Craps Casinos in New Zealand: Rules and Online Play

Updated October 2026

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Follow the shift from come-out roll to point phase, understand the main bets, and review practical checks for online play.

How a Craps Round Works

Craps is a casino dice game built around a sequence of rolls. One player, called the shooter, rolls the dice while other players follow the action at the table. The round has two possible phases: the come-out roll, which starts it, and the point phase, which begins only if the come-out result calls for one. Understanding that change is the key to following the game; the same roll can have a different significance depending on which phase is under way.

The Pass Line is a main betting area on a craps table. A Pass Line bet is judged against the shooter’s results, not against a separate contest between players. On the opening roll, certain results settle the bet immediately. If the result does not settle it, it establishes a point, and the round continues under a new condition. The table’s layout can look crowded, but this basic sequence is the spine of the casino craps game.

The opening roll

The first roll of a new round is known as the come-out roll. It is a way of opening the action, not simply another roll in an established point phase. For a Pass Line bet, a 7 or 11 on this roll is a win. A 2, 3 or 12 is a loss. If the dice show another number, that number becomes the point.

Those outcomes apply specifically to the come-out roll. It is worth keeping that qualification in mind rather than treating a number as having one fixed meaning throughout a round. The come-out result either settles a Pass Line bet straight away or gives the round a point to pursue. In the latter case, the game has not ended: the shooter continues rolling, and the point now matters.

This is why the opening roll is easy to follow once you know what to watch for. First, identify that the table is in the come-out phase. Then note whether the roll produces an immediate Pass Line result or establishes a point. There is no need to interpret every area printed on the table to understand this part of the game. The essential information is the phase and the result of the roll.

When a point is set

A point is the number established when the come-out roll is neither an immediate Pass Line win nor an immediate loss. Once that happens, the table moves into the point phase. The objective for a Pass Line bet is then different from the opening condition: the shooter must roll the point again before rolling a 7 for the bet to win.

That “before” is important. The point does not win the bet simply because it has appeared once; it must appear again during the point phase. If it does, the Pass Line bet wins. If a 7 comes first, the Pass Line bet loses. The round therefore continues until one of those two results occurs.

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A common source of confusion is carrying the come-out rules forward unchanged. On the opening roll, a 7 is a Pass Line win. After a point has been established, a 7 has the opposite result for that bet: it ends the attempt unsuccessfully if the point has not appeared again. The number itself has not changed, but the phase of play has. Watching for the point marker or listening to the dealer’s announcement can help you keep track of that shift at a busy craps table.

The other come-out results also need to be understood in context. A 2, 3 or 12 loses a Pass Line bet when rolled on the opening roll. They are not the results that define the point phase described above. The central condition after a point is set is the race between the point appearing again and a 7 appearing first. Keeping that condition in view is more useful than trying to memorise the whole table at once.

The round as a repeating sequence

If a come-out roll settles a Pass Line bet immediately, that round’s Pass Line decision is complete. If a point is set, the shooter keeps rolling until the point returns or a 7 arrives first. Once the round ends, a new come-out roll begins the next one. The pattern repeats, with the table returning to its opening phase before a new point can be established.

The shooter is the person responsible for making the roll, but the round is not a private game between that person and the casino. Other players can follow the same table action and have their own bets in place. The shooter’s roll supplies the result; the bet’s position and the phase of the round determine what that result means for a player. That distinction explains why people at the same table may be watching the same dice for different reasons.

A casino craps table usually presents the action in a large printed layout, with spaces for different wagers and room for players around its sides. For a first look, the design can suggest that every marked area needs attention. It does not. To follow the basic Pass Line sequence, you need to know whether the table is at the come-out roll or has a point, and then observe the roll against the applicable condition. The rest of the layout belongs to other betting choices.

The dealer manages the table’s procedure and keeps the current state visible, including the point when one has been established. In a live game, you can also listen to the announcements as the dice are settled. That helps distinguish a point being set from a round-ending result. At a quieter table, the sequence is still the same; the visual markers and the dealer’s calls simply make the transition easier to recognise.

