Blackjack surrender odds

Blackjack is one of the most popular table games online and in land casinos. It has plenty of variations differing in rules and details. In some of the blackjack variations, there is a surrender decision available to the player. This move can be a lifesaver in the game if used correctly, especially if you know a good card counting method. Here are a couple of tips on how to use this move.

What Is Surrender?

Surrender is a solution that ends the game and saves half of the player’s bet. Most of the players ignore this move as they feel it’s useless. It is usually explained by the fact that you always have chances to win no matter which cards you get. Well, the thing is that in Blackjack, you also should consider the dealer’s upcard, as that is a crucial factor to consider.

Of course, you always have a chance to win no matter which combination you initially get. And still, experienced players always evaluate their chances, preferring to give up, when they are low. This can be a useful solution, as it allows you to cut your losses twice in bad games.

If you’re playing at a casino that offers surrender (also known as late surrender or LS), you will only have the option to surrender on the first two cards you’re dealt. You won’t be able to surrender if you’ve already taken a hit card. This is why surrender is the first thing you have to think about when playing your hand.

It has to be mentioned that casinos know how valuable surrender solution can be, and some of them forbid that move for Blackjack. Thus, for any player who wants to increase their chances of winning and improve results, it is a good idea to have a clear understanding of how to use this solution.

Blackjack Surrender Rules

In most casinos, you can surrender your hand only when the dealer opens a hole card. That means that if the dealer has a 10 or an Ace as an upcard, and he opens a hole card that gives his hand a natural Blackjack, surrender is no longer available, and you will lose all. Surrender is a maneuver that’s available in a few types of variants of Blackjack which are found at both online casinos as well as brick-and-mortar casinos in Vegas, Atlantic City and other gambling meccas around the globe. Typically, the move is exercised when players feel that they have a hand which will not be worth playing out.

As already mentioned, some Blackjack games support surrender solutions, and others don’t. Even among the games that support surrender, there can be different variations to the rules. Thus it is better to clarify them on the website if you play in an online casino or from a dealer if you play in a land casino. However, generally, the standard rules of Blackjack with surrender enabled look like this:

  • Dealer stands on 17.
  • Split is available, resplit is not.
  • If splitting Aces, you can only take one card afterwards. If you get 10 for any Ace hands, you get 21, not a natural Blackjack.
  • For natural Blackjack, the payment is 3:2
  • Double down enabled.
  • 7 Card Charlie is enabled and is beaten only by natural Blackjack.
  • The bet can be insured if the dealer has an Ace.

No matter which kind of Surrender Blackjack you are playing, there are common things that all players need to know:

Blackjack

Blackjack Surrender Hand Signal

  • Surrender is only available on the initial hand. Sometimes you can surrender before the dealer opens the hole card, which is called early surrender. Sometimes, you can surrender only after the dealer opens the hole card, which called late surrender.
  • The surrender option is useful when your chances of winning are less than 25%.

Peek Rule

The peek rule is about the situation when the dealer’s upcard values 10 or is an Ace. In such an occasion, a player can peek at the second card of the dealer’s initial hand, and the game is over if the hand values 21. For example, in case the dealer has an Ace upcard, you can watch the second one, and if it values 10, end the game, as it would be useless to continue it.

Blackjack surrender online

7 Card Charlie

As we all know, if the value of your hand exceeds or equals 21, the game is ended. 7 Card Charlie is a situation when you have 7 cards in your hand, and the sum equals or doesn’t exceed 21.

That means you win only if the dealer doesn’t have a natural Blackjack. For example, if you have 2, 3, Ace, 4, 3, 2, 4 – which equals to 19 with 7 cards, you win the game only if the dealer doesn’t have 21 with an Ace in hand.

When You Should Surrender in Blackjack

Generally, for Blackjack with surrender solution enabled, the dealer stands on 17. Thus, it would be best if you always surrendered on:

  • Dealer’s Ace, 9, 10 if you have a hard 16 (except 8-8, when it is better to split)
  • Dealer’s 10 upcard, if you have a hard 15.

