If you’ve been checking out blackjack tips and strategies, you may have seen one repeated golden rule: Never surrender in a game of blackjack. However, while blackjack is a simple enough game, the ins and outs of systems can be complex.
So, while the idea of never surrendering in blackjack is a solid one, there are some exceptions to the rule. In fact, there are some games when you should raise the white flag of surrender. The trick is knowing when to surrender in blackjack. One of the best ways to understand is to simply play.
In this article we have you covered and will walk through the idea of surrendering in blackjack, including what it means, how it works, and if it’s ever a wise decision to surrender.
What is Surrendering in Blackjack?
As the name suggests, surrendering in blackjack is essentially the same as giving up. More specifically, it means you decide not to play your hand following the first deal. Players may choose to do this if there is a small chance of making a winning hand.
On paper there are some obvious benefits to surrendering in blackjack. For example, you get to keep half your initial wager, which is certainly better than playing a poor hand and losing everything.
Do Early Blackjack Surrenders Work?
One strategy used by some blackjack users involves surrendering early. This is a rule that is used by blackjack tables at land-based casinos and on digital games found at best online casinos. Either way, if you are wondering when to surrender in blackjack, the early surrender is a good tactic. It gives you the chance to leave a hand before the dealer checks.
Think of it this way: If the dealer has an ace or 10 and you have a poor hand, an early surrender has a return to player (RTP) rate of 0.39% (ace) or 0.24% (10). Needless to say, this makes the early surrender a worthwhile strategy to employ during your blackjack sessions.
In games that support an early surrender, you can choose to play the surrender if the dealer holds an ace and you have one of the following hands:
- Hard 5/7
- Hard 12/17
- Pair of 3s, 6s, 7s or 8s.
What about if the dealer holds a 10?
- Hard 14/16
- Pair of 7s or 8s.
It is worth noting this strategy may change depending on the type of blackjack game you are playing.
Can I Use a Late Surrender Strategy?
While the early surrender strategy is interesting, it is not common on blackjack games. Late surrender is a strategy that is far more available, and it allows you to surrender a hand after the dealer shows their hand.
Again, which blackjack game you’re playing will dictate the specifics of which hands you should surrender on. This is because some blackjack games use a different amount of card decks. However, if your hand is a 17, only surrender if the dealer holds an ace and gets a soft 17, or you’re on a single deck blackjack game and hold 10/7 in your hand.
Should You Surrender
Above are some interesting strategies that points out when to surrender in blackjack, but they don’t really answer if you should surrender in blackjack. Let’s remember the whole point of the game before we continue. Every time you play blackjack, your goal is to beat the dealer to win money.
Of course, this is achieved by landing a better hand than your dealer. That’s why your whole playing strategy should always focus on what hand the dealer has. Sometimes, you will know your hand is taking you nowhere and you will also be able to see the dealer either has the makings of a good hand (early surrender scenario) or already holds a good card (late surrender scenario).
Armed with this information, the blackjack surrender can be a powerful tool and can be included in your overall strategy. Sometimes it’s better to cut your losses and move onto the next hand.
