Qatar) December 2: Final Group Games December 3-6: Round of 16 December 9-10: Quarterfinals December 13-14: Semifinals December 17: Third-Place Match December 18: Final Brazil leads all nations with five World Cup titles, and right behind them are Germany and Italy with four, but only Germany will have a chance in Qatar to tie for first place. The winner of the first World Cup, Uruguay, shares 3rd place with France and Argentina, each having won two times. Lastly, England and Spain each won once. The best goalscorer in the history of the World Cup is Miroslav Klose, with 16 goals, and he participated four times. However, when we speak about the best goalscorer in a single tournament, that title goes to Just Fontaine, who scored 13 goals for France in 1958. Who Is the Top World Cup Scorer? Germany’s Miroslav Klose participated in four World Cups between 2002 and 2014, scoring 16 goals in total. He debuted in Japan and South Korea when he scored five goals en route to the final game, where Germany lost to Brazil, led by the leading scorer of that tournament, Ronaldo, who scored eight goals. In 2006, he again scored five whilst playing on the home field, and Germany finished in 3rd place. In South Africa in 2010, Klose and his team again finished 3rd, and one of the best World Cup soccer players scored four goals this time. In his final appearance in 2014 in Brazil, Germany finally won their 4th title. The veteran striker contributed with two goals, his last being in a legendary semifinal game against Brazil that Germany won 7-1. Who Is the Oldest Goalscorer in a World Cup? Roge Milla is the World Cup’s oldest goalscorer at 42 years and 39 days. He set a new record when he scored against Russia in the 1994 World Cup, breaking his own record set in 1990. Also, in 1994, Milla was the oldest player to play in the tournament until Colombian goalkeeper Faryd Mondragon broke that record in 2014 (later broken again by Essam El Hadary). Milla is one of the Cameroon legends, having scored 43 goals in 77 matches for the national team. Who Is the Youngest Goalscorer in a World Cup? The youngest goalscorer was also one of the best players in the history of the sport – the legendary Pele. In 1958 in Sweden, Pele scored six goals in four games, the first being at the age of 17 and 239 days. The legend helped Brazil win three of their five World Cups in 1958, 1962, and 1970. To this day, he is Brazil’s all-time leading goalscorer, with 77 goals in 92 games. Pele broke the record set at the first World Cup in 1930 when Manuel Rosas scored for Mexico at the age of 18 years and 93 days. He is also among the World Cup's top scorers, with 12 goals in 14 matches. Possible World Cup Top Scorers (2022) Player National Team Club Goals Assists 1. Cristiano Ronaldo Portugal Manchester Utd 117 42 2. Lionel Messi Argentina PSG 86 51 3. Robert Lewandowski Poland Barcelona 76 28 4. Thomas Müller Germany Bayern Munich 44 40 5. Kylian Mbappé France PSG 27 21 Cristiano Ronaldo Number 1 on the all-time list is the Portuguese menace, Cristiano Ronaldo. For his national team, Ronaldo played a record 189 times and scored 117 goals>/strong>, and he is the second player to surpass 100 goals, after Iranian Ali Daei. In the past, Ronaldo competed at four World Cups, and after 4th place in 2006, he didn’t reach the quarterfinals stage. Like his biggest rival, Lionel Messi, the Qatar World Cup is likely his last chance to win the most crucial football tournament and bring the first World Cup trophy to Portugal. He currently holds the 30th position with seven goals in 17 matches, but if he repeats his success from Russia, when he scored four goals, he can climb to 6th position and achieve a tie with World Cup legends Sándor Kocsis and Jürgen Klinsmann. Lionel Messi Lionel Messi won the Golden Ball in 2014, which is the award for the best player in the World Cup. He will probably have his last chance in Qatar to bring new glory to Argentina and match the success of his idol Diego Armando Maradona. So far, Messi has scored six World Cup goals in 19 matches. With his first one, against Serbia and Montenegro in 2006, Messi became the 6th youngest World Cup goal scorer, one week before his 19th birthday. With 86 goals in 162 matches, Messi is the all-time leader of the Argentine national team in both goals and caps, with 30 goals more than second-placed Gabriel Omar Batistuta and 15 more matches than his long-time teammate Javier Mascherano. His 86 goals put him in 4th place among international goal scorers overall. Robert Lewandowski Interestingly, Lewandowski never scored a World Cup final goal because Poland qualified only once during