Online Blackjack

Known as the ‘thinking gamblers’ game, online blackjack has a rich casino history. If you enjoy taking your flutter to the next level, this could be the game for you. Get ready for an exciting head to head race with the dealer alongside other players toward an elusive hand of 21. 

JackpotCity Online Blackjack
1

JackpotCity

5 • Excellent
launched in 1998
  • games-amountplay 700+
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  • live-dealerlive
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  • mobile-supportmobile
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$1600

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LeoVegas Online Blackjack
2

LeoVegas

4.9 • Excellent
launched in 2012
  • games-amountplay 800+
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  • live-dealerlive
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  • mobile-supportmobile
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$1000

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Spin Palace Online Blackjack
3

Spin Palace

4.8 • Excellent
launched in 2001
  • games-amountplay 450+
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  • live-dealerlive
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  • mobile-supportmobile
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$1000

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Ruby Fortune Online Blackjack
4

Ruby Fortune

4.8 • Excellent
launched in 2003
  • games-amountplay 459+
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$750

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888 Online Blackjack
5

888

4.8 • Excellent
launched in 1997
  • games-amountplay 200+
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$88

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twin casino Online Blackjack
6

Twin Casino

4.4 • Very good
launched in 2017
  • games-amountplay 2000+
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  • mobile-supportmobile
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$350

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Casumo Online Blackjack
7

Casumo

4.7 • Excellent
launched in 2012
  • games-amountplay 850+
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  • live-dealerlive
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  • mobile-supportmobile
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$500

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Casimba Online Blackjack
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Casimba

4.5 • Excellent
launched in 2017
  • games-amountplay 600+
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$5000

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Royal Vegas Online Blackjack
9

Royal Vegas

4.5 • Very good
launched in 2000
  • games-amountplay 700+
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  • fast-payoutFast
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  • live-dealerlive
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  • mobile-supportmobile
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$1200

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EmuCasino Online Blackjack
10

EmuCasino

4.4 • Very good
launched in 2012
  • games-amountplay 1100+
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  • live-dealerlive
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  • mobile-supportmobile
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$300

+12 Free Spins
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Online Blackjack in New Zealand – Why Kiwis love it! 

Online blackjack NZ is beloved by gamblers from the tip of the North Island to the bottom of the South Island. The popular table game first arrived with English settlers. It was a popular game in England and was subsequently played in NZ when the English settled in New Zealand. While gambling was not always an allowed activity, the laws loosened over time and gambling was legalised in many forms, including table games and blackjack. Being the most popular table game in the world, blackjack clearly has an array of international fans and Kiwis are right up there with the most avid fans! 

Kiwis love online blackjack because it is fast-paced, luck-based, and involves an element of thought, memory, and skill. These are all aspect of casino games that draw Kiwis to playing casino in the first place. While New Zealanders love playing blackjack, they enjoy online blackjack even more. This is because we Kiwis are busy, active people. Because of this, we are often on the go. Being on the go means that when the urge for a flutter arises, it would be impossible to satisfy when mid-commute or on a lunch break. With casino advancements in technology, Kiwis have embraced online casinos across the nation. The convenience is second to none and suits the NZ lifestyle to a tee.  

How to Play Online Blackjack 

When Kiwis play blackjack online for fun, they tend to learn the basic rules before depositing money for a flutter. Understanding the blackjack rules and a bit about the origins of the game, even in a general sense, makes a big difference when it comes to gambling at online blackjack. It helps new players pick up the game much more quickly than they would if they joined a game unprepared. 

Blackjack Overview 

Originating from an internationally popular table game known as Twenty-One, blackjack is an American variant. The game is based on comparing cards between one or more players and the dealer. Each player competes directly against the dealer and do not compete against each other. The game is played with decks of 52 cards and is the most popular casino game around the globe. In order to win and make your mark on online blackjack history, you must beat the dealer in one of these ways: 

  • Have 21 points on your first two cards. This is called a “blackjack” or “natural”. 
  • Achieve a higher score than the dealer by the end of the game without going over 21 
  • Allow the dealer you are playing to draw more cards until they go past 21. This is called “busted”. 

Online Blackjack Rules 

Step 1 

When playing online blackjack, each player is dealt 2 cards. The cards are placed face up, or face down, depending entirely on the online casino being played at.  

Step 2 

The dealer of the game is also dealt 2 cards. Usually, one of the dealer’s cards is facing up while the other is facing down. 