This is the most basic strategy for the surrender solution that can be used by beginners. It has to be mentioned that the number of decks and availability of early or late surrender have a great impact on the way the surrender move has to be used. Continue reading below to get a more detailed description of the strategies depending on the Blackjack rules.

Early Surrender Strategy

Early surrender means that you can use the surrender solution before the dealer reveals the second card in their hand. Thus, due to proper card counting, you should surrender when:

  • The dealer has an Ace
  • You have hard 5-7, 12-17
  • You have pairs 3-3, 6-6, 7-7, 8-8

Or:

  • The dealer has a 10
  • You have hard 14-16
  • You have pairs of 7-7, 8-8

However, using these moves can be conditional, depending on the Blackjack game rules. Thus, there are exceptions to consider:

  • Single deck Blackjack: do not surrender if the dealer has 10, and you have 10-4, 5-9
  • Double-deck Blackjack: do not surrender if the dealer has 10, and you have 10-4
  • Dealer hits on soft 17: surrender if you have a pair of 2-2 against the dealer’s Ace
  • Double down after split allowed: do not surrender if the dealer has 10 and you have a pair 8-8

Let’s make an example.

Dealer: Ace

You: 6-7

As you can see, the dealer has an Ace, and the second card is not revealed yet. You have 6-7, which totals 13. You cannot split, as you did not get a pair of same cards. What you can do is either hit, double down or surrender.

In case you choose the surrender option, you will get half of your bet back. In case you double down or hit, your chances to win are less than 25%. Thus, the best option would be to surrender.

To make it more convenient, check this table for an early surrender strategy. Consider that it is eligible for games when:

  • Dealer stands on soft 17
  • Double down after split allowed


Late Surrender Strategy

In most casinos, you can surrender your hand only when the dealer opens a hole card. That means that if the dealer has a 10 or an Ace as an upcard, and he opens a hole card that gives his hand a natural Blackjack, surrender is no longer available, and you will lose all of your bet. That is why it’s called late surrender. Games with the option of late surrender are less profitable for the player than the games with early surrender.

As for early surrender Blackjack, you can surrender before the hole card is revealed, so if the dealer has a natural Blackjack in the initial game, you can get at least half of your bet and avoid making double down as well.

This fact is one of the reasons strategies for late surrender and early surrender differ. When it comes to the games with late surrender strategy enabled, there are two main factors affecting your choice upon surrender solution:

  • Actions of the dealer on soft 17(hit or stand)
  • Number of decks (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 8)

For the late surrender strategy, an advanced or basic strategy can be used. Basic strategy only considers:

  • value of the player’s initial hand
  • value of the dealer’s upcard (whether it is 9, 10 or Ace)
  • number of decks

The advanced strategy considers not only the value of the player’s card but also the exact combination of the cards in hand.

Here is how the basic strategy upon surrender decision-making looks if you get a hard 15-17 in four or more deck blackjack:

  • Do not surrender if the dealer gets 9 or Ace standing on soft 17
  • Surrender if the dealer gets 10 or Ace and hits on soft 17

If you get a hard 16:

  • Always surrender
  • Exception: you get 8-8 and double down after the split is allowed

If you get hard 17:

  • Never surrender if the dealer has 9, 10
  • Surrender if the dealer has an Ace and hits on soft 17, do not if he stands on soft 17

As late surrender decision-making in Blackjack varies slightly due to factors such as the number of decks or the dealer’s moves on soft 17, it is better to see what the basic strategy should look like in the table:

Here is how the advanced strategy looks in the table (double down after split allowed):


Blackjack Surrender Chart

The chart below is designed to show you the best solutions upon the initial hand. It is best applicable for those who want to use the surrender solution in games where this option is enabled. Here you can see three separate tables, when you get pairs, Ace, and hard value in the initial hand.