Lewandowski’s impressive run in the last 12 years with his German football club. Since moving to Germany in 2010, Lewandowski has scored 103 goals in four seasons for Borussia Dortmund and 344 goals in 375 matches for Bayern Munich during the last eight seasons. Even in the World Cup qualifiers, the captain of the Polish national team has an impressive record of 30 goals in 37 matches. Lewandowski just turned 34, but he's got a new challenge since moving to Barcelona, where he's already scored two goals in two games. Like Messi and Ronaldo, Lewandowski has a final chance to add a World Cup success to his resume. Thomas Müller Another player who can surpass some legends and reach the top of the goal scorers list is Germany’s silent killer, Thomas Müller, who is somewhat surprisingly among the World Cup's top scorers in history. The Bayern Munich legend has already played at three World Cups, and in Russia, in 2018, he didn’t score. However, he found the net five times each in 2010 and 2014, when he helped Germany win its fourth World Cup. After the group stage exit in 2018 and the Round of 16 exit at Euro 2020, Germany made massive changes, and Hansi Flick replaced Joachim L?w as the national team coach. Flick introduced a new generation starring: Kai Havertz Serge Gnabry Jamal Musiala Florian Wirtz However, Müller remained on the team to lead them on and off the field. In Qatar, he will get a chance to add to his tally of 10 goals as a member of Die Mannschaft’s strong attacking formation. Kylian Mbappé On the way towards the second World Cup trophy for France, Mbappé scored four goals, including two in an epic quarterfinal game against Argentina, and one in the World Cup final game against Croatia, for a score of 4-1, which put the game out of reach for the Croatian national team. Mbappé also made it to the youngest scorers list, sitting in 12th place of all time. PSG players have already scored 27 goals for Les Bleus in 57 matches. Mbappé will be 24 years old two days after the 2022 World Cup ends, so he has a chance to catch record holder Miroslav Klose during this one and the next two or three World Cups. Even though he was among the World Cup's top players in 2018, he wasn’t considered for the main individual award, but that could change this year, and he’ll have an opportunity to become one of the Golden Ball winners. Player National Team Club Goals Assists 6. Neymar Brazil PSG 74 53 7. Luis Suarez Uruguay Nacional 68 37 8. Romelu Lukaku Belgium Internazionale 68 15 9. Harry Kane England Tottenham 50 14 10. Karim Benzema France Real Madrid 37 20 Neymar Most probably, there isn’t a more controversial player in football in the last decade than Neymar. His apparent diving and strange absences are constantly annoying football fans. None of them, however, can deny his offensive output. A 30-year-old PSG player debuted for the Sele??o at the age of 18, and with his teammate Dani Alves he is chasing the two most capped Brazil players ever, fullbacks Cafu and Roberto Carlos. Neymar is currently 4th with 119 games but is second in goals with 74, just three less than football and World Cup legend Pele. Counting only World Cup appearances, Neymar scored six goals in 10 games in Brazil in 2014 and Russia in 2018. He has a new opportunity in Qatar to add to his score and help Brazil win their sixth title, the first since 2002. Luis Suarez Uruguay’s best player in the last decade participated in three World Cups and scored seven goals in total. However, his most memorable World Cup moment is an intentional handball that got him a red card but saved the net. After a penalty kick that Asamoah Gyan of Ghana missed, Uruguay managed to pass through to the semifinals of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Suarez and his counterpart in the Uruguay attack, Edinson Cavani, got reinforcement in the form of new Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez. This trio, together with a strong core in the midfield, have a new chance to reach beyond the semifinals, something they've done three times since their second title in 1950. Suarez’s record on the national team is outstanding, he is currently: 4th in caps 1st in goals Scored 68 times in 132 matches Romelu Lukaku Romelu Lukaku played his first match for the Belgium national team two months before his 17th birthday, and he surpassed 100 caps for the Red Devils before turning 30. He played in two World Cups, scoring five goals in ten matches. With players like Kevin De Bruyne, the Hazard brothers, and their new hope in Charles De Ketelaere, Lukaku is looking to add to his all-time leading 68 goals in 102 matches for Belgium. If he remains