Play Blackjack On NZ Online Casinos

Once upon a time blackjack was a game only played at brick and mortar casinos. Nowadays, most of the blackjack hands are dealt online, where you can enjoy dozens of different blackjack games. The best blackjack casinos online will also offer you bonuses, meaning that you can improve your winning chances. Considering that blackjack already has an extremely high RTP of 99%+, it is no surprise this card game is hugely popular online.

In this article we will tell you all you need to know in order to play blackjack online. We will take a look at the blackjack rules, as well as the basic blackjack strategy to use while playing. As is our custom, we will also give a few pointers for finding the best blackjack casino that matches your needs. And of course, there is a section about the most sought after blackjack bonuses online as well!

Blackjack Online NZ – Everything You Need to Know

Blackjack online at NZ casinos can be played in two different formats. The classic way to play blackjack is the virtual one. You can find loads of blackjack tables where you play alone, competing against the computer in a game run by a Random Number Generator. All the free blackjack games work in this way.

The most popular way to play blackjack online NZ is live dealer blackjack. Most NZ casinos online have a live casino, meaning that you can sit at the tables with other players while the dealer runs the game in real time from a game studio or a brick and mortar casino. You can see everything on a HD quality live stream, and you don’t have to trust a computer to calculate the odds.

The best online casinos offer many different variants of blackjack in both categories. At the end of the day, the variants are quite similar, but there are certain differences between different blackjack games. Some versions might, for example, allow doubling down whenever you want. In others there is a possibility to surrender your hand. 

At the live casino the blackjack games online can also include new additions, like a possibility to get a multiplier on top of the regular win. There are also side bets available. This means placing an extra bet on something unrelated to the actual blackjack hand, like hitting a perfect pair. Side bets can spice up the game a little, but do remember that they always increase the house edge a little.

Choose the Best Blackjack Casino at OnlinecasinoNZ.help

There should be no problem in finding a good blackjack casino NZ. Online casinos for New Zealanders tend to have a good selection of blackjack games on top of the best pokies, so you can choose your casino from many good alternatives.

We at OnlinecasinoNZ.help are always on the lookout for the best blackjack casinos for NZ players. On this page you can find plenty of good options, all offering a fair and secure online casino experience. The question is, which is the best blackjack casino for you?

Most players should take a look at live casino blackjack selection, since it is definitely the most exciting way to play blackjack online. Beginners should keep an eye on virtual blackjack games as well, though, since they are the only ones offering the possibility to play free blackjack online. And then there are blackjack bonuses, the quality of which can vary a lot from one casino to another.

How to recognize the best blackjack casinos online:

– A good selection of virtual and live dealer blackjack games

– A licensed casino offers a safe and secure gambling experience

– Possibility to claim blackjack bonuses on first deposit or later on

– Offers free blackjack online without registration

– Many different stake levels, including beginner tables and high roller tables

Live Casino Blackjack Is The Best Online Blackjack

We will just go out and say it: live casino blackjack is the best way to play blackjack online. This classic card game is best enjoyed in a real casino environment, and the live dealer blackjack offers just that. You can really feel the thrill of the game in a different way, when the cards are dealt by a real person and there are other players sitting at the table with you.

Nowadays the live casino games online are better than ever, and blackjack is no exception. The best NZ casinos online offer live casino blackjack games from many different providers, giving you plenty to choose from. There are tables to suit all needs, whether you like the authentic blackjack experience broadcasted live from a brick and mortar casino or modern live blackjack with multipliers or other added extras.

Live casino blackjack is also more stable than ever. Back in the days there were connectivity issues every now and then, but these are long gone now. You can even enjoy live blackjack on your mobile phone or tablet. You can carry the HD quality blackjack tables in your pocket wherever you go, provided you have an internet connection available. 

Many people especially enjoy playing live casino blackjack on their tablet, and we can agree with them. Laying on the bed with the tablet often beats sitting at the computer when it comes to live casino blackjack or casino games in general!

Play Blackjack Online for Free

As we have mentioned before, the free blackjack games are played against the computer at the virtual tables. The live dealer blackjack is for real money blackjack players only, so you will have to do your training elsewhere. You can go and have a look at the live casino blackjack games though and see other players play. It can also be a good way to learn the rules of blackjack and the basic blackjack strategy.