Tips for Surrender

Surrender is a player’s solution that must be used wisely. It is best to learn all about the other solutions available to you, before you get to advanced usage of surrender, as all in all, it is more about cutting your losses, not winning a game. Below, you can see valuable tips on this solution, which you can use for your good:

  • Surrender solution is not always available in casinos – clarify this with the dealer if you are playing in a land casino, or read the rules of the Blackjack game you play. Usually, if surrender is supported, it is pointed out in the game description or on the casino website.
  • The surrender solution can be a very valuable move for players, so some of the casinos, both land and online, do not allow it.
  • This option is valuable for those who count cards, and when you know how to use other Blackjack solutions, otherwise there is a high chance that advanced usage of this move will be useless for you.
  • The solution is valuable in the long run, so those who want to play and adhere to a specified strategy can benefit the most from the exploitation of the surrender move.
  • Even if the surrender solution is available, there still can be variations enabled, so check the rules thoroughly. For example, some casinos only offer early surrender (player can surrender after he/she saw the dealer’s upcard valuing ten or Ace, others offer late surrender (even if the dealer has an Ace or ten, the player should wait until the hole card is revealed, and in the case that it gives a hand natural Blackjack, the surrender option will no longer be available).
  • Depending on the rules of the land casino you play in, the surrender option can be either chosen verbally or with a signal. Clarify that with the dealer.

Surrender FAQ

How to Surrender in Blackjack?

It depends on the casino you play in. In some casinos, you can show a signal – draw an imaginary line from left to right on the felt with your index finger. In others, you can do it verbally. For online casinos, there should be a corresponding button in the game interface.
Blackjack surrender match bet

Is Surrender Allowed in Las Vegas Blackjack?

There are not many land casinos that offer this option in Las Vegas. Still, you can find some that do.

Other Blackjack Strategies

Along with the surrender, there are also other solutions – hit, stand, double down, and split. Wise usage of these combinations and card counting can bring you better results than using only one of them.

Double Down

Double down is a solution that allows you to increase the bet after you receive your initial hand. Afterwards, you can only take one card. The bet can be increased by 100% or up to 100% -it depends on the game variation you play.

Split

Split is a move that allows you to get two hands instead of one. When you get a combination of cards with the same value (8-8, 9-9, etc.), you can do a split. Afterwards, you place an additional bet for the second hand, and each hand is played solely, so you can win with one hand and lose with the second one.

Hit & Stand

Hit is a solution to take one more card. The hit move can be made as many times as you want until the value of the hand makes or exceeds 21.

Stand means that you stop taking more cards. Choose this option when you think that you already have received the best combination in the round. Hit & Standare the basic moves in Blackjack.

