Blackjack includes several variations and rules.
One of them is the surrender rule, which gives you an out if you feel things won’t go your way. It brings another layer to consider in this exciting table game.
This guide explains:
- What the surrender rule is.
- How it works in blackjack gameplay.
- The pros and cons of using it.
We’ll finish with quickfire tips to enhance your playing experience.
What Is The Surrender Rule?
The surrender rule is something that applies to certain blackjack games. When you launch a blackjack game, you play against the dealer. If you’re playing a hand and feel you’re likely to lose it, the surrender rule lets you fold a hand before it ends. In other words, you can forfeit the hand and save half your play for the next hand.
Typically, you could surrender straight after the first two cards are given. So, the surrender rule can help you manage risk and also minimize your potential losses.
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How Does The Surrender Rule Work?
Here’s how the surrender rule works. First, at the start of a blackjack round, you’ll get dealt two cards. Next, the dealer will reveal one of their two cards (show a face-up card). Now it’s your decision whether to hit, stand, double down, split, or surrender.
As mentioned, if surrender is available, it would return half of your original play, helping preserve your bankroll. Surrender options may appear by default or only in certain game modes, so check the information tab before you play.
The two main types of surrender are:
- Early surrender
- Late surrender
Early surrender means that if you surrender before the dealer checks for blackjack. So it gives you a chance to limit your losses, especially when playing versus strong dealer upcards (like 10 or Ace). But not every blackjack game includes early surrender, since it lowers the house edge.
Late surrender is when you surrender after the dealer has checked for blackjack. If the dealer has a blackjack, you can’t surrender and you’ll lose the entire play. However, if the dealer doesn’t have blackjack, you can choose to surrender, but lose half your play. Atlantic City blackjack features the late surrender play option.
But when should you surrender? Here’s a brief summary:
- If the dealer has a 10, surrender on 16 and on 15 (but don’t surrender on 15s when playing single-deck).
- When the dealer holds an Ace, if they stand on 17, surrender on 16. If they hit on soft 17, surrender if you have 15, 16 and 17.
Practical Example of Surrender
Here’s an example of surrender rules in action. If you’re dealt cards totalling 16 and the dealer has 10, you could decide to surrender instead of risking a likely loss. So, if you’d played 8, you’d only lose 50% of your play (4) instead of the entire amount.
Having said that, if you were to hit on a 16, there’s still a chance of busting. Whereas if you stand on 16, there’s a low chance of winning a prize.
These in-game decisions are key when considering your coin management strategy. It makes sense to always play the highest percentage likely outcome, instead of playing with emotion or gut reaction.
A sensible approach to blackjack play will help to manage your overall bankroll so you can enjoy more rounds.
Pros and Cons of Surrender Rules
Now let’s move on to the major pros and cons of the surrender move in online social blackjack.
Pros:
- Limits your losses when you’re dealt a poor hand.
- Encourages disciplined, sensible social casino gameplay.
- Can help preserve your bankroll during extended blackjack sessions.
- Adds an element of strategy to your play.
Cons:
- Surrender may not be an option in some blackjack games.
- If you’re a beginner player, you may not fully understand the surrender rules.
- Taking a small loss (instead of losing everything) may still seem like an uncomfortable option.
Alternatives To Surrender
Surrender is one of the main play options in a typical blackjack hand. But you could choose to either:
- Hit – You are dealt another card, which gets added to your total.
- Stand – Don’t take any more cards, if your total is near to 21.
- Split – Split two of the same card value into two separate hands.
- Double down – Double your play to get one extra card.
Or more radically, you can opt to even sit out some playing rounds. The choice is always yours.
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Using Surrender Rules: 5 Quick Tips
Apply the following tips to make the most of the surrender rule:
- Basic blackjack strategy: Play sensibly and experiment with strategy to find which hands surrender works best with.
- Risk management: Use surrender when you are unlikely to win the hand, like if you’re playing with a 16 against the dealer’s 10.
- Be selective: Don’t always use surrender. In fact, it should be an option not your go-to action.
- Practice: Start playing for free to try the surrender move in different scenarios.
- Read the rules: Before you play, double-check that surrender is available in the blackjack variant you are playing. It’s not always a default option.
Conclusion
Surrender rules add an additional layer of strategy to blackjack. You can play several hands and learn from experience when surrender works best for you.
Browse our lobby and try out the various blackjack games which might include the surrender option. And remember to use our top tips!
If you take the time to learn surrender rules, they can enrich your gameplay and help you enjoy free blackjack here at McLuck social casino.
