Table of Contents
- What is Live Dealer Blackjack?
- Why Choose a Live Blackjack Casino NZ?
- How We Rate Live Blackjack Casinos NZ
- Type of Live Blackjack Casinos for New Zealand Players
- How to Play Blackjack in Online Casinos
- Key Terms for Playing Online Blackjack Casinos
- Blackjack Rule Variations at Live Blackjack Online Casinos NZ
- Odds and Payouts at Live Blackjack Casinos
- Bonuses at Live Blackjack Casinos in New Zealand
- Depositing and Withdrawing at Online Blackjack Casinos
- Different types of Live Blackjack Software are available in New Zealand.
- Top Strategies for Live Blackjack Casinos in New Zealand
- Play Live Blackjack For Free or Real Money
- Playing Live Blackjack Online on Mobile
- Betting Limits at Live Blackjack Casinos
- What is the RTP on Live Blackjack Games?
- Key Facts
- Summary of Live Blackjack Games for New Zealand Players
- References
- Live Dealer Blackjack FAQs
What is Live Dealer Blackjack?
Clearly, you either have a passion for blackjack or aren’t sure where to start playing blackjack; otherwise, you wouldn’t be reading this page right now!
Live Dealer Blackjack is pretty similar to the table games version but a lot more real. Games providers who serve up Live Blackjack do so in real casinos in a studio and stream HD video in real time.
You can choose your dealer and interact with them. Best of all, multiple camera angles allow you to zoom in or choose a view that suits you.
This is as close as you can physically get to enjoying the thrill, buzz and excitement of a land-based casino within the four walls of your living room.
Why Choose a Live Blackjack Casino NZ?
There are three ways to play blackjack at a casino.
- One, get dressed up, go to a casino and spend a fortune on drinks and admission.
- Two, play blackjack online without a live dealer via table games.
- Three, play live blackjack with a live dealer.
If you want to be genuinely immersed, rub virtual shoulders in real-time with players worldwide and soak up a casino’s ambience, then choose to live every time!
Advantages of a Live Blackjack Casino
- Incredibly immersive experience.
- Real players, real dealers, real cards.
- Convenience and ease.
- You know it’s not rigged because you can see the dealer.
- You can choose the dealer/table.
- Like being in a real casino, but you can play in your PJs.
- Works on tablets, mobiles and laptops.
Disadvantages of a Live Blackjack Casino
- Like in real life, you will be tapping your fingers slightly as you wait for the dealer to deal, making it a tad bit slower than traditional table games.
- By and large, free play is not allowed on live casino games.
- Most online casino live games come with a time limit to place a bet, resulting in faster gameplay and potential bet errors. You’ve got to be quick and slick!
- Every single technology will have a gremlin now and again. Online casino live games are no different.
How We Rate Live Blackjack Casinos NZ
At casinos.win, we have tried and tested all of the casinos we promote via a rigorous checklist.
Our team of happy-go-lucky gamblers comprises people who have previously excelled in the industry, are blackjack buffs or are former marketing managers.
Every time we review a casino, we absorb facts like human sponges, checking every single aspect, including; Welcome Bonuses, Ongoing Promotions, amount and quality of games and the number of available tables.
Safety always plays a big part in our reviews, and we ensure we monitor licensing, safety and security, responsible gambling and safe banking methods.
Type of Live Blackjack Casinos for New Zealand Players
Live Blackjack is offered at most NZ$ Casino online casinos these days. That makes picking a casino difficult because the main reason you want to join, i.e. playing blackjack, is pretty much guaranteed.
You clearly love blackjack but don’t forget that some great casinos provide everything from Baccarat to Slots, Roulette to Live Dealer, and Poker to Pokies galore.
When joining a casino, it’s important to consider some other key features. For instance, if safety is of primary importance, check out our Safest Casinos for NZ players.
If you’re searching for a new casino on the block, visit our New Casinos reviews.
I like casinos that are Fast Payout Casinos or Top Paying Casinos. But that’s not all! There’s no point picking a casino because it pays out quickly if it isn’t fun; check out our Quality Casinos guide.
How to Play Blackjack in Online Casinos
I always meditate a little before starting a round. I know that sounds stupid, but I always feel focusing on winning helps you achieve.
Firstly, you’ll place your bet. Stakes vary, but once those virtual chips hit the table, you will receive two face-up cards, and the dealer will have two cards, one face-up and the other face-down.
The primary goal of all blackjack-type games is to beat the dealer by getting closer to – or exactly to – 21 points without going over.
