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Blackjack Surrender Rules & Strategy

blackjack surrender strategy

Blackjack Surrender is one of the most popular plays among blackjack players who want to maximize their winnings. It allows you to cut your losses and reduce the house edge if the odds are against you in a given hand.

The goal is to make sure that you don’t lose more money than necessary when the cards aren’t in your favor.

In this guide, I will explain the rules of blackjack surrender, the two different ways it can work (Early or Late), and the blackjack surrender strategy you should use to get the best results.

What is Blackjack Surrender?

With blackjack surrender, you can forfeit at the beginning of a hand if you feel that the odds are not in your favor. You will receive half of your wager back immediately, and take no further part in the hand.

This play is not allowed at every casino, but if it is available, it can be a great way to minimize your losses and protect your bankroll.

The point at which you can exercise this option varies depending on whether the casino uses early or (more commonly) late surrender.

Late Surrender

This is the more commonly used form of the surrender rule, which allows players to surrender their hand after the dealer has checked for blackjack.

If the dealer does not have a blackjack, you will get half your stake back if you choose this option.

Early Surrender

Early surrender is the less common form of the surrender rule but is more beneficial for players.

It allows you to surrender your hand in return for half your stake before the dealer checks for blackjack.

When Should You Use Surrender?

Surrender should only be used when you have a weak hand and the odds of winning are low.

The most common situation where surrender could be beneficial is when the dealer has a higher card than yours, making your odds of winning slim. In this situation, surrendering can be advantageous since it will cut your losses in half.

Late Surrender Strategy

For games with 6 decks or more (which includes the vast majority of games at real-world casinos or online blackjack apps) the best blackjack surrender strategy is to surrender when:

  • When you have a hard 16 and the dealer is showing a 9, 10, or Ace
  • When you have a hard 15 and the dealer is showing a 10 (or Ace if the dealer Hits Soft 17)
  • When you have a hard 17 and the dealer is showing an Ace, and Hits Soft 17

Early Surrender Strategy

  • When you have a hard 5-7 or hard 12-17 and the dealer is showing an Ace
  • When you have a hard 14-16 and the dealer is showing a 10

If you are new to blackjack and are not familiar with the differences between hard and soft hands, you may find these guides useful:

Conclusion

Blackjack Surrender can be a useful tool for managing your bankroll and cutting losses in unfavorable situations. Knowing when to use surrender is key; if used correctly it can reduce the house edge significantly and give you a better chance at winning in the long term.

Some gamblers may find it hard to surrender, since it is basically giving money to the casino without having a chance to win the hand. Their instincts can make them want to take greater risks and try for the win, even when it seems improbable.

If you are playing purely for the thrill of the game then surrender may not be an appropriate strategy for you at all.

However, if you are more interested in making your chips last longer and cutting the house edge as much as possible, then the above blackjack surrender strategy will be a valuable tool that you should consider adding to your game.

Last Updated on December 20, 2022

David Graham
Posted in Rules & How to Play, Strategy

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