BLACKJACK SURRENDER: RULES AND STRATEGIES YOU NEED TO KNOW

Many casino operators — be it online casinos or land-based casinos — make it a point to offer some blackjack games where the Surrender option is available.

To that end, it would be a good idea to gear up with some knowledge about the Surrender rule, thanks to this HotSlots post!

What is Blackjack Surrender?

The blackjack Surrender rule isn’t a complicated one.

Once your first two cards are dealt, the Surrender option allows you to forfeit your hand at the cost of half your bet.

This is great when you don’t like your odds against the dealer’s hand and don’t fancy your chances to stand or hit.

Blackjack Surrender Rules

The basic rules regarding the Surrender in blackjack are the following:

1. Surrender is typically only available on the first two cards dealt to the player.
2. The Surrender option is not available if the dealer has an ace as their up-card and when the dealer checks for blackjack.
3. If a player chooses to Surrender, they must announce their decision and cannot take any other action (hit or stand).
4. After surrendering, the player’s hand will be removed and half their initial bet will be lost.
5. Once a hand is surrendered, the player cannot win or lose any money beyond the forfeited amount.
6. If a hand is split, the table rules apply. Some tables allow players to Surrender each split hand independently.

Early Surrender vs Late Surrender: What’s the Difference?

Early Surrender rule and Late Surrender are almost identical, except for one major difference: the time when surrendering is done.

Early Surrender allows you to surrender before the dealer checks for blackjack. Late Surrender allows you to surrender after the dealer checks for blackjack. Simple!

Early Surrender is considered a more favourable rule as it allows players to surrender their hand and minimise their losses in situations where the dealer is likely to have a strong hand, such as when the dealer’s up card is an ace or a ten-value card.

On the other hand, Late Surrender can be a good option for players, as it allows them to give up a weak hand when the dealer has a strong up-card; this would save half their original wager.

No matter which option you choose, half your bet will be forfeited when surrendering.

Early Surrender Rules

Here are the rules regarding the Early Surrender option:

1. Early Surrender is only available on the first cards dealt to the player before any additional cards are drawn.
2. The player may surrender at any time before the dealer checks their hole card for blackjack.
3. When the player chooses to surrender, they will forfeit a portion of their original bet and their hand will be removed from play.
4. If the dealer has an ace as their up-card, they will peek for blackjack before the player’s turn. If the dealer has blackjack, the player cannot surrender.

Late Surrender Rules

Here are the rules regarding the Late Surrender option:

1. Late Surrender is only available on the first cards dealt to the player, before the player has taken any other action, such as hitting or doubling down.
2. The player may surrender their hand after the dealer checks for blackjack, but before the dealer starts to play their hand.
3. If the dealer has an ace as their up card, they will check for blackjack before offering the player the surrender option.
4. If the dealer does not have blackjack, the player can choose to surrender their hand and forfeit half of their original bet.
5. Late Surrender is not available if the player has already taken any additional actions beyond the first two cards dealt, such as hitting or doubling down.

Blackjack Surrender Strategy: When to Surrender in Blackjack?

As always, nailing down a basic strategy is vital before even deciding to play blackjack.

In this case, we aren’t chasing winning odds but we’re looking to minimise losses (and, by extension, the house edge).

First off, blackjack players should choose to surrender when the player’s hand has a total value of 15 or 16, confronted with the dealer’s ace.

In this situation, the dealer has a good chance of making a strong hand, whereas the player’s hand is weak.

For the same reason, surrendering should also be done when the dealer’s face-up card is a picture card or ten-value card and the player’s total is 14, 15 or 16.

Also, you should surrender if you have a hard 16 against the dealer’s nine, 10 or ace up-card. In this case, the dealer has a clear advantage, no matter if you hit or stand.

Finally, a pair of eights should be surrendered against the dealer’s ace if the house rules don’t allow splitting. This is because the dealer will have an advantage against a hard 16.

Pros and Cons of Surrender in Blackjack

As does everything in life, blackjack Surrender has its own pros and cons. Here’s a quick rundown of the advantages and disadvantages of the Surrender in blackjack.

Advantages

• Works well for minimising losses – Surrendering can help players minimise their losses (and slightly lessen the house edge) in situations where the odds are heavily against them — whether it is due to bad hands or a good up-card for the dealer.
• Gives flexibility – Having the option to surrender can give players more flexibility in their strategy, allowing them to make more informed decisions about when to stay in a hand and when to cut their losses.
• Helps winning rate: By surrendering in unfavourable situations, players can improve their overall win rate and potentially extend their playing time.

Disadvantages

• Lose half the initial bet – Surrendering means forfeiting half of the original wager, which can add up over time and result in significant losses if used too frequently.
• Has to be used well – Knowing when to surrender requires good judgment and an understanding of basic strategy. Using this option too frequently or in the wrong situations can lead to too many losses.
• Not always possible – Some table rules might not allow players to surrender, so keep in mind that this action might not always be possible.

Does the number of decks affect the Blackjack Surrender?

Yes, the number of decks does affect the effectiveness of the Surrender in blackjack. Let’s have a look at how many decks affect blackjack Surrender play.

The Surrender option is the most effective in single-deck blackjack, since each card that is dealt has a greater impact on the remaining cards in the deck.

In multi-deck blackjack (when two decks or more are used), the impact of removing specific cards is lessened due to the higher number of decks being used.

This means that even after a surrender, the remaining cards in the deck may not necessarily be more favourable for the player.

As a result, surrender may not be as effective of a strategy in multi-deck games compared to single-deck games.

Top Tips for Playing Blackjack Surrender Like a Pro

If you’re curious how a pro handles the blackjack surrender, here’s a sneak peek.

This is how to best take advantage of this rule, whenever it is available.

• Nail down strategy – Before you even begin to play blackjack seriously, consult a blackjack strategy guide to help you know when to stay in a hand.
• Opt for favourable rules – Playing blackjack games with favourable rules will help your overall winning odds.
• Know when to surrender – The only time you should surrender is when the odds are heavily against you. Don’t use this option too frequently.
• Stick to a budget – Using bankroll management will help you avoid losing too much money. Don’t play blackjack without a gambling budget.

Maximising Your Winnings with Blackjack Surrender

In summation, getting the most out of a Surrender in blackjack is a matter of using the option at opportune moments.

Doing so will lower the house edge and save you money, so do not hesitate to find casinos like HotSlots that offer several tables where a Surrender is possible!