Best Real Money Online Poker Sites in New Zealand

Poker with Cash

Cash games are the most popular and straightforward type of poker, offering a relaxed pace and the flexibility to join or leave at any time. These games have no time limitations and start and stop repeatedly.

Speed Poker

For players who don’t like to wait to play, speed poker — also known as Zoom, Fast-Fold, Snap, or Zone poker — is perfect. You will be led to a different table and handed a new hand as soon as you fold one. This lessens the amount of waiting that occurs during a typical poker game.

Lottery Sit N’ Go

Lottery Sit N’ Gos have grown in popularity recently, blending the quick pace of Fast-Fold with the tournament structure of a Sit N’ Go. These games typically last around ten minutes, making them especially appealing to recreational players.

In typical poker games, the prize pool is determined by the total buy-ins from players. However, in Lottery Sit N’ Gos, the prize pool is randomly set as a multiple of the buy-in. While 2x is the most common multiplier, there’s a chance to win significantly higher amounts!

Poker Tournamanets

In a poker tournament, you commit to playing until the tournament ends (or until you’re knocked out!). Once you’ve paid the entry fee, you will receive a set number of chips. You compete to win a share of the prize pot.

Prize pots vary, but they tend to be far higher in tournaments than in cash games or SNGs. For this reason, tournaments tend to attract more advanced players. Tournaments also usually have a set start time.

Sit N’ Go

Sometimes referred to as SNGs, Sit N’ Gos usually last around an hour and begin when enough players have joined the table. They are a fantastic introduction to tournament poker, and there are usually low-stakes tables available.

The Gambling Act 2003

This piece of legislation was designed to regulate gambling in New Zealand and reduce the potential harm caused to players, particularly from problem gambling.

In its original form, the Act mostly focussed on in-person gambling. It set 20 as the minimum age to be able to play in a physical casino and 18 to be able to bet on horse racing or other sports betting.

It has been expanded to include online gambling but it specifically only covers online casinos and sports betting sites which are based in New Zealand. Kiwis are legally able to play at offshore casinos, those sites based outside of New Zealand.

All In

When a player bets all of their chips on a hand, they are said to be ‘all in.’ This is a high-risk play.

Ante

A small bet given by each player at the start of a hand in order to build the prize pot. Some variations of poker (such as most games of Texas Hold’em) do not have an ante.

Bluff

A poker strategy by which a player will bet aggressively despite having a comparatively weaker hand.

This is a high risk strategy with the intent of convincing the competitor to fold on their strong hand.

Buy-in

The amount it costs to enter the game or tournament.

Call

To put in exactly the same wager as another player. This action keeps you in the game, but without raising.

Fold

To forfeit the game. Folding means that you will not play any further hands – you will not call or bet any more, and you give up your chance at winning the pot. All the money you have already bet is given up.

Freeroll

A tournament or game played for real money, but at no cost to the players. There are no entry fees, and none of the player’s own money is wagered. Many online poker rooms offer freeroll tournaments because they are incredibly popular and competitive.

Raise

When a player places a larger bet than their opponents, thus forcing competitors to raise themselves or call in order to avoid elimination.

Rebuy

The opportunity to re-enter a tournament when the player has previously been knocked out, for a cost. Some tournaments allow players to rebuy, while some do not.

Stack

All of the chips in front of each player.