Part I: Games & Gaming · Card Games — Baccarat & Blackjack

Even Money

Blackjack

An option offered when a player has blackjack and the dealer’s upcard is an Ace. The player may elect to take an immediate 1:1 payout rather than risk a push if the dealer also has blackjack. Even money is mathematically equivalent to taking insurance and is generally considered a poor play, costing the player approximately 4% in expected value.

In practice

Dealers often pitch “even money” as a guaranteed win. Surveillance should note that players who consistently take even money may be risk-averse recreational players rather than advantage players.

One entry from the Casino Industry Glossary — 1,157 terms written for surveillance, compliance and operations professionals rather than for players. Definitions describe industry usage; where a term carries a regulatory meaning, verify against the instrument that governs your jurisdiction.