Online Blackjack Casinos NZ 2024

Playing 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.

Online Blackjack Game Options

There are several versions available at New Zealand’s online blackjack casinos. These are the most played blackjack variations on the internet, based on our extensive playing of them all.

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

Double Deck Blackjack is played with two decks and follows the same rules as its counterparts. 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 online blackjack which also feature the ‘perfect pairs’ side-game. This version requires more sophisticated strategies and a stronger degree of expertise. You should definitely give games with fewer decks a try if you’re new at blackjack.

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, playing live blackjack provides the same atmosphere and thrills as playing at a land-based casino. Professional croupiers and crisp HD streaming help (in most cases) contribute to an authentic, immersive casino gaming experience.

Basic Rules of Online Blackjack

Standard blackjack uses one or more decks of 52 cards. There will be an initial shuffle, and players will receive two cards apiece. The dealer or croupier will then draw their own two-card hand. One face-up card and one face-down card (often referred to as the hole card) will be in the dealer’s hand.

Depending on the version being played, the cards may be dealt face up or face down, and players are allowed 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.

To win in blackjack, your hand must have a higher value than the dealer’s at the the end of the game; however, if your hand is worth more than 21, you will automatically lose—dealer included—and any player who has it will also lose immediately. 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.