Online Blackjack NZ Guide

How does online blackjack work?

Online blackjack is straightforward. The goal is to achieve a hand value as close to 21 as possible without exceeding it. If you surpass 21, you bust and lose the round. You're always playing against the dealer, who aims to do the same. If the dealer busts, they lose.

You're initially dealt two cards and can choose to hit (take another card) or stand (keep your current hand). Number cards are worth their face value, face cards are worth 10, and aces can be 1 or 11 points, whichever benefits your hand.

If you're dealt two identical cards, like two eights, you can split them into two separate hands, each starting with one of the split cards. Note that after splitting, you may receive only one additional card per hand.

After receiving your initial two cards, you can choose to double down, doubling your bet in exchange for one—and only one—additional card. The dealer cannot double down and must follow specific rules, such as hitting until reaching a minimum of soft 17, depending on the blackjack variant.

Below, we explain step by step how online blackjack works.

How do you play?

While aiming to get as close to 21 as possible seems simple, several nuances are involved. We recommend reading all the rules carefully before playing blackjack online for real money.

	Take a seat at a blackjack table First, log into your online casino account and choose a blackjack table that suits you. You can filter tables by minimum and maximum bets, as well as by blackjack variants. Live dealer options are also available; simply select a dealer and join their table.
	Determine your bet Before the dealer deals cards, decide how much you want to wager on the upcoming hand. Once you've placed your bet, the dealer will deal two cards to you and two to themselves, with one of the dealer's cards face up and the other face down.
	Decide if you want to be dealt another card Examine your two cards and decide whether to hit, double down, or stand. Since the goal is to get as close to 21 as possible without busting, it's wise to take another card if your hand value is low. However, it's unwise to hit on a hand value of 19 or 20, as you're likely to bust. Also, consider the dealer's upcard. If it's a face card or ten, you might avoid standing on a hand value of 16 or 17. If you choose not to take more cards, click the stand button in online blackjack. In a physical casino, you'd inform the dealer that you're standing, allowing them to proceed to the next player.
	Check your new hand value (if you took a card) If you chose to hit, now is the time to review your new hand value. If you haven't exceeded 21, you remain in the game and can consider taking another card.
	The dealer reveals their cards Once all players have finalized their hands, the dealer will reveal their cards. Typically, if the dealer's hand value is 16 or less, they must draw an additional card. However, this rule can vary depending on the casino and specific game rules.
	Determine who is closest to 21 At the end of the round, it's determined who is closest to 21. If it's you, you'll receive your wager back plus an equal amount in winnings. If the dealer is closer to 21, you lose your bet. If you're dealt a ten or face card along with an ace, you have blackjack. In this case, your bet is paid out at a 3:2 ratio. For example, if you bet 10 NZD, you'll receive 25 NZD when you hit blackjack.

Basic Blackjack Rules For Beginners

Now that you know how to play blackjack, let's take a look at some basic rules and blackjack terms that are important to remember while playing.

Normal Payout

If you get closer to 21 than the dealer with your hand and don't go bust, you win. You will then be paid out twice your original bet.

Blackjack

When you have exactly 21 (with a ten or face card and an ace), you get paid in a 3:2 ratio.

16 and below

At 16 and below, the dealer is always obliged to draw a card. As a player, you can respond well to this by not taking more cards in certain situations while you have a lower hand value.

Hit or stand

You have two basic choices when playing blackjack: hitting or standing. If you hit, you get an extra card. By standing, you stay on your current hand value and are not dealt any extra cards.

Splitting

When you get two identical cards, you have the option to split. Your original hand is then split into two separate hands, giving you two chances to beat the dealer. Keep in mind that by splitting, you also double your bet.

Doubling (Double)

You can choose to double your current bet and get one extra card. After that, you can't take another card, split, or double again.

Advanced Game Rules

Insurance

If the dealer's face-up card is an Ace, players are offered the option to take insurance. This side bet pays 2:1 if the dealer has blackjack but is statistically not recommended as it increases the house edge.

Surrender

Some blackjack variants allow players to surrender, forfeiting half their bet to end the round early. This is useful when your chances of winning are very low.

Soft 17

In games where the dealer must hit on a soft 17 (a hand containing an Ace valued at 11), the house edge increases. Check the rules of the table before playing.

Card Counting

Card counting is a strategy that helps players track the ratio of high to low cards remaining in the deck. While effective in land-based casinos, its utility in online games is limited due to the use of random number generators and multiple decks.

The Hi-Lo Method

Assign values to cards: +1 for low cards (2-6), 0 for neutral cards (7-9), and -1 for high cards (10-Ace). Adjust your bets as the count rises or falls to gain an edge.

Blackjack Strategy & Odds Calculator

Blackjack Strategies

Martingale Strategy

Double your bet after every loss to recover previous losses when you win. Beware of table limits and high bankroll requirements.

D'Alembert Strategy

Increase your bet by one unit after a loss and decrease it by one unit after a win. This system is less aggressive than Martingale.

Basic Strategy

Use a basic strategy chart to determine the statistically best move for every hand. This minimizes the house edge and maximizes your chances of winning.

Types of Blackjack

Classic Blackjack

The most popular variant, played with standard rules where you aim to beat the dealer without busting.

Progressive Blackjack

Includes a side bet for a jackpot that grows as more players join the table.

Blackjack Switch

Allows players to switch cards between two hands for better outcomes.

Spanish 21

Played without 10-value cards, offering unique rules like doubling down multiple times.