The value of the cards is exactly what number is on the card, except for picture cards which are valued at ten points. Aces are worth either 1 or 11.
In Live Blackjack Casinos, the decks can be between one and eight, just like in the real world.
Hit or Stand
After you receive your hand, you’ll have the option to hit (get additional cards) or retain the cards you have.
This is where the strategy within the game lies. Does the dealer have 21 or close? Will he hit and go bust? Do you play it safe or go for it?
Key Terms for Playing Online Blackjack Casinos
To simplify life, here’s a list of terms you’ll inevitably come across when playing blackjack at online casinos in New Zealand.
- Split – If you’ve been dealt a pair of the same cards (such as two threes), you can split them and create two separate hands. That means you will need to place another bet on the new hand. So, it costs more, but it does increase your chances because you’re now choosing to hit or stay with two hands instead of one.
- Double Down: If you have between nine and 11 points, it may be possible for you to double your bet. You will only be dealt one more card if you choose to do this. But get a ten, and you’re laughing.
- Insurance: I wouldn’t say I like insurance, but it’s a necessity of life. Insurance in blackjack is a side bet that the dealer has blackjack. Like any side bet, it plays out independently of your primary wager. There are different rules on when you can play insurance, depending on the type of blackjack game.
- Surrender: Not always available, but at certain Online Blackjack Casinos, you can surrender your hand if you don’t like the look of it and get half your wager back.
- Side Bets: With certain blackjack games, you can choose side bets such as Player or Dealer Pairs and 21+3.
- Multi-Hand: Play up to five hands at once.
- Bet Behind – This is like sitting on someone’s shoulder in a land-based casino. You can bet on a player’s hand while you are waiting for a seat at the table. At some tables, these bet behinds are unlimited.
- Resplit – If you split two identical cards and get another identical pair by some miracle, you can split again.
- Hit Split Aces – This means you can only have one more card after you split a pair of aces.
Blackjack Rule Variations at Live Blackjack Online Casinos NZ
There are two main variants for blackjack regarding the rules. These are
European Blackjack
The pivotal difference with European Roulette is that you must play your hand before the dealer receives their second card.
Another key difference is that doubling down is only allowed when you have between 9-11 points in the game. European Roulette uses two decks of cards; splitting is allowed but only once per hand and only with cards with a 10-point value.
American Blackjack
The star-spangled banner of blackjack ensures you and the dealer receive cards right away – one card face up and one face down.
The card face down on the table is known as the ‘hole card’. In American Blackjack, the dealer is allowed to take a look and see if they have blackjack.
Should the hole card cause the dealer to smirk blackjack, it’s game over, and the dealer then collects all players’ bets.
This isn’t all bad news because it could kick the insurance bet into play!
Odds and Payouts at Live Blackjack Casinos
Blackjack has one of the highest Returns to Player (RTP) of any casino game averaging between 95% and 99%.
This means the house edge is small! Most bets pay on a 1:1 ratio, so if you bet $10, you will win your stake plus $10. Some land-based casinos have recently switched to a payout of 5:4, which reduces the RTP.
- Blackjack Value – If you win via blackjack, the payout is 3:2, meaning your $10 stake is now worth $25.
- Insurance Bets – Insurance bets are calculated at 2:1, which means if the dealer wins with blackjack and you have insurance, you pick up $30 for your $10 stake. You get your bet money back if it’s a dead heat with the dealer.
- Dealer Actions – Dealer rules aren’t standardised. They can be different depending on the casino and determine when the dealer can stand or hit. This can have a huge impact on payouts.
- Decks – The more decks, the lower the RTP. In Live Casino, eight shuffled decks tend to be the norm. Table games (non-live) don’t use decks but random number generators for their cards.
Bonuses at Live Blackjack Casinos in New Zealand
If a casino were shouting at you, it would be shouting, “Come and join us, and we’ll give you all this free stuff”.
Welcome Offers and Ongoing Promotions are a staple in the world of online gambling.
There are many types of Welcome Offers, including No Deposit Casinos and Pokies No Deposit Casinos.
A personal favourite is Free Spins No Deposit Casinos.
But if you love a matched bet offer, there are also $1 Deposit Casinos, $5 Deposit Casinos and $10 Deposit Casinos.
The bigger the welcome bonus, the more likely you are to join. The greater the variety of ongoing promotions, the more likely you will stay with that casino.
It’s essentially the marketing tactic of advertising free beer outside a pub.
