Question: Taking nsurance While Counting Cards

I'm having fun playing blackjack with a simple K-O strategy these days. Some times it works, some times it doesn't, but I play for fun, so I don't care too much how well it works. I just get a kick out of it when the count gets high and I bet big.

Here's my question:

Let's say the strategy calls for taking insurance when the count is +3. I'm playing head-to-head with the dealer. The count is +3 and I bet bigger. I get a blackjack and the dealer is showing an ace. Do I take even money? I wouldn't because with the latest information the count is 0 (my two high cards and the dealer's ace). Is this correct?

In other words, when taking insurance while card counting, does it depend on the running count at the beginning of the hand or the running count when the insurance is offered (counting my cards and the dealer's card)?

I'm sure it's the latter, but wanted to know for sure.

Thanks!

ps. I apologize for mispelling insurance on the thread title. I can't change it.

in KO, insurance running count value is +3.
ergo, if your running count is <+3 do not take it.
in the case you mentioned, you would be correct to stand.

Just for curiosity, how about this scenario?

The count is +3, the hand is dealt and the dealer shows an Ace and I have a 8 and a 9. Do I stand (because the count is now +2) or take the even money (because although the count is +2, there are still the same number of 10s in the deck as when the hand was dealt)?

I'll take even money on a 17 anytime. I think it should be rephrased.

My bad:

How aboutThe count is +3, the hand is dealt and the dealer shows an Ace and I have a 8 and a 9. Do I not take the insurnace (because the count is now +2) or take the insurance (because although the count is +2, there are still the same number of 10s in the deck as when the hand was dealt)?

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you are answering your own question.
the KO index for insurance is +3.
you just said...what if the count is +2...
STAND on count +2, insure on +3 and up

This just happened two days ago. I was playing six deck. Running count was around 20, But I had a 16. I took insurance. You can guess what the outcome was. Should I have sacrificed my hand to keep cover or do something that is so obviously card counting.

Whenever I take insurance like this, I think people are thinking card counter.

a lot of people take insurance intermittently,
i have never had much of a problem from it.
believe it or not, insurance is over 25% of the added value from counting,
too valuable to give up.
there are other moves you should be more concerned about.

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Quote: WongBo

a lot of people take insurance intermittently,
i have never had much of a problem from it.
believe it or not, insurance is over 25% of the added value from counting,
too valuable to give up.
there are other moves you should be more concerned about.

Stanford Wong puts it at about 30%. Most people underestimate it as they forget that you will usually have a larger than average bet out already, if the count is positive enough to take insurance.