in form, Belgium could take another step forward and reach the World Cup final. Harry Kane Kane had an outstanding first campaign and was among the best soccer players in the World Cup four years ago. With six goals in six games, he propelled England’s team all the way to the semifinals, where they fell short despite an early lead. However, the team came even closer to a trophy on a subsequent Euro 2020, where they lost in the final game in a penalty shootout. Harry Kane’s track record with the national team is on a record-breaking pace. He is second in goals behind Wayne Rooney, but it's only a matter of time before he becomes an all-time leader, positioned in front of such legends as Charlton and Lineker. The national team’s captain scored 50 goals in 73 games after his late debut in 2015. Karim Benzema Karim Benzema’s return to the French national team gave their fans hope that they could repeat the success between 1998 and 2000 when France won both the World Cup and the Euro. However, Les Bleus fell short, exiting in the Round of 16. Nevertheless, the team looks prepared for the World Cup title defense, and bringing back Benzema after a series of controversies will help. Before being left out of the 2018 team, Benzema was on the 2010 team but didn’t appear on the field. In 2014, he scored three goals in five matches, but France got knocked out by champions — Germany. They have kept the core team and added more young talent to help Benzema add to his record of 37 goals in 97 games in his quest to surpass the French legend Michel Platini and move closer to Thierry Henry. Player National Team Club Goals Assists 11. Edinson Cavani Uruguay / 58 17 12. Aleksandar Mitrovi? Serbia Fulham 46 5 13. Gareth Bale Wales Los Angeles FC 40 22 14. Sadio Mane Senegal Bayern Munich 33 20 15. Ivan Peri?i? Croatia Tottenham 32 25 Edinson Cavani Another veteran who has already had World Cup success is the Uruguayan striker, Edinson Cavani, a member of a 2010 squad that finished in 4th place and both the 2014 and 2018 teams. In total, he played in 14 World Cup games and scored five goals. Adding just one more goal would propel him over some legendary players who scored five goals. Cavani has had success with the 2-time World Cup winners, capturing the Copa America in 2011 and his clubs, where he won 7 national titles. Cavani is the second of all-time in matches for Uruguay, behind his captain, Diego Godin. The forward appeared 133 times and scored 58 goals. This is the last trip to the World Cup for Uruguayan veterans and their final chance to improve on the successful 2010 campaign. Aleksandar Mitrovi? Former Newcastle United player, Mitrovi? became Serbia’s all-time top scorer at the age of 26. Mitrovi? was in top form last season for his team, Fulham FC, which again achieved promotion to the Premier League. Still, it was his goal against Portugal in the final minute of the game in the last qualifying match that highlighted his season. Partnered with Ajax’s Du?an Tadi? and new Juventus player Du?an Vlahovi?, Mitrovi? will try to score again in the World Cup, where he has one goal in three matches during Russia's campaign, and add more goals to his record-holding 46 in 74 matches. Gareth Bale Bale is another player with an outstanding international career to go along with his trophied club career. The Welsh captain won the Champions League with Real Madrid five times and had success with Wales in 2016 when they finished 3rd in the European Championships. Moreover, he helped the team reach the tournament finals for the second time in the national team’s World Cup history. During his international career that started in 2006, Bale played for Wales 106 times (2nd behind teammate Chris Gunter), and he is the highest scorer by a wide margin with 40 goals, 12 more than 2nd placed Ian Rush. Sadio Mane The biggest star of the Senegal national team is waiting for the World Cup in great spirit. He moved to Bayern Munich over the summer after leading Senegal to an Africa Cup of Nations trophy early in the year. Mane won every major trophy while at Liverpool, so the World Cup success would put him in consideration for the best African player of the 21st century. For the first time, Mane led Senegal’s team to two consecutive qualifications for the World Cup competition. However, his one goal in Russia didn’t help them advance past the group stages despite winning four points. With the help of teammates, captain Kalidou Koulibaly (Chelsea) and Idrissa Gueye (PSG), he will look to both surpass Senegal’s highest achievement (Quarterfinals in 2002) and become the first African country to reach the semifinals. Gueye and Mane