Live Poker Games Online at New Zealand Casinos

When playing Live Poker online you will immediately notice this social and highly immersive game to be slower than traditional online poker. However, with the right dealer, it’s the closest alternative to playing at real money casinos.

For those of you who enjoy a more relaxed form of gameplay with more multi-way pots then place your bets and let the games begin.

Selecting the best casino to play live poker online at can be an arduous task. We have taken the time to select some of the top Live Poker casinos and briefly discuss what they have on offer, including any online casino bonuses they offer: 

What drives people to play live poker? Well it's simple, it’s all about the thrill of beating other players and the dealer by having the best hand. Live Poker also requires patience, focus and a certain amount of bluffing.

What’s more, when playing poker at live casinos, one gets to play against an unlimited number of people using one set of cards which is the 52 standard card deck. Once the pot is won, the deck of cards gets changed.

If you’re looking for a skill-based game with social interaction then live poker is the route to go, however, if it’s about the money then you’re looking for a tough way to make an easy dollar.

How to play and rules

Live Poker has its own set of etiquette rules to ensure the game flows smoothly and fairly. These are just as important as the rules of the actual live poker online game.

Although there is a lot of strategy involved in playing poker it’s a simple game however the rules may be a tad more challenging but don’t allow that to deter you from playing as they are easy to learn and before you know it you could be playing in a live poker tournament.

Let me take you through the basics of how to play poker. Now to win at poker you need to create either the hand with the highest rank or bluff enough to make the other players fold their cards. So you can take the pot which is the money wagered by players during each round.

Below is your step-by-step guide:

• Shuffle: the dealer shuffles the deck between each hand and you will each receive hole cards, in Texas Hold’em that’s 2 and in Omaha that’s 4.
• This is the initial betting stage where you can call, raise, re-raise or fold which will depend on your hand.
• Here the three community cards are revealed, they are the cards in the centre of the table. It’s an opportunity to start building your hands or choose to fold or raise.
• The 4th community card is turned face up which now reveals the full value of your hand because you have to beat the dealer. Once again you have the choice to check raise or fold.
• The 5th and final card is turned face up. It’s your last chance to check raise or fold.
• Showdown - You are now at the final stage, where all players reveal their hands for everyone to see.
• The Best Hand Wins - Should you be holding the most valuable hand like a Royal Flush you win the pot.

Poker Hands

There are 10 possible 5-card poker hands and on the chart, they are always ranked from highest to lowest. Let’s take it. Look at the different poker hands with brief explanations.

• Royal Flush is a run of cards from 10-A all in the same suit.
• Straight Flush-This is the next best hand in poker and it’s a run of five cards all in the same suit.
• Four of a Kind refers to the same card in all four suits and it is often used when there’s a tie with the highest four of a kind determining the winner.
• Full House-This is a strong hand and consists of three of a kind and a pair.
• Flush-A Flush refers to five cards of the same suit in any order.
• This contains five cards in sequence and can be of any suit, all that matters is a complete suite 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6.
• Three of a Kind- Here you must have 3 cards of the same ranking.
• Two Pair-In poker this means two different numeric pairs and another unpaired card.
• One Pair-One pair means two cards of equal value combined with 3 unpaired cards.

Live Poker Terminology 

You have by now learnt the basics of poker by reading my review. However, in addition to a keen eye, you need to be able to talk the talk. Time to get your lingo on before you hit the table.

Below is a list of poker terms you will frequently come across when playing a live online poker game:

• Ante - a small bet each player has to make before a hand gets dealt and it gives the pot immediate value.
• Call - This is where you put more money into the pot to continue playing.
• Check - This is where you pass on betting.
• Community Cards - These are the cards that are dealt face up in the centre of the table and all players can use these cards to improve their hands.
• Flop -These are the first three community cards dealt after the first round of betting is complete
• Fold - you decide to opt out of the round by placing your cards face down on the table, which means you lose all you have bet. It’s important to only fold when you are certain or suspect your hand is too weak to continue.
• River - It’s the final of the five community cards.
• Raise - When you wager more than the minimum amount thereby forcing other players to put in more money or fold.
• Time - Requesting more time to think so the dealer does not kill the hand due to inactivity. 

There are several Live Poker variants on the market, however selecting one that best suits your skill levels is the hard part. I have taken the time to select a few of what I deem to be among the best live poker variants all with different betting options and qualifying dealer hands.

Casino Hold’em- Evolution’s Casino Hold’em is a jackpot variation of the well-known Texas Hold’em poker game. In this variant, you have to beat the dealer to win potential payouts of up to 100 to 1. This exciting variant of five-card poker is where you play against the house, not another player. Time to put your thinking cap on and take out the dealer.

There’s more, this exciting variant has the option to place a  Bonus bet which pays out if a pair of Aces or higher gets dealt in the first five cards.