Step 3 

The value of an entire hand is the sum of all the card values in that hand. The value of the cards from 2 to 10 is their true value, while the face cards Jack, Queen, King total 10 each. An ace can be worth either 1 or 11.  

Step 4 

If you require more cards to improve your hand’s value, you can draw cards from the deck.  

Step 5 

Once each player has completed their hands, the dealer plays their hand. The dealers hand is not completed if every other player has already busted of received a blackjack. 

Step 6 

During the dealers turn, they first reveal the hidden card. They then hit (draw) until their hand totals 17 or more points. 

Step 7 

At this stage, the dealer either wins or draws with a player which is called a “push” in which case the player does not win or lose any of their bet.  

online blackjack

Why Play Online Blackjack?  

There are many reasons to play blackjack online for fun and the most important reason is in the name itself. It is played online. This table game is not played at a certain time or at a certain place, it is available at all times and in all places. The convenience of blackjack games being played online is a huge part of why Kiwis love to play blackjack online and why the game is so popular around the world and here in New Zealand. Here are some more advantages of playing blackjack online: 

  • Many online casinos offer free online blackjack so players can ‘try before they buy’ 
  • Playing online blackjack is fun!  
  • The flexibility of being able to play anywhere, anytime is a huge bonus for Kiwi gamblers 
  • Real money games are exciting and fast paced which is perfect for NZ players who do not like to muck around with their casino gambling 
  • Online Blackjack live delivers a Vegas or Monaco experience to your living room, work commute, or lunch hour 

Types of Blackjack Online     

Free Online Blackjack 

Kiwis often like to practice their table game skills when they play blackjack online for free. Playing free online blackjack games is a great way to learn the ins and outs of the game without putting any real money NZD on the line. Kiwi gamblers that love a little glitz and glam when playing casino without the risk of losing their cold hard cash are fans of free blackjack. 

Free blackjack online is offered when an online casino wants to encourage Kiwi player to try their game selection, try their casino, and get comfortable playing at their casino and using their service. The idea is that is a casino impresses a player while they are playing free online blackjack games, then that player is likely to register an account and make a deposit of real money NZD in order to play the blackjack for cold hard cash. 

Free Online Blackjack Strategy 

Playing blackjack online free is a strategic way to practice and refine your blackjack skills. Kiwi players who are new to casino games can take this opportunity to learn how the game is played. Veteran NZ free blackjack gamblers like to take this opportunity to sharpen their skills so that they have more impact when it is time for the real money game! 

Real Money Blackjack  

Playing blackjack online for real money is the next start after free play. Once a New Zealand player has trialled a few of the casino’s blackjack games they will often make a deposit of real money NZD to that casino in order to play online blackjack for real money. 

Playing for real money NZD ups the stakes and can make the game must more exciting for some NZ gamblers. The adrenaline gets pumping when a few dollars are on the line. It can make every card draw an intense moment as opposed to a casual curiosity which is how it can feel when playing for free initially. 

Real Money Blackjack Strategy 

Playing real money blackjack online is a popular method of gambling for New Zealanders. Real money blackjack means exciting games with adrenaline to boot. Kiwi online casino players that enjoy the rush of playing with real money will love the strategic aspect of playing real money blackjack with NZD. There are higher stakes and as a result, the gameplay is more intense. Strategy is required to succeed at real money blackjack and this game is for Kiwi gamblers that know what they are doing. 

Blackjack Type  Pros  Cons 
Free Blackjack  Learn how to play blackjack free online  Do not risk real money NZD  Cannot win any real money NZD  Can be limited to specific games 
Real Money Blackjack  Can win real money NZD  Can play any blackjack game at the casino  Risk of losing real money NZD  Suited to players who can play blackjack 

Live Blackjack  

Playing live blackjack online is a next-level experience. If you have ever dreamt of visiting Las Vegas or Monte Carlo, you can do so with online blackjack live. 

Real dealers are live-streamed directly to the player’s device via a live casino and the player can enjoy an in-person, live experience when they play live blackjack. A huge bonus for many New Zealand gamblers when playing live blackjack is that banter is encouraged. Players have the ability to live chat with each other, as well as the dealer. This is a great way to have a personal, live-streamed experience without having to dress up and visit a brick and mortar casino. Live casino offers a live experience anytime, anywhere. 