However, if you are looking to play blackjack online for free, head to the table games section. All the best blackjack casinos give you an opportunity to play blackjack for free by simply clicking the game icon and choosing demo mode. At most NZ casinos you can play blackjack for free even if you haven’t sign up. Just choose the casino you want from our site and start playing straight away.

Playing blackjack online for free  is a great way to get to know the rules or trying out a new blackjack strategy. The games work exactly like the real money blackjack games do, so you’ll get a good picture of the variance and other important things. And in case you want to try out a more advanced blackjack strategy, such as Martingale, free blackjack is definitely the way to go. This way you’ll save your dollars, in case the strategy doesn’t seem to be working for you.

Blackjack Rules – How to Play Blackjack?

Many players wonder how to play blackjack online, and whether the game is difficult to learn. Well, it really isn’t. Granted, there are some advanced strategic decisions and tactics available, but the basic rules of blackjack are easy to understand for anybody.

The goal of blackjack is simply to beat the dealer in forming a hand that has a value as close to 21, but without exceeding it. Whoever gets closer, wins. 

The game round starts with the dealing of the cards. The blackjack rules determine that the players will receive 2 open cards, while the dealer gets one card face up and another one face down. Then it’s the players’ turn to act. They can either take more cards or not, ending their turn. The turn also ends, if the player goes over 21 busting his hands.

When all the players have acted, it is the dealer’s turn. The dealer will have to follow his own blackjack rules, which will determine his actions. When the dealer stops taking new cards or busts, it’s time to compare hand values. Closest to 21 wins, and the player can get his stake back 1:1. 

There is also a chance to make a little better profit. By most blackjack rules, getting a “blackjack” with an ace and 10 pays 2:1. However, reaching the same 21 with more than two cards will only pay 1:1. 

Blackjack Card Values

If you want to play blackjack online, you will have to know the blackjack card values. Luckily, it takes basically no practice at all. In addition to this, you can always see the value of your hand while playing online, making it even easier to follow the game.

Blackjack card values are as follows:

– Ace is either 1 or 11 depending on the situation

– K, Q, J, and T are all 10

– The rest of the cards have their face value

As you can see, it is not difficult to remember the blackjack card values. Compared to poker hand rankings, for example, you can learn these three card value rules in no time.

Blackjack Player Rules

Blackjack player rules determine what the player can and cannot do at the blackjack table. The basic options are hit or stand, meaning taking more cards or passing the turn to the next player. You can also double down, split your cards, or even surrender your hand. The availability of these extra options depends on the blackjack variant you’re playing.

You are free to do whatever you like, when it’s your turn, but it makes sense to follow the blackjack basic strategy at all times. Look at the dealer’s cards in addition to your own cards, when you make the decision. 

Blackjack Dealer Rules

Blackjack dealer rules are much more restricted than player rules. It doesn’t matter who is dealing cards, since the dealer’s skill in blackjack strategy does not come to play. The dealer will have to follow the rules which determine whether he’ll hit or stand.

In most blackjack games the dealer will always stand on 17 or better – and hit on anything lower. In some variants soft 17, meaning an ace and 6, must also be hit on. That’s about it, the blackjack dealer rules are really not much more difficult to understand.

Blackjack Basic Strategy

Just like many other casino card games, blackjack requires a functional strategy, in case you want to fully enjoy the high RTP available. Blackjack basic strategy is in no way the perfect blackjack strategy, but it should give you a good starting point, when you decide to learn more about this fun casino game online.

When you consider blackjack basic strategy, keep in mind that the game is always played against the dealer. Therefore it is also the dealer’s cards that decide whether you should hit, stand, or perhaps double down. These are only a few options available for you in any blackjack game, so we recommend further reading on the subject and plenty of training, before you go ahead and play real money blackjack. Free blackjack offers a perfect training ground, so make use of it! 

When to Hit in Blackjack?

The first question in everyone’s mind, when it comes to blackjack, is when to hit. When to hit in blackjack depends on your own cards and the dealer’s cards. You should always hit, if you cannot bust, unless your hand includes an ace. That’s the rule number one in basic blackjack strategy.

