Blackjack is one of the most popular casino games in the world. All land-based and online casinos offer it, with the exception of those who are part of the bingo, sports betting, or lottery niche. And, because of this popularity, the game has taken on several evolutions, including what is now known as Blackjack Surrender. How does it differ from the classic Blackjack, and how will you know which is the better choice for you?

The Game Basics

Blackjack and Blackjack Surrender share similarities in the basic rules of the game:

• A player competes against the dealer
• The player’s goal is to have a hand closer to 21, or higher than the dealer
• A hand is the sum of the values of the card
• Ace has a value of either two or 11, and faces have a value of 10
• If you go above 21, you are bust, and you lose

The player decides what to do first, followed by the dealer. These actions can be:

• Hit – Take one more card to increase the value of the hand and get closer to 21
• Stand – Stick with the two cards
• Split – Split the hands if what the gambler has are same cards. The dealer will then give two more cards to pair with each new set.
• Double Down – Double the bet and get one more extra card
• Insurance – Wager half of your bet if the dealer got an ace in the hole. If the dealer makes a 21, you win. If he doesn’t, you lose.

The Game Differences

Here are the key differences between the two games, with an emphasis on the Blackjack Surrender variant.

• Played with six to eight decks, compared to the four decks used in classic Blackjack
• House stands on soft 17. In classic, it depends.
• You can double on your split
• You can only split once
• The player can surrender his card before the dealer opens his second card

So Which Variant is Right for You?

In Blackjack Surrender, you will have half of your bet returned if you choose to surrender your card. This is not an available option in classic Blackjack – if you surrender, the dealer will expose his cards and will take half of your bet even if your card value is higher. Since the dealer stands on soft 17 (A+6), he is less likely to bust. Some Blackjack variants, but not Surrender, have a rule where the dealer must only stand on a hard 18.
You should probably play Blackjack Surrender if you are new to the game or if you are looking for low-risk Blackjack. If you are already a Blackjack pro and know how to make decisions based on your card and the dealer’s hole card, you will make much more money playing the classic game.