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| Casino Name | Casino with Live Blackjack Offer | Rating |
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Blackjack is a very popular casino game. It is easy to learn and play for real money. However, if you want to get all it has to offer, you need the right strategy and information about the game.
On this page, you will be learning just that. You will also find the answer to all of your questions regarding blackjack.
You might have played Blackjack before in a real, brick-and-mortar casino. It’s a fun card game with good winning odds. Live blackjack online offers the same casino experience except you can play from almost anywhere. All you need is a good internet connection and a smartphone, iPhone, tablet, PC, or laptop.
The live blackjack online experience is better than regular virtual Blackjack because you get a real professional dealer and gaming table broadcast straight to your device. Everything about the game is real, except you don’t have to travel to the casino or dress up for the occasion. Even the atmosphere of the casino is captured.
Blackjack is a popular card game also known as Twenty-One. The aim is to achieve a higher score than the dealer without exceeding 21. All players compete against the dealer. Two cards are initially dealt face up to all players. The dealer is also dealt two cards, except one is faced down.
In Blackjack, a 2-card hand with an Ace and a 10-value card is called a “natural” or “Blackjack”. The dealer does not turn his/her second card over straight away unless the face-up card is an ace or 10-value card. Should the dealer score 21 with the first two cards, any player not equaling the feat loses.
A game of Blackjack is hosted by a dealer and includes between 5 and 7 other players. Up to 8 packs of cards are shuffled. If the dealer does not score a 10 or an ace with his/her first card, play moves in a clockwise fashion.
Players can draw more cards by declaring “hit” or motioning to the dealer. They can bet on the hand they have by declaring “stand” or again by motioning. The dealer is obliged to stand on a hand of 17 or more. Other betting options are open to players, including splitting pairs and doubling down.
Knowing when to hit and stand is one part of a good Blackjack strategy. You’d usually hit with a hand below 17 if the dealer has 7 or over. If the dealer has 2-6, the player should stand at 12 or over. The idea is to let the dealer take the risk.
You can split a pair in Blackjack and play two hands with double the bet. Usually, you’d always split pairs of aces or 8s. Two 8s is considered a middling, problematic hand. “Doubling down” means doubling your bet against just one more dealt card. A hand of 9-11 is best for this.
Some other strategies include:
It does not matter what upcard the dealer has. Make it a habit to always split a pair of 8s and Aces. While this strategy can always be trusted, lots of players fail to split a pair of 8s when the dealer has an upcard of Ace, 10, or 9. They act this way because they already consider themselves underdogs and assume there will be no need to split. This might seem great. The truth, however, is when you play two hands, you become less of an underdog.
Your likelihood of winning more money increases when you double down on hard 11 while playing against a dealer’s upcard. It is generally preferred to hitting in all games. Although this is a good strategy, it has an exception.
When involved in a multi-deck game where the dealer has to stand on soft 17 because of the rules binding the game, you will do a lot better when you go against a dealer Ace.
A pair of 5s can be regarded as a hard 10. You will do a lot better when you take a one-or-more-card draw to ten over splitting a pair of 5s. Although when you split 10s, you will be dealing more with a winning play, your likelihood of winning is greatly increased when you keep the 10s together and play as 20.
Many players are aware they simply need to split a pair of 9s when they are involved with a dealer’s upcard that is 9 or less than 9. They, however, are unable to cope properly when the dealer presents a 7. In a situation like this, you will get the best result when you stand. Standing will help you win a bit more money than when you split.
There are six physical casinos in New Zealand where you can play Blackjack. They’re in Dunedin, Christchurch, Auckland, Hamilton, and Queenstown. There are two in Queenstown. All but the first two are run by the Skycity Entertainment Group, whose shares are traded on the Australian and New Zealand stock exchanges.
Getting a game of Blackjack online in New Zealand is a bit more complicated, but not too troublesome. Players can legally gamble provided the mobile casino is not based in New Zealand. Many international online casinos accept New Zealand Dollars as currency, meaning there are no foreign exchange fees attached to playing. Don’t forget to check the offer of one of our favorite online casino – Alf Casino!
Keen for a game of live blackjack? Heaps of online casinos offer it to Kiwi players like yourself. Check out our comparison tables for a list of reputable casinos with live dealer options. We only list casinos that are licensed and regulated, ensuring a fair go. We look at things like game variety and how easy the site is to use.
Live blackjack is legal in New Zealand, provided the online casino is licensed and regulated by a reputable authority, such as the Malta Gaming Authority or the UK Gambling Commission. Always make sure the casino you choose holds a valid license to operate in a safe and fair environment.
Playing live blackjack gives you a more immersive and social experience compared to standard online blackjack. You get to interact with a real dealer and other players, making it feel like you’re right there in a brick-and-mortar casino. Plus, some players find it more trustworthy as you can see the cards being dealt in real-time.
Yep, they’re as real as it gets! Live blackjack dealers are actual people, often in a casino studio. The game is streamed to you live, so you can chat with the dealer and other players, just like you’re there in person. It’s the closest you can get to the casino buzz without leaving your bach.
The ‘best’ live blackjack depends on what you’re after. Some casinos offer variations with different rules or side bets. Look for tables with favourable rules like dealer stands on soft 17, and a lower house edge. Check our reviews for casinos known for their high-quality live blackjack experiences and professional dealers.
While theoretically possible to make a living playing blackjack, it’s a tough ask. You’d need serious skills, discipline, and a decent bankroll. Card counting isn’t illegal, but casinos aren’t fans, and they might ask you to leave if they think you’re doing it. Think of playing blackjack professionally like trying to be an All Black – you need skill, dedication, and often another job to pay the bills.
Always choose a casino that’s licensed and regulated by a reputable authority. Look for casinos that use encryption technology to keep your personal and financial information safe. Independent audits of the casino’s games also help ensure fairness. Our comparison tables only list reputable casinos that meet these standards, so you can chuck your dollaries down with confidence.
Keep an eye out for deposit match bonuses, reload bonuses, and sometimes even cashback offers specifically for live casino games. Be sure to read the terms and conditions carefully, especially the wagering requirements, as live casino games might contribute differently than pokies.
Ben Williams
Content WriterBen grew up in a small beach town on the Coromandel Peninsula. He spent most of his childhood surfing and playing rugby. After graduating from university in Auckland, he moved to Australia to work for a startup. He returned to New Zealand a few years later and started working in the iGaming industry.
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