Best real money poker sites in NZ 2024
From Texas hold'em to Omaha, you can play poker for real money at our featured NZ online casinos. Read on to learn how to play and use our expert tips to maximise the fun.
Top NZ online poker sites July 2024
- 1JackpotCity CasinoRead reviewWelcome Package
100% up to €1600
Games: 500+
Win Rate: 97.84%
Payout Speed: 1-2 days
- 2Spin CasinoRead reviewWelcome Package
100% up to €1000
Games: 550+
Win Rate: 97.59%
Payout Speed: 1-2 days
- 3Ruby Fortune CasinoRead reviewWelcome Package
100% up to $750
Games: 450+
Win Rate: 95.27%
Payout Speed: 1 working day
- 4Rizk CasinoRead reviewWelcome Package
100% up to $4,000 + 50 Free Spins
Win Rate: 96.68%
Payout Speed: 1-5 days
- 5WildzRead reviewWelcome Package
NZ$1,000 + 200 Free Spins
Games: 700+
Win Rate: 98.85%
Payout Speed: 1-3 days
- 6TonybetRead reviewWelcome Package
100% up to 120€
Games: 6000+
Win Rate: 97.61%
Payout Speed: 0-1 days
- 7Betway CasinoRead reviewWelcome Package
100% up to $1,500
Games: 400+
Win Rate: 97.55%
Payout Speed: 1-3 days
- 822BetRead reviewWelcome Package
100% up to €300
Games: 1100
Win Rate: 96.35%
Payout Speed: 1-2 days
- 9Mirax CasinoRead reviewWelcome Package
$1,500
Games: 3000+
Win Rate: 97.06%
Payout Speed: 0-1 days
- 107Bit CasinoRead reviewWelcome Package
NZ$5,000 + 100 Free Spins
Games: 7000+
Win Rate: 97.5%
Payout Speed: 1 day
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What is poker?
Poker is a card game that has been played at casinos for centuries. There are several variations of poker, but the objective is to form the best poker hand with the cards you are dealt and the face-up community cards.
You must hold better cards than anyone else left in the round at showdown to win a hand. Alternatively, you can win without a showdown by forcing everyone else to fold. The most popular online poker variations include games like Texas hold’em, Omaha, five-card draw, and Caribbean stud, among others. Let’s look at some of these games and how to play them online.
Best real money poker games in NZ
You can enjoy a host of real money poker games at casinos in New Zealand, whether you’re an inexperienced beginner or a pro. Here are some of the most popular poker games to play online:
Texas hold’em
Texas hold’em is the world's most widely played poker variant. The objective is to make the best possible five-card poker hand using your two-hole cards (the cards you are dealt) and the community cards. Community cards, also called ‘the flop’, are dealt face-up on the table and shared by all players in the game.
There are three phases of play – the flop, the turn, and the river – and you can opt to call or increase the bet during any of the betting windows. You can also fold if you don’t think you’ll win. Bluffing is a big part of Texas hold’em, and you can force other players to fold even if you don’t necessarily have a good hand by bluffing well. But be warned, if someone calls your bluff, you’ll lose the game.
Omaha
Like Texas hold’em, Omaha is a community card poker game. However, you are dealt four cards rather than two. You can decide which two cards to use alongside three of the five community hands to create the best possible five-card poker hand.
Five-card draw
In five-card draw, each player at the table is dealt five cards. A round of betting follows before a round of drawing, after which each player specifies how many cards they wish to discard and replace.
Then, another round of betting occurs, and if more than one player is still in the game, a showdown takes place, and the player with the best five-card poker hand wins.
Seven-card stud
In seven-card stud poker, one up-card and two down-cards are dealt before the initial betting round, followed by three more up-cards and one more down-card. Following the last down-card, a final round of betting occurs before the player with the best five-card poker hand takes the pot.
Caribbean stud
Based on five-card stud, Caribbean stud poker is played against the house rather than other players. This removes the ability to bluff in the game and means you can only win with a ranking poker hand (from one pair to a royal flush).
Pai Gow
Pai Gow is an oriental casino poker game variant played with two hands. The objective is to beat the dealer with a five-card and two-card poker hand from the seven cards dealt. A joker is also included in the pack and may be used as an ace to complete a straight or flush. In some variants, the joker may be completely wild and used to form any winning hand.
Real money poker vs. free poker
There are advantages to playing real money poker, but there are also benefits to playing free poker online. The table below illustrates some of the key differences between the two playing modes:
| Real money poker | Free poker |
|---|---|
| ✅ You have the chance to win a real cash payout | ✅ You can play without risking your money |
| ✅ You can play all poker variations for real money | ✅ Great way to try out poker variations before playing for real money |
| ✅ Real money poker is exciting, and you can even play poker professionally if you’re a skilled player | ✅ You can work on your strategy and take risks that you wouldn’t take in real money games |
| ❌ You must place a real money stake for a seat at the table | ❌ Not all variations of poker can be played for free |
| ❌ Your money is at risk | ❌ Even if you land a royal flush, you can’t win any real money! |
How to play online poker
Getting started with online poker in New Zealand couldn’t be easier. Here are some quick steps to help you get started with your chosen game:
- 1
Visit a reputable poker site like those recommended in our toplist and create an account.
