Welcome to card-games.nz, an independent information site about card games for players in New Zealand. Our aim is simple: to explain how games are played clearly enough that someone who has never picked up the deck can deal a first hand with confidence.
We are not a casino, a gambling operator or a shop. We don’t sell games, run games for money or accept stakes. We describe how games work: the setup, the rules, the scoring and the terms you will hear at the table.
What we do
On card-games.nz you will find rules and how-to-play guides for traditional card games such as 500, Euchre, Cribbage, Bridge, Last Card and the many forms of Solitaire, alongside family favourites, board games and trading card games. We also explain casino card games such as blackjack, poker and baccarat. Those guides are written as rules explainers, not as encouragement to gamble.
In every guide we aim to:
- Explain card-table terms in plain language, so a complete beginner can follow along.
- Present facts neutrally, without telling you what you “should” play, buy or bet on.
- Keep the content up to date and checked against reliable sources.
Our principles
Everything we publish rests on three principles: it should be fact-based, independent and easy to follow.
We check rules against primary sources wherever they exist. For commercial games that means the publisher’s official rulebook, and for games such as bridge it means the recognised governing bodies. Many traditional card games have no single official rulebook. Where the rules vary between regions or households, we say so and describe the way the game is commonly played in New Zealand, instead of presenting one version as the only correct one.
When we write about gambling law or age limits, we rely on New Zealand legislation and the Department of Internal Affairs. If we cannot confirm a detail, we leave it out. We also avoid presenting figures that change often, such as card and game prices, as fixed numbers.
We describe games the same way regardless of who makes or sells them, and we do not rank gambling operators or recommend where to play for money.
The editorial team
The content on card-games.nz is written and reviewed by a small editorial team with experience in producing informative, fact-checked guides.
Phoebe Kingsley – editor and writer. Phoebe is responsible for the guides published on card-games.nz. She makes sure the rules are explained accurately, that sources have been checked, and that each page follows our editorial guidelines. She also looks after corrections and updates when readers point out an error.
How we use AI
Parts of our content are produced with the help of AI tools, including Claude from Anthropic (claude.ai), which support our research and drafting. Everything is reviewed, fact-checked and edited by our editorial team before it is published. Responsibility for what appears on the site always rests with us. You can read more in our AI policy.
Contact
Have you spotted a mistake, an outdated rule or a house variation we have missed? Or do you have a question about one of our guides? Get in touch through our contact page and we will look into it. Feedback from readers helps us keep the site accurate and useful.
Gamble responsibly
card-games.nz provides information only. We do not sell or offer gambling, we do not encourage gambling and we do not give betting advice. Most of the games we cover are played purely for fun, with nothing at stake.
Some card games are also played for money. Gambling always carries a risk of losing money and can lead to harm. In New Zealand you must be 20 to gamble in a casino and 18 for most other forms of gambling. Only ever play with money you can afford to lose.
Do you need support, or want to cut back on your gambling?
The Gambling Helpline offers free, confidential support 24 hours a day on 0800 654 655, by text on 8006, or at gamblinghelpline.co.nz.
PGF Services (the Problem Gambling Foundation) provides free, confidential counselling on 0800 664 262 and at pgf.nz.
Gambling in New Zealand is regulated by the Department of Internal Affairs.
You will find more detail on our responsible gambling page.
Please also read our privacy policy, cookie policy and terms of use.
Last updated: October 2026.