Online Poker: The Best Poker Sites in New Zealand 2024
Searching for the best online poker NZ sites can be overwhelming. That’s why we’ve collated all the information for you. Our list of top online poker sites means you can find a casino, deposit money and start playing – fast.
We’ve provided info on poker variations, along with strategies and tips to become a better player.
You can check out licensing information, payment methods and much more in one place. To help you make an informed decision and compare overall scores for each of our recommended sites.
Let’s take a look at the best poker sites online for you.
New Casinos with Poker
| Rank | Casino | Cash bonus with 1st deposit | Minimum deposit | Terms and Conditions | Play |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Cash bonus with 1st deposit
100% up to 300 NZ$ |
Minimum deposit 10 NZ$ | Read review Play | |
| 2 |
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Cash bonus with 1st deposit
100% up to 1000 NZ$ |
Minimum deposit 20 NZ$ | Read review Play | |
| 3 |
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Cash bonus with 1st deposit
100% up to 200 NZ$ |
Minimum deposit 10 NZ$ | Read review Play | |
| 4 |
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Cash bonus with 1st deposit 100% up to 500 NZ$ | Minimum deposit 10 NZ$ | Read review Play | |
| 5 |
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Cash bonus with 1st deposit
100% up to 100 € |
Minimum deposit 10 € | Read review Play | |
| 6 |
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Cash bonus with 1st deposit 100% up to 1000 $ | Minimum deposit 10 $ | Read review Play | |
| 7 |
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Cash bonus with 1st deposit 100% up to 300 NZ$ | Minimum deposit 10 NZ$ | Read review Play |
Best Casinos with Poker
How We Rate the Best Online Poker NZ Sites
We want to ensure you always have the best online poker experience, so all of the sites we recommend have been tested by our experts. To make our list, a site must meet strict criteria. Below, you can find out what we look at when evaluating different poker sites and how we ensure they will provide you with the best games and a rewarding experience.
Trustworthiness
We make sure the site is fully licensed and regulated, offering the best levels of player protection when you sign up.
Bonuses
The sites on our list provide new and returning players with some excellent casino bonuses. These include match offers, reload bonuses, cashback offers, and more.
Game Variety
To ensure access to your preferred games, we check for variations on offer and recommend sites with multiple games.
Mobile friendly
With many players using a mobile device, all recommended sites are mobile-compatible and offer secure access on phones and tablets.
Customer Support
Our team tests the support services to ensure they offer fast and responsive support to all members. We also ensure support is accessible in various ways, including email, phone, and live chat.
Design & innovation
All sites offer easy access and a simple layout that allows you to navigate to preferred games or supported casino services quickly.
Pros & Cons of online poker
As with all online casino games, there are pros and cons to consider before playing. We also recommend checking each casino's terms and conditions before you play. So you can understand any restrictions or conditions for each game and make an informed decision.
Pros
- Online poker is convenient. You can play from the comfort of your own home, so there's no need to travel to a poker room or physical casino.
- Online poker sites provide game variety. You can choose from a range of poker variants to find a game that suits your preferences.
- You can access poker sites 24/7. Unlike physical casinos or poker rooms, you can play online poker at any time of the day or night, regardless of your time zone.
Cons
- Online poker lacks the social interaction of live poker. This makes it difficult to be able to read other players and pick up on physical tells.
- While we only recommend licensed and reputable online poker sites with advanced security measures, there's always a risk of encountering unethical platforms. Be cautious when you choose which online poker casino to play, and always use secure payment options.
- There are more distractions. When you play at home you're more likely to be distracted. So maintaining focus on the game can become challenging and affect your overall performance.
Bank Options at Online Poker Sites
The best online poker sites will offer a range of payment options for New Zealand players. So you can choose which option is most convenient to make deposits and withdraw your winnings. When you’re signing up to online poker sites be sure to check how long deposits take with each casino and by payment method. Most deposits will be immediate. Withdrawals can also be immediate if you’re using an e-wallet. While for other transfers, a withdrawal of your winnings may take longer.
Here are some of the different types of payment options you can expect to see at a New Zealand online poker site:
Credit Cards & Debit Cards
Most casinos allow you to make deposits and withdraw your funds using Visa and Mastercard, and some also offer Maestro.
