R is one of the letters you’ll likely see as one of the recommended plays in blackjack. But what does R mean on the blackjack strategy card? The answer to this question is straightforward. R means surrender. In blackjack, that means giving up your hand and conceding defeat. When you surrender in blackjack, you get to keep half of your original bet.
It is one of the five main options a player gets each time it's their turn to play. You can either hit, double down, split, stand, or surrender. Generally, surrendering is only recommended when you have a hard 16 (a total of 16 points with no ace) and the dealer’s card is an Ace, 9 or 10. In a situation like this, it’s difficult to improve your hands without going over 21. Note that this option is not always available on every blackjack table. Also, while it is a valuable tool for avoiding outright losses, it should be used sparingly and strategically.
