In our top picks section, we feature the cream of the crop of online poker sites. These sites have been rigorously tested and have surpassed our criteria in terms of game quality, security measures, user support, and fairness. We also highlight their best features, like outstanding bonuses or exceptional game variety, to help you choose a platform that feels tailor-made for your poker aspirations.

Casino	Withdrawal Time
Spin Casino	1-3 Days
Jackpot City	1-2 Days
Bet and Play	Within 1 Day
Lucky Spins	1-2 Days
Wildz	1-5 Days
Jonny Jackpot	1-4 Days
JustCasino	Within 1 Days

Playing online poker for real money in New Zealand is an exciting venture. Whether you’re a seasoned player or new to the game, the process is straightforward. Here’s how you can get started:

1. Choose a Casino: Start by selecting a reputable online poker casino that caters to players in New Zealand. Refer to our top picks for guidance on trustworthy sites that offer the best player experience, game variety, and security.
2. Select a Bonus: Take advantage of the bonuses offered by online casinos. These can range from welcome bonuses to deposit matches and are a great way to boost your initial bankroll. Make sure to read the terms and conditions to understand the wagering requirements and how the bonus works.
3. Go to the Casino: Visit the website of the casino you’ve chosen. You can do this through a computer, tablet, or smartphone. Most platforms are designed to be compatible with multiple devices, offering a seamless gaming experience.
4. Create Your Account: Sign up for an account by providing the required details. This typically includes your name, email address, a username, and a password. Some sites might also ask for additional verification to ensure security.
5. Make a Deposit: Fund your account by making a deposit. Online poker sites in New Zealand usually offer a variety of payment methods, including credit cards, e-wallets, and bank transfers. Choose the one that suits you best and follow the prompts to deposit your chosen amount of money.
6. Start to Play: With your account set up and your deposit made, you’re ready to start playing. Browse the poker games available, choose your preferred style (like Texas Hold’em or Omaha), and join a table that matches your skill level and budget. Remember, poker is as much about skill as it is about luck, so consider starting with lower stakes tables to build your confidence and skills.

• World Series of Poker (WSOP) Online: This is the online version of the most prestigious poker tournament in the world, the World Series of Poker. The WSOP Online offers a variety of bracelet events, giving players the chance to win official WSOP gold bracelets from home.
• PokerStars World Championship of Online Poker (WCOOP): Hosted by PokerStars, WCOOP is one of the biggest and most respected online poker tournament series. It features a wide range of games and formats, and it attracts professional poker players and amateurs alike with its large prize pools.
• 888poker Super XL Series: This series by 888poker includes a variety of events with different buy-in levels to accommodate players of all budgets. The tournament series culminates in a Main Event with a significant guaranteed prize pool.
• Partypoker MILLIONS Online: Partypoker hosts this massive online tournament which often features one of the largest prize pools in online poker. MILLIONS Online attracts a mix of high-profile professionals and aspiring poker players looking to make a name for themselves.
• GGPoker GG Series: GGPoker’s GG Series includes a variety of tournaments that cater to players of all levels. It’s known for innovative formats and features, and it often includes large guarantees, making it very popular among online players.

The rules of poker vary slightly depending on the variant being played, but the fundamental aspects remain similar across most formats:

• The Deal: Each player is dealt a set number of cards, depending on the poker variant. In Texas Hold’em, it’s two cards; in Omaha, four.
• Betting Rounds: Players bet in rounds, starting with a forced bet for some of the players. The main rounds are called pre-flop (before community cards are shown), flop (after the first three community cards are dealt), turn (after the fourth card), and river (after the fifth card).
• Making Hands: Players use their cards in combination with community cards (if available) to make the best possible five-card hand. The hand rankings, from highest to lowest, are: Royal Flush, Straight Flush, Four of a Kind, Full House, Flush, Straight, Three of a Kind, Two Pair, One Pair, High Card.
• The Showdown: If two or more players remain after the final betting round, a showdown occurs. The player with the best hand, according to the rankings, wins the pot.