Side Bet City - Side Bet City is one of my personal favourite live poker variants. This Las Vegas-themed poker room takes one back to the 80’s. In this live poker online game, you play against a paytable, not the dealer or other players. Place bets to win on a 3, 5 or 7 card hand alternatively, you can bet on “All Lose” or combos of these bets based on the usual poker hands. 
  
Bet on Poker - This live poker online game is a variation combining Texas Hold’em and horse racing It allows six players to play at any one time and each player wagers on who will win and the value of the poker hand. It also allows for in-house betting whilst the cards are being dealt.

Three Card Poker -  Another spectacular live poker game designed by Evolution in partnership with Scientific Games. It’s the perfect live poker online game for both novices and experienced individuals alike. This fun game is based on hands of just three cards with many ways to beat the dealer. The dealer must get a ”Queen High” to play and the game has an ante-bet when you achieve a straight or better immaterial of the dealer's hand.

Live Poker Software Providers

Software providers are any online casino's lifeline as they develop the games which in turn attract players to the various sites. If you’re anything like me, I peruse the live casinos' site to see which providers they have partnered with before signing up.  Below I have listed a few software providers that offer variants of live poker with Evolution being among the top providers in the live casino sphere.

• Evolution Gaming: needs no introduction, they are known for their phenomenal live casino games, among them some of the best HD live dealer games and gameshows. They offer a wide range of live poker variants including exclusive titles not available from any of the other live casino developers and this is due to their partnerships with Games Marketing and Scientific Games.
• Playtech: This software provider is one of the largest and most diverse of any content provider. They have 8 global studios and over 1000 casino games. Their track records say it all with dozens of awards to their name. Sign up at your favourite Playtech casino and play live poker online games like their live dealer 3 Card Brag and top Live Hold’em Games.
• TVBet: This global live TV games provider is a smaller grouping yet they supply some of the most exciting live betting products for online casinos and sportsbooks. Among their portfolio of live games, you will find PokerBet and 21Bet.
• Ezugi: Ezugi are known for their high-quality interactive live games. Their games have multi-player and multi-seat functionality enhanced by some exciting add-ons. They allow players to view their game history, leave tips for the dealer, watch other game videos and add live music on demand. Among their live poker online games, you will find Russian Poker and Casino Hold’em. 

Live Poker has some differences when compared to online poker, the variations and strategies may be similar however there are still some major differences I’d like to share with you.

Live Poker Games move at a slower pace. Online players often play several tables at a time whereas in live poker you are limited to one table with a slower pace.

Another difference is the reads can play a vital role in live poker. Some may think tells in poker are overrated but I disagree. Once you pick up on poker you could be involved in more pots.

Other differences include playing more multiway pots in live poker, bigger win rates in live poker online games making more money per hour playing online poker and finally rake-in is far higher in live poker games.

There is nothing better than being able to give an online game a test run before playing for real money. It allows you the time to understand the payables and symbols and make sure the betting limits are within your budget. Once you feel confident enough you can try playing for real money.

Finding live games in demo mode is a lot harder as not many live software developers offer that option. The few live dealer providers that do have games in demo mode include Tvbet and OneTouch.

It's important to understand why not many live games are available in demo mode, it boils down to cost. This is because the live dealers still need to be paid for their time and for the use of streaming equipment etc. 

Live poker is an exciting way to experience the thrill of poker from the comfort of your home. If you’re new to the game or looking to improve your skills, understanding the best tips and strategies is essential for success. Below we have listed some tips and strategies you can use to improve your game:

Tips

• Understand the Rules: Familiarize yourself with the rules of the specific poker variant you are playing, whether it’s Texas Hold’em, Omaha, or another format.
• Choose a Reputable Casino: Select a licensed and trusted online platform to ensure a fair gaming experience.
• Manage Your Bankroll: Set a budget before you start playing and stick to it to avoid unnecessary losses.
• Pay Attention to Table Dynamics: Observe the actions of other players to identify patterns and tendencies.
• Use a Strong Internet Connection: A stable connection ensures you won’t miss crucial moments in the game.

Strategies

Implementing the right strategies can significantly improve your game:

• Play Tight but Aggressive: Focus on playing strong starting hands while betting aggressively when you have an advantage.
• Bluff Strategically: Bluff only when the situation warrants it, and your table image supports it.
• Read the Dealer and Players: Even in a virtual environment, observing timing and betting patterns can give you clues about opponents’ hands.
• Position Matters: Take advantage of being in a late position to gather information before making your move.
• Stay Calm and Focused: Maintain composure and make thoughtful decisions, even when facing losses.

The Live Poker rooms at the best online casinos NZ are open 24/7. There are different titles to choose from, each one giving the player a slightly different way to win. Three of the most popular ones include: