Play Blackjack Online in New Zealand

Christchurch Casino offers Kiwis access to one of the best online blackjack experiences in the country. With our wide range of blackjack tables and promotions, no wonder so many players across New Zealand are signing up. Why don’t you register at our online casino and claim your welcome bonus?

Our casino has given players unforgettable blackjack experiences since 1994. Players no longer need to journey to Christchurch to experience scintillating blackjack games. You can visit us online using your PC or mobile device. Plus, once you create an account, you can enjoy over 2,300 online pokies, over 45 live casino games, and iconic table games such as roulette and poker.

Our unrivalled selection of blackjack tables will entertain even the most experienced players. We have live blackjack, online tables, and even games where you can play multiple hands simultaneously. Most of our blackjack games have side bets allowing all players to win larger prizes each round. If the blackjack options at Christchurch Casino sound perfect for you, then register and hit the tables!

The History of Online Blackjack

Blackjack is the most popular casino game in the world. While there is no way of knowing when the game was first created, they played it in Spain in the early 17th century. The iconic card game was popular in England in the late 1700s and made its way to America in the early 1800s. Back then, the locals called it vingt-un or twenty-one, but the Americans renamed it blackjack at the turn of the 20th century.

There are countless reasons players all over the globe enjoy blackjack. One of the most important reasons is the players do not compete against each other, as you find in poker games such as Texas Hold’em. Instead, each player at the blackjack table tries to achieve a better hand than the dealer. Plus, to improve your hand, players can choose to stand or hit. Unlike other table games such as roulette, you have much more influence over the outcome.

Blackjack first appeared online in the late 90s and early 2000s. At that point, players were often competing online against a computer. Nowadays, you have a much greater choice over the blackjack you can enjoy. One of the biggest changes is that you can now play live blackjack at a virtual table. You can play at tables where each player has their own two cards. Or, there are live blackjack games where thousands of players decide based on one hand. Both versions offer incredible excitement with other players in real-time. If you prefer to play alone, our online blackjack games are ready whenever you are!

How to Play Blackjack Online

Blackjack is one of the easiest casino games for new players to enjoy. Not only is the aim straightforward, but beginners’ luck has been known to strike when playing live blackjack. To help new players get up to speed, we have created the following sections to explain everything about blackjack. It never hurts to recap the basics, even if you have plenty of casino experience.

Blackjack Rules

The blackjack rules are simple. Each player gets dealt two cards and you have to beat the dealer. To calculate the total, you need to add up the values of these cards. No players combined total can add up to 22 or higher. When your total is over 21, you have busted, and are out of the round. To win a round at blackjack, you must finish with a hand higher in value than the dealer. For example, if you have two jacks and the dealer has 17, you win!

When the dealer gives you two cards, you typically have two choices. You can decide to hit, giving you an additional card. Or, you can choose to stand, which will lock in your total. Standing means you won’t receive any more cards and your final total must be greater than the dealers. You can bust if you choose to hit, and the new card takes your total above 21. If you end up well below 21, you can hit again. However, each time you hit, you increase your likelihood of busting.

To help you avoid any silly mistakes at our online casino, here is a mini-glossary of blackjack terms to be aware of.

• Hit: After looking at your two cards, you can ask for another. Once you hit, you can keep going until you stand or bust.
• Stand: If you are happy with the current value of your cards, you can stand. This means you wait until the dealer reveals their cards to see who wins.
• Double Down: When given the option to double down, you are doubling the amount you staked for one more card. You cannot hit after doubling down.
• Split: If you receive two cards of equal value, you can ask the dealer to split. This allows you to play each card as a separate hand. To play two hands, you must double your original bet.
• Natural: If the first two cards you receive add up to 21, you have a natural or blackjack. This results in a larger payout than a regular win, as you receive one and half the value of your stake.
• Push: When the dealer and player have the same total, the round ends in a draw and the players receive their bets back.
• Insurance: Any time the dealer’s face-up card is an ace, the players can buy insurance. If the dealer has a natural 21, the insurance side bet is a winner, and players receive 2/1 odds on their stake. An insurance bet is worth half your original wager.
• Side Bet: A side bet offers you the chance to win significantly more than the value of your bet. Depending on the side bet, you can win over 100x your stake. One example of a side bet is whether you can make a three-card poker hand with your two cards and the dealer’s face-up card.

The blackjack rules change slightly depending on the game you play. The objective is almost always to get as close to 21 without busting. However, most tables will have a rule for the dealer. They usually set this at 17, meaning the dealer will not hit. Players will often target any number greater than 17 before they stand. While that strategy is sound, you are better off sticking with 16 than busting with 26.

Blackjack Card Values

The blackjack card values are one of the most difficult aspects for new players. While playing cards can look intimidating with aces and face cards, the point system is incredibly straightforward. In each deck, there are 52 playing cards. Of these 52, remember there are four suits. These suits contain 13 cards, and this is the same for the diamonds, spades, clubs, or hearts. The 13 cards comprise two through ten, plus a jack, queen, king, and ace.

Where the confusion comes from is the value of an ace. Aces can either be worth one or 11. If the dealer handed you a king and an ace to start the round, you have automatically won with a blackjack. However, if you started with an ace and a seven, you could decide to stand with a value of 18 or hit. If the next card is a four or more, the ace reverts to a one to avoid busting. This might sound confusing, but the more hands you play, the easier it becomes. Check out the list below to help you understand the blackjack card values.

