Blackjack Surrender and Blackjack Switch

Blackjack is the most commonly played casino game out there, and its no wonder that several variations of the game can now be played online. Some casinos offer a version known as blackjack surrender, which allows the player to give up half his bet and not play out the hand. Many online casinos also offer blackjack switch, which allows you to play two hands at once and actually switch cards between them!

Blackjack Surrender Strategy

Since having even a 25% chance of winning will bring about a better average return than giving up half your bet, players should surrender only on the very worst hands.

You can only use the surrender option on your first two cards, and only after the dealer has checked the hole cards to ensure he or she doesn’t have blackjack. It’s a definite benefit to your game if you use it well.

When playing blackjack surrender, if the dealer has a ten or ace showing, and he peeks at his cards for a blackjack before the first player’s turn this known as a “late surrender.”

“Early surrender” is when the dealer does not check for blackjack, or does not take a hole card at all. Whether you’re playing blackjack online or live, the dealer has no free will but must always play by certain house rules.

The best blackjack surrender strategy is to use the option when you have the lowest chance of winning. This occurs when you’re dealt a poor hand, such as a 15 or 16, and the dealer’s up card is strong, perhaps a ten or ace. You should consider surrendering if:

• You hold a hard 16 when the dealer shows a nine, ten or ace

• You hold a hard 15 when the dealer shows a ten

Your decision to surrender when playing blackjack online or at a live casino must be made before any other choice concerning your hand. Once you draw a third card, or split, or double down, surrender is no longer an option.

Online casino's hardly ever offer early surrender since it gives a healthy advantage to the player. Late surrender is much more frequent, where the dealer

checks for blackjack first, and only if he does not have it will he allow players to surrender their hands.

Play Blackjack Switch

Blackjack Switch is a variant of blackjack in which a player is dealt two hands and is allowed to swap the top cards between hands.

The strategy is like traditional blackjack with an old school style of play, including not doubling or splitting on mediocre hands.

The general rule of thumb when swapping cards is to select the option that allows the best single hand to be formed, so you can at least be assure of covering the bet for both hands.

Players may only switch the second cards dealt. For example say you were dealt a 7 6 and a 3 4, you would switch the 6 and the 4 to make new hands of 7 4 and 3 6 thus greatly improving your chances of generating a winning hand. You can also play blackjack switch online, where the odds are considered somewhat better than that of traditional blackjack.