What is even money blackjack?

Even money in blackjack refers to a type of bet that can be made when the player has been dealt a natural blackjack (an ace and a 10-value card) and the dealer's face-up card is an ace. In this situation, the player has the option to take even money, which means accepting a payout of 1:1 on their blackjack instead of continuing to play and potentially winning a higher payout.

The reason this option exists is to protect the player from losing their entire bet if the dealer also has a blackjack. If the player chooses to take even money and the dealer does indeed have a blackjack, the player will receive a payout equal to their original bet, effectively breaking even on the hand.

While some players may choose to take even money as a form of insurance against a potential dealer blackjack, it is generally considered to be a less favorable option compared to risking the potential for a higher payout by letting the hand play out normally. In most cases, it is recommended to decline even money and continue playing the hand as usual.