Online Blackjack Games NZ — Beating the Dealer is More Fun at Top Blackjack Sites!

Online blackjack is the top casino pick for table game enthusiasts in New Zealand. However, playing online blackjack is not only about the strategy you use and the money you stake. You need top online casinos as well. Only the best online gambling platforms have the blackjack variants you need and the lucrative promotions that go with them.

At Mr. Gamble, we put blackjack casinos through a battery of tests and only feature those with the best selection. Our top-rated casinos have live blackjack games from the best providers and an unrivalled selection of RNG blackjack options. Read on to learn how we find online casinos with the best blackjack games.

How We Rank Blackjack Online Sites in New Zealand

Top online blackjack casinos boast heaps of amazing games and enticing bonuses. However, there's one small problem - finding these top online casinos for blackjack is not as easy as it initially seems. Fortunately, we're here to help you. We analyse the best online blackjack casino sites in New Zealand using our tried-and-true assessment process. Here's how we find and rank the best online gambling sites.

Verify Licence Information

First, we want to make sure the casino we feature is a legitimate platform that would never defraud players. The best way to ascertain this is to look at the casino's licence. We know exactly what licence information to examine and how to double-check it with the regulator.

And speaking of regulators, all the online casinos we feature have a licence from a respected gambling authority. A renowned regulatory body guarantees that a blackjack site will never deceive players. If it does, it will lose its licence and go out of business.

Examine Online Blackjack Casino Games

At first glance, most blackjack sites look like they offer a decent selection of games. Needless to say, they also claim they have the best payouts in the industry. As you might guess, that is impossible and further complicates your search for a top online blackjack real money site in New Zealand.

So, as soon as we join a blackjack casino site, we check the games, software providers, and blackjack variants on offer. We then look at payouts and return to player (RTP) ratios. We only feature online blackjack casinos with engaging games that are fair to players.

Go Through Bonuses

Nothing beats playing online blackjack with some extra bonus money and then winning real money that you can withdraw. However, joining a low quality platform will get you neither of these things, despite triggering bonuses. You won't play free blackjack games, and if the wagering requirements are steep, you won't be able to withdraw your winnings easily.

To prevent this from happening, we test bonuses in detail before listing a blackjack casino site. We make sure you will be able to get your no-deposit or deposit bonus quickly. We also ensure you will be able to collect your bonus payouts with as little hassle as possible.

Green-Light to the Best Blackjack Sites

After examining online blackjack sites, we list the online casinos that performed the best in our tests. So, if you see that an online blackjack NZ operator is ranked among our top 5 or 10 casinos, you can be sure it is a reliable platform that has quality games and enticing bonuses. That blackjack site is your best bet if you are looking for an expert-vetted NZ blackjack casino.

Why Do People Love Playing Blackjack Online?

Blackjack is one of the most popular casino games because it is easy to understand and exciting to play at the same time. It is also a game where the casino has a super-low house edge. When you play blackjack without a certain strategy, the house edge is around 2%.

That means New Zealand players will have better chances of winning hands when playing online blackjack than most other casino games. If you use a basic blackjack strategy, you can even lower that edge to somewhere around 0.25%. No casino game offers anything close to that, and that's the reason why players love blackjack so much.

Another reason why New Zealand players choose to play blackjack online is the chance to trigger various bonuses, something you don't normally get at land-based casinos. When you join top online blackjack sites, you can usually benefit from welcome bonuses after making your first deposit, which can trigger various reload offers as well as cashback deals.

Lastly, people who play blackjack online can also wager on side bets and not just the main game. That means you might lose in the main game but still win real money from your side bets. One of the most popular side bets in blackjack is Perfect Pairs, where you win if your first two cards make a pair. 21+3 is also a common bet in online blackjack. With it, you win when your first two cards and the dealer's face-up card form a Straight, Flush, 3-of-a-kind, or Straight Flush.

Major Variants of Online Blackjack

The goal of blackjack is to beat the dealer. The game starts when you place your bet, and the dealer gives each player on the table a card. All of these cards are face-up. The dealer then puts one face-down card for himself; this is called the hole card. The croupier proceeds to deal another face-up card to everyone at the table, including himself. From then on, you have only one objective: your hand must be better than the dealer's.

To beat the dealer, you must have a higher card total but not go over 21. Cards 2 to 10 are counted at face value, while you count 10s, Jacks, Queens, and Kings as 10. Aces are counted as 1 or 11. You can beat the dealer by:

• Getting a total of 21 when the dealer doesn't
• Being dealt a card total that's better than the dealer's
• The dealer busts (goes over 21).

In contrast, you lose when the dealer has a higher card total than you and doesn't go over 21. You also lose if you go over 21 or if both you and the dealer bust and go over 21.

Even though there are many variants, the basic blackjack rules are the same. However, there are subtle differences between the major variants. These can often be the difference between winning or losing. So, it pays to know more about these rule variations.

Let's look at the common types and see how each blackjack variant has slightly different rules.

Classic Blackjack

Classic blackjack is the most popular variant of the game, and most online casino sites have it. As we already mentioned, the goal in classic blackjack is to beat the dealer with a better card total while not going over 21. Classic blackjack is different from other online blackjack games because:

• The dealer hits on all card totals up to 16 and on soft 17.
• Eight decks of 52 cards are usually used.
• The casino allows splits and doubles.
• The dealer checks for blackjack.
• Two resplits followed by a double down are allowed.

European Blackjack

European blackjack is another popular version of the classic game. The rule variations that make European blackjack unique include:

• The dealer stands on a soft 17.
• When the player and dealer get a blackjack, the game is declared a push.
• The dealer doesn't peek to check for blackjack.
• Only hands totaling 9, 10, or 11 allow you to double down.
• You are allowed one split.
• You can only split cards counted as 10 (10s, Jacks, Queens, Kings) of the same value/face.

