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The Option to Surrender in Blackjack

Surrender is an option in blackjack that is not so popular because not all blackjack games offer it. The option to surrender will allow blackjack players to fold their hand in exchange for half of the original bet amount. If the original bet is $10, when you surrender, $5 will be deducted from your $10 bet.

You must decide to surrender before making any further moves in blackjack. If ever you have already draw, double down, or split your hand, the option to surrender is no longer allowed. There are two kinds of surrender options - early and late. The difference of the two types of surrender is only in how the blackjack of the dealer is managed.

During an early surrender, the player will make the decision before the dealer was able to check the hand for a blackjack. Early surrender is seldom offered in casinos because it gives players a very good advantage against the house. During late surrender, the player will make the decision after the dealer was able to check the hand for a blackjack. If the dealer's hand is not a blackjack, late surrender option is offered.

Why would a blackjack player opt to surrender if half of the original bet will be lost? Surrender is an beneficial option for blackjack players if used during the right situations. There are certain blackjack situations in which surrender is an advantageous option to do.

For example, in a six-deck blackjack game where the dealer has a rule to stand on soft 17, there are eight major card combinations where if you surrender, you will have a better expected return rather than playing your hand. In general, these eight major card combinations will happen once in every 26 hands in blackjack.

The eight major card combinations of blackjack where surrender is profitable are the following:

1. Your cards are ten and six, and the dealer's up card is ten. 2. Your cards are nine and seven, and the dealer's up card is ten. 3. Your cards are ten and five, and the dealer's up card is ten. 4. Your cards are nine and six, and the dealer's up card is ten. 5. Your cards are ten and six, and the dealer's up card is nine. 6. Your cards are nine and seven, and the dealer's up card is nine. 7. Your cards are ten and six, and the dealer's up card is Ace. 8. Your cards are nine and seven, and the dealer's up card is Ace.

Just remember that to surrender with these card combinations are only beneficial on a six-deck blackjack game with a dealer rule of standing on soft 17.