Live Dealer Blackjack Strategy Tips 

The trick to mastering live blackjack online strategy is practice. Blackjack is a game of skill and thought. New players should not be dissuaded by this because anyone can become a blackjack master with practice and patience. Learning the basics of the game is a great start. Following that, start playing some low bid games to hone your skills and become familiar with the different styles of live blackjack online available. 

Different Types of Live Dealer Blackjack 

There a range of different types of live dealer blackjack on offer at the best blackjack casinos in New Zealand. This is great news for 21-happy Kiwis because it means that there is always a fresh style of game to play. Having said that, the game of blackjack feels fresh and new each time because it is. Every hand is different, and every outcome is an unknown. But if you are keen for a different background or game style when playing live blackjack, try these variations on for size: 

Multihand Blackjack 

European Blackjack 

Double Exposure Blackjack 

American Blackjack 

Royale Blackjack 

Super 7 Blackjack 

Single Deck Blackjack 

Online Blackjack Terms that You Need to Know

online blackjack nz

Bankroll 

This is how much NZD you are prepared to bet during the blackjack game. 

Hand 

A player’s hand in blackjack online is the cards that they are holding. The dealer also had a hand of cards. There are hard hands and soft hands in the game of blackjack. Hard hands, or stiff hands, are a hand without an Ace but that have a value of 12 or above. It is also the term for a hand that has an Ace that is forced to have the value of 1. A hard hand is aptly names as it refers to a hand that can quickly go bust with the addition of a card. A soft hand contains an Ace but the hand cannot go bust with the addition of a card.  The third type of a hand in blackjack is a Soft-17. This refers to a hand that has an Ace and totals 6. If the dealer receives a Soft-17 they must either stand or hit. 

House 

The house is the casino that you are playing online blackjack at. They set the rules and are responsible for the gameplay. The advantage that the casino holds over the game is called the house edge. 

Hit 

Players hit, or draw, cards when they ask the dealer for another card. This increases the value of the player’s hand and can bring them one step closer to a win or result in their hand going bust. 

Bust 

Your hand is bust if it exceeds 21. This happens when a player is dealt a card by the dealer which pushed their total over 21. This card is referred to as the bust card. If the dealer busts and you are still in the game then you win and will receive winnings.  

Double down 

When a player doubles down it means that they are doubling their original bet, or wager. This occurs after the cards have been dealt and the player has looked at them. If the hand is good, they might double, or double down to up their stake in the game.  

Natural hand 

This is when a player’s hand consists of 2 cards that total 21 points. A natural hand, or a blackjack is a quick win for players. 

Stand 

When a player chooses not to hit, but instead to maintain their hand’s total, this is called standing. A stand usually occurs when a players hand is very close to 21, about 18 or above.  

Face cards 

These are the cards with faces on them. Queen, King, and Jack. These cards are valued at 10 points in blackjack and are considered good cards to receive when playing blackjack online. With 12 cards in a 52-card deck, the odds are not terrible that you will be dealt a face card during a game. 

Ace 

Being dealt an ace is exciting when playing any game, but especially when playing blackjack online. It is the best possible card available in the blackjack deck. Without it a player has no hope of hitting blackjack in their first 2 cards. An ace is worth 1 or 11. If you are dealt a card with the value of 10 alongside your Ace, then the Ace is worth 11 and this is called a ‘natural blackjack’. If you are dealt an Ace and a 6, then you need to choose whether you want to count your hand as a 7 or a 17. This is an example of the strategic aspect of blackjack is at its peak. If 2 Aces are dealt, they should be split into 2 separate hands. 

Five-card-Charlie 

This style of online blackjack is one of the simplest. A player is dealt 5 cards in a hand and cannot go over 21. The pay-out disregards the dealer’s hand in favour of any payer with a 5-card-Charlie. While the game is simple, players have low odds of achieving 5-card-Charlie success. 

Face-down blackjack 

A great example of ‘what it says on the tin’. The cards are dealt face-down. This means that no player can see the dealer’s cards. This style of game is beloved by those who enjoy the thrill of luck games. With no visibility over the dealer’s cards, strategy takes a holiday and lady luck steps in. 

Face-up blackjack 

Players who like to know what their opponent’s cards are enjoy playing face-up blackjack. This style of game is also known as Double Exposure. In this variation of blackjack, all the cards are dealt face-up which invited strategy into the game. Each move can be based on what the dealers hand is comparable to your own.  