- 2
Consider the welcome bonus available and make a real money deposit to activate the bonus funds – be sure to read the T&Cs carefully so you know how to fulfil the bonus requirements.
- 3
Browse the online poker games available and choose from Texas hold’em, Omaha, five-card poker, and others.
- 4
Check the betting limits and buy-ins for cash games and tournaments to play one that suits your budget.
- 5
Take a seat at the virtual table and begin playing! If you win, you can decide whether to cash out any winnings or keep the money in your account to fund future gameplay.
Online poker bonuses
The best way to get started at an online poker site in New Zealand is to claim a casino bonus. Most of the top online casinos will match your first deposit up to a specific amount as part of a welcome bonus.
You might also come across no deposit bonuses, which provide you with funds to use on poker games without requiring an initial cash deposit. No matter the type of promotion offered, always check for the attached wagering requirements so you know how much you're required to spend before withdrawing your winnings.
Online poker tournaments
In addition to cash games, you can play various poker tournaments online. Tournaments are incredibly varied and include multi-table events and sit-and-go tournaments. Texas hold’em is the most widely played game, but you will also find Omaha and seven-card stud games online.
You must check how much the buy-in is before entering a tournament. The buy-in is the portion of funds contributing to a tournament's prize pool. For instance, you might see something like $100 + $10. In this example, $100 is for the main prize pool, and $10 is for the rake.
There are also satellite tournaments, shootout poker events, and even step poker tournaments. You can check a site’s listings to learn how to sign up for online poker tournaments beforehand.
Top 5 online poker strategy tips
Developing a simple strategy is key to your success while playing online poker. Here are some handy tips to bear in mind:
Look for free poker games and rooms before playing poker for real money to get familiar with gameplay. This is particularly important if you’re a beginner.
Make sure you understand the hand rankings to recognise when you have an excellent starting hand and what you need to boost your ranking.
Don’t feel like you need to play through every hand. If you’re unsure or you don’t think you have a good indicator, folding is a good option.
Work on your poker face and learn how to bluff, particularly if you plan to play in high-stakes poker games for real money.
Remember to set your limits before playing poker online, and always bet within your means.
Playing poker on mobile
Though many Kiwis opt to play poker on a computer, you can also play poker variants at mobile casinos from your smartphone or tablet. Download the poker site’s dedicated mobile app to get started and play no matter where you are in New Zealand.
Most casinos and poker sites also have apps available for iOS and Android, which you can download on your respective devices. Failing that, you can play poker on a mobile browser as you travel throughout New Zealand.
Is poker legal in NZ?
The New Zealand Gambling Act of 2003 prohibits online gambling from operators within New Zealand. Still, you can legally play online poker at a licensed and regulated offshore casino or poker site. Gambling winnings are also tax-free in New Zealand.
How we rate online poker sites
When looking for the best real-money online poker sites, we review each site against strict criteria. Below are the features we look for when reviewing online poker sites in New Zealand:
- 1
Game variety & tournaments
We begin by checking the variety of poker games available on the site. The leading sites have multiple poker games for you to enjoy, alongside live poker and tournaments.
- 2
Bonuses & promotions
The best way to get started at any poker site is to take advantage of the promotions and casino bonuses. From welcome offers to promotions for existing players, our top-rated sites have a range of bonuses and fair wagering requirements to ensure great value.
- 3
Security & licensing
The leading poker sites offer secure online gaming thanks to SSL encryption. We also check that the site has a licence from a reputable regulatory body, such as the UK Gambling Commission or the Malta Gaming Authority.
- 4
Deposits & withdrawals
The best poker sites in New Zealand provide a range of secure payment methods. You can also enjoy instant deposits and timely withdrawals (1-3 business days) at the casinos featured on this page.
- 5
Mobile selection
As many Kiwis opt to play online casino games on a smartphone or tablet, we check how their games perform on iOS, Android, and Windows devices. We only recommend poker sites that use HTML5 technology so you can enjoy smooth gameplay on a smaller screen.
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Online poker FAQs
If you play poker at one of our recommended sites, you can be certain they’re secure. You can determine whether a site is safe by checking if it’s licensed by a regulatory body like UKGC or MGA. This information can typically be found in the footer.
Yes, you can play poker for real money in New Zealand. Sign up at one of our top-rated poker sites and make a cash deposit to play poker games for real money.
888 Poker and PokerStars are two of the best poker sites in New Zealand. They both offer a huge range of poker games, generous bonuses, and regular tournaments.
Yes, you can play poker for free in New Zealand. Free poker is a great way to work on your strategy and learn each variant's basics before playing for real money. Visit our free games library to play over 150 poker games for free.
Texas hold'em is the most popular poker game played online. But you can also enjoy variants like Omaha, five-card draw and seven-card stud.
In poker, the rake is a portion of every cash game pot or tournament buy-in the host takes from a game to cover expenses – similar to commission in regular casino games.
