It goes without saying that blackjack is one of the most popular casino games on the planet. It’s very popular, both in online and traditional casinos, and millions of players enjoy it every day.
Since it’s so popular, it shouldn’t surprise you that there are many different strategies to play this game, including one called surrender. But, what exactly is it and can you lean on it after hitting? Let’s find out.
What Is Surrender In Blackjack?
In blackjack, surrender is a move that you can make when you’re dealt a bad hand. More specifically, it’s an option to give up your hand and lose half of your bet instead of playing on and potentially losing your entire bet.
While this may sound like a great deal, it’s important to know that not all casinos offer this option. In fact, most casinos (especially online casinos) don’t offer the surrender option at all. So, if you’re playing at an online casino, you probably won’t be able to use this strategy.
However, if you are playing at a traditional casino that offers the surrender option, it can be a helpful way to minimize your losses when you’re dealt a bad hand.
What Is The Difference Between Early And Late Surrender?
There are two types of surrender in blackjack: early and late.
Early surrender is when you have the option to give up your hand and lose half of your bet before the dealer checks for blackjack. This option is very rare, as most casinos don’t offer it. Most players also don’t want to do it. It’s the gambler in them that doesn’t allow them to give up so early.
Late surrender is when you have the option to give up your hand and lose half of your bet after the dealer checks for blackjack. This option is much more common, although still not offered at all casinos. However, one thing to note is that if the dealer has got a natural blackjack – the hand is over. You can’t surrender at that point. You can just give up.
Can You Surrender In Blackjack After Hitting?
Folks often confuse late surrender with surrendering after hitting. Those two are not the same.
As a general rule of thumb, surrendering after you’ve been hit (or you decide to stand, double down or split) is not possible – not in traditional casinos, not in online ones like UFA DIAMOND. That’s because once you’ve been hit, there’s no going back. You have to play the hand out until the bitter end.
So, if you’re playing blackjack and you’re thinking about surrendering after being dealt a bad hand, make sure that you do it before you hit. Otherwise, it won’t be an option for you.
Pro Tips – When To Surrender?
Now that we’ve answered the question at hand, allow us to give you some pro tips on when it might be a good idea to actually use this strategy.
The idea behind this strategy is to cut your losses. In other words, abandon the hand only when it is obvious that you’re going to bust.
For example, let’s say you’re dealt a hand with a value of 16. The dealer is showing an Ace. You know that if you hit, you’re likely to go over 21 and bust and that a dealer could have a natural or a generally stronger hand. In this case, it would be a good idea to move on.
On the other hand, if you have a hand with a value of 19 and the dealer is showing a 6, there’s still a chance that you can win the hand if you play. In this case, it would not be a good idea to surrender because you have a decent chance to win.
Of course, these are just examples and each situation is different. Here are some general “rules”, though.
- If the dealer is showing an ace and you hold 5-7 or 12-17 hard total in your hand – you’d be advised to surrender. That’s not an optimal situation for the player.
- Furthermore, if you’re holding a pair of 3s, 6s, 7s, or 8s, and the dealer has its Ace up – you should consider surrendering. You could also split your pair and try your luck with two hands, but it’s highly unlikely you’ll have a good time.
- Finally, if the dealer is showing a 10 (so, a 10 or a face card) and you’re holding a hard total of 14-16 – it’s best that you surrender. Cut your losses before the dealer checks for a natural and stay in the game.
These are just some examples, of course. Ultimately, it’s up to you whether or not you want to surrender. Do keep in mind, though, that this is not a winning strategy. It’s designed to help you minimize your losses, not necessarily win the hand. So, don’t rely on it too much. Use it sparingly and only when you feel like it’s absolutely necessary.
Pros & Cons Of Surrendering In Blackjack
Like with any strategy, there are both pros and cons to this strategy. Here’s a quick overview:
Pros:
- It can help you minimize your losses.
- It can take the pressure off of you if you’re feeling overwhelmed.
- You don’t have to make any tough decisions – you can just give up and move on.
Cons:
- It’s not a winning strategy.
- You’re giving up half of your bet even though you haven’t played the hand.
- It’s not a very aggressive way to play.
Ultimately, whether or not this is a good idea for you is up to you. If you’re feeling lost or overwhelmed, it might be a good idea to give up and live to fight another day. On the other hand, if you’re feeling confident and you think you have a chance to win, you might want to gently tap the table and keep the party going.
Conclusion
So, to sum up.
No, you can’t surrender after you’ve been hit. And, yes, there are both pros and cons to surrendering in blackjack. Ultimately, whether or not it’s a good idea for you to do so is up to you. Consider all of your options and make the best decision for yourself.
We hope you found this article helpful. Good luck!