Welcome Offers
- Free Spins – Free spins are as common as muck, as my gran used to say. Enjoy free spins when you register, as part of ongoing promotions, or as special one-offs. Casinos love to give free spins away. The amount you get can vary a huge amount, from 100 spins as part of a sign-up offer to a daily bonus of five free spins. Starburst is a very popular game to receive free spins on.
- Credit – This offer pops some chips for the casino or a credit amount into your spending balance. Nice! However, you’ll need to keep an eye on wagering requirements.
- No Deposit Bonus – Nothing, absolutely nothing, beats a casino that pops free money into your account when you sign up. You can’t beat it.
Ongoing Rewards
When you’re all signed up and inside your new shiny online casino, you can expect lots of wonderful treats and ongoing bonuses and promotions once you join an online blackjack casino nz.
Every good online casino should offer a smorgasbord of weekly promotions, matched bets, deposit offers, free tournaments, daily prize spins, cashback on losses and more!
Wagering Requirements on Real Money Bonuses
The devil is in the detail, is an expression I have heard many times in my life.
This is particularly relevant when it comes to online casinos. You should always read the terms and conditions before taking up an offer.
A classic T&C is wagering requirements.
Sometimes you may need to wager the deposit a set number of times. Other times, it’s the bonus, and occasionally, it is both.
The number of times you wager is specific to the casino. The average is about 40x, but some casinos can be as high as 90x and others as low as 30x.
Depositing and Withdrawing at Online Blackjack Casinos
Who doesn’t want to get rich quickly?
I want a casino that pays me my winnings in a super quick time.
Whereas other plays I know rank security higher than speed.
Banking is very important when it comes to picking a casino. Choose wisely.
New Zealand players are extremely lucky to be able to join casinos with great and secure banking methods.
Types include globally acknowledged Visa or newer eWallets like Skrill and Neteller.
Many are also paysafe casinos – which are like phone top-up cards. These are great solutions for depositing if you’re worried about any future credit checks.
Each of our casino reviews explains exactly what banking methods are available for that particular casino and the withdrawal speed.
Different types of Live Blackjack Software are available in New Zealand.
Some great providers are supplying games to the world in this digital age.
These include Evolution Gaming, Microgaming, NetEnt, Microgaming, Red Tiger, Pragmatic Play, Quickspin, Merkur, Yggdrasil, Rival and Play N’Go, to name a few.
But not all provide Live Casino games.
Below we’re shining a spotlight on two of the best and highlighting some of their fantastic live blackjack games.
Evolution Gaming
Evolution Gaming is a specialist in powering live blackjack tables. Wherever you find blackjack that Evolution develops, the rules will also be consistent. Evolution accentuates quality and usability above all aspects. This philosophy means that this high-riding company has established a foothold in the live casino market by developing cutting-edge products in roulette, baccarat, and other numbers-based table games.
Blackjack games include
Infinite Blackjack.
You’ve guessed it. Infinite Blackjack offers unlimited seats at the table.
It also comes with four side bets, including any pair, 21+3, Hot 3 and Bust It.
Lightning Blackjack
This is classic blackjack with a big twist. This uses a random number generator to give multipliers between 2x and 25x on a winning score.
In other words, like a bolt of lightning igniting your hand!
Blackjack Party
This is a low-stakes, party-style variant with a bet behind it. There’s also music and chatty hosts. The focus is firmly on the fun at this table.
Luckily there’s a virtually unlimited number of players at this party because you can bet behind those players on a hot streak.
Playtech
Playtech is one of the original pioneers of Live Casinos and the leading live casino provider in Europe and Asia. This is a huge player in the market with a pedigree like few others.
Blackjack VIP
With higher limits than regular lounges, Playtech offers a true VIP experience with this seven-seat multiplayer live blackjack game that uses an 8-deck shoe, a European style of a deal, plus hitting on aces is permitted.
CashBack Blackjack
Playtech launched Cash Back Blackjack in October 2021. When they say cashback, they mean an early surrender payout. Playtech allows you to take a sum of money before the house plays its hand.
The cashback amount is house calculated – higher when your position is strong, lower when your position is weak.
There are also plenty of side bets on offer.
All Bets Blackjack
Playtech’s All Bets Blackjack is a one-to-many deal table and comes with six side bets and an American deal.
