Like with other online casino games, winning at blackjack is a combination of luck and timing. You can’t control what cards are dealt when but you can put yourself in the best position to capitalize if luck is on your side.
Experienced blackjack players play a long game, and part of that is managing your bankroll from one hand to the next. One of the options for doing so in many blackjack games is the Surrender move.
This choice has its benefits and drawbacks. Timing is crucial to minimizing the downside and maximizing potential perks.
What it Means to Surrender in Blackjack
The name of this option really explains it all. To surrender in blackjack means to forfeit a hand. If you do so, there is both an immediate benefit and cost.
In the blackjack games that offer the choice to Surrender, you will usually forfeit half of your original stake in the hand to do so. At the same time, you will get half of your bet back, in most cases.
Various blackjack variants will have different rules on this option if they allow it at all. Those rules are a big part of determining when to surrender in blackjack.
Knowing the Odds and the Rules of Blackjack Surrender
The first blackjack surrender rule is to always play the odds. Within the confines of the game’s broader rules, you should always consider the probabilities of a win for the dealer or yourself in each situation.
As just one example, a dealer showing a 10 while you have a pair of sevens might be a good time to surrender. The odds that you will bust are greater than the odds that the dealer will come close or hit 21.
Beyond that, though, some blackjack games will have specific rules around when you can surrender. For instance, there are early and late blackjack surrenders in certain variants.
An early surrender requires you to invoke the option before the dealer checks their hand. Late, on the other hand, mandates that you wait until after the dealer does so.
Any time you are playing blackjack, it’s always best to have a firm grasp of the rules and probabilities so you can make the best move in any situation. Surrender is a perfect example of how playing with your head can keep you in the game.
To play legal online blackjack, register at BetMGM Casino now. There is also a generous welcome casino bonus to use if you’re a new player.
