Blackjack Surrender Basics & Strategy
The words ‘surrender’ and ‘gangster’ may seem like an odd couple, and that’s usually true. However, the exception is when the word ‘surrender’ is the name of the exciting blackjack feature or card variant. After all, our gangster familia doesn’t know the meaning of the word surrender!
Using a perfect blackjack strategy can reduce the house edge to a very narrow 99.5%, which includes scenarios where the strategically proper course of action is to surrender. The decision of a blackjack surrender strategy chart is objective, so there’s no guessing involved. It’s based on statistical probability while taking emotion out of the equation.
What is blackjack surrender?
Blackjack surrender is an online and live dealer card game option found in blackjack games played with up to eight decks of cards. It bears mentioning that not all blackjack variants have a surrender option.
It helps to have some basic knowledge to understand what is surrender in blackjack. The objective of blackjack remains the same, to come closer to 21 than the dealer without going over (bust). Landing a blackjack (2 cards with a total value of 21) pays 3:2, making it the most lucrative scenario, excluding any side bets. Face cards have a value of 10, and the ace has a value of 1 or 11. The blackjack rule generally states that the dealer must hit on soft 17, where the ace has a value of 11.
Since the player starts the game first, the house has an edge that no strategy will completely eliminate. This is because the player may bust without the dealer ever haven taken a turn. A player can take one of several actions during the course of the game.
Blackjack player actions
Stand: Take no further action and stick to the hand you’re dealt. It’s only after a player stands that the dealer takes their turn.
Hit: Request another card to try to improve your hand. Hit as many times as you want, provided your hand doesn’t go over 21 (bust).
Double Down: Double your bet and take one more card.
Split: A pair of cards of the same value can be split into two hands. Players can hit as many times as they wish per hand, providing they don’t bust. When splitting a pair of aces, a player can only collect one card per hand. Also, a 2-card hand formed after a split pair of aces with a value of 21 is no longer a blackjack, only paying 1:1.
Insurance Bet: When the dealer’s faceup card is an ace, a player can choose an insurance side bet at the cost of half their bet. If it turns out that the dealer has a blackjack, the player loses the main bet but wins the 2:1 side bet.
Surrender: Players can quit their hand if they believe it’s appropriate to the situation based on their hands and the dealer’s visible card using a blackjack surrender strategy. This decision should be made using a blackjack cheat sheet for three reasons.
- Surrendering is not free and will cost half the original bet
- A player forfeits the right to hit when surrendering
- Anything is mathematically possible in blackjack, even if sometimes improbably
How one surrenders in blackjack
Normally, a player would verbally request to surrender when playing at a land-based online casino blackjack table where the action is possible. Although there is also a specific hand gesture (making a line with your fingers), it’s generally less preferred by the dealer.
Online or live dealer games where surrender is possible displays the opportunity. A player can surrender simply just by clicking the appropriate button.
The right time to surrender in blackjack
Many players, including members of our familia, ask when the right time is to surrender in blackjack. Fortunately, an optimal strategy, AKA blackjack strategy sheet, identifies the exact scenarios where surrendering is the most mathematically advisable course of action.
An important factor is whether the game’s surrender option is available late or early. Other considerations include the number of decks and the game rule surrounding when the dealer must hit. Of course, a cheat sheet also factors in a player’s hand and the dealer’s visible card.
Early surrender blackjack strategy
Early surrender is the better-known player option available right after the cards are dealt but before the dealer checks for a natural blackjack. Here, players can walk away from their hand if the dealer’s faceup card is a 10 or ace.
Correctly applying the early surrender action can lower the house edge to 0.39% or 0.24%, depending on whether an ace or 10 card is showing. Because of such a low house edge, casinos are less likely to provide an early surrender blackjack option.
A player should early surrender in one of three scenarios:
- Dealer shows an ace card and player holds a hard total of 5-7 or 12-17
- Dealer shows an ace card and player holds a pair of 3s, 6s, 7s or 8s
- Dealer shows a 10 card and player holds a hard total of 14-16
Late surrender blackjack strategy
With the option of a late surrender, a player cannot use it if the dealer has a blackjack. This rule implies the dealer gets to check their hand first when showing a faceup 10 or ace.
The late surrender option is more common while reducing the dealer’s edge by a small percentage (0.07%). The smaller effect on the house edge is why casinos are more willing to offer late surrender instead of early surrender.
Knowing when to surrender late in blackjack
With the option of a late surrender, a player cannot take this action if the dealer has a blackjack. This rule states the dealer gets to check their hand first when showing a faceup 10 or ace. If the dealer does have a natural blackjack, surrendering is not an option and you’ll lose your wager.
A player should late surrender in one of three scenarios:
- Dealer shows an ace card, doesn’t need to hit on soft 17 and the player holds a hard total of 15
- Dealer shows an ace or 10 card and the player holds a hard total of 16
- Dealer shows an ace and the player holds a total of 17 unless dealer must hit on soft 17
Blackjack surrender | The pros and cons
Playing blackjack surrender can be one of the ways to optimize a player’s lung-run track record. Like all things, it has advantages and disadvantages that players should be aware of.
Pros
- Based on objective probability rather than subjectivity
- It can pay off over the long run
- Can be combined with a card counting strategy
Cons
- The surrender option is not available in all blackjack variants
- Less common on 1-2 deck games
- Late surrender is less common than early surrender
- It’s easy to over-rely on surrendering when not using an optimal strategy
Maximising your long run profit potential
When you live by the gangster code – surrender is not an option! But when you’re playing blackjack surrender, it can be a way of maximizing the long run profit potential. Think of it more as a strategic retreat rather than losing the war.
Like Kenny Rogers once said, ‘You got to know when to hold ’em, know when to fold ’em.’ Although he was talking about poker, it does hold true for blackjack too!
Improve your odds by combining an optimal strategy with card counting. And remember to take no prisoners!
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