Designed with a distinctive, high-end look, the table features a bespoke loading screen to create an inviting atmosphere for players. Available to an unlimited number of players, All Bets Blackjack features a series of side bet options for a varied and exciting experience, including Buster Blackjack, where players can score a wide range of potential wins, from a 2:1 win for three or four cards to an incredible 2000:1 win for the ultimate combination of eight cards plus player blackjack.
Top Strategies for Live Blackjack Casinos in New Zealand
In essence, blackjack is a really simple game with the highest RTP of all casino games. Little wonder then that it is the world’s number one casino game.
But the simplicity of blackjack belies the strategies that veteran players employ.
Live Blackjack, in simple terms, is about who gets 21 or the closest to it; you or the dealer.
But it’s also a game about the probability and the increased or decreased likelihood that the next card is high or low.
Most online casinos use 8 standard 52-card decks. The numbered cards, 2-10, are worth their face value. Face cards are worth 10, and aces are worth 1 or 11.
More decks increase the complexity of the probability involved, thus resulting in a higher advantage for the house. Why does this happen? Because the chance of a player hitting blackjack, double down or a split is watered down by the greater number of cards.
There are many websites out there with different strategies on them, but there are two main ones:
- Double On 11 – the ball’s in your court with this hand. Another 10, and it’s party time.
- Low Stands – don’t be afraid of standing on a low hand. The onus is then on the dealer; always watch the dealer’s hand.
Play Live Blackjack For Free or Real Money
In the main, Live Blackjack Casinos doesn’t offer a free demo mode for Live Blackjack.
This is because it needs a live dealer, and he/she/they are busy live dealing cards.
If you’re a gambling veteran, this won’t bother you, but if you’re new to gambling and don’t want to risk real money before learning the ropes, then it can be a problem.
No need to worry! There are many table game (non-live) variations of blackjack that do allow demo mode. You’re only a Google away from them.
Our big tip here is to play as many free demo mode games as possible before playing for real money.
Try all the variations you can, especially European and American Blackjack.
Playing Live Blackjack Online on Mobile
Most games these days are developed to be mobile-friendly.
All you need to do is make sure you’ve got a fast and secure connection, and away you go.
That means you can play in the comfort of your own home, on the bus or while waiting to collect your takeaway.
Obviously, you’ll need to keep an eye on data usage and not forget the battery. There’s nothing worse than being in the middle of live action, and the battery dies.
Betting Limits at Live Blackjack Casinos
Live Blackjack is an extremely democratic betting game.
If your funds are limited, there are plenty of options at casinos throughout New Zealand to get involved in hands from $0.50 and upwards.
On the other hand of the scale, if you have deep pockets and the fearless nature required to bet life-changing sums on the turn of a card, you will be able to find dozens of casinos that serve Kiwis where bets up to $10000 can be placed.
So the choice is yours.
Of course, the most common rooms have a standard, seven-seat layout, with modest minimum and maximum bet limits. But, you will also be able to find VIP or Salon Prive tables at many leading casinos where you can look forward to the personal service of some of the world’s most talented croupiers and table limits that would appear eye-watering to regular punters.
Always remember that you should only ever bet what you can afford. Even though Blackjack promises to pay back nearly every cent that you bet, with the game RTP approaching 100%, the tables are still tilted in favour of the house.
What is the RTP on Live Blackjack Games?
The RTP on most leading Live Blackjack Games is listed at well over 99%.
| Product | Software Provider | RTP |
|---|---|---|
| Unlimited Blackjack | Playtech | 99.54% |
| Infinite Blackjack | Evolution Gaming | 99.51% |
| Quantum Blackjack | Playtech | 99.47% |
However, these return-to-player rates can only be achieved if you follow the perfect strategy for playing Live Blackjack at all times.
Whether to hit, stand, double down, or split depends on your first two dealt cards; the dealer’s up card and the number of decks used in a particular game.
If you deviate from the perfect strategy even once, the RTP that you will achieve from a lengthy Live Blackjack session will begin to drop back.
Common mistakes novice players make include splitting a pair of fours and hitting on twelve when the dealer’s hand is not promising.
Key Facts
| LIVE BLACKJACK CASINOS | General info |
|---|---|
| ❤️ Live Blackjack | 18+ |
| 🕹️ Our Favourite Game | Lightning Blackjack |
| 🏅 Highest RTP | 99% |
| 💵 Best Strategy To Win Real Money | Double down on a 10 |
| ⚖️ Quality Licence | Malta & UK |
| 🇳🇿 Country | New Zealanders Welcome |
Summary of Live Blackjack Games for New Zealand Players
We’ve picked the best, most interesting, fun Live Blackjack Casinos for you to play in New Zealand.