See all
MikeV
This happened to me back in 2013 when I was at the MGM Grand. I was playing blackjack and during my session, there were 2 instances where I elected to surrender, according to basic strategy. I used to appropriate hand signal in both cases. After the second time, the dealer said to me to just say the word 'surrender' and not use the hand signal since it almost looked like I wanted to hit.
I know that we are always told, on this site and elsewhere, to use hand signals when playing blackjack. I'm curious to see if anyone else has had a similar experience.
Greasyjohn
Are you saying 'surrender' when giving the hand signal? When surrendering I've never heard of or witnessed the verbal surrender signal not given. The drawing of a six-inch line under your wager with your index finger is supportive of the verbal signal, and is mainly for the benefit of surveillance.
BleedingChipsSlowly
Where I play only a verbal 'surrender' is accepted, and dealers will tell you not to use the hand signal with the verbal one. They don't care how surrendering is handled anywhere else in the world.
“You don’t bring a bone saw to a negotiation.” - Robert Jordan, former U.S. ambassador to Saudi Arabia
RS
Usually, the dealer says to say surrender, because the signal looks like a hit signal, but then after saying surrender (verbally) to draw the line behind the wager for surveillance.
IE, 'proper procedure:
Verbally say 'surrender'
Dealer acknowledges you want to surrender
Do hand signal for surrender [for surveillance]
I wonder if a different hand signal could be made (I'm sure it could be) to introduce a new signal for surrender, one that is easy but doesn't look like the hit signal. Perhaps every BJ seat can come equipped with a French flag, that must be waved when surrendering.
Wizard
Administrator
I always do both at the same time, saying 'surrender' quite loudly.
If you must do only one, then just say 'surrender.' I'm sure I've written somewhere that surveillance must be able to see what you want to do. That is in general true, but if you give the hand signal only, the dealer will likely interpret it as a hit and an argument will ensue if you bust.
It's not whether you win or lose; it's whether or not you had a good bet.
ams288
I find it all depends on the dealer.
I've been scolded for only using the hand signal and for only saying surrender. So I usually just ask which they'd prefer the first time I surrender...
(And if the dealer tells me surrender is a bad play - THEN I get really mad. That happens far too often.)
DJTeddyBear
On a somewhat unrelated note, a couple years ago, one night during G2E week, several WoV members were sitting at FreeBet BJ with Geoff / Switch at Golden Nugget. It was either being field trialed or a really new install. (For those that don't know, Geoff invented FreeBet as well as BJ Switch. His WoV handle is Switch.)
We asked Geoff what the hand signal was for the free bet. He hadn't come up with one. I think he thought that the verbal request, combined with the dealer placing the FreeBet token, was good enough. So rather than asking the dealer or floor, we came up with one ourselves: Do the King Kong chest pound thing. As if that wasn't enough, we added doing it while grunting like a gorilla.
Even though we were all having a good time, dealer included, for some reason it didn't catch on.
I invented a few casino games. Info: http://www.DaveMillerGaming.com/ ————————————————————————————————————— Superstitions are silly, childish, irrational rituals, born out of fear of the unknown. But how much does it cost to knock on wood? 😁
Joeshlabotnik

I always do both at the same time, saying 'surrender' quite loudly.
If you must do only one, then just say 'surrender.' I'm sure I've written somewhere that surveillance must be able to see what you want to do. That is in general true, but if you give the hand signal only, the dealer will likely interpret it as a hit and an argument will ensue if you bust.


Blackjack Surrender House Edge

No, no, no. You do the hand signal, but in an ambiguous manner. Then when the dealer gives you a card, you say nothing if it improves your hand, but if it busts you, you loudly proclaim that you gave the surrender, not the hit signal. Ideally, you have perfected your surrenderhit signal so that a reasonable person could interpret it either way.
And if you're worrying about getting thrown out, well, that won't happen if you only do it once, and anyway, consider how long it would take to get thrown out of every casino in the world. Hmm, maybe not all that long for every casino that offers surrender...
Blackjack surrender strategyI think my moral purity is being corrupted by the Wizard's 'Are you a good person?' thread.
777

Blackjack Surrender Online

This happened to me back in 2013 when I was at the MGM Grand. I was playing blackjack and during my session, there were 2 instances where I elected to surrender, according to basic strategy. I used to appropriate hand signal in both cases. After the second time, the dealer said to me to just say the word 'surrender' and not use the hand signal since it almost looked like I wanted to hit.
I know that we are always told, on this site and elsewhere, to use hand signals when playing blackjack. I'm curious to see if anyone else has had a similar experience.

Blackjack Surrender Chart


The dealer's advise of using only verbal signal is wrong. Hand signal should used because it can visually verified by surveillance camera in case of dispute.
My advice is to use both verbal and hand signals.
Joeshlabotnik

Blackjack Surrender Hands

The dealer's advise of using only verbal signal is wrong. Hand signal should used because it can visually verified by surveillance camera in case of dispute.
My advice is to use both verbal and hand signals.


I have a special hand AND verbal signal for when the dealer hits his 16 with a 5 and beats my 20, but so far, neither has been well received.
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