Blackjack Surrender Hand Signal

The blackjack hand signal for standing is to wave your hand over your cards, signaling you want no further part in the action. Blackjack sign for double down If you love the look of your first two cards – and the dealer looks weak – then it’s wise to double down, doubling your stake. Either by verbally telling the dealer he wants to ‘surrender’ or by using a surrender hand signal which is to place your finger on the layout and move it from right to left, (most casinos nowadays are opting for the hand signal). When a player signifies that he wants to surrender his hand hears what happens – the dealer will remove the.

Surrender in single or double deck blackjack if the dealer is showing an ace and hits on soft 17 if your hand is 9+6 or 10+5; Surrender to a dealer’s 10 if your hand is a 9+6 or 10+5 in games. Blackjack surrender is commonly called late surrender. It is what the name implies. With this option, you can give up your hand and then forfeit about half of your actual wager after the dealer will check to find out whether they have blackjack.

Blackjack is a simple game of cards offered by almost all the online casinos today. The aim of blackjack players is to make a hand that is higher than the dealer’s, without exceeding the sum of 21. One of the many strategies used by blackjack players is Blackjack Surrender, which, when used properly, can reduce their amount of loss by half. If you are new to the world of blackjack, you should first learn about blackjack and the option of ‘surrender’ completely before you implement it in your game.

Although you may be hard pushed to find a version of it at your current casino online, it is readily available on plenty of others. Its main perk is that it can help reduce losses, however, after a while, you may be getting an extra thrill from the adrenaline created when you outwit the dealer and cash out before you lose your whole bet!

Check out this guide on how to best optimize your Blackjack Surrender games, by creating a strategy that works for you, and also find some awesome casino’s where you can play the game online!

What is Blackjack Surrender?

As the name goes, ‘surrender’ in blackjack means that a player can give up and move out of the round, if he has a weak hand that cannot possibly beat the dealer’s. The advantage of this option is that instead of losing the entire wager amount, you will only lose 50% of your bet when you surrender. This said, this varies slightly with a late surrender, as is in this case, before you can surrender, the dealer checks for Blackjack and if it is present in the dealer’s hand, you will still lose. Which we will we discuss in detail below.

Essentially, the blackjack surrender rule is best optimised when your first two cards are so weak, that even a third card may not help in improving your hand and so you are at risk of losing your full bet.

In such a case, you should simply say out the word ‘surrender’, after which your cards will be taken by the dealer and you would be out of the game. Alternatively, you can use to blackjack surrender hand signal, which is a simple slow swipe from left to right behind your chips. This motion essentially indicates you are ”cutting off your bet”.

Naturally, if you are playing blackjack online, then there should be a button for you to click to indicate your intention to surrender. However, if you are playing a version of blackjack surrender with a live dealer, then you may also be able to simply state your intention on the live chat service most offer.

Types of Surrender in Blackjack

‘Surrender’ may seem like an extremely simple blackjack strategy, but to make the best use of it, you should know about the different surrender options in blackjack and when to use them. There are two types of surrender in blackjack – early and late.

Early surrender is when the dealer allows you to surrender the cards and returns half the wager even before checking his hole card. This is the more seldom occurring type of the surrender rule and can work marvelously well for the player.

But in late surrender, the dealer checks his hole cards before you can surrender. If he already has blackjack, he takes your entire bet amount before you are given the option. As such, this is the slightly more risky version. However, if he doesn’t have a blackjack in the hole, then you are still eligible for the half bet wager and can keep yourself from losing everything.

While some online casinos accept both types of Blackjack Surrender, some accept only one of the two. So before you play, you should check whether or not the casino accepts the surrender option and which type.

When to use the ‘surrender’ in blackjack?

A number of casino players feel that the ‘surrender’ option is highly beneficial for them, as it reduces the house edge. This is partially true, as you lose only 50% instead of the entire wager, provided you surrender at the right time.

With all blackjack, and indeed any card game, there is an element of risk. But it is still worth considering that in blackjack surrender that risk is doubled, as if you if you surrender unnecessarily and the dealer busts, then you might be kicking yourself. The phrase “better safe and then sorry” is a motto of many blackjack surrender players, particularly if you are playing on the higher end of wagering.