Our experts thoroughly tested and reviewed them, leaving no stone unturned.
Blackjack is the world’s simplest, highest RTP game – it’s also the number one casino game played globally.
Over the last few years, the scope of live casino games has increased exponentially, little wonder given their immersive nature.
There are now plenty of variations on the classic game, complete with an ever-expanding number of side bets to choose from.
We hope this review has been helpful and you’ve found what you’re looking for.
References
- Gambling Helpline New Zealand
- Wikipedia
- Problem Gambling Foundation of New Zealand
- E Cogra Approved Testing Agency
- Malta Gaming Authority
- UK Gambling Commission
- GamCare
Live Dealer Blackjack FAQs
Is Live Dealer Blackjack Rigged?
Live dealer blackjack is a great game for casino aficionados to get involved with because the chances of this type of blackjack variant being rigged are significantly reduced. When players engage in RNG blackjack, where the cards dealt are determined by algorithms, players can often feel cheated by hand outcomes. After all, there is no way to see how a pack delivers the cards that it does. However, Croupier Live Blackjack is wonderfully interactive. You can see with your own eyes when the pack is being shuffled and when croupiers are rotated, so the sense that you are being cheated at any point is substantially reduced.
What’s the highest stakes you can play at Live Blackjack Online?
Live Blackjack Online in NZ can be played for ultra-high stakes if that’s your fancy. Evolution Live Blackjack can be played at casinos such as Casimba, Leo Vegas, and Royal Panda for $10,000 per hand. However, some VIP and high-roller schemes may push the envelope even further on a case-by-case basis, raising table limits even higher, depending on the profitability threat that individual clients pose.
Is there anyone other Live Blackjack Software other than Evolution Gaming?
Evolution Gaming fans are spread far and wide. It is unsurprising that many live blackjack casinos rely on Evolution’s wealth of inviting live casino titles to fill their content libraries. However, this has not stopped rival software providers from laying down the gauntlet to the industry leader by developing their own live blackjack tables online. Notable mentions must also be made for Playtech, NetEnt, Ezugi, and Authentic Gaming. Each software house has put its unique stamp on standard Blackjack and Live Blackjack Perfect Pairs products, with crisp HD visuals being married to surround-sound audio and world-leading croupiers for an experience that cannot be surpassed outside of Monte Carlo quality venues.
How many decks do Evolution Gaming use for the Live Blackjack games?
Evolution Gaming has developed a whole suite of Live Blackjack games. Live Blackjack, Speed Blackjack, Infinite Blackjack, Lightning Blackjack, Free Bet Blackjack, Power Blackjack, and Salon Prive are amongst the most popular titles in their range. Although each product may provide alternative rules on Blackjack features such as Splitting, Doubling, and Insurance, the standard game is played out using eight decks of casino standard playing cards.
Is it possible to count cards and thereby make a profit playing Live Blackjack?
Casinos have often been wary of players who use card counting methods to increase their edge while playing Live Blackjack. This caution is justified to an extent. After all, most Blackjack variants come with impressive RTP rates of over 99% so casinos only make a wafer-thin profit when broadcasting any casino hand. Therefore, if canny customers can use card counting to predict what cards are likely to be dealt next more accurately, this will be of concern. However, the effectiveness of card counting when playing at Live Blackjack tables online is blunted by the game rules in operation at most venues. In essence, the appeal of card counting is as a tool to predict when “face cards”, ten’s to king are more to appear. If you know that more “faces” are due to be dealt than would normally be expected, you can increase your bets as the chances of being dealt Blackjack also increases. However, advantages from card counting are minimal until a high proportion of cards in the deck have been dealt. It is for exactly this reason for decks are shuffled regularly whenever Live Blackjack tables are in operation so that the benefits of card counting are reduced to almost zero. So, yes, it is most definitely possible to count cards when you are playing Live Blackjack, but it is unlikely that you will be able to turn this effort into a noticeable profit.
What is the smallest amount you can bet on a hand playing Live Blackjack?
Although Live Blackjack is a casino game often associated with the highest of high-rollers, this does not mean players with more modest budgets cannot get involved. Many online casinos that serve the New Zealand market at this time are happy to accept bets at the Blackjack table from $0.50 and up. Budget Live Blackjack is a fantastic way for casino fans to experience the thrill of the cut and thrust of the Blackjack table but is also a great way for casino operators to broadcast their products to the widest possible audience.