Casinos with blackjack in New Zealand: Enjoy the game! (UPD. Summer 2023)

Is online blackjack legal in New Zealand?

Currently, online casinos in New Zealand and consequently blackjack games are not prohibited by law. This is because these laws predate the emergence of online casinos, so they were not regulated in the legislation currently in force in the Republic. Consequently, we can say that playing blackjack in New Zealand is legal or at least not prohibited, just like the rest of the casino games currently available in the country. It is true that, in legal terms, legislative changes are currently being introduced or developed precisely to give a legal character to games within the nation. But in the meantime, it is allowed on a temporary basis until the government completes the system it is establishing to regulate these online casino games, including blackjack and other similar operations.

How do we choose a safe online blackjack casino?

To choose an online blackjack casino, it is necessary to select an operator that has an internationally recognized license. Since the New Zealandan government currently does not offer these licenses, I recommend that you try your luck at a casino that has one of the following:

• malt
• UK Gambling Commission
• curacao
• Gibraltar

It is also convenient for that casino to have appropriate data protection technology, based on the SSL protocol, so that your data is properly encrypted and protected. This is something that we must evaluate both for personal data and for financial transactions that you will carry out in the casino. By fulfilling these two premises, you will have no problem enjoying online Blackjack with all the security you deserve.

Pros and cons of online and traditional blackjack

In order for you to better compare traditional blackjack, the one that is played in traditional casinos, with the blackjack of online casinos, I leave you the following table:

Basic rules of online blackjack

The basic rules of online blackjack do not differ much from those found in traditional blackjack. The main objective of this game is to get a hand in which we have 21 points or get closer to this number than the dealer, and always without going over. To do this, each card has a value equivalent to what is indicated on it, except for the face cards, which are all worth 10 points, and the ace, which is worth 1 or 11 points, depending on what the player needs.

The game development is quite simple. To begin, the player will receive two cards from the dealer. The dealer will also be dealt two cards, with one of them exposed so that the player can estimate the potential of their hand. After these initial two cards are dealt, the player can choose to take another card or not, based on the score they have accumulated with the initial cards and also considering the possible value of the dealer's hand. It is important to know that there is no limit on the number of cards, although it is true that one of the secrets of Blackjack is knowing when to stand. This is something we will discuss in the sections related to strategies.

Finally, once the player is satisfied with their hand, they will stand and not want to receive any more cards. At this point, it will be the dealer's turn to make their move, choosing whether they want more cards or not based on the ones they have both face up and hidden.

Once the bank has made its move, either by going over 21 or because, according to the rules of the game, it cannot request another card, which usually happens when the hand adds up to 16 or more points, both moves are compared and the bets will be paid out if the player has won.

As for the payments, in case the player gets a blackjack, the payment is usually 3 to 1, while if the player wins the hand under normal conditions, they will receive as a prize the equivalent of the amount bet.

Obviously, these are the basic rules that are traditionally used for both traditional blackjack and online blackjack, but it is important that you know them thoroughly before playing. Similarly, it is advisable to be aware of the specific conditions of the casino where you are going to play in order to know how things will really work and how the game is set up in the room where you are going to try your luck. To do this, I will give you some clues in the next section, although I recommend that you read the specific conditions of the casino when choosing the one you like the most.

Blackjack conditions in online casinos

The main difference in the rules of blackjack within different online casinos has to do with when the dealer must stand or hit. These rules are usually reflected on the table and mention the number of points in the hand with which the dealer must continue playing and hit, or must stand mandatory. The most common is that the dealer must hit with 16 and stand with 17, although in some cases a distinction is made between a hard hand or a soft hand, with the latter being one in which the dealer has an ace among their cards.

Another rule that often varies has to do with insurance. In certain tables, it is common for this insurance not to be available, especially in lower stakes games, while in others, the player is offered the possibility to request insurance if the dealer's first card is an ace. Again, this will be indicated on the table layout, just like the point limit that the dealer must play or stand with.

Finally, depending on whether we are playing European or American blackjack, we will see as the main difference that in the European version, the dealer will only give the first card face up, but will not give the second card until it is time to play their hand. However, in the case of American blackjack, the dealer does give the two initial cards continuously, just like with the rest of the players.

Finally, although it is not directly related to the rules, it is true that some casinos establish limitations when it comes to doubling the bet or splitting the hand when two identical cards are obtained. In these cases, it will be necessary for me to refer directly to the rules of the corresponding casino to know what the specific conditions of the game are and when we will be able to carry out these actions.

dividends and odds

One of the advantages that blackjack has over other casino games is that its structure allows for tight control over the functioning of the game itself. Unlike poker, for example, since blackjack is played with a certain number of decks and these can only have a specific set of combinations, it is possible to make very precise estimations of parameters such as the player's winning probabilities and also what benefits they can obtain.