You should also hit more often, if the dealer’s first card is worth 10 points or is an ace. In this case, it is rather unlikely that the dealer will have a hand worse than 17, so try and reach at least 18 or more, even if it means taking a bigger risk.

When to Stand in Blackjack?

Next easy thing to remember is to always stand, if it looks very likely that the dealer will bust on the next card. In practice, this means standing on even weak hands like 12 or 13 when the dealer’s first card is a 6 or a 5. The dealer will bust more often than you’ll be able to make a decent hand, so standing is the best option.

Having a good hand is also the moment to stand in blackjack. The dealer has to stand at 17 by basic blackjack rules, so standing on 18 or more makes sense. Sometimes the dealer might beat you, sometimes not, but you are unlikely to get a much better hand by hitting. 

When to Double Down in Blackjack?

Doubling Down in blackjack means doubling the initial stake and taking one extra card – but only one. The turn will automatically move to the next player after the double down card has been dealt, so you will have no more decisions after doubling down.

When to double down in blackjack is actually quite easy. You should double down on 10 and 9 most of the time, since hitting another high card gives you a great hand. Just make sure the dealer is not holding a 10 or an ace. Doubling down on 8 is also a possibility, in case the dealer has a weak card.

When to Split in Blackjack?

Splitting in blackjack is usually available only when you hit two cards of equal value. The first rule of splitting is never to split 10s or 9s. You already have a nice hand to go to showdown with, so make use of it. No need to take further risks here.

The best time to split in blackjack is when you’re holding a pair of aces. Useless together, but the best cards in the pack combined with others, the aces should be always split. Also 8s and 7s are good cards to split with, since they work better alone, giving you a chance to hit 18 or 17 with just one extra card. As always, keep an eye on the dealer’s cards, since splitting doubles your stake. You don’t want to play two hands against a very strong card, like an ace.

The Best Blackjack Bonuses Online

Did you know you can also play blackjack online with bonus money? That’s right, there are plenty of blackjack bonuses to benefit from, when you play this classic card game at NZ online casinos.

The best blackjack bonuses online can come in many forms. The most popular blackjack bonuses are similar to slot casino bonuses, meaning that you’ll get a certain percentage of bonus money on top of your first deposit. The amount you get is based both on the bonus offer and the sum you decide to deposit.

There are also free blackjack bonuses, which send you off to a flying start, once you decide to try blackjack online. Playing free blackjack for real money is a perfect way to familiarize yourself with online blackjack. You can learn the blackjack rules and the basic blackjack strategy risk free, while still having a chance to come out with a decent win. 

The best blackjack bonuses online also include some more innovative casino offers, such as cash backs and various achievement bonuses. The latter means blackjack bonuses, which will be awarded to your account, if you manage to complete a mission given by the casino. This could be, for example, hitting a blackjack at the live casino twice a row or something similar.

It is worth noting, that all the above mentioned blackjack bonuses are generally only available at the live dealer blackjack tables. The best online casinos NZ don’t tend to promote any other blackjack games, limiting their offers to live casino only. 

Free Money to Blackjack 

The most sought after blackjack bonuses online are no deposit casino bonuses. There are not many of these available, so the easiest way to play free blackjack is trying it out in demo mode. However, there are still some blackjack casinos online that will reward their new players with some free money usable at the blackjack tables.

Most of these free money blackjack bonuses come with very strict rules. You can have your $5, $10 , or even more for free to try out the blackjack tables, but winning will not be easy. Besides wagering requirements, you will have to keep an eye on winning limits, which tend to be on the lower side, when you’re playing with a no deposit blackjack bonus. 

Deposit Bonuses to Blackjack

If you don’t mind putting some of your own dollars on the line, there will be many more blackjack bonus options for you to consider. Many modern NZ casinos offer deposit bonuses to blackjack and roulette players, meaning that you can get 100% or more bonus money on top of your deposit.

Be aware though, that the wagering requirements are quite high. These games have a low variance and a high RTP, so we don’t mind the casinos being careful here. It’s the only way they can offer blackjack deposit bonuses in the first place. Just make sure to have enough time in your hands, so that you can complete the wagering in time!