Pontoon

Pontoon is often called Spanish 21 and is another blackjack game where the goal is to get to a total of 21, but not to go over it. Pontoon is unique because:

• Instead of blackjack, the name of a total of 21 with two cards is "Pontoon".
• The dealer's hole cards are face down.
• The dealer hits on a soft 17.
• The player is allowed to stand with a total of 15 or higher.
• The dealer wins all ties.

Blackjack Switch

Patented in 2009, this version is different from other blackjack games in the number of hands you get. Here's what makes the blackjack switch stand out:

• Instead of one blackjack hand, you are dealt two.
• You can switch the top two cards between hands.
• When the dealer gets a hard 21, that outcome pushes all hands other than a natural blackjack.

Match Play 21

If you have never played Match Play 21, you might be surprised to learn that some cards are removed from the deck before the game starts. Here's what you need to know about Match Play 21:

• 10s are discarded (face cards are kept).
• The dealer is allowed to hit a soft 17.
• You can both split and double your bet.

Live Blackjack — Enhance the Thrill of the Authentic Blackjack Experience

Blackjack games come in all shapes and sizes. However, if you are looking to replicate the brick-and-mortar casino experience to the tee, then nothing beats playing live dealer blackjack games. Live casino blackjack transports you to the gaming floor of a high-end casino the moment you launch the game.

So, how do live blackjack games work?

Well, first of all, all live dealer games are streamed from state-of-the-art studios designed to resemble five-star casino resorts. These games are broadcast in real-time as they happen. That means there's no fixing of outcomes, and all results are fair.

As the name implies, live dealer blackjack games are conducted by real dealers. These croupiers are experienced in their trade and are on par with the best dealers in Vegas, Macau, and Monte Carlo. So, the gambling experience you will get at live dealer casinos will truly be one of a kind.

Some of the most popular live casino blackjack games include titles like Speed Blackjack, Infinite Blackjack, Lightning Blackjack, Free Bet Blackjack, Power Blackjack, and VIP Blackjack from leading software providers like Evolution Gaming and Pragmatic Play.

Lastly, in addition to being streamed with the best video and audio quality, live blackjack games make the whole experience more interactive via the live chat feature. Live chat allows you to communicate with other players and share ideas, tips, and jokes, just as they would when sitting at a blackjack table and playing this popular card game in a brick-and-mortar casino.

Casino Blackjack Games for All Types of Players

The key to being successful when playing real-money blackjack is finding the games that suit your level and playing style. In other words, if you are a beginner, you should go for games tailored to meet the needs of novice players. Similarly, advanced gamblers will make the most of their skills and experience by playing online blackjack games that suit their level.

Online Blackjack for Beginners

Novice players will probably be better off if they start playing blackjack for free before they transition to real-money games. Free demo versions allow players to learn the game without the pressure of real money bets. Often, beginners are less successful at the start of their learning curve. As a result, they immediately lose interest or money and give up on the game.

After learning how blackjack works, you can go from playing free games to the real thing. However, don't go for games that come with tons of blackjack rule variations different from the classic version. Your best bet as a beginner is to start with classic blackjack and then check out other versions.

Online Blackjack for Intermediate Players

Unlike beginner players, intermediate-level gamblers, of course, play blackjack online mostly for real money. They often go for titles that have enticing main games but also come with a couple or more side bets.

Blackjack side bets provide extra betting avenues for intermediate players. Most side wagers combine the dealer's hand with the cards you get. For instance, the 21+3 side bet combines your two cards with the dealer's up card. If the three cards create a winning poker combination, such as three-of-a-kind, straight, or flush, you win.

Blackjack Games for Advanced Players

Advanced blackjack players have seen it all. So they want more from their blackjack experience. They usually go for real-money games with higher betting limits and payouts. 

Because they are so good at what they do, advanced-level players often go for multi-hand blackjack games. They find it easy to keep track of more than one hand at a time, so they take advantage of their experience and expertise.

Benefits of Blackjack Online vs Land-Based Casinos

If you are wondering whether you should play blackjack online or in land-based casinos, you are not alone. Online casino blackjack enthusiasts want to make the most of their gambling experience. And the first question on their minds is what type of casino is better for them. Let's compare them and find out.

Online Blackjack

• A wide selection of online casino blackjack titles ✔️
• You can always find a seat on an online casino blackjack table ✔️
• When you play blackjack online, you benefit from casino bonuses ✔️
• You can experience the thrill of land-based gambling via live casino blackjack games ✔️
• Check out demo versions before playing blackjack for real money ✔️
• Withdrawing your winnings may take a couple of days depending on your payment method ❌

Blackjack at Land-Based Casinos

• Land-based casinos average anywhere between one and five blackjack tables ❌
• If a blackjack table is full, your only option is to bet on other players' hands ❌
• Unfortunately, brick-and-mortar casinos don't offer the bonuses online casinos have ❌
• The allure of land-based casinos with all their amenities is what makes players come back for more ✔️
• You don't have the option to play blackjack games for free ❌
• Collect your payouts instantly after you finish playing ✔️

Conclusion

Blackjack is one of the most popular online casino games for a reason. It is fun, exciting, and easy to understand. However, the main reason why NZ players love blackjack is the low house edge, which is around 2% for most versions. That means blackjack favours the player, unlike most other casino games.

And while many casinos offer online blackjack, you want to play on the best sites. And that's where we can help. At Mr. Gamble, we review and list the best blackjack operators for New Zealand players. Pick a top-rated casino and enjoy unparalleled excitement!

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