Blackjack Surrender

There are versions of blackjack available that provide players with the option of surrendering their cards instantly after the first deal if they think their hand is not up to snuff. The benefit of surrender in blackjack is that it enables the player to maintain 50 percent of the original sum they wagered instead of being stuck with a hand that will blow the entire bet.

What is Surrender in Blackjack?

There are two kinds of surrender in the game of blackjack: early surrender and late surrender. There are basic differences between the two that every player should be aware of before they immerse themselves into playing surrender blackjack.

Early surrender

Let's begin with early surrender blackjack. This is when a player can surrender his or her hand immediately after the cards were received and prior to the dealer reviewing their own cards to determine if they have a natural blackjack. When a player implements early surrender, he or she will forfeit 50 percent of the amount they bet.

This type of surrender is the most beneficial as a player can hand over their cards no matter what the dealer receives. Sadly enough, this type of surrender is disappearing from many online and brick and mortar casinos. The reason being is early surrender blackjack reduces the house advantage. Most casinos, however, that do still allow this type of surrender more than make up for it for a different regulation that boosts their advantage right back up there.

Late surrender

This is when a player can rid themselves of their hand for 50 percent of the original wager, but only once the dealer has reviewed his cards to see if they received natural blackjack. If the dealer did hit blackjack, then the player cannot return their cards, and they will lose all the money they have wagered.

This kind of surrender does not diminish the house advantage like early surrender, but it does still reduce it and is more beneficial to the player than engaging in a game that does not have the choice to surrender. Late surrender is a frequently applied rule in blackjack casinos both online and in brick and mortar establishments. In most land casinos players have to enquire if the late surrender selection is available because most facilities certainly do not broadcast that is an option because it does decrease their advantage.

Blackjack Surrender Rules

The following scenarios outlined below are situations when you should use each form of surrender and when you should refrain from invoking that privilege.

When you should choose early surrender

  • The dealer has an ace, and the player has a hard 5,6,7,12, 13, 14, 15, 16 or 17
  • The dealer has an ace, and the player has a pair of 3's, 6's, 7's or 8's
  • The dealer has a 10 valued card, and the player has a hard 14, 15, 16 or a pair of 7's or 8's
  • In a game where there are two decks, the dealer has a soft 17, and the player possesses a pair of deuces

When you should not use early surrender

  • When only one deck is in use, a player should never return a 10-valued card against the dealer's 4 and 10 or 5 and 9
  • When two decks are in use, a player should never give back a 10-valued card compared to the dealer's 4 and 10.

When to employ late surrender blackjack

  • The dealer has an ace or 10-valued card, and the player has a total of 15 within the hand
  • The dealer has an ace or 10-valued card and the player has a total of 16 in their hand that includes a pair of 8's.
  • The dealer has an ace and the player's cards total 17

When not to use late surrender

  • When the dealer in single deck blackjack stands on soft 17 or if the dealer has a 9, 10 or an ace and the player's cards total 15
  • When the dealer in single deck blackjack has a 9 and the player's cards total 16
  • When the dealer in single deck blackjack stands on soft 17 or if the dealer shows 9 or 10 and you have a hand total of 17

Blackjack Surrender Strategy

These charts below illustrate the strategies for blackjack surrender with multiple and single decks. The house advantage decreases with each deck that is included in the game.

1 DECK 2 DECK 4 or 6 DECK 8 DECK
X A X A 9 10 A 9 10 A
X,7 *h *h *h *h
9,8 *h *h *h *h
X,6 * * * * * * * * * *
9,7 * * * * * * * * *
8,8 *h *h *h
X,5 * * * * * * * *
9,6 * * * * * * * *
8,7 *h *h
7,7 * *h
1,2-Deck 4,6,8-Deck
X A 9 X A
17 *h *h
16 * * * * *
15 * * * *


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