How to Play Craps: Craps Rules for Beginners
Craps is one of the most exciting, but also misunderstood, casino games out there, and it’s fast-paced, loud, and has plenty of action going on. And when you play it in land-based casinos, it’s especially exciting, since many people gather around the table to witness all that’s happening when rolling the dice. But beneath all that excitement, it’s actually a relatively easy game to play.
In this definitive guide, you will learn how to play craps, how to win at craps more often, and how to practice at home before playing at a real table.
What Is Craps?
At its very essence, craps is a game of dice where individuals bet on the outcomes of a series of dice rolls made by one person, known as the Shooter. The main object of the game, depending on the various bets made by individuals, is to essentially try and foresee what number will be rolled next, or if the shooter will be able to “make the point.”
In land-based casinos, the tables used to play craps are big and have a very sociable atmosphere, where players shout encouragement to the Shooter throwing the dice. However, the online version offers the same great gameplay without any pressure and/or noise, and it is common to see this game available to play at various online casinos, which is great news indeed!If you are interested in playing Craps online, then it would be best that you check out our best real money online craps sites that are available in NZ.
The Basic Craps Rules
However, the majority of how to play Craps guides out there make things far too complicated. Of course, the game is complex at first glance. But the game is really simple once you understand the basic progression.
Here’s a brief rundown of just how a standard round unfolds:
1. The Come-Out Roll
The shooter rolls the dice first. The moment a 7 or 11 is rolled by the shooter, it means that all bets that are placed on ‘Pass Line’ would win. The moment a 2, 3, or 12 is rolled by the shooter, it means that ‘craps’ are rolled, thereby leading to a loss on ‘Pass Line.’
2. Determining the Point
If any other number is rolled, such as a 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10, it is called “the point.” It is then required of the shooter to make “the point” before rolling the 7.
3. Winning or Losing
If the same point is rolled again, the Pass Line Bets win. If the dice show a 7, the Pass Line Bets lose. This is called “seven out,” which initiates a new game.
The rest of the bets you see at the table, such as Come Bets, Don’t Pass Bets, and Proposition Bets, follow this principle.
How to Play Craps for Beginners
As a novice in playing the game of Craps, do not let the crowd and game table confuse you. Just place a minimum bet, then observe some games before you place your first real bet. Of course, as a novice in the top online casinos in New Zealand, you can always peek at the Craps game table before you place your first real bet.
As previously discussed, it’s best to make a bet on Pass Line. The reason is that it’s simple, has one of the lowest house edges in all casino games with 1.41%, and it makes one feel like they’re participating in every roll.
But once that’s out of the way, it’s worth trying out the Don’t Pass option, which is essentially the reverse of the Pass Line option. Of course, once one becomes comfortable with the game, it’s always an option to place some odds bets or small wagers.
If you are interested in perusing more pieces of that nature, feel free to also check out our page on How to Play Poker for Beginners, as there are also discussions on certain aspects of risk and flow that can also be utilized in playing craps!
How to Play Craps Online
The most effective way to learn how to play a game of craps is to play it on the Internet first and then progress to a live table game. Playing on the Internet is made very easy by most casinos, which have user-friendly tables showing where your betting areas are and where to pick up your winnings. Players can play against a computer or a live dealer casino.
Most online casinos in NZ offer a practice option with free money or a low minimum wager, which is great for a new learner like yourself. You might also consider a how to play craps simulator, which will allow you to practice your skills without the loss of actual money.
Common Craps Bets Explained
Knowing the most common bets in Craps will allow you to feel more comfortable at the table and avoid any avoidable losses. Below is a brief explanation of the most common bets you may encounter at the Craps table.
| Bet Type | Description | House Edge |
| Pass Line | Wins on 7 or 11, loses on 2, 3, or 12 | 1.41% |
| Don’t Pass | Wins if shooter rolls 2 or 3, loses on 7 or 11 | 1.36% |
| Come / Don’t Come | Works like Pass/Don’t Pass but after the point | 1.41% |
| Place Bets | Bet on specific numbers (4-10) | Varies |
| Field Bet | Wins if next roll is 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, or 12 | 5.5% |
Our suggestion, in terms of how to play craps and how to win, would be that one should combine low house edge betting with bankroll management. Craps, as we said, is more about patience, as opposed to risk-taking, as in the case of roulette.
How to Play Craps and Win
While craps is ultimately a game of chance, smart players use probability to their advantage. The secret to doing well at the table isn’t guessing lucky numbers; instead, it’s about understanding the odds, and when they favour you.
As mentioned, we’d recommend starting out by focusing on bets with the lowest house edge: this includes Pass, Don’t Pass, Come, and Don’t Come. These simple bets offer you some of the highest odds in the casino – and when a point is established, you can also consider adding an “Odds Bet” behind your Pass Line wager. This pays true odds and has no house edge whatsoever – which is unheard of, mostly, in the gambling world!
We’d also suggest avoiding the “Proposition” bets you’ll see in the middle of the table. Sure, they may offer the biggest payouts, but they come with very high house edges – often upwards of 10%!
If you’re curious about learning more about the mathematics behind casino games, and want to know how to find the best bets in a casino, check out our games with the best winning odds guide, where we break everything down!
Craps Table Etiquette
Whether you’re playing in Las Vegas or at SkyCity Auckland, craps has its own style, and there’s a certain etiquette that you should try to follow – and respect. Of course, this doesn’t apply when you’re playing at live dealer casinos, but it’s still good to know.
Firstly, you should always wait until the dealer confirms bets are closed before touching your chips. Don’t hand money directly to the dealer. Put it on the table instead. And whatever you do, never say “seven” aloud once the point has been set – it’s considered bad luck!
Being polite and patient also earns respect from other players. You can read up on more essential in-person habits in our mastering casino etiquette in New Zealand guide which covers all the written (and unwritten) rules of Kiwi casino culture.
Final Thoughts
While craps may look like a fairly complex and disorganized game for outsiders, once you grasp the fundamental principles, you’ll see that it is actually a very simple game – and one of the most exciting games you can play in a casino.
Now that you have the basics down, the best way to truly understand the game is to head out and start playing for yourself.
Update Log
26 January 2026: Updated the article with current information and trends.
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