Up-card 

This is the first card that the dealer has been dealt in the face-up variation of blackjack. Players have the ability to consider their options with visibility over the dealer’s card. 

Hole card 

When playing hole card blackjack, the dealer’s first card is face up while their second card is face down. All players have a turn before the hole card is revealed.  

Split 

The ability to split, or partake in splitting, happens when a hand can be separated into two with an equal bet for each new hand. If the first two cards dealt have the same value, then the hand can be split by the player. In order to split an additional wager that matches the original bet is placed to cover the new hand.  

Insurance 

This is a type of side bet that is common in online blackjack. A player can insure their hand against the dealer hitting blackjack. This side bet is separate to the Kiwi players principle wager and is ideal for indecisive gamblers or those holding a natural blackjack that would like to increase their winnings on the chance of a dealer blackjack.  

Push 

A push, stand-off, or a tie occurs when a player and dealer have hands that total the same amount. Neither the player or the dealer can win so the wager is credited back in its original form. 

Surrender 

This is a common out-clause in most blackjack games. It gives the player the ability to return their hand in exchange for half of their bet. If a player holds a hard hand and they are not in a position to lose their bet, this is a quick way to abandon ship and try again next round. 

Top Online Blackjack Tips for Kiwi Players 

Kiwi players are ideally suited to playing online blackjack because they are fans of strategic table games. Of course, that is only after they have finished cleaning up at the pokies! Here are some important tips for playing blackjack online. 

  • Choose a reputable online blackjack casino to play at. The Casinowatch shortlist features verified, secure, high-quality blackjack casinos. 
  • Learn the basics before playing blackjack online. This will help you get the most out of the game. 
  • School yourself on the terms and definitions of online blackjack so that you understand what is happening during gameplay. 
  • Keep an eye out of online blackjack variations. These offer something different for regular blackjack players. 
  • Be sure to try out live blackjack online for a unique thrill. If you feel like playing Las Vegas tonight, live blackjack is your return ticket! 
  • Make sure to read the online blackjack casino’s terms and conditions before playing. This will help you get the most out of your gameplay. 
  • Understand the blackjack bonus offers available to you. If you know exactly what you can get from playing you will be able to take the correct actions to claim as must free NZD bonuses as possible. 
  • Play safe. If at any time you feel that your online blackjack playing is getting out of control and is no longer just for entertainment, seek gambling addiction support. 

Final Thoughts – Conclusion  

The popularity of online blackjack in New Zealand is no surprise. Being able to play blackjack online suits the active, busy lifestyles of lots of Kiwis. It means that gambling games like online blackjack NZ can be played anytime, anywhere. Whether Kiwis are on the BBQ, chilling at the beach, or suffering a never-ending work commute, online blackjack is there to quell any sign of boredom. 

Live blackjack is another huge drawcard of online blackjack and a big reason why Kiwis choose to play blackjack online. Playing live is an opportunity to be transported around the world and play in some of the most exclusive casinos on the globe as well as with some of the best live-streamed dealers in the industry. The ability to live chat with other players and the dealer themselves is another benefit to playing blackjack online in New Zealand. Kiwis love good banter, and live blackjack delivers this in spades. (We love a cheeky pun too.) 

While players may not always win at online blackjack, this table game gives every player a fair chance to have a crack and see how the cards dealt to them will change up their hand and make or break the game for them. 

FAQ   

Can you play blackjack online for real money?  

Yes, you absolutely can play online blackjack for real NZD money. Choose one of the top-tier casinos from our list of recommendations to start playing for real money. 

Is online blackjack legal?  

Yes, the game is legal when played at a legitimate online casino. Check our Security ranking to identify legitimate New Zealand casinos that offer online blackjack.

Where can I play blackjack online for money? 

You can play at any online casino with blackjack as an option in their table game selection. As blackjack is the most played table game in the world, you can guarantee that any legitimate online casino will offer the game for real money NZD. 

What is the best online blackjack site?

The best online blackjack site is the best online casino site for you and your personal playing preferences. Before you choose the best online blackjack site for you, check their bonus offers and try to play a game or two for free to make sure that the casino offers the blackjack styles that you enjoy playing.  

Can you win at online blackjack? 

Kiwi players win at online blackjack every day. Because this is a game managed by the dealer there are no pre-programmed outcomes. Every hand depends on the cards shuffled and dealt. If you want a truly authentic experience and to watch the dealer actually dealing the cards by hand, consider playing live online blackjack at a live online casino. 

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