Online Blackjack Surrender Explained

In the game of blackjack, you have the option to surrender half your bet. This, however, is restricted in some casinos. Therefore, it’s important that you check with the casino before you engage in the game. Blackjack surrender is a tactic used by a number of players to avoid losses.

You see, when a player has a gut feeling that they can lose, they can surrender to recover half their bet instead of waiting for the loss. The latter results in a loss if your entire bet.

There exist 2 types of Blackjack surrender:

• Early surrender: In this type of surrender, you can decide to surrender before the dealer takes a peek into his cards for a Blackjack. This type of blackjack surrender isn’t offered in as many casinos because of its low house edges.
• Late surrender: In late surrender, players can only surrender after the dealer has checked his cards for a natural Blackjack or before a 3rd card is drawn.

How to Surrender?

Whether you play Blackjack surrender at a land-based casino or online blackjack, the option to surrender is played in a similar fashion. The difference that arises is that in online blackjack, the player has to click on the button labeled ‘surrender’. While in land-based casinos, you’ll have to signal suing your hand that you intend to surrender.

Why and When You Should Surrender Your Hand?

If you feel that you have a weak hand compared to the dealer’s, you can opt to surrender. A strong hand in this case is one that consists of an Ace or a 10. A weak hand, on the other hand, is one that consists of a 15 or 16.

However, many players assume that if you have any hand that has more than 50% chance of losing, then you should surrender. That is wrong. In reality, anything more than 75% chance of losing is when the surrender option should kick in.

Here is a list of the main hands that should lead you into a Blackjack surrender:

• Surrender if you are on a hard 16 to the dealer’s Ace
• Surrender if you are on a hard 16 to the dealer’s 10
• Surrender if you are on a hard 16 to the dealer’s 9
• Surrender if you are on a hard 15 to the dealer’s 10

In addition, should the dealer hit a soft 17, consider a Blackjack surrender in the following cases:

• Surrender if you are on a hard 15 to the dealer’s Ace
• Surrender an 8,8 to the dealer’s Ace
• Surrender if you are on a hard 17 to the dealer’s Ace

Note that the above tips are for online blackjack games that use a 6-deck of cards. You can search for strategies suited your type of game.

By surrendering, you reduce the house edge by about 0.07% to 0.10% depending on the casino you play in. The percentage might seem insignificant, but it helps.