This does not mean that the player will always win, otherwise the game would not be in casinos. We know that casinos do not usually like to give away money. But this small advantage allows the player to have certain parameters by which to assess their chances and the potential return of payments to the player that they will find at different blackjack tables. Since we will be discussing these returns when referring to strategy, we will reserve the definitions for this section.

online blackjack strategies

Linking to what I have presented in the last section, it is time to talk about the different strategies of online blackjack. Just like with roulette and other casino games, it is evident that using these strategies does not imply that you will always win, but you will have the advantage that by playing with a strategy, you will increase your chances of winning prizes and also make better use of your money by avoiding possible beginner mistakes in decision making.

1. Basic graph

One of the advantages of blackjack is that the range of possible plays is quite limited. Let's think that it is usual for plays not to exceed 21 points. This, combined with the limited decision-making behavior of the dealer when their cards add up to a certain number of points, makes it relatively easy to make basic decisions when playing in certain circumstances. In the following table, we can see how this strategy is approached based on each of the possible cards that can appear in both the player's and the dealer's hand.

 

The previous table reflects what would be, in statistical terms, the most reasonable behavior for each of the plays that the player may have in their hand against the dealer's exposed card. As we can see from the analysis of the table, with low-scoring hands or hands with an ace, it is generally recommended to hit or even double down if allowed. On the other hand, if the cards add up to 14 points or more, we will see that the strategy recommends staying as we are or standing.

Similarly, there are often cases where it is indicated the possibility of splitting in the event that we obtain a play with the same hands and can open two lines of games in the same match. It is important to note that this table is a reference, so it is advisable that with experience you adjust your behavior based on what the table indicates, but also on that own development.

2. Learn to count cards

One of the main reasons why gamblers have been banned from traditional casinos is card counting in blackjack. This has even led to the development of a highly successful movie, such as 21 blackjack, in which a group of MIT students made a fortune in casinos using this technique. The bad news for those who want to play blackjack online is that this tactic is practically useless. The reason is that online gaming tables do not use traditional cards, but rather random number generators that do not take into account the presence of cards normally used in traditional casinos. The only exception is when the cards are played within the same game with multiple players at the table or when the player plays with multiple hands at once. However, given the large number of cards that the virtual dealer has to play with, it also doesn't make much sense to apply this procedure.

3. Choose the game with the highest RTP

This method is quite interesting when it comes to trying your luck, and although it is true that it does not guarantee income to the player, it does make them bet on tables or games that may be more profitable. The first thing we need to know is that RTP is a parameter that measures the profitability of games. This indicates to us what amount a particular casino game pays to the player for every $100 bet on it. Consequently, the closer this RTP is to 100, the greater the theoretical amount that the game will return to the bettor in the various rounds they play. However, it is worth noting that the RTP is calculated over very long cycles, usually consisting of several thousand rounds. Nevertheless, except for the most modern blackjack tables that do have higher prizes than traditional ones, the behavior of this RTP tends to be relatively stable and is a good tool for deciding where to play.

4. Avoid side bets

One of the options that some blackjack tables offer is the possibility of making side bets. One of them I have already mentioned before and it is the famous insurance that offers us a small gain in case the dealer shows an ace and can get a blackjack. In some tables there are also other side bets that offer the user a theoretical possibility of increasing their profit, but generally they do not work too well. The same goes for the rest of the possible side bets that we can find on the table and which I generally recommend not betting on for the same reason. Something that I don't say, but that strategy and statistics have told.

5. Play the free demo first

First, advice or strategy? I recommend that before starting to play, you try your luck with the free version of the game. This allows you to learn how each blackjack table works without having to bet with real money, but instead you are given a sort of virtual money that, in case of losing, simply disappears and reloads the next time you enter the game. This demonstration mode allows you to learn in detail the different characteristics of the table and test your luck or test your strategies before risking your money.

The best online blackjack games in New Zealand

So that you know what to expect from these games, I will tell you below the highlights of some of the best blackjack titles that you will find in the casinos of New Zealand.

1. Atlantic City Blackjack

Atlantic City Blackjack is the online version of the popular casino game played in the casinos of Atlantic City, America. Its main features include the dealer's obligation to stand on a soft 17 and the ability to peek at their hand to check for blackjack. There is also a surrender option that allows the player to give up if they don't like their hand, only losing half of their bet. As always, due to the specific rules of this game, it is advisable to review the specific rules before starting to play.