What the sequence does—and does not—tell you

The basic sequence describes how a Pass Line result is determined. It does not mean that every roll is a fresh start. Once the point phase begins, the round remains in that phase until the point returns or a 7 appears first. Nor does a point mark a guaranteed win or loss: it identifies the condition that the next part of the round depends on.

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Craps is often described as a social game because several players can watch one shooter and share the unfolding sequence. That can make it seem as though the shooter’s decisions control the outcome. For the Pass Line result explained here, what matters is the roll and whether it occurs in the come-out phase or after a point has been set. A player’s choice of bet does not change the rules of that sequence.

If you are watching craps at a casino for the first time, focus on three things: the start of a round, whether the opening roll settles the Pass Line bet or establishes a point, and which of the two relevant results happens first once the point phase begins. That is enough to understand the central rhythm of the craps casino game without learning every wager on the table. It also gives you a clear basis for reading the action before considering any further rules.

Pass Line, Don’t Pass and the Cost of a Bet

The Pass Line and Don’t Pass are opposing ways to bet on a craps round. A Pass Line wager backs the shooter: on the come-out roll, a 7 or 11 wins, while 2, 3 or 12 loses. Any other result sets a point. Once that happens, the Pass Line bet wins if the shooter rolls the point again before rolling a 7. If a 7 comes first, the bet loses.

A Don’t Pass wager takes the other side of that basic contest. Its house edge is about 1.36%, compared with approximately 1.41% for the Pass Line. The house edge is the casino’s mathematical advantage over the long term, expressed as a share of the amount wagered. It does not predict the result of a particular round, and it does not mean that a player will lose that share in a single session.

The difference between these two edges is small. Both bets have a relatively low house advantage compared with many other craps wagers, but neither gives you an expectation of profit over time. The choice is primarily about which side of the round you want to back, not a way to remove the casino’s advantage.

A Pass Line bet can also be paired with an odds bet after a point has been established. This additional wager is placed behind the original Pass Line bet and is settled according to the point-and-seven contest. Unlike the Pass Line wager itself, the odds bet has no house edge. That means the casino has no built-in mathematical advantage on that portion of the stake.

“No house edge” does not mean that an odds bet is guaranteed to win, or that it cancels the edge on the original Pass Line bet. It can win or lose with the roll, while the Pass Line wager retains its own expected cost. If you are comparing the rules of craps at a casino, keep those two parts separate: the base bet carries an edge, and the odds portion does not.

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The Don’t Pass edge is marginally lower than the Pass Line edge, but that narrow difference should not be mistaken for a meaningful certainty about outcomes. Craps results remain variable, and the house edge describes long-run expectation rather than a promise about how a round or session will go.

How to Place Your First Bets

At a physical craps table, start by watching a round before putting money down. The layout can look busy, but you do not need to use every betting area. For a first turn, keep your attention on the Pass Line and the shooter: the player who rolls the dice.

When the table is ready for a new round, place your chips in the Pass Line area in front of you. This is a bet on the shooter to win. Make it before the come-out roll, which starts the round. If you are unsure where your chips should go, ask the dealer to point out the correct spot rather than reaching across the table.

The come-out roll determines what happens next. A 7 or 11 wins a Pass Line bet; a 2, 3 or 12 loses it. Any other result sets the point. Once there is a point, your Pass Line bet wins if the shooter rolls that same number again before rolling a 7. If a 7 comes first, the bet loses and the round ends.

After the point is set, you can leave your Pass Line bet alone and follow the rolls. You do not have to add another bet to take part in the round. If you want to place a different bet, pause to understand what it depends on and ask the dealer to explain it before committing chips. The table’s other marked areas are not all variations of the same wager.

If you are invited to shoot, the dealer will provide the dice. Choose the required dice and toss them so they travel across the table and reach the far end. Avoid throwing them high or handling them in a way that disrupts play. If you would rather not shoot, say so; another player can take the turn. Your bet’s outcome does not depend on whether you personally roll.

Keep your hands clear when the dice are moving, and wait for the dealer to confirm the result before collecting chips or placing a new bet. The pace can be quick, but there is no need to keep up with every wager other players make. A single Pass Line bet is enough to learn the sequence: place it before the come-out roll, note whether a point is set, then follow the shooter until the bet is decided.