It is key to not to panic and just surrender at every hand because you will never win and end up losing more than if you were a tad more ballsy. It is a tender balance, but one you can master with ease if you simply think about it logically and don’t surrender unless your hand is considerably difficult to win with.

There is no set rule specifically that will work and having you benefit from surrendering in blackjack every time. However, depending on whether you are playing early surrender or late surrender, there are some rules of thumbs to apply.

When to “Early” surrender in Blackjack

If you can choose between two options at a casino of Early or Late, the first tip is to opt for the Early Surrender option. This guarantees you that you will only lose half your wager, regardless of what happens, even if the dealer has blackjack. It is considered the less risky option, compared to the late surrender.

The second most important tip, is that if the dealer is holding an Ace, then this is the first warning sign that perhaps you want to consider early surrender. A dealer with a Ten should also be a red flag about proceeding with caution. However, the versatility of the Ace, means the odds are stacked immediately in the dealer’s favour.

If the dealer is holding an Ace and you have a hard number between 5-7 or between 12-17, then you should most likely surrender. The same is said for a pair of 3, 6’s, 7’s or 8’s.

This is because it is much more likely that the dealer is going to get a card on the better side of 17, thus leaving you in a predicament where you are forced to hit and potentially, bust. Which would result in a loss of the full wager and so it is better the cut.

If there is 10 in the dealer’s hand, then you can relax slightly, but should be very wary of any combination between of cards that equal between 14-16, such as a pair of 7’s or 8’s.

Naturally as well, if you have 18-20 on your first, DO NOT Surrender.

It is about beating the dealer and it is very unlikely you will lose with such as a hand. The blackjack surrender rule is best used to simply to forfeit your hand if it is clearly bad and as explained, surrendering without considering the odds properly will definitely see you lose more often than not.

These are essentially the basics of early surrender, however, some exceptions are required for certain games.

Exceptions

• In a single deck game, do not Surrender with 4+10 or 5+9, if the dealer has a 10.
• In a single deck game, do not surrender a pair 8+8 vs 10 in a single deck if a double split is allowed.
• In a double deck game, do not surrender with a 4+10 if the dealer has a 10.

When to “Late” surrender in Blackjack

Late Surrender Blackjack is not as straightforward or as easy to predict, as other factors will contribute to whether it is worth to surrender or not.

Of course, the biggest difference is the late surrender option is only offered after the dealer has checked for blackjack. If the dealer has blackjack, you still lose the full bet before you get the chance to bail out nice and early. This is why it is the preferred option in many casinos, both in the real world and online.

If you want to gain an advantage, then you need to understand more fully the added elements at play. For one, you need to concentrate more specifically on the number of decks in play. As well as this, you may have to go all the way, so you will need to consider whether or not the dealer stands or hits on Soft 17.

It is not hard to call correctly, just there is more to think about then simply the dealer having a high card. In fact, on the contrary, you have an added advantage of knowing that the dealer doesn’t have Blackjack.

Although an Ace may be daunting, it still is not enough to force you into surrender every time, and neither should tens or nines. An important rule of thumb is that if you have below a 14 or above a 17, then it is not advisable to surrender as you are still very much in the game.

It will depend on the desk size when it is the right move to surrender. However, the first thing to consider is that on ALL deck situations where a dealer can hit on a soft 17, is holding an Ace and you have a 15,16 or 17, then the safest option is that you should surrender. All the other variables are listed separately.

One deck

• If the dealer has a 10 or Hard Stand on 17, you should stand on 16.
• You shouldnot surrender on a 14, 15, 16 or 17 if the dealer has a 9.
• If you have a 14 or 17 you shouldnot surrender.

Two Decks

• If the dealer stands on soft 17, you should surrender if you have a 16 and the dealer has an Ace.
• If a dealer has a 10, then you should surrender on 15 and 16.
• You shouldnot surrender on 14, 15, 16 or 17 if the dealer has a 9.
• If you have a 14 or 17 you shouldnot surrender.

Four or More Decks

• If you have a 16 and then the dealer has anything above a 9 you should stand.
• If you have 15, you should surrender if the dealer has a 10.
• If you have 15, you should not surrender if the dealer has a 9 or an Ace if it is a soft 17 stand.
• If you have a 14 or 17 you should not surrender.

Exceptions

The exceptions to these rules mainly reflect on a specific set of cards that equal an amount. As such, these are the sets of card that will affect your decision. Unless mentioned, all other rules mentioned above remain.

