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Online Blackjack Casinos NZ

By Dale Shelabarger, Updated:

Many people consider online blackjack, or Twenty One, the most popular card game on the planet. As expected, New Zealand’s online casino sites offer multiple variants of this card game, which has long been a fixture of land-based gambling establishments across the world.

Best Online Blackjack Casinos

A Blackjack Crash Course

One or more decks of 52 cards are used in standard blackjack. Players will get two cards apiece after an initial shuffle, then the dealer or croupier will draw a two-card hand for themselves. The dealer’s hand will have one face-up card on the table, and one face-down card (typically called the hole card).

The cards can be dealt either face up or face down depending on the variant being played, with participants permitted to draw extra cards to improve their hand. The dealer is allowed to draw his hand once all players have received theirs. In most blackjack versions, he must achieve a minimum score of 17.

Your hand must have a higher value than the dealer’s at the end of a game of blackjack in order to win; but exceeding 21 is a ‘bust’ and forces an immediate loss for any player who has it, dealer included. While the luck of the draw typically dictates the outcome of the round, players can maximize their odds of winning by making the right choices, of which they have multiple options:

  • Hit: Draws another card into your hand.
  • Stand: Ends your turn and waits until all players and the dealer show their cards at the end.
  • Double Down: Doubles your initial bet and draws only one card.
  • Split: Splits a paired hand into two separate hands, each with their own bet and second cards.
  • Surrender: Forfeits half of your bet to sit out the game.

If you win, you’ll get paid even money or 1-1. This implies that if you win a wager of $10, you’ll earn another $10. Getting a blackjack (or a 10-valued card and an ace) pays 3-to-2, although different online casinos in New Zealand may have varying payout rates for blackjacks.

 

Blackjack Casino Games Variants

There exist multiple versions available at online blackjack casinos in NZ.  We have played all of them and here are the most popular blackjack variants available online.

 

Classic Blackjack Online

As the name suggests, classic blackjack is heavily based on the version found in most land-based casinos. Using a single deck, two face-up cards are dealt to the players while one of the dealer’s cards is hidden. The dealer also has to stand on a soft 17.

 

European Blackjack

European blackjack closely follows its traditional offline counterpart. It’s available as both a single and multi-hand game and comprises at least two decks of 52 cards with the usual goal of getting a better score than the dealer without exceeding 21.

 

Double Deck Blackjack

Featuring the same rules as it counterparts, Double Deck Blackjack is played using two decks. Although the rules remain pretty much the same, this particular version features a slightly higher house edge. This is slightly offset in certain double deck variants which require the dealer to stand on all 17s.

 

Premium Online Blackjack

A maximum of four decks are used in games of premium blackjack which also feature the ‘perfect pairs’ side-game. This version requires more sophisticated strategies and a stronger degree of expertise. If you’re a newbie to blackjack, you should probably try your hand at games with fewer decks first.

 

Live Blackjack

Live blackjack is offered by an extensive range of online casinos and can usually be found in live dealer suites as part of a wider portfolio of casino games. These days, live blackjack offers the kind of ambience and excitement you could expect when playing at a land-based establishment. Professional croupiers and crisp HD streaming help (in most cases) contribute to an authentic, immersive casino gaming experience.

 

Where Can I Play Online Blackjack in NZ?

Online blackjack is growing more and more like playing blackjack in a land-based casino as developers like Evolution Casino Gaming, NetEnt, and Playtech consistently improve their games. There is only one important difference: You can’t actually feel the cards in your hands when playing.

In today’s increasingly competitive software market, developers are continually seeking new and better methods to improve their products. Examples of these include additional side bets and special add-on games aimed at internet players. Certain developers have even produced progressive blackjack games.

Because blackjack has one of the lowest house margins of any game in live casinos, it has become a popular pastime. The more you learn about the game, the more likely you are to like it and perhaps make more money. Most blackjack games can be played easily on mobile casino sites and on PCs and iPads.

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