Blackjack Surrender Signal

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Blackjack surrender hand signal

Surrender is a maneuver that’s available in a few types of variants of Blackjack which are found at both online casinos as well as brick-and-mortar casinos in Vegas, Atlantic City and other gambling meccas around the globe. Typically, the move is exercised when players feel that they have a hand which will not be worth playing out.

If this popular table game interests you, you have probably heard about its variation of the game called Blackjack Surrender. If you are eager to know how it differs from the regular Blackjack game, as well as where to play this particular variant, keep reading.

Each signal varies depending on whether the blackjack game played is face-up or face-down, but all are easy to remember: In face up games, the hand signal used to indicate a hit is a tap on the table next to the cards. In face down games, gently scratch your cards across the felt. Surrender, or late surrender as it most commonly called, is exactly what the name implies. It is basically an option which allows to the player to give up their hand and forfeit half of their original wager after the dealer checks to see if they have blackjack.

Old-school gamblers, I am sorry to inform you that the land-based casinos rarely offer surrender as an option in Blackjack. On your trip to Las Vegas or Atlantic City, you can experience difficulties finding the casino that does. The best alternative you can opt for while you are there are six or eight-deck games. Apparently, the surrender option is only offered at online casinos. Therefore, if you are amenable to transfer from the real world of gambling to the virtual one to enhance your chances in the long run, you have a vast number of options at your disposal.

Alternatively, you can use to blackjack surrender hand signal, which is a simple slow swipe from left to right behind your chips. This motion essentially indicates you are ”cutting off your bet”. Naturally, if you are playing blackjack online, then there should be a button for you to click to indicate your intention to surrender. Surrender, it's not like a lot of plays in blackjack where there are hand signals, and you've got hit and stay, and split double down, and all that. The hand signal for surrender is to make a little line right across the table, like that. But a lot of casinos in general would prefer a verbal.

The Surrender Move in a Nutshell

Blackjack Surrender Signal

This option, as mentioned above, is a great alternative whose purpose is saving money while playing Blackjack because it significantly reduces the house edge. Basically, if you participate in the version of the game that includes it, you can opt for surrendering your hand instead of playing it out. You do so if you estimate that you don’t stand a chance, and it leads to you giving up half of your bet.

Although it may seem like an unprofitable option, the truth is it prevents you from wasting money. The experienced Blackjack players are aware of that fact, so they often choose this variant of the game over the other ones. However, the surrender option has certain restrictions attached to it. You can “play that card” only on the condition you have not already chosen to hit, stand, split, or double. Therefore, it is only available for the first two cards dealt during the course of one game.

The Surrender Rules

Signal

Just like every other casino game, Blackjack has its rules. Being a variant of the game, Blackjack Surrender has rules that slightly differ from the ones of the original version. This goes for every game that implies more than one way of playing. Therefore, you must be familiar with the classic form of the game before moving on to the variants. Assuming you have played Blackjack, I will concentrate on the rules of the particular variant that is the subject of the article and list them for you. Other than the rule that dictates the dealer should stand on a soft 17, you ought to know the following ones:

As you already know, the dealer shows only one card, whilst the other one is face down. The term for the first one is the up card. Provided that one is an Ace or a 10 card, the dealer checks for Blackjack. Conceding that they have it, they win.

The second highest hand after the one described above is the Seven-Card Charlie. It comprises of seven cards whose value, when all the numbers add up, is smaller than or equal to 21.

When your hand contains two equally valued cards, you can opt for splitting them. Once you do so, you will have the dealer give you two cards, one for each hand. Nonetheless, in case the pair you have split comprises two Aces, you are may draw only one extra card to each of your hands. Afterwards, you must stand.

Moreover, while playing Blackjack Surrender, you can double down if you consider it a good idea. In short, if two initial cards you get make you think that with your third card you can defeat the dealer, doubling down can be your weapon of choice. That basically means doubling your wager. And after you have done so, you get your third card.

Provided that the dealer has an Ace, ensuring your bet is a possibility. If that is your choice, half of your bet will be separated and placed on the table. If your assumption is true, you will have your insurance bet doubled. Otherwise, you will lose it.

The late surrender move implies being allowed to surrender on the condition the dealer has established Blackjack is not in their hand.

Additional Information

Now that you have caught up with the rules and the ways in which Blackjack Surrender differs from the classic game, the details are on schedule.

Blackjack Surrender Hand Signal

The Early Surrender Instead of the Late Surrender

You now know what the late surrender means and how to apply it to your game. But how about the early surrender? In fact, that is the trick that can bring down the house edge even more, provided the casino offers it. If it does, you can surrender your hand despite the dealer has not checked for Blackjack yet. Notwithstanding, this option is rather rare, as it obviously damages the casino.

How to Surrender

Blackjack Surrender After Split

Even though the option we have been discussing is frequent in the virtual gambling world, you can still come across it at a land-based casino, provided you are lucky. In that case, you use a special hand signal to let the dealer know you want to surrender. As opposed to traditional casinos, their online counterparts do not require any special knowledge when it comes to the very act of surrendering. The button for the relevant option is rather transparent, you will see it on the screen, so you just need to click it, and you are done.