2.Blackjack 21

Blackjack 21 is a variation that follows the traditional rules of this type of game and offers an RTP of 99.64. It is the most basic version of the game and does not include any special regulations, so you won't have to learn new rules or make additional calculations beyond the ones already known.

3.Surrender

The blackjack variant is one in which the player has the option to surrender if their hand is not suitable. It also requires the dealer to stand if they have a soft 17 hand, meaning a hand with certain characteristics that are similar to Atlantic City blackjack that I mentioned earlier. There is also the possibility to take insurance, although as I have already assessed before, this really doesn't make much sense.

4.Pontoon

Pontoon blackjack is another interesting option for those who want to play with a high level of payouts, which in this case brings its RTP to 99.66%. In addition to the conventional rules, it also allows us to win with a hand of 5 cards without going over, which would be the second best hand after Pontoon. This name is used to refer to traditional blackjack, formed by a face card and an ace, although with the exception that in this case the counterpart is not allowed to lift their cards to check for blackjack. If the blackjack is in the player's hand, it is paid directly, and if the dealer has it, the game ends.

5. Multiplayer

This modality, very common when it comes to online blackjack, is the one in which we share the table with other players. Generally, blackjack is played individually and in a private table, except in this type of proposals. Here, obviously, we must take into account the behavior of the other players when it comes to seeing what cards may come our way. However, it is not as problematic as it is with traditional casinos, due to the issue of card counting that I have already mentioned before.

6. Multihands

This variation of traditional blackjack allows you to play multiple hands at the same table against the same dealer. In this game, we have the possibility to play, usually from 5 to 8 parallel hands if we wish, with independent bets and a different behavior in each one of them.

7.Lucky Lucky

Lucky Lucky is a variation of this game that has a payout level of 99.58% and adds some interesting prizes in case certain combinations or certain sums are obtained with the dealer's cards and the player's cards. For example, if the player's first two cards and the dealer's first card were 3 sevens, or if they add up to 21 points, the player will receive an additional prize.

8.Lucky 7

This is another variant of traditional blackjack in which we have the possibility of winning special prizes as long as we have one or more 7s in our cards. Something for which a side bet called Lucky 7 is offered and the player can choose to execute it or not, depending on their preferences.

9. Blackjack 2v1

In this game mode, you will not only face a dealer with a single card, but you will have two paylines that you can also split if you prefer, according to the usual rules of blackjack. This allows you to increase your chances of winning, as demonstrated by the fact that the calculated RTP for an optimal strategy rounds up to 99.98%, one of the highest in the market.

10.Super 7

A novelty that follows the line of the rest of the type 7 blackjack that I have mentioned previously and that offers certain additional prizes when obtaining a series of combinations of 7 cards in your hands.

The best mobile blackjack casinos

LeoVegas

LeoVegas is an online casino that stands out for its impressive mobile application. The LeoVegas app offers a smooth and high-quality gaming experience with an intuitive interface and sleek design. Offering a wide selection of casino games, including exciting blackjack, players can enjoy the thrill of the casino through the convenience of their mobile devices. Additionally, LeoVegas prides itself on offering excellent bonuses and outstanding customer service.

Spin Casino

Spin Casino has a solid reputation for its top-notch mobile application. The Spin Casino app offers a variety of casino games, including the acclaimed blackjack. Players can enjoy an unparalleled gaming experience, high-quality graphics, and smooth navigation anytime and anywhere. In addition to an impressive app, Spin Casino offers excellent bonuses, secure banking options, and a friendly 24-hour support team.

31Bet

31Bet is an online casino with an innovative mobile application. Its mobile app offers a superior gaming experience, an intuitive user interface, and easy navigation. Blackjack enthusiasts will find an exciting selection of tables within the 31Bet app, which offers options for players of all levels. Additionally, 31Bet also stands out for its exclusive promotions and excellent customer service, ensuring a satisfying and enjoyable gaming experience.

Is live online blackjack a scam?

Current blackjack games have little to do with those fake games we used to see in the early days of the Internet. Nowadays, they come from well-known companies in the online gambling industry and are developed to be completely faithful to the player. A procedure that includes different audits and other procedures ensures the player that the game is fair and safe. In addition, the use of random number generation systems and live dealers in live casino cases is also a way to gain trust when playing.

Conclusion

If you like blackjack, you have an excellent chance to try your luck with the live variations found in different casinos in New Zealand. The variety of operators and games is considerable, and their payout levels are extremely high, making it very easy for you to have a chance of winning. Or at least make better use of your money when having fun. And what if you do it in one of the casinos we have recommended? Without a doubt, this will be much better, both because of the bonuses these operators offer and because of how fun and safe their games are.