Cash Back to Blackjack

Another form of popular blackjack bonus are cash back bonuses. These offers are perfect for both the casinos and the players. On the casino’s side cash back works, since it’s only paid out when the player loses. And for the blackjack player it is a great way to bounce back for free, in case the games go badly one week or another.

How does cash back in blackjack work exactly? It is really quite simple. For example, the casino can offer to pay you back 15 % of all your losses during the week at the live blackjack tables. If you win, you can keep your winnings. If you lose, you’ll get 15 % back. Not a bad deal at all, and many players like to play most of their blackjack games at cash back casinos.

Other Blackjack Bonuses

The three blackjack bonus types above are definitely the most common ones. But hold on, there are other blackjack bonuses to find and enjoy as well. These bonuses are offered to all players at the casino, not just the once that just signed up. Such is the case with cash back offers as well, by the way.

Other blackjack bonuses can include different missions that you’ll have to complete in order to get your bonus. There are also competitions, where you might have to be faster or luckier than other players. The only limit here is the casino’s creativity and willingness to serve its blackjack players in the best possible way.

Blackjack Tournaments Online 

Besides blackjack bonuses, you can also get extra benefits by joining blackjack tournaments online. If you have been playing pokies and slot machines at online casinos, you might already know the thrill. The casinos organize tournaments on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis, and you get a chance to grab a free prize, if you can beat the others.

As with pokies, there are various different blackjack tournaments available online. There are free blackjack tournaments, where you can simply sign up, but also tournaments where you’ll have to pay an entry fee. The latter tournaments resemble online poker tournaments, since the entry fees are used to build a price pool, which will then be split between the top ranking players.

The free blackjack tournaments are a better option in a sense, since you can get something for nothing. They can work in many different ways as well, so make sure to read the blackjack tournament rules before signing up. Sometimes your stake doesn’t matter, sometimes it does. 

The worst online blackjack tournaments for the average player are those based solely on the amount bet during the tournament period. There are many high rollers going around the live blackjack tables, who can bet more than most regular players in a flash. If you’re not one of them, try and find blackjack tournaments, where the rules are a little more complicated and higher stakes give no advantage!

Frequently Asked Questions – Blackjack

How Blackjack is Played?

Blackjack is a card game, in which you try to get as close to a total score of 21 without going over it. At the same time the goal is to get a better hand than the dealer, meaning a hand closer to 21. The game is played against a dealer in a manner, where you can see one dealer card before taking more cards to your own hand. You can hit (take more cards) or stand (stop taking cards) as you wish. There are also other, more advanced options such as splitting and doubling up.

When to Hit in Blackjack?

You should almost always hit in blackjack, if your hand cannot go bust with an extra card. Exceptions to this rule are situations, where you’re holding an ace with another decent card. In these cases you’ll have to check the dealer’s cards to make the correct decisions. Hitting in blackjack is otherwise always based on dealer’s cards. If the dealer has a high chance of busting with the next card, that means going over 21, it might be wise to stand even with weaker hands.

How to Deal Blackjack?

Dealing blackjack starts with the player on the left hand side of the dealer. You deal one card face up to all players and yourself as the dealer. Then you deal another round of cards, placing all players’ cards again face up, but leaving the dealer’s second card face down. Then follows the game round starting again with the player first to the left. Players can make their own decisions regarding new cards, but the dealer will have to follow strict rules decided by the blackjack variant.

Can I Get Blackjack Bonuses Online?

Yes you can! Even though blackjack bonuses online are not as common a sight as slot bonuses, there are plenty of them available as well. Most of these bonuses are usable at live casino blackjack only. You can get for example deposit bonuses, meaning bonus money straight to your account. There are also other types of blackjack bonuses, such as cash back offers and different missions, where you are rewarded upon accomplishing them at the tables.

What Is the RTP in Blackjack?

The RTP in blackjack is amongst the highest when comparing all casino games online. Depending on the blackjack variant, you can reach an RTP as high as 99+%! However, this requires that the blackjack optimal blackjack strategy is used in all situations. Some blackjack variants also have a naturally higher RTP than others, since their rules are slightly different.