Discover the ins and outs of the Blackjack Surrender Strategy - Unveiling the Who, What, Where, When, and Why of it all!
Surrendering in blackjack can be a savvy play if utilized wisely. Regrettably, many blackjack enthusiasts either overlook this option entirely or surrender at inappropriate times. Familiarizing oneself with the optimal strategy for surrender can effectively diminish the casino's advantage for recreational players and boost profits for skilled card counters. It's worth delving into the details of who, what, where, when, and why surrendering comes into play in blackjack, as this advantageous player choice could potentially enhance our success at the blackjack tables.
Who:
Who are the individuals who choose to utilize the surrender alternative while playing blackjack? Is it an apprehensive player who swiftly admits defeat? Is it a superstitious player attempting to alter the course of the cards? In reality, it is the astute blackjack player who seizes the opportunity to surrender. There are specific scenarios in blackjack where the projected value of your hand results in a loss of over 50% of your wager. When this occurs, it is evident that you would be better off surrendering and receiving half of your bet back, rather than continuing to play the hand.
Whether you're paying attention to it or not, there is always a count, and this count has a significant impact on the expected loss when you decide to hit with a 15 or 16. So, let's take a moment to examine the anticipated loss on a $100 bet if you're not utilizing card counting. It's important to note that the count, in this case, refers to the overall state of the game, particularly the number of high and low cards that have been played. The higher the count goes, the more positive it becomes, and unfortunately, this also means that your expected loss will rise as well.
What:
Let me shed some light on surrendering in blackjack, especially for those who are new to the game or haven't encountered this option before. Surrendering involves forfeiting your hand and receiving 50% of your bet back immediately. Allow me to give you an example to illustrate this concept. Imagine you place a $100 bet and are dealt a 16 while the dealer has a 10. In this situation, you might choose to "surrender" your hand and receive $50 back instead of potentially losing the entire $100. By surrendering, you willingly accept a loss of half your bet to salvage the remaining half. It's worth noting that surrendering is only possible on your first two cards, before you decide to take an additional card. Once you have made the decision to take a hit, surrender is no longer an option, and you must proceed to play out your hand.
Where:
Let me tell you about the availability of blackjack surrender. Typically, surrendering is permitted solely in specific shoe games employing 4, 6, or 8 decks. Interestingly, I have come across only a few exceptions to this rule on the west coast, with none being found in the famous gambling haven of Las Vegas.
When it comes to playing blackjack with surrender in Southern California, there are a few casinos that offer this option. Barona Casino, Sycuan Casino, and Harrah's Rincon Casino are the places where you can find double deck blackjack with surrender. However, it's worth noting that Pechanga and Pauma no longer provide surrendering on double deck games. If you're in Tucson, Arizona, and looking for a 3-deck blackjack game with surrender, you should head to Casino Del Sol. Typically, the surrender option is more commonly found in 4-8 deck games dealt from a shoe. If you're planning a trip to Las Vegas and want to know where you can find surrender available, I've compiled a list of casinos on the Strip and a few notable mentions off the Strip. At Aria (City Center), you'll find high limit 6-deck games with a minimum bet of $100. Bally's offers 3:2 paying 8-deck games, but be cautious of the 6:5 tables. Bellagio has all 6-deck blackjack games, while Caesars Palace offers high limit 6-deck games and some 6-deckers on the main floor. Surrender is not allowed at Circus Circus, but at Cosmopolitan, you can enjoy all 6-deck and 8-deck blackjack games. If you visit Encore, Excalibur, Flamingo, Imperial Palace, Luxor, Mandalay Bay, Monte Carlo, New York, New York, Palace Station, Riviera, Sahara, Stratosphere, Tropicana, or Venetian, surrender is not allowed. However, Green Valley Ranch, Hard Rock, M Resort, Palazzo, Palms, Paris, Planet Hollywood, Red Rock, Rio, Treasure Island, and Wynn offer high limit 6-deck games or all 6-deck and 8-deck games with surrender available. So, depending on where you are and what type of blackjack game you prefer, you can find surrender as an option in certain casinos. It's always a good idea to check the specific rules and offerings of each casino before you start playing to ensure the best experience possible.
When should one consider surrendering in blackjack? Well, the answer to that question relies on a few factors, such as the specific rules of the blackjack table (whether it is S17 or H17) and whether or not you are utilizing card counting techniques. However, even without card counting, understanding and implementing the appropriate surrender strategy can significantly diminish the house edge. Let's delve into the comparison of various 6-deck blackjack games, taking into account the presence or absence of the surrender rule.
Blackjack Surrender
When playing blackjack, it's always wise to keep a few guidelines in mind. One important rule to remember is that you should never give up when the dealer is showing a card between 2 and 7. Save surrendering for situations when the dealer reveals an 8, 9, 10, or an ace. To make things clearer, let's take a closer look at the optimal surrender strategies for games played with 4 decks, 6 decks, or 8 decks.
Card counting provides valuable information for playing blackjack. When it comes to surrendering, there are certain moves that can save you money. If the true count is zero or higher, it is advisable to surrender a 16 against a dealer's 9, 10, or ace, as well as a 15 against a 10. When the true count reaches +2 or higher, it is recommended to surrender a 15 against a 9 or ace. Similarly, a true count of +3 or higher suggests surrendering a 14 against a 10, while a true count of +4 or higher indicates surrendering a 16 against an 8. However, if you're not obsessed with precise numbers, sticking to these four surrender points should be sufficient for a profitable game of blackjack. Feel free to reach out to me if you want a complete guide on surrender moves for specific card combinations, but keep in mind that extensive knowledge in this area is not necessary to succeed in the game.
Why:
In my line of work, it's crucial to know when to throw in the towel at the right moment. The reason for this strategic surrender is simple: we aim to tilt the odds in our favor and outsmart the house. As a professional blackjack player, my livelihood depends on maximizing my chances on the casino floor. And let me tell you, understanding the optimal surrender strategy is an essential piece of the puzzle. It's important to remember that surrendering is far from admitting defeat or lacking bravery; it's a calculated move to minimize potential losses and ultimately enhance our overall results. Whether you're adept at card counting or not, employing the correct surrender strategy is just plain shrewd.
Also checkout:
Mastering the Art of Blackjack Gameplay
BLACKJACK TIPS
PLAY BLACKJACK GAMES