This complete guide should assist you with knowing when to surrender and when in less difficult scenarios.

One Deck

• If the dealer has a 10 and you have 7+7, then in this scenario, you should surrender on 14.
• If the dealer has an Ace, a hard 17 stand and you have a 14 made up of 7+7, in this scenario, you should also surrender on 14.
• If the dealer has a 10 and you have a 15 made up of 9+6 or 10+5, then in this scenario, you should surrender.

Two Decks

• If the dealer has a 10 and you have a 15 made up of 9+5 or 10+5, then in this scenario, you should surrender.
• If you have 8+8, you shouldnot surrender on anything, unless double splitting is not allowed. If not, then you should surrender only to a dealer with an Ace and a Soft 17 stand.

Four or More Decks

• If the dealer has a 10 and you have a 15 made up of 9+5 or 10+5, then in this scenario, you should surrender.
• You should surrender on 8+8 if the dealer has an Ace and Soft 17 Stand.

Although, it may seem a lot to process, if you remember these combinations, you will make the most out of any blackjack surrender game you may find yourself playing.

Blackjack is a skill game, but luck also plays a small role in helping you win. Blackjack Surrender is an option in blackjack that can be used to reduce your losses if bad luck doesn’t occur in spite of your skills. To use it right, it is most important not to surrender too much or at points where it is not worth it and should only be used in tight situations. Follow these tips and you will know exactly when to use the surrender rule and how.

We guess everyone knows what surrendering means even if they have never played a single hand of blackjack in their life. The word itself bears negative connotations as it is synonymous with giving up, admitting defeat, throwing in the towel etc. And this is something many casual blackjack players hate to do.

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Yet, surrendering is the smartest decision you can make with certain hands compared to some of the other possible playing options like standing or hitting. The only trouble is surrendering is vastly misunderstood, with fewer and fewer players taking advantage of this option these days. The latter has even been entirely ditched by some landbased casinos because almost no one bothers using it at the tables so and so.

However, surrendering can be very advantageous for the player when used correctly. It helps you save money when you are the underdog in losing situations and is one of the select few playing decisions that can actually decrease the casino’s edge. The following article explains how surrendering works in blackjack and tackles the instances in which this is the optimal playing decision.

The Surrender Playing Decision in Blackjack

Surrendering in blackjack is similar to folding in poker but there are two main differences between the two games. Blackjack players are allowed to surrender only on condition the hand they forfeit consists of no more than two cards. Another difference results from the fact that in blackjack, you automatically forfeit half of your initial stake and get to keep the other half. It makes sense this option should be exercised only when you have terrible two-card hands where the chances of you beating the dealer are minuscule.

Surrendering is not available in all gambling venues or even at all blackjack tables within the same establishment. What is worse, the availability of surrender is never indicated by any plaques at the table. It is not written on the felt, either. The only way to know with certainty whether this is an option is by directly asking the dealer or the pit boss. Many casual players are averse to using the surrender option, so at times, you will have to put up with eye-rolls or scathing remarks when you decide to forfeit a hand.

The Surrender Playing Decision in Blackjack Additional TipsIf you are looking to surrender your hand, you must do so at the very start of the round before you have drawn any additional cards. Players are also required to use the correct hand signal when surrendering. This usually involves drawing a horizontal line behind your chips using your index finger.

In some casinos, players signal surrendering by lifting both their hands up as if to say “I am giving up”. Since there is no universal hand gesture for this blackjack play, it is recommended to accompany your signal with a verbal statement. This helps prevent confusion and misunderstandings.

Regardless of which of the two gestures you use, the dealer will collect half of your original stake off the felt. Your starting hand will no longer be in action after you forfeit it so the cards will be placed in the discard tray along with those dealt on previous rounds.

Early and Late Surrender – What Is the Difference?

There are two types of surrender in blackjack and it is advisable for you to learn to distinguish between them, even though the first one has become nearly obsolete these days. The surrender option was first introduced in Atlantic City’s Resorts International as a form of an experiment.

Early surrender (ES) gives players the opportunity to forfeit their hand before the dealer has checked for a blackjack under their Ace (or/and their ten-value card depending on the casino’s rules). This is the more player-favorable variation of the surrender rule. It is known to reduce the house edge in six-deck games where the dealer stands on soft 17 by as much as 0.63%.