Signal

The Gesture

The signal you ought to make in order to surrender at a land-based casino is quite simple. All you need to do is draw a line six inches long under your bet using your index finger — the dealer will know what it means. It can get even simpler if the particular dealer you are playing with requires you only to say “Surrender.”

Summary

There you have it, a guideline that is supposed to facilitate your game of Blackjack Surrender. When you master the classic game, you will have no problems whatsoever to mix things up a little in order to play this one. You can view it as your go-to solution for saving money and playing one of the most beloved table games at once. Just make sure to carefully choose a casino and go through the additional rules once again. Other than that, you just have to enjoy the game.

Blackjack is one of the most popular casino games in the world. One reason for this is probably the simplicity of the game, which allows newbies to pick up the rules and start playing within minutes. However, before playing live blackjack, it’s important to learn some of the blackjack hand signals. Doing this will help you to fit in with the seasoned gamblers and make it look like you know what you’re doing – even if you’re just winging it! Below, we explore some of the common blackjack hand signals and their meaning. Keep reading to find out more!

Blackjack hand signals vary depending on whether you’re playing a face-up or a face-down game. In a face-up game, cards are dealt face-up onto the table, so your hands are free. However, in a face-down game, you’ll be holding the cards in your hands and the hand signals will be slightly different.

Face-down blackjack hand signals

Blackjack Surrender Hand Signal

  • Hit – first up, let’s discuss hit. For anyone unsure, a hit is when you request another card from the dealer. The hand signal for this request when holding your cards is to scrape them on the table.
  • Stand – next, we’ve got stand. This is when you want to stick with your cards rather than requesting a new one. The signal for this to move your cards beneath your chips.
  • Double down – this is when you double your initial bet and request one more card from the dealer. This means that you have two initial cards and an additional card from the dealer. The blackjack hand signal for this is to place extra chips next to your initial bet. The only difference between the face-down and the face-up variant is that in a face-down game you’ll need to turn your cards face-up before placing the bet.
  • Split a pair – splitting a pair is when you split the initial two cards you are given, but only if they have the same value. If you’ve got two cards with the same value that you’d like to split, place an additional bet in an area separate from the original betting box. Once you’ve done that, the dealer will split the pair with separated bets to create two different hands. The blackjack hand signal for this is to put more chips next to your initial bet, but from outside the betting area. The only difference between the face-down and the face-up variant is that in a face-down game you’ll need to turn your cards face-up before placing the bet.
  • Surrender – surrendering in blackjack is when you give up your hand after the initial deal if you feel you have little chance of winning the hand. You can usually then keep half your bet, rather than lose the entire thing. To surrender in a face-down game, draw an imaginary straight line with your index finger.

Face-up blackjack hand signals

  • Hit – in face-up blackjack, the hand signal for hit is to tap the table with your finger or wave your hand towards yourself.
  • Stand – the blackjack hand signal for stand in a face-up game is to wave your hand over your cards.
  • Double down – in face-up blackjack, place the chips you want to bet outside the betting box beside your original bet and point with one finger.
  • Split a pair – to split a pair, place the chips you want to bet beside your original bet but outside of the betting box. Point with two fingers and make the shape of a V.
  • Surrender – surrendering in a face-up game is the same as a face-down game, simply draw an imaginary straight line with your index finger.

Why hand signals are important

Blackjack Surrender Hand Signal

So, why are blackjack hand signals important? As well as helping you look the part, blackjack hand signals are important for both the casino and the player. The purpose of them is to make your intentions clear to the dealer which helps the game to run smoothly, as well as keeping the games fair and honest. Most brick-and-mortar casinos have cameras positioned over tables which are used to monitor games. The footage can then be looked back on if necessary.

As the cameras don’t pick up sound, blackjack hand signals are used to make the intentions clear to the casino. For instance, if you wanted to stand but the dealer made a mistake and thought you wanted to hit, the casino would be able to look back at the footage and see that it was the dealer’s mistake and not yours. Likewise, if a player attempts to cheat, hand signals can be used to prove who’s in the right.

Blackjack Surrender Signal

So, there you have it – the most common hand signals and their meaning. If you’re a beginner, you may prefer to just verbally tell the dealer what you want to do until you get the hang of things. However, it’s important to use the blackjack hand gestures as much as you can. Remember that hand signals for blackjack are there to protect both you and the casino, so it’s definitely worthwhile learning how to use blackjack hand signals. Thankfully, most of them are easy to learn so it shouldn’t take you too long to get the hang of them!

If you want to use the blackjack hand signals but don’t feel 100% confident yet, tell the dealer your request verbally as well, just to make sure there are no mix-ups. That way, if the dealer is confused by your request, he can question it before making a mistake. However, after reading through this guide it shouldn’t be long before you’re using blackjack hand signals without any issues!
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