Lesson 9 of 10 · 4 min
Lesson 9: surrender and choosing a table
Key takeaway: Surrender 16 against 9, 10 or ace and 15 against 10, if allowed. And pick 3:2 tables where the dealer stands on soft 17.
Surrender isn’t for cowards
Some tables let you surrender right after the deal: you give up the hand and get half your bet back. It’s only worth it when a hand loses more than half the time. With Las Vegas rules that means 16 against 9, 10 or ace and 15 against 10. If surrender isn’t offered, hit those hands.
The most expensive decision happens before you sit down
Table rules move the house edge more than many mistakes do. Look for:
- Blackjack paying 3 to 2, never 6 to 5 (+1.4 points to the house).
- Dealer stands on soft 17 (S17). If the dealer hits (H17), +0.2 points.
- Double after split allowed.
- Surrender, if available.
- Fewer decks is better, though it matters less than the above.
All of it is quantified in house edge by rules.