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Casino Surrender in Blackjack

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Several years ago, at the popular Stardust Casino in Las Vegas, a type of blackjack with a surrender option to the casino was played. We would like to inform our readers at Casinoz about this rule.

What is Surrender in Blackjack?

Please do not confuse it with the usual rule of surrender, which allows the player to quit the game for half the bet. This surrender is well known to all fans of blackjack who are familiar with its basic strategy. In the recommendations, we described when you should use it.

Casino surrender offers players something else.

It allows players to receive a guaranteed payment of half the bet if their first two cards total twenty points against the dealer's ten.

Let's focus on this option on a specific example.

  1. Let's assume that you bet ten dollars and get two cards with ten points each or an ace and a nine.
  2. The dealer has ten.
  3. You can continue the game, taking one of the usual steps, or choose the casino surrender.
  4. If the casino surrenders, you receive five dollars back.

Of course, this kind of surrender is possible only after the dealer has checked the availability of blackjack. If he has blackjack, you immediately lose.

Casino surrender is very popular among players. This feature was patented by its inventors so that other casinos could not use it, but many casinos have already bought the rights for its use.

Why Gamblers Like the Casino Surrender Rule?

They like that in a risky situation, they get a guaranteed win. I'm sure many of them just want to avoid disappointment, inevitable in a situation where you find yourself with twenty points or even in the red. Players are also attracted by the opportunity to switch roles with the casino because earlier surrender was offered only to customers.

But who benefits from this function? The casino or the gamblers? And in general, if the casino would like to attract customers with really favorable conditions, it would be sufficient to turn the mathematical advantage in favor of players in a couple of classic rules. 

Instead, the casinos come up with some new options. Why? Yes, because most of the new rules in blackjack only reduce the theoretical return. In this case, inexperienced players do not always understand it.

Casino surrender is no exception. Simple calculations confirm this, and the statistics are evident.

Long ago, it was calculated that the gambler with twenty points against the dealer's ten playing by the basic strategy wins in about 55.5% - 58.5% of cases. The discrepancy is caused by the number of decks in the game. If he agrees to a casino surrender in this situation, a player wins only in about 50% rounds.

For example, if you play with six decks and get two scores in the top ten, the dealer's probability of winning is 55.9%. Is it worth it to lose 5.9% choosing casino surrender?


Conclusion

As you can see, the difference is very significant, and we recommend you avoid surrender if you have to play blackjack with such a rule. Of course, you will often lose or get a draw against ten to twenty, but on a long stretch, it is much more profitable than surrendering to the casino.

Do not worry about the occasional failures. They are inevitable in all games. If you decide to become a professional in blackjack, you have to make all decisions on a long stretch. The proverb about a bird in the hand is not suitable for blackjack.

Frequently asked Questions

🙍‍♂️ What is the surrender rule in blackjack?

The surrender rule in blackjack offers players an option to forfeit their hand and recover half of their original wager. This decision must be made immediately after the dealer checks for blackjack, and before the player makes any other decision regarding their hand, such as hitting, standing, or doubling down. It's a strategic move employed when a player believes their chances of winning the hand are particularly low, thus minimizing their potential losses. The rule itself has two main variations: early surrender and late surrender, which differ based on when the player is allowed to make this decision relative to the dealer's potential blackjack.

🙋‍♂️ What is the casino surrender rule in blackjack?

The casino surrender option allows players to win half their bet immediately if they have a twenty and the dealer shows a ten. It appeared in the Stardust Casino in Las Vegas.

❔ How does early surrender differ from late surrender?

The distinction between early and late surrender lies in the timing of the player's decision relative to the dealer's hand. Early surrender allows the player to give up their hand and lose half their bet even before the dealer checks for blackjack. This is a highly favorable rule for players because it can save them from losing their entire bet against a dealer's natural 21. Conversely, late surrender, which is much more common in casinos today, permits the player to surrender only after the dealer has checked for blackjack and confirmed they do not have one. If the dealer does have blackjack, the player who chooses late surrender will lose their entire bet. The advantage to the player is significantly greater with early surrender.

Denis Anipchenko
Denis Anipchenko
Editor-in-chief and online gambling expert

Denis is a true professional with many years of experience in the gambling industry. His career started back in the late nineties when he worked as a croupier, pit boss, manager and casino manager. This unique experience allowed him to deeply understand the world of gambling from the inside. Since the late noughties Denis has dedicated himself to writing articles and analyses about gambling, and since the early tens he has become a key figure in the Casinoz team. Here he not only writes and edits content, but also creates reviews, shares his expertise and helps readers understand the intricacies of gambling. Denis combines practical experience and in-depth knowledge, making him one of the most respected experts in the industry. His writings are always up-to-date, proven and useful information for anyone interested in the casino world.

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Facts checked Alex Vasilev Scientific editor and fact checker
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