New Zealand has a thriving community of online poker players (Lee Nelson from Team PokerStars, for example), as well as live tournaments that attract top players from all over. Many Kiwis take advantage of the legal online poker sites that accept New Zealand poker players and, if you decide to join their growing ranks, you should make sure you start of at one of the absolute best New Zealand online poker sites. Our top pick for New Zealand players in May 2013 is 888 Poker.
The below sites are perfect for New Zealand poker players because they:
You could waste your valuable time looking for other real money sites that can match these ones, but why bother? Check out the listing below and we're sure you'll be impressed!
So, now you know which NZ legal online poker sites we recommend for New Zealand poker players and rest assured that this list was not just thrown together. No, each of these choices was handpicked from the hundreds of internet poker sites that accept New Zealand players. Beyond all of the technical details, we really made an effort to only include the sites that have proven themselves to be trustworthy. We would hate to send you to anything but the best New Zealand poker sites for real money, and having faith in your operator is of the utmost importance.
If you aren't 100% sure where you want to start or, if you just have some general questions, read on as we talk about online poker in New Zealand. In a moment, we will take a look at some of the most pressing questions about playing online, and this information applies no matter which one of the legal New Zealand online poker sites you have chosen.
At CardsChat.com we thoroughly check all these features and more to make sure they're the best sites.
Is poker in New Zealand legal?
Yes it is! New Zealand is one of those great countries that don't prevent its citizens from playing poker online. In fact, they don't even impose a tax on gambling winnings! This means that you don't have to worry about playing online and, just as importantly, essentially all online poker sites will allow you to play with them. Stick with the ones listed above, just to be sure.
Can I play with New Zealand dollars?
Yes you can, but not necessarily at all real money online poker sites. When you can play using the currency with which you are most comfortable, it is always an advantage, of course. If you happen to find a great New Zealand-friendly poker site that doesn't accept NZD, you may still want to play, even if it means using a different kind of currency.
Will I find traffic in peak New Zealand hours?
This really shouldn't be a huge problem, but it is an important consideration. Many of the smaller rooms will let you down, so it is vital to stick with the well-established legal New Zealand poker sites that players have been relying upon for years. They have traffic in New Zealand and Australia, and plenty of it. The top rated poker sites listed on this page are the perfect places to start.
What banking options are open to me?
Living in a country where online poker is legal offers great opportunities in terms of banking options. You probably already know that you can use your credit/debit card, but eWallet options like MoneyBookers, Ukash, and POLi are great options if you're looking for something new, because they often unlock even more bonus money!
Do I need to download software?
Not at all; no-download poker software runs directly through your internet browser, and it has been a useful tool for all kinds of poker players for years! You can play the games on your Mac or Linux operating system, use public computers, or just save yourself the hassle of waiting for a software download. The graphics in no-download software were once sub-par, but today the have improved greatly. If you want to download the software (and if you are able to), that is probably still ideal in terms of real money gameplay. Just know that the streaming, no-download software from the best New Zealand online poker sites may be a great alternative.
What is a welcome bonus?
Welcome bonuses exist to make it easier for you to transition into playing with a new poker site. Generally, they simply consist of a lump sum of cash based on your first deposit with any given legal NZ poker site. Before you can withdraw this money (but not before you can play with it), you have to contribute a certain amount of cash in the form of rake or tournament fees. This just makes sure that you're actually an active player and, as long as you aren't losing over the long term, these can easily give you an edge as a new player.
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