• Ace: Worth 1 or 11
• 2: Worth 2
• 3: Worth 3
• 4: Worth 4
• 5: Worth 5
• 6: Worth 6
• 7: Worth 7
• 8: Worth 8
• 9: Worth 9
• 10: Worth 10
• Jack: Worth 10
• Queen: Worth 10
• King: Worth 10

Any new blackjack players in New Zealand should have no fear. All our online or live blackjack tables do all the calculations for you. Our high-quality blackjack games display your current total and betting options, making our online casino one of the best starting points.

Blackjack Hands

Blackjack Hands are different to manage compared to poker. If you are interested in blackjack strategy, we detail some tips and tricks below. However, you need to decide not just based on your two cards, but the one card from the dealer that is face up. If the dealer has a high or face card visible, try to get as close to 21 as possible. The closer you get to 21, the more likely you can win.

To play blackjack effectively, you need to master the hands. In poker, it is vital to know a flush, straight, and royal flush. For roulette, players memorise the payouts for making inside and outside bets. In blackjack, most online tables allow players to split, double down, hit, or stand. You can also buy insurance if the dealer's face-up card is an ace. Live table games enforce a strict time limit for you to decide. If you need more time at the beginning of your blackjack games, try our online tables and play at your own pace.

Blackjack Odds

If you are curious about blackjack odds, the chance for a player to win a round is 42.22%. The odds of the dealer winning are 49.1% and the remainder of 8.48% is for a tie. However, those odds do not convey that the theoretical RTP for most blackjack games is around 99.60%. The RTP will vary depending on whether there are side bets, but blackjack remains one of the easiest casino games to play.

Comparing blackjack to roulette, the RTP for American Roulette is 94.74%. If you want to play poker, the RTP for Live Texas Hold’em is around 97% per hand. That means you are statistically far more likely to win a round of blackjack than most casino table games. Remember, these odds can differ for each type of blackjack game you play. At Christchurch Casino, we have dozens of iconic blackjack games for players. Whether you like to play live blackjack or want to play online, sign up at our online casino.

Basic Strategy for Blackjack

There are dozens of blackjack strategies online, most are complicated and require a lot of practice. However, we have some useful tips and tricks to remember the next time you hit the tables.

• Look at the Dealer’s Card: While you must look at your two cards, don’t forget the dealer’s upcard. The dealer's card can help you decide whether to hit or stand. Usually, if they deal you 16 or less, you want to hit. However, if the dealer has six or fewer, they are statistically more likely to bust when hit. A dealer can often only stand when they have 17 or more, so be vigilant with the dealer.
• Stick with 17, 18, 19, and 20: If they give you 17 or above, it’s usually worth sticking, no matter what card the dealer has. One of the best ways to play blackjack is to assume the dealer will pull a card worth ten. That means if you have 15, and the dealer has a nine, you need to get closer to 21 before you stand.
• To Split or Not to Split: When they deal you two cards of equal value, you can split them into two hands. You always split two eights and aces no matter what hand the dealer has, but the other numbers are tougher to call. You should split two 2s and two 3s if the dealer’s up card is worth seven or less. Never split a double five. Instead, double down in the hopes of a face card.
• Don’t Always Aim for 17 or More: One target we never lose sight of is the minimum number a dealer will always stand at. For most tables, this number is 17. If you research detailed blackjack betting strategies, they will tell you to always stand with 17, but what if you have between 13 and 16? Usually, it’s worth sticking with these numbers as you are more likely to bust than get closer to 21.

What’s the Difference Between Online Blackjack and Live Blackjack?

There are differences between online and live blackjack. This also applies to other popular table games like poker and roulette, the live games often offer something unique compared to online tables. Focusing on blackjack, the major difference between online and live blackjack tables is the pacing. If you play live, there are tight windows for each player to make their move. Whether you hit or stand, you must pay attention to the timer.

Besides the time to make your moves, there will also be different side bets. Some side bets use a poker system to award significantly larger payouts than a traditional blackjack hand. Plus, others payout if you have a pair of queens or two cards from the same suit. The number of side bets available will fluctuate at almost every blackjack table, ensure you check the pay table before placing your first bet.

Can I Play Real Money Blackjack Online on Mobile?

Yes. Any player who signs up for Christchurch Casino can play real money blackjack online on any mobile device. Our online casino has the latest technology to support mobile players across New Zealand. With a smartphone or tablet, you can experience online and live blackjack throughout the year. If this is your first time playing blackjack, the easiest way to get started is on your mobile device.

We have optimised all our blackjack tables for your touchscreen devices. That means it is easier than ever to register and play blackjack games in New Zealand. Christchurch Casino has been welcoming players since 1994 and our mobile service is one of the best in the country. If you are thinking about joining, any new player can claim an exciting welcome bonus to help you get started at the blackjack tables. Plus, we have weekly promotions and bonuses for our dedicated players. Anyone looking for a consistent blackjack service can also utilise our loyalty program. Sign up today and experience some of the best online blackjack for Kiwis.

Are Online Blackjack Games Safe to Play?

Security is vitally important to us. Our online casino has the latest SLL encryption and cutting-edge technology to guarantee safety. That means your personal and financial information is 100% secure when you sign up to play.

Another aspect of safety we take seriously is game fairness. We have over 2,400 games available, and each one has passed a rigorous testing procedure. This applies to all casino games, including online pokies, table games, live games, and Megaways. Every player has an equal chance of winning at Christchurch Casino, no matter what game they play.

Start Playing Blackjack Online With Real Money

Christchurch Casino is the perfect place for blackjack fans. We have over 50 blackjack games, including live tables and online games. After creating your account, you can claim a welcome bonus and play blackjack online with real money. We are consistently increasing our selection by adding new games to our library. Loyalty pays at our online casino. If you want to play the best online casino games and earn bonuses and promotions while you play, register with Christchurch Casino.