are second and third in appearances, respectively, and Mane is already the team’s all-time top scorer with 33 goals in 91 games. Ivan Peri?i? One of the crucial members of Croatia’s 2018 World Cup team, Peri?i? has been a staple for the team since his debut in 2011. The new Tottenham Hotspur winger is a part of the Croatian core along with captain Luka Modri?, Mateo Kova?i?, and Ante Rebi?, who continued with strong performances even after the retirements of Mario Mand?uki? and Ivan Rakiti?. Peri?i?’s overall national team goal-scoring record in 113 games isn’t eye-popping, which is understandable considering his position. However, among his 32 goals and 25 assists, he scored five goals and added three assists in two World Cup tournaments, including one of each in both the 2018 semifinal win and final loss. Currently, he is 4th in appearances and 3rd in goals for the Croatian national team, looking to add to his tally in possibly his last World Cup in Qatar.

From Vegas to Macau, these games are the heart and soul of any gaming establishment, renowned not just for their excitement but also for their favorable odds. Read on to explore the top casino games that have captivated players around the world. A Breakdown of Fan Favorite Games Around the World Every nation has its own unique relationship with casino games, influenced by culture, history, and even legislation. We invite you on a globe-trotting journey to discover the favorite casino games of players from different corners of the world. United States Even though American players adore games like slots and poker, blackjack's appeal in the US goes beyond the simple excitement of gambling, and the numbers prove it. According to the Nevada Gaming Control Board, blackjack accounted for $1.29 billion in table games in Nevada alone in 2022, out of a total of $4.80 billion, more than any other casino table game.  Aside from providing the ideal combination of strategy and luck, one of the reasons blackjack is so popular in the States is the low house edge of around 0.5% to 2%, which is among the best on the casino floor. Mastering basic strategy can even lower the house edge further. United Kingdom Sports betting might be the talk of the town in the UK, especially when iconic events like the Royal Ascot or the Premiere League come around. But what do Brits enjoy playing when logging onto online casinos?  Research done by Xace states that online casino games raked in ￡4 billion in GGY in 2022, up from ￡3.2 billion the previous year. While slots took the lion's share at 73%, roulette carved out a significant 13% slice. This data highlights that, alongside the ever-popular slots, roulette is the go-to table game for UK online punters.  Roulette Top Tip - European vs. American Roulette Though it may look similar to its European counterpart, American Roulette adds an extra zero to the wheel, bumping the house edge up to 5.3%. If you have a choice, always opt for the European version, which has a more forgiving 2.7% house edge. Australia Pokies! That’s right, slots win hands down when looking at popular casino games cherished by players down under. Astonishingly, 20% of all slot machines globally are found in Australia, thanks largely to unique laws that allow these machines to populate not just casinos, but also local pubs and sporting clubs. But that is not the only online gambling raking in revenue in Australia. Hot on the heels of online slots, Australian gamblers also dabble in sports betting, particularly horse racing, Aussie rules, cricket, and tennis, as well as the national lottery.  Slots Top Tip Slots have a less-than-ideal house edge, which often starts around 4.10%. Sure, they come with bells, whistles, and the occasional jackpot, but tread carefully when wagering big, especially when it comes to 5-cent slots. With a house edge starting at around 11%, the odds are not really on your side. For those looking to test the waters before investing real money, free casino games, specifically slots, are great for practice rounds. Canada Poker, and more specifically Texas Hold ‘Em and video poker, are Canadians’ top choice when they spend some time at online casinos. And why shouldn’t it be? As one of the most polite nations of the world, surely Canadians would be able to pull off poker faces like champs!  