Best live poker casinos in NZ for 2024

How does live poker work?

Live poker games are streamed directly from professional studios via a live video feed to online casino platorms. Live casino poker games feature real dealers responsible for dealing the cards and managing bets and gameplay, just as they would if you were playing in a brick-and-mortar casino.

Every live dealer poker game includes helpful information such as table limits, available side bets and details about how to play. There's also a live chat function to interact with the dealers and other players during the game. 

Live casino poker rules

Live dealer casino poker is played against the dealer rather than against other players. The ante bet is your initial bet, also known as a buy-in, and it starts the round of poker off. 

Depending on which type of live poker game you're playing (more of which below), the dealer deals the cards. Your job is to create the best poker hand that beats the dealer's. You should familiarise yourself with poker hands and their respective payouts before playing live poker online.

How to play live poker online

Before sitting down at a virtual table, you'll need to register an account at an online casino. You must sign up and make a deposit, as live dealer games are not available in free-play mode. To get started, follow the steps listed below:

1. 1

   Select a reputable NZ online casino from our recommended list above.

2. 2

   Visit the casino's homepage via the link on this page and click on the sign-up or create an account button. 

3. 3

   Once you've completed the sign-up process (you'll need to provide personal details like your name, email address, phone number, home address, and date of birth), select your preferred payment method and make your first deposit into your casino account. 

4. 4

   Visit the platform's live casino section and find the selection of live poker games.

5. 5

   Sit at a table and place your first bet.

Live poker variants

Poker is one of the world's most popular casino games, so you can expect plenty of variations at live casinos in NZ. Here are some of the most common types and how they work: 

Three-card poker

Live three-card poker is a great introduction to live online casino poker. The rules are simple enough – beat the dealer by getting the best three-card hand.

Casino hold'em

This popular take on traditional Texas hold'em offers fast-paced gameplay. Live casino hold'em is a straight shootout between the dealer and the player's hands. The best five-card hand wins the round. 

2 hand casino hold’em

The same gameplay as regular live casino hold'em with one fun twist: 2 hand casino hold'em doubles your chances at beating the dealer by giving you an extra hand against the dealer's one.

Caribbean stud poker

A unique poker variant that only uses two five-card hands – one hand for the dealer and one for the player. There are no community cards in Caribbean stud poker. The best five-card hand wins. 

Ultimate Texas hold’em

Make the best possible five-card hand from your two cards dealt plus five community cards. Various betting options plus side bets make ultimate Texas hold'em a must-play for poker fans. 

Side Bet City

Another unique poker variant with an unlimited number of players. In this version, bet on your three, five or seven-card hand to win or an 'All Lose' bet. Players can combine any number of these bets. 

Live poker casino bonuses for NZ players

Our top New Zealand casinos offer a range of casino bonuses to suit all player needs. No deposit casino bonuses will give you a small amount of free cash or free spins to try out a few games. You don't need to risk any of your own money. 

Welcome bonuses are usually a match deposit offer, meaning the casino will match the amount you deposit by a percentage. Some casinos will also sweeten the deal with a set of free spins.

Always check out the promotional details to see the wagering requirements so you know how much money you need to bet before withdrawing any winnings.

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Top 5 online casinos for live dealer games

Save your time searching the internet for the best live casinos in New Zealand. Just take your pick from our top five: 

Live poker deposits & withdrawals

Our curated list of top NZ casinos features various casino payment methods for instant deposits and quick withdrawals. Visa or MasterCard credit/debit cards are standard at top casinos in New Zealand. Prepaid cards like Paysafecard provide an added protection layer through a secure PIN-based voucher system. 

Meanwhile, e-wallets like Neteller and Skrill make transferring funds to your online casino account safe and convenient, not to mention fast, processing withdrawals within just a few hours. Learn more about these payment methods and what they offer through our guides.

Visa

Paysafecard

Bank transfer

Mastercard

Neteller

Bitcoin

PayPal

POLi

Skrill

Popular live poker software providers

The best live poker software providers ensure smooth gaming, innovative variations of live casino poker, and safe and reliable gambling. 

Evolution Gaming

The leading provider of live dealer titles, Evolution offers innovative live poker tables like Side Bet City and 2 hand casino hold’em. 

Playtech

Only moving into the live dealer space recently, Playtech has created a collection to rival Evolution's portfolio in that time.

Ezugi

Though smaller than Evolution and Playtech, Ezugi is capturing live poker fans with titles like Ezugi Royal Poker, casino hold'em and three-card poker. 

Live poker mobile apps

You can play casino live poker on your mobile device because all games adapt to smaller screen sizes thanks to HTML5 technology.

For arguably the best experience, you can download a mobile casino app. Available for iOS and Android devices, these apps offer many bespoke features such as push notifications, saved betting preferences, and enhanced security measures. JackpotCity and Ruby Fortune have excellent mobile apps ideal for playing live poker on the go. 

Live poker vs. traditional online poker

How does playing live poker at an online casino stack up to playing the more traditional casino online poker version? This table may help you reach your decision a bit more quickly:

Top 5 tips for how to win live poker

Unlike games like slots and roulette, which are all down to luck, poker is one of the few games where strategies you employ can influence the outcome of a game. Our experts have collated a few top tips to remember when playing live poker: 

1. 1

   Learn poker hand rankings.

   It's important you understand poker hand rankings. With this knowledge, you can make good betting decisions. 

2. 2

   Keep your bets low to start with.

   When you first start to play, getting stuck in with big bets is often tempting. But if you want to stay in the game longer, start small and build up after a few wins. 

3. 3

   Use casino bonuses to your advantage.

   Most casinos offer Kiwis a range of bonuses. This can be a great way to sustain more consistent wins. 

4. 4

   Practise for free.

   Hone your skills by playing traditional online poker for free. As long as the basic gameplay is the same, you can gain invaluable experience to beat the dealer. 

5. 5

   Gamble responsibly.

   Always practise responsible gambling to ensure that you never gamble beyond your means.

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Live poker FAQs

• Can I play live poker online for real money?

  Yes, you can. Unlike more traditional or virtual online poker versions, where demo versions are available, live dealer casino poker can only be played for real money.

• Which is the best online casino for live poker in NZ?

  Check out our list of the best online casinos for live poker in New Zealand. Our recommendations have been thoroughly reviewed and assessed for the best live poker experience possible.

• How hard is casino live poker?

  Live poker is straightforward to play, thanks to a wide range of variations. Most beginners start with a simple three-card poker. Live casino hold'em is another popular choice among beginners as it's easy to pick up. 

• What is live casino hold'em?

  Live casino hold'em is a faster and more simplified version of Texas hold'em where you play against the dealer, not other players. The best five-card hand wins between the player and the dealer.

• Is live poker rigged?

  Live poker is strictly regulated and monitored in real time. We only recommend casinos regulated by leading jurisdictions, such as the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) and the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA).

Simon Young

Verified expert

Global content writer

Simon is the chief wizard at Magic Word Media, a global authority in online casino content writing. He was a national newspaper journalist for many years before moving into iGaming marketing. He now runs his own agency, presenting thoroughly researched and well-written content for casino players the world over.

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