Bank Transfers
You can pay by phone or arrange a bank transfer, though these methods can take longer to hit your account.
e-Wallets
E-wallets are popular in New Zealand and also offer fast payments and withdrawals. They also mean you don’t have to share any bank details with casinos. Look for established e-wallets like PayPal, Skrill or Neteller and set up your account to get started.
Digital Wallets
Other popular choices with many New Zealand players are casinos which accept digital wallets, such as Google Pay and Apple Pay.
Cryptocurrencies
Some online casinos allow you to use Bitcoin, Litecoin and other forms of cryptocurrency for your payments.
Mobile Poker at Online Casinos
Mobile poker play is extremely popular not just in New Zealand, but worldwide. Many people now choose the convenience of playing via their mobile instead of using a computer.
Because of this popularity, many online poker sites have had to adapt their games to ensure they’re optimised for a range of devices. Some poker sites have also created apps to download that are compatible with Android, iOS and Windows devices. So you can play poker with the touch of a button, straight from your phone.
Poker Rules: Learning the Basics
When playing poker successfully, you will need a combination of luck and skill. Before engaging in real money games, take time to learn the rules for each poker variation, as each version will have different rules.
As a new player, you can benefit from game tutorials at leading poker sites since these provide you with a guide on how to play a specific game. You can also access a poker rules site to learn detailed rules for all of the popular variations in play today. To get a basic overview of the rules of poker, check out our ‘How to play poker‘ guide.
Most Popular Poker Variations
Those who want to play poker online will be happy to learn there are many great game variations on offer. Over the years, software companies have developed new games that deliver hours of fun and offer great ways to win. Each online casino will have different poker variations that you can enjoy. If you are new to poker and want to try out these variations, you can preview them in a free demo mode. This allows you to learn poker rules and develop strategies that can help you win more with real money games.
Texas Hold’em
Texas Hold’Em is perhaps the most popular online poker game available. You can find this game at almost every operating casino and poker room, and it can provide top payouts. The game uses community cards, and players use these to create the strongest hand. Players are dealt two cards in their hands, and five community cards are displayed at each stage of the game.
The goal is to create the best-ranking hand. Texas Hold’Em is often played in online tournaments, so it is one that players should be familiar with.
Find out more about Texas Hold’Em in our dedicated guide.
Seven Card Stud
Seven-card stud is one of the oldest poker games being played today. With this game, players will receive two cards. The first will be set face down, and the second will be laid face up. There are then four rounds of betting, each offering an additional card. At the final stage of betting, hands are displayed, and the player with the best-ranking hand will win the pot. Head on over to our extensive guide to learn more about seven-card stud.
Five Card Draw
Five-card draw poker is perhaps the simplest of all poker games. With this game, every player at the table will receive five cards. They can then choose to discard cards and receive new cards to help create stronger ranking hands. Players can exchange as many as three cards.
In this game, players will have to use strategy to be the winner. Since there are no community cards in play, there is no way to know what possible cards are being held by others, making this game one of the more challenging versions of poker. Become a master at five-card draw with the help of our guide.
Other Variations
While these poker versions might be the most popular, they certainly are not the only variations out there. Discover some other popular types of poker games, such as Caribbean Stud, Pai-Gow, and Razz Poker in our ultimate poker variation guide.
Poker Terms and Phrases
Anyone who plans to enjoy online poker’s thrills will have to become familiar with popular terms and phrases. There are many poker terms used in all game variations. By taking time to learn these, even the newest player will know exactly what is happening at the tables. We want to make sure that all players have an understanding of standard terms. Here are just some of the most commonly used poker terms.
- Action: This is the player’s turn to act during a game, and they will bet, raise, or fold.
- All-in: With this bet, players will wager all of the chips they currently have
- Buy-in: The amount it costs to enter a tournament or the minimum amount required to start playing a real money game.
- Call: Calling requires players to add the minimum amount of chips to the pot so they can continue playing.
- Fold: When you fold, you place cards down on the table and lose any bets that have been placed. This is done when a hand is too weak to win.
- Hit and Run: This is when a player wins a large pot or several hands and then leaves the table.
- Position: The location of your seat at the table in relation to the dealer.
- Rake: This is the site’s fee to cover the expenses of offering the game.
- Split Pot: Refers to a pot that multiple players equally share with identical ranking poker hands.
