Baccarat is a popular casino card game that is loved by players around the world, both in land-based casinos and online. As one of the simplest casino games with some of the best odds for players, baccarat continues to attract new players interested in trying their hand. One question that often comes up with new baccarat players is whether or not to take insurance when playing baccarat. Most experts agree that there is no good reason to ever take insurance when playing either online baccarat or live dealer baccarat in a casino.
Basics of baccarat insurance
Before examining why insurance is a bad bet at the baccarat table, it helps to understand precisely what baccarat insurance is. Baccarat has simple rules, but the insurance bet remains confusing for some first-timers. When the player and banker are dealt their initial two cards each, special rules apply on whether a third card is drawn. If the player stands on 6 or 7 points, the banker must hit 5 points or less. It creates a perceived advantage for the banker which is where the insurance bet comes into play.
If a player wishes, they place an insurance bet in case the banker goes on to win the hand. If the player has the higher score but the banker wins with a three-card hand, the insurance bet pays out at 2:1. So in effect, baccarat insurance is a side bet wagering that the banker will beat the player in the event of a three-card winning banker hand. Some live baccarat variations do not even offer the insurance bet option, but many leading live dealer software platforms include it as an optional side bet.
Baccarat insurance is never a good bet
The precisely what the insurance bet does in 에볼루션 baccarat, we analyze why it is uniformly considered an unwise play by gambling experts and long-time baccarat enthusiasts. The house edge is extremely high at over 14% – Some estimates place the actual casino advantage on baccarat insurance bets closer to 16%, making it one of the worst options on any casino game. Even the worst bets in craps offer far better odds and lower house edge for players. With such a towering built-in advantage for the casino, insurance bets are no more than donations to the house over the long run.
- It goes against proper baccarat strategy – The basic baccarat strategy recommends always betting with the banker. Although the complex drawing rules give the banker bet a built-in edge, smart gamblers know the best way to enjoy the banker’s advantage is to always wager with the banker. Taking insurance essentially bets against the recommended optimal play.
- Baccarat already has great odds without side bets – An average baccarat bettor faces just a 1.06% house edge betting on the banker, or 1.24% when backing the player. Compare this tiny casino advantage to 5% or more on most table games. Introducing additional bets with 14%+ house edges makes no sense in a game already so favorable.