In 2011, about 2.3 million Canadians found themselves shuffling cards and going all-in at poker tables at least once a month just for fun. By 2022, that crowd had grown to 3.1 million, indicating a rising national fascination with the game. When it comes to sports, Canadians enjoy betting on NHL, UFC, NBA, boxing, and curling. Poker Top Tip If you're a fan of Texas Hold'em but crave a more solitary gaming session, consider giving video poker a shot. This unique blend combines the strategic thinking required in Texas Hold'em with the quick, straightforward gameplay of slots. With a house edge that can range from as low as 0.5% to as high as 5%, video poker sure is an appealing alternative. India In India, casino games are more than just pastimes—they're woven into the cultural fabric. While international favorites like slots and poker hold sway, it's the homegrown games like Teen Patti, Rummy, and Jhandi Munda that really resonate.  Sports betting, particularly on cricket, is another major player in India's gambling ecosystem. With a population of 1.3 billion, 80% of whom gamble at least once a year, the market is ripe for expansion. Add to this a mobile user base of 700 million, and you've got a colossal audience that's just a click away from their next bet or hand. Philippines While poker and baccarat have their loyalists, and slots are evergreen, it's Mahjong that holds a special place in Filipino hearts. This tile-based game goes beyond gambling—it's a social ritual, a mental exercise, and a cultural staple rolled into one. Not to be overlooked, sports betting thrives, especially wagers on the more culturally specific, albeit controversial, cockfighting. The Filipino gambling scene isn't just surviving—it's thriving, thanks to an unprecedented 66.16% increase in revenue to P58.96 billion in 2022. This financial windfall, according to PAGCOR, is a sign of a resilient and growing industry. Wrapping Up Global Trends in Casino Games    It's not just the top casino games themselves but also the cultural tapestry they're woven into that makes the world of gambling so fascinating. As we've seen, countries around the globe have their unique relationships with gambling, reflecting diverse traditions, laws, and levels of engagement.So the next time you place your bet, whether it's at a high-end casino in Monaco or a top online casino, remember: you're participating in a global phenomenon that has captivated many generations.

Currently, you can insure anything, including your car, boat, home, and even your life. If you choose, you can also get insurance for a blackjack game at a casino. Things are a little different when it comes to the latter insurance. Many individuals dispute the idea of insuring bets, yet few can deny the importance of insuring assets. The more time you spend around gamblers, the more you realize that insurance is unquestionably a contentious topic in blackjack. That implies it's time to dig deeper and find out what is insurance in blackjack. What Is Insurance in Blackjack? During a blackjack game, players can buy blackjack insurance if the dealer's up-card is an ace. The insurance bet is, in fact, a side bet. The insurance bet is typically offered at a payout of 2:1 if the dealer's second card is a 10-value or picture card, resulting in a blackjack. In other words, if the dealer has a blackjack, the player will receive twice the original insurance bet. If the dealer doesn't have a blackjack, the insurance will be lost, and the game will continue as normal. Opinions on blackjack insurance are divided in the gambling community, as many experienced gamblers believe that it's better to rely on a solid blackjack strategy. It's mostly because blackjack insurance odds aren't usually in the player's favor. Let's go into detail below to learn more about blackjack insurance. How Does Blackjack Insurance Work? The purpose of the insurance bet is to protect the player in case the dealer has a blackjack. Here's how blackjack insurance works: When the dealer's face-up card is an ace, the dealer will offer the players the option to take insurance before they continue playing their hands. To buy insurance, the player must place a bet on the insurance line that is located on the blackjack table. The insurance bet can be up to half the player's original bet. If the dealer has a blackjack (a hand totaling 21 with only two cards), the player who placed an insurance bet will win 2:1 payout, which means the player will receive twice the amount of their original insurance bet. If the dealer doesn't have a blackjack, the player loses the insurance bet, but the game will continue. The player can still win or lose their original bet based on the outcome of the game. Advantages and Disadvantages of Insurance Betting Before you make a decision, it's important to consider the advantages and disadvantages of blackjack insurance. Let's take a closer look. Advantages of blackjack insurance: Protects against dealer's blackjack. The main advantage