A Look At The Online Poker Industry In New Zealand

So, you love to play online poker? Good for you—poker is one of the best casino games online. Poker is a blend of luck, skills, and strategies. That means anyone can become a good player.

All you need is to learn how to play the game. Learn a few strategies and skills and practice as much as you can.

Can you play the game online in New Zealand? Yes, you can play online poker in NZ. But there are a few things you need to know.

Is Online Poker Legal in NZ?

New Zealand’s Gambling Act of 2003 prohibits online casinos from setting up offices in the country. This means NZ does not license or regulate iGaming websites, including poker platforms.

If you want to play poker games in New Zealand, you have two options. You can visit a brick-and-mortar casino in Auckland, Hamilton, Queenstown, or Dunedin. Alternatively, you can find an offshore poker site.

You see, NZ does not prohibit its citizens from gambling online. The only catch is that you must use a foreign casino. So, find the right poker sites for you in New Zealand. Create an account and choose your preferred poker variant.

Most offshore poker sites in NZ are located in Malta or the UK. These casinos are licensed, safe, and trustworthy. However, they’re not all created equal. Before you register an account, look for important features like bonuses, mobile support, poker variants, and traffic.

What are the Best Online Poker Games in NZ?

Poker comes in many types. Some casinos offer Texas Hold’em. Others feature Omaha. Look for a site with a wide range of poker variants:

• Texas Hold’em
• Omaha
• 7-Card Stud
• 5-Card Draw
• Caribbean Poker
• HORSE

In many cases, the difference between one poker variant and the next is the rules involved. Tag along to learn more.

Texas Hold’em

Texas Hold’em is the most popular poker game online. It’s the variant you want to play if you plan to compete in high-stakes tournaments like the World Series of Poker.
To win money in Texas Hold’em, you need to produce the strongest hand after a game. The game starts with everyone receiving two hole cards in a round called the pre-flop. Next, you receive three cards during the flop. You get one more card in the turn and a final card in the river stage.

During the game, you can call blinds, fold or raise your stake. Unlike most variants, Texas Hold’em lets you risk all your stake during any round of the game. This makes it intense and risky but potentially profitable.

Omaha Hi

Omaha Hi challenges you to produce the highest-ranked hand in the game—similar to Texas Hold’em. But there are some exceptions. For starters, Omaha Hi has a pot limit.

Secondly, the game uses four-hole cards and five community cards. You must use two hole cards and three community cards to produce your best hand.

Omaha Hi-Lo

Also known as 8-or-Better, Omaha Hi-Lo divides the pot into two. You win half of the pot if you produce the strongest hand. To win the other half of the money, you need to produce the lowest-ranked hand.

To be clear, all your cards need to be ranked 8 or lower for you to win the “low” part of the pot. That’s how the game earned its name, 8-or-Better. A good low hand is A, 2, 3, 4, and 5. This hand will beat 8, 7, 6, 5, and 4 for the low port.

7-Card Stud

7-Card Stud used to be the most popular poker variant before Texas Hold’em took over the reins in the early 2000s. In this game, everyone receives their own unique hand of five cards.

The game starts with everyone placing an ante. Next, you receive two down cards and three up cards. You receive two more cards in the final rounds. Keep in mind four of your cards are exposed and the game has bet limits.

Can you Get Bonuses and Rakeback in NZ?

The best online poker sites in New Zealand share one thing in common: they’re generous with bonuses. Want a welcome bonus? You qualify for a no deposit offer and a first-deposit bonus.

Are you more interested in cashback deals? Great—almost every poker site has a rakeback program. The only difference is the percentage of the money you get back for being loyal to the site. It ranges from 10% to 70% for VIP players.

With that said, pay attention to a casino’s rake. Choose sites with the highest poker payout rates: 97% to 99%. A high payout rate gives you great chances of winning in the long term.

What are the Best Payment Options?

Although many poker sites in NZ are located offshore, you can use local banking options to deposit and withdraw your money. The specific payment companies you can use varies from one site to another.

Visa and MasterCard are the most popular payment methods online. If you want a quicker way to deposit, though, find a poker site that supports PayPal, Google Pay, Skrill, or crypto.

You can also use wire transfers for payments. However, most people use the bank option when withdrawing large sums of money.

Poker Software and Liquidity in NZ

One of the most important factors to consider when choosing a poker site is its software. Reliable software helps you play poker fast and smoothly. It eliminates downtimes, freezing, and frustrations.

Now, there are different poker software providers out there. Find a site that uses some of the companies outlined below:

• GG Network
• iPoker
• Party Poker
• The Microgaming Network
• On Game

When it comes to liquidity, you want a site with a great deal of traffic. This ensures you’ll always find people to play against regardless of the poker variant or tournament you choose.

Speaking of poker tournaments, join more than one site for access to a wide variety of competitions. Every casino has its poker tournaments. Some have low-stake Sit and Go competitions. Others have satellite games that could help you qualify for the World Series of Poker.