All of the extra actions favor the house when used incorrectly - it wouldn't be a casino game if the opposite were true! Recognize the implications of insurance, splitting, doubling down and surrender. Early surrender is when you opt out of half your bet before the dealer checks for a blackjack on their behalf. When the dealer has an ace, he or she automatically checks to see if a blackjack is had.X Research source Surrender is only desirable when the dealer is showing a 9-A, and the player has a 5-7 or 12-16. Surrender: In many casinos, you can (before playing and after determining if the dealer has a blackjack) choose to give up half of your bet without playing.Split the hands by separating the cards and placing a duplicate bet. If both hands lose, you lose double the money.

If both of your hands win, you get double the amount of money. Tens, Jacks, Queens, and Kings are usually counted as 10 each.

Split: Make two hands from one hand, if both cards are the same value.

This is generally only used when your initial two cards equal 8-11 or soft 12 to soft 19.

Double Down: You double your bet, and get only one more card.

You lose your other bet (which would pay 1-1) but win the insurance, resulting in breaking even. You place a new bet that will then pay at 2-1 if the dealer does indeed have a blackjack.

Taking insurance: This is only available when the dealer is showing an ace.

There are also a few extra possibilities you can use for certain hands:.

Stand: Keep your current cards and do nothing.

You are able to hit until you go over 21.

Learn your choices: There are two basic options when it's your turn: X Research source

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