Blackjack Surrender Hand Signal

When late surrender (LS) is available, players can forfeit their starting two-card hands only after the dealer has peeked for a blackjack under their hole card. Provided that the dealer indeed has a natural, surrendering your hand will no longer be an option in this case.

Early and Late Surrender Additional TipsInstead, you automatically end up losing your entire stake unless you, too, have obtained a blackjack and push with the dealer. This variation of the rule takes away the meager 0.07% from the casino’s edge but is still better than no surrender at all.

Keep in mind that you will hardly find multiple-deck blackjack tables that use hole cards and offer the early surrender rule these days. Most casinos across the United States have altogether done away with early surrender for the simple reason it significantly decreases their edge.

Early surrender is still available in some casinos in Asia and Europe. However, the dealers in such games deal themselves one face-up card at the beginning of the round and draw a second card only after all patrons have finished playing their hands. This peculiarity leads to discrepancies in the optimal playing strategies for early and late-surrender games.

Strategy for Surrendering in Blackjack

We are not going to discuss the strategy for early surrender here because as was explained, this option has become largely obsolete in multiple-deck blackjack games where dealer hole cards are in play.

Similarly to the other playing decisions, the optimal strategy for late surrendering is affected by variables like deck number and the house rules the dealer must adhere to. Of course, what upcard the dealer exposes also plays a crucial role here. Because of these discrepancies, we have broken down the optimal surrender plays on the basis of the number of decks in play.

Surrendering is a good idea when you have certain hard totals and the dealer is in a favorable position showing very strong upcards. The dealer is likely to outdraw you when they start with a powerful card. Meanwhile, if you decide to take a hit on your hard total, you stand a significant chance of busting by drawing an additional card.

The probability of you winning with such hard totals should be under 50% for surrender to be the optimal decision. In single-deck blackjack variations, you should resort to surrendering under the following circumstances only:

Surrender Hand Signal In Blackjack

• With a hard 16 versus a dealer with an Ace or a 10 in both S17 and H17 games
• With a pair of 7s for a hard 14 against a dealer with a 10 in S17 games
• With a hard 15 against a dealer with an Ace in H17 games
• With a pair of 7s for hard 14 against a dealer Ace and 10 in H17 games
• With hard 17 against a dealer’s Ace in H17 games

Blackjack Surrender Hand Signals

Hard 17 is forfeited in this case because it is below the average winning hand total of 18.5 while the dealer stands good chances of outdrawing you with their Ace or 10. The strategy for surrendering changes a little bit when we add a second deck of cards to the game.

Because of this, it is of utmost importance for you to know how many decks you are playing against and what the fixed drawing conditions for the dealer are. Thus, when you play double-deck blackjack, the strategy decrees that you surrender in the following instances:

Blackjack Surrender Hand Signal

• When you have hard 15 against a dealer’s 10 in S17 games
• When you have a hard 16 against the dealer’s 10 or Ace in S17 games
• With hard 15 and hard 16 against the dealer’s 10 or Ace in H17 variations
• With hard 17 against the dealer’s Ace in H17 variations
• When you have a pair of 8s versus an Ace in H17 games

Note that surrendering the pair of 8s against a dealer with an Ace, who hits their soft 17, is the optimal play only on condition you are not permitted to double down (NDAS) after you split the 8s. If DAS is available, you should split and double afterward if you happen to catch a 2 or a 3 on your 8.

And finally, below are the correct surrender decisions for players who attempt to take on the dealers’ in multiple-deck blackjack games. We suggest you do your best to memorize these surrender plays well because most blackjack variations with decent, liberal rules these days utilize four, six or eight decks of cards.

• Surrender hard 15 against a 10 in S17 blackjack
• Surrender hard 16 against 9, 10, or Ace is both S17 and H17 games
• Surrender hard 15 against 10 or Ace in H17 games
• Surrender hard 17 against a dealer Ace in H17 games
• Surrender pairs of 8s against an Ace in H17 variations

Being forced to admit defeat is never a pleasant sensation, neither in life nor at the blackjack table. However, the ability to recognize the situations where your hands are sure losers against the dealer’s powerful upcards spares you lots of frustration and money in the long term, so be sure to at least learn the surrender plays for the blackjack variation you play the most frequently.