• Starting Hands: Learn which hands are worth playing or folding. In general, strong starting hands in Texas Hold’em include high pairs (like Aces, Kings, Queens) and high suited connectors (like AK, AQ).
• Position Play: Your position at the table is critical. Being in a ‘late’ position (last or near last to act) is advantageous as you can make more informed decisions based on the actions of others.
• Bet Sizing: Adjust your bet size based on the strength of your hand and the betting action. This includes knowing when to bet or raise to protect your hand or to extract maximum value from weaker hands.

• Bluffing: Successful bluffing involves understanding your opponents’ tendencies and projecting confidence in your hand strength through your betting patterns.
• Pot Odds and Expected Value: Learn to calculate pot odds (the ratio of the pot size to the cost of a contemplated call) and expected value (the average amount of big bets this hand will make or lose) to make more mathematically informed decisions.
• Multi-Level Thinking: Start thinking about what your opponents hold, what they think you hold, and what they think you think they hold. This deeper psychological aspect of poker can give you an edge in close games.

Bonuses can significantly enhance your poker playing experience by giving you extra funds to play with or rewards for your activity. When choosing a poker site, consider the types of bonuses they offer, such as:

• Welcome Bonuses: Often given on your first deposit, these can double the amount you play with.
• No Deposit Bonuses: Some sites offer a small bonus just for signing up, no deposit required.
• Loyalty Programs: Look for sites that reward regular players with points that can be converted into cash or used for tournament entries.

Read the terms and conditions associated with each bonus carefully. Key things to look for include wagering requirements, expiration dates, and which games the bonuses can be used on.

Online poker sites often offer various bonuses and promotions that can give you extra money to play with. These can include:

• Bonuses: Many sites offer these bonuses to new players, which can often match your first deposit up to a certain amount, effectively doubling your playing money.
• Reload Bonuses: Similar to welcome bonuses, these are offered on subsequent deposits to encourage continued play.
• Freeroll Tournaments: These tournaments do not require an entry fee but allow you to win real money, providing a risk-free way to increase your bankroll.
• Loyalty and VIP Programs: Regular players can benefit from programs designed to reward player loyalty with various perks such as cashback, exclusive tournament entries, and other rewards.

Understanding poker terminology and abbreviations is essential for anyone looking to play seriously, especially online where communication is often condensed to chat windows and quick exchanges.

Here’s a guide to some of the most common terms and abbreviations used in the world of online poker:

Terminology	Meaning
Ante	A small, mandatory bet all players are required to place before a hand starts in some versions of poker, to form the initial pot.
Blinds	Bets made by two players before cards are dealt to initiate betting and build the pot. The “small blind” is placed by the player to the dealer’s left with the “big blind” placed by the next player to the left.
Call	To match the current bet on the table.
Check	To pass on betting if no bets have been made during the current round.
Raise	To increase the size of the current bet in the betting round.
Fold	To give up on the hand and all bets already placed.
All-in	Betting all remaining chips into the current pot.
Flop	The first three community cards dealt face up on the table in games like Texas Hold’em and Omaha.
Turn	The fourth community card dealt after the flop.
River	The fifth and final community card dealt after the turn.
Showdown	The final stage of the game when remaining players reveal their cards to determine the winner.
BTN (Button)	A marker used to denote the current dealer position, which moves clockwise after each hand.
CO (Cutoff)	The position immediately to the right of the Button, considered one of the best positions as it acts late in nearly every post-flop betting round.
SB (Small blind)	The position that posts the smaller of the two blinds, sitting immediately to the left of the dealer.
BB (Big blind)	The position that posts the larger of the two blinds, sitting two places to the dealer’s left.
UTG (Under the gun)	The position directly to the left of the big blind, which acts first in the pre-flop betting round.
MP (Middle position)	Positions in the middle of the table; they act after early position players and before late position players.