Blackjack FAQs New Zealand

What is the House Edge in Blackjack?

The house edge in blackjack isn’t really fixed. Rather it is dependent on the actions of the player and the rules of the variant. In the best situations, the house edge can be reduced to below 1% when playing the right hands and making the right bets.

It is important to note that house edge doesn’t really equate to how much you stand a chance of winning. Often times, players make really stupid bets on bad hands and lose all their money. The best players are patient and know when a hand is a lost cause when they see it.

Which is the Best Strategy to Win in Blackjack?

In general, we recommend sticking to basic strategy. It is a tried and trusted blackjack strategy for a reason. Some of the general rules associated with this strategy include the following:

• Don’t hit on a hand of 17 or higher.
• Don’t hit on a hand between 12 and 16, if the dealer has got a 6.
• Double down on 11 if the dealer is showing a card equal to 7 or less.

NZ players can find out more about basic strategy in our how to play blackjack page.

When Should I Take Insurance When Playing Blackjack?

As we just recommend players make use of basic strategy when playing blackjack online, we also believe that you should never take insurance. It never really works out and sometimes can even lead you to losing more money than you would have.

Is it Illegal to Play Blackjack Online?

No, playing any casino game online is completely legal as long as you do so at a casino licensed by an overseas operator. We recommend that Kiwi players avoid casino sites that claim to operate out of New Zealand itself as they are either doing so illegally or are scam aimed at conning you out of your hard-earned money.

Does Counting Cards Work?

Counting cards can help in increasing your odds of winning, and it isn’t illegal to use this strategy. However, please understand that casinos do not appreciate it when players use it. Often times, casinos will ban you from their premises if they catch you counting cards.

In addition to this, this is not a viable strategy to use when playing blackjack games online due to the fact that these games work with a random number generator and not a person.

Is Online Blackjack the Same as Live Dealer Blackjack?

The rules of the game remain the same, but players play the game against a real-life dealer instead of a computer. Many players prefer playing live dealer blackjack due to the social interaction players get to experience. It emulates playing the land-based casino experience a lot better.