How To Play
As with all versions of Blackjack, the idea of the game is to build a hand of cards that is as close in value to 21 as possible but without exceeding it and going bust. If, at the end of a round, your hand is closer to 21 than the dealer’s is then you win the round.
In Blackjack Surrender, Aces count as either 1 or 11, face cards count as 10 and number cards count as their face values. The most valuable hand is ‘Blackjack’, an Ace and a ten card, and it beats all other hands.
At the start of a round you need to place bets on the hand positions that you wish to play. When you are happy with your bets click on ‘Deal’ to receive two face-up cards to each hand. At the same time, the dealer will be dealt one face-up card and one facedown. You are then given three main options for each hand, ‘Hit’, ‘Stand’ and ‘Double’. Choosing ‘Hit’ will draw another card to the hand, choosing ‘Stand’ leaves the hand as it is and if you choose ‘Double’ your bet will be doubled, you’ll receive one more card and the dealer will then play his hand.
At the end of a round, winning hands are paid at 2:1 except Blackjack, which is paid out at 3:2.
Features and Side Bets
If you think that your first two cards are weak and will not lead to a winning hand you can use the Surrender option. If you surrender a hand then you will receive half of your bet back and the round ends. You can only use the Surrender option after the first two cards are dealt.
If your first two cards in a hand have an equal value then you can split them into two separate hands (by placing a second bet equal to the first). You can then play them as two independent hands giving you more chances to win.
If the dealer’s first face-up card is an Ace then the dealer will check for Blackjack. Before doing so you can take out ‘Insurance’ against the dealer having Blackjack. Insurance costs half of your initial bet and if the dealer does have Blackjack then you are paid out at 2:1.
As mentioned, Blackjack Surrender offers three exciting side bets, each of which can payout some huge amounts.
The Player’s Pair and the Dealer’s Pair side bets are on the player’s or dealer’s first two cards forming a Perfect Pair, a Coloured Pair or a Red/Black Pair respectively. A Perfect Pair is two cards of the same suit and value, a Coloured Pair is two cards of the same value and colour, but from different suits, a Red/Black Pair is two cards of the same value but different suits and colours. The Perfect Pair pays at 25:1, the Coloured Pair pays at 12:1 and the Red/Black Pair pays at 6:1.
The 21+3 side bet pays if your first two cards and the dealer’s first face-up card form a Flush, Straight, Three of a Kind, Straight Flush or Suited Three of a Kind combination. A Suited Three of a Kind pays 100:1, a Straight Flush pays 40:1, a Three of a Kind pays 30:1, a Straight pays 10:1 and a Flush pays 5:1.