of blackjack insurance is that it protects the player's original bet if the dealer has a blackjack. Additional payout. If the dealer doesn't have a blackjack and the player has insurance, the player will receive a double amount of their insurance bet, offsetting the loss of their original bet. Disadvantages of blackjack insurance: Negative expected value. The odds of the dealer having a blackjack are less than the odds of the dealer not having a blackjack, so taking out insurance on every hand will result in a net loss over time. Higher house edge. By offering insurance, the casino increases its overall edge, meaning that players who take insurance are effectively giving the casino more of an advantage. Distraction from basic strategy. Many experienced blackjack players consider insurance to be a distraction from the strategy. If players focus on their own hand based on the basic strategy, they have more chance of winning over time. When to Take Insurance in Blackjack Let's say that your strategy is to get blackjack insurance. In that case, knowing the best circumstances for that strategy to pay off is vital. For instance, if you know how to count cards and have a high count, you may have a better chance of determining if the dealer has a blackjack. Insurance is a good idea if you think the odds are in your favor. Furthermore, if you play high-stakes blackjack and bet a large sum of money, you may want to buy insurance to protect your investment. Finally, if you play in blackjack tournaments, you may have to take risks to increase your chip stack and advance to the next round. Taking insurance in specific scenarios may be a calculated risk you're willing to take. What Are the Odds for Insurance Bets? The probabilities of winning an insurance bet in blackjack are determined by the number of decks used and the specific rules of the game being played. When the dealer's up-card is an ace, the dealer's odds of having a blackjack are around 9:4, or approximately 31%. This means that around 4 times out of every 13 times the dealer displays an ace, they will have a blackjack. The reward for an insurance bet, on the other hand, is normally 2:1, which means that if the player bets $10 on insurance and the dealer has a blackjack, the player will receive a $20 payout. The expected value of the insurance bet can be determined by multiplying the likelihood of the dealer having blackjack by the insurance bet payoff. In this situation, the anticipated value of an insurance bet would be negative, implying that the player would lose money over time on this form of wager. For example, if only one deck of cards is utilized, the dealer's probability of having blackjack is 4.83%. If the insurance payment is 2:1, the expected value of the insurance bet is -8.75%. This indicates that the gambler will lose 8.75 cents for every dollar wagered on insurance. Conclusion: Is Blackjack Insurance Worthwhile? There's no doubt that casino gambling can be profitable in a single night. However, if you want to find out what is profitable and what isn't, it will take time and effort to figure it out. Therefore, it's also important to keep in mind that blackjack insurance will cost you money in the long run. The dealer must either have a 10 or a picture card in their hand for you to win your insurance bet. A single deck contains 16 of those, so there's only about a 30% chance of hitting one. If you do, you get a 2:1 return, so your 30% shot doesn't seem so bad. However, it still means you'll lose this type of bet most of the time. Therefore, in most cases, buying insurance is not worthwhile if you want to maximize your chances of winning. Instead, you should focus on basic blackjack strategy and making strategic decisions based on your own hand and the dealer's up-card. FAQ Is insurance a good bet in blackjack? Taking insurance at a blackjack table is almost always a bad idea. It is preferable to stick to a simple blackjack approach. What's the point of taking blackjack insurance? Although purchasing insurance at a casino appears to be a good idea, there is more to it. Casinos have a bigger house edge in this scenario, making it a poor decision for most players. In blackjack, how much may you wager on insurance? The amount you can bet on insurance in blackjack is usually limited to half of your original bet. What role does insurance play in blackjack? Insurance is a side wager in blackjack that a player can make when the dealer's face-up card is an ace. Taking insurance protects the player's original bet in the event that the dealer has a blackjack. If you want to know more, see our article "What is insurance in blackjack?" above.