- WSOP: This refers to the World Series of Poker, the largest poker tournament in the world.
To learn even more poker terms, check out our comprehensive glossary of poker terms.
Free Online Poker vs. Real Money Poker Sites
Here are some of the major differences between playing free online poker sites and when you play an online poker site using real money:
Financial Stakes
With free online poker, you can play online poker sites for free. Players don’t have to invest any money, so the chips or credits you play with have no real value. You can’t cash out any ‘winnings’ you make. In comparison, when you play online poker sites with real money you do need to make a deposit to play. The stakes in the game represent real money. And you can withdraw your winnings when you finish playing.
Risk and Reward
Because you’re not wagering real money when you play free online poker there’s no real financial risk involved. It’s a great way to practice your game, develop your strategy and learn. In contrast, when you play with real money there’s a greater risk of losing. But at the same time, there is also the opportunity to win and make a profit from your poker skills.
Player Behaviour
When you play New Zealand online poker sites that offer free poker, you may notice some unpredictable play styles from online poker players. That’s because the players may not take the game as seriously, given they’re not investing any real money. You may notice players taking riskier moves or ‘betting’ higher stakes that you wouldn’t normally see at some of the best online poker sites.
When real money is at stake, online poker players usually play more strategically and with caution. There’s usually more thoughtful decision-making that provides a more realistic poker experience in the online poker room.
Game Selection
The game selection available at different New Zealand poker sites can differ depending on whether you’re playing with real money or for free. Free poker sites typically offer limited game variety and formats. Their focus is on recreational players, so they don’t invest in a wide range of games. With real-money poker sites, there is usually a more extensive library of poker games, including access to tournaments. Different stake levels are also available, to cater for the skill levels of all types of poker players.
Skill Level
As you may expect, when it comes to free poker sites, you’ll often see a mix of online players, including new and experienced players. That means the skill level of your opponents can vary significantly. And the competition may be less challenging than if you were playing in an online poker room at some of the best online poker sites.
When money is at stake, the competition can be more competitive, and you’re likely to see a higher skill level with more experienced players.
Live Casino Poker
The best poker sites in the industry present players with a vast array of games, but the best of them all are live dealer poker games. These are streamed in HD from a land location and are played in real time. With live dealer games, you can interact with dealers and players just like at a land casino. These games use multiple cameras to deliver views of the entire table, and you will enjoy some of the best possible payouts. Live dealer games are available for various bet amounts, allowing low, mid, and high rollers a chance to enjoy the live-action.
Online Casino Video Poker
Video poker is a great option for those who do not wish to compete against players or have to beat the dealer. Online casino video poker is a popular type of poker and can be enjoyed at leading gambling sites featured in this guide. You will find many variations of the game online, with some offering wild cards and others featuring progressive jackpots. The goal is to create the best hand and beat the dealer and other players.
In video poker, the game will use RNG (Random Number Generator) software to shuffle the cards so that the outcome is completely random. This means an optimal poker strategy is necessary to beat the house with video poker. It is a good idea to practice using free versions before you start gambling for real money.
This game is one of the best paying in terms of RTP, and when using a perfect approach, players can enjoy an RTP of 99% or better. Some of the most popular video poker games include Jacks or Better, Bonus Poker, Deuces Wild, and Joker Poker.
Live Poker vs Online Poker
Here are some of the main differences between live poker and online poker:
Gameplay
Live poker is played in a physical casino or poker room, where players sit at a table and physically interact with one another. They use real chips and cards, and the game takes place in real time. In comparison, online poker is played online, where players access the game via poker software. Actions are performed with a click or using a touchscreen. The game is usually at a faster pace than live pok
Experience and Social Interaction
Obviously, playing live poker is a more social experience where players see each other. It can be more difficult to bluff during a live game. That's because players monitor body language and expressions to look for 'tells'. Online poker players rely on digital usernames or avatars. And communication is usually only done via chat.
Game Selection and Availability
Online poker provides a wider variety of games than live poker. The volume of online players means there's constant poker action and numerous poker variants available.
Play Speed
As mentioned, live poker is slower than online poker. That's because of the physical process involved, with dealers having to shuffle and deal cards. Players also typically take longer to make their decisions. When you play online, there can be time limits set by the casinos that help speed the game up.
Rules and Etiquette
In live poker, there are traditional casino etiquette and rules to be followed. These rules are enforced by the dealer. At New Zealand poker sites, automated systems enforce the rules and poker software helps ensure there are no mistakes. Some New Zealand online poker sites also have different sets of rules from traditional casinos.
Five Quick Poker Tips for You
If you are learning how to play poker, we have some great tips that you’ll find helpful. While we do not guarantee you will win when playing poker online, these tips can help you become a better player and increase your chances of winning games.
- Play free games: These will help you master game rules and develop strategies that can lead to more winning hands.
- Stick to A Budget: Always have a set budget when playing real money games. This will help you bet within your means and reduce the chances of losing more than you can afford.
- Use Bonuses: Most online poker sites will provide great casino bonuses for free funds that can be used to play more hands of poker.
- Be Selective: You do not have to play every hand. It is okay to fold hands that do not contain strong cards.
- Table Position Matters: Your position at the table can turn a losing hand into one that wins. The best positions are those where you bet last.
Online Poker Laws in NZ
It’s perfectly legal for New Zealand players to play online poker. The 2003 Gambling Act outlined that players can play real money games on poker sites that are based outside of NZ’s borders. Online poker sites are prohibited from operating within New Zealand.
A further Gambling Amendment No 2 was passed in 2007 and added additional accountability to owners of land-based casinos. But thankfully, there were no further changes that affected players wanting to play online poker sites.
A Brief History of Online Poker
Poker, as we know it today, has been around for over 200 years, but can trace its true origins back almost 1000 years. Along the way, new game variants have been created. However, online poker is relatively new. The first online poker game to be played in 1998 was Texas Hold’Em. Since then, casino software developers have developed an array of poker games that gamblers can enjoy from the comforts of their own homes using their mobiles or desktop computers.
Today, players will be able to find online casinos featuring poker games as well as dedicated poker rooms. All of the best online casino sites in New Zealand offer the chance to enjoy both free and real-money poker games and earn impressive payouts.
Alternative Casino Games to Online Poker
If online poker is not your cup of tea, but still want to try your hand at winning some money on casino games, here are a few alternatives you could try.
Online BlackjackPlay at New Zealand's best online blackjack casinosGo to page
Online PokiesPlay at New Zealand's best online pokies casinosGo to page
Online RoulettePlay at New Zealand's best online roulette casinosGo to page
Online ScratchiesPlay at New Zealand's best scratchies casinosGo to page
Online CrapsPlay at New Zealand's best craps casinosGo to page
Conclusion – Online Poker Casino NZ
If you are a poker fan, you will find some of the best online sites offering top games. Thanks to these sites, you can play against others for the chance to win some great payouts. Online poker is a great way to enjoy this classic card game from home with tournaments, single-hand games, and multi-table options.
Check out our list of recommended sites and get started with online poker today to enjoy an exciting and rewarding online experience.
References
- History. “Where Did Poker Originate?”, https://www.history.com/news/where-did-poker-originate
- Te Tari Taiwhenua | Department of Internal Affairs. “Fact Sheet 13: Poker”, https://www.dia.govt.nz/diawebsite.nsf/Files/GamblingFactSheets-Feb2013/$file/FactSheet13-Feb2013.pdf
Online Poker NZ FAQ
How do I play poker?
You will have to learn game rules and some poker strategies to play poker. Each game has different rules and payouts. The best way to learn is to play free games or use the online poker sites' tutorials.
How can I win in poker?
If you are a real money player, you can win great payouts by getting top-ranking hands. The hand rankings will remain the same no matter what version of poker you play. Just place your bet and try to create the best possible hand to earn payouts.
Are online poker games rigged?
No. Online casino poker games offer players fair chances of winning. All licensed sites are overseen by regulatory agencies that ensure fair play.
Can I play poker online for free?
Yes. Many of our recommended sites provide free demo games. With these, you can take time to learn rules and pick up some tips and tricks before betting. Free games will not offer payouts but are a great way to become familiar with new variations.
Noah is the senior content editor at CasinoCrawlers and a writer with many iGaming articles under his portfolio. Therefore, he is skilled at writing bonus guidelines, gambling strategies, and casino reviews. During his spare time, he enjoys playing Call of Duty and is a huge rugby fan.
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