Craps Online: Live Tables and Digital Dice

Online craps can look like the same table game across different screens, but the experience depends on how the dice are produced and how the table is presented. A live-dealer table uses a real-time video stream of a physical game. A digital-dice table generates rolls through software and displays them on screen. Both can offer familiar craps bets, yet they differ in pace, presentation and how much of the process you can watch.

For a Kiwi punter, the distinction is worth understanding before choosing a table. Offshore online craps sites remain accessible to people in New Zealand, although operators cannot be physically based here. The format describes how a game is delivered; it does not, by itself, establish who operates the site or what protections apply.

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Live-dealer craps

At a live casino craps table, a dealer runs a physical game while cameras show the action. You place bets through the online interface, and the dealer handles the dice and table procedure. The stream lets you see the table rather than relying only on animated dice or a result display.

That can make live play easier to follow if you want to watch the dice being handled and see the dealer’s actions. The trade-off is that the game follows the pace of a shared table. The dealer must complete each stage, and other participants may be placing bets at the same time. You are not controlling the speed as you might when playing alone against software.

The screen usually divides attention between the video and the betting controls. You may need to select a chip value, choose a position on the layout and confirm a wager before betting closes for the next roll. The exact interface varies. Before joining, take a moment to identify where the current bets appear, how a wager is removed or changed, and how the table indicates that betting is closed. A clear layout matters more than decorative graphics when a decision has to be made before the next roll.

Live tables can also include a chat panel or other social features. These are optional parts of the presentation, not evidence about how the game is run or whether a particular site is dependable. If the stream is delayed, interrupted or difficult to see, the interface should make the game state understandable; if it does not, continuing to place bets becomes harder to assess.

A live feed may feel closer to sitting at a physical table, but it is still an online service. You rely on the site to transmit the game and register your selections. The camera shows the table action; the betting interface shows what the site has accepted on your account. Those are related but distinct parts of the experience.

Digital dice

Digital-dice craps replaces the filmed table with software-generated results. The screen may show dice rolling in an animation, or it may present the outcome with a simpler graphic. The visual style does not tell you whether the game is live-dealer or software-based; check the table description and rules rather than guessing from the artwork.

With a digital game, the software handles the roll and the game proceeds without a dealer managing a physical table. That can make the experience feel more direct, because there is no live table to watch between decisions. It can also be less transparent to a player who wants to see dice physically thrown. The outcome appears on screen, but the animation is a display of the result, not a view of physical dice.

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Digital interfaces often make it possible to move through play at a different pace from a live table, depending on the game’s controls. That does not mean every digital table is instant or identical. Some require you to confirm choices or wait for a result sequence; others present the next decision as soon as the previous one is settled. Read the on-screen prompts before acting, especially if the controls use icons rather than labels.

The same principle applies to sound and animation. Effects can make a result easier to notice, but they do not change the underlying rules. If you prefer a quieter or more compact display, look for settings that reduce visual effects where available. The important details are the displayed result, the status of your bets and the point at which the game accepts the next action.

What the formats change — and what they do not

Live and digital craps can differ in atmosphere and pace, but neither format changes the basic structure of craps. The table layout may be arranged differently, and the controls may take some getting used to, yet the names and functions of bets remain tied to the game’s rules. If a screen uses an unfamiliar label, open the help or rules panel rather than assuming that a similar-looking button does the same thing.

The format also affects what you can observe. In a live game, you see a dealer and physical dice through a camera, but you depend on the stream and interface to follow the action. In a digital game, the display is generated by software, so you see the result as the game presents it rather than watching a physical roll. Neither visual approach is a substitute for reading the table rules.

A useful comparison is to consider what you want to see and how you prefer to make decisions. Someone who values a filmed table may favour the live presentation, while someone who wants a less social screen may prefer digital dice. These are preferences, not measures of which game is fairer or better. The appearance of a live dealer, a polished animation or a busy chat does not establish the quality of an operator.

Try to understand the controls before placing a wager. Find the rules panel, identify how the game marks accepted bets, and check how it signals that the next roll is under way. If the display is unclear about whether a bet has been placed or settled, do not rely on a visual effect alone. Pause and use the table’s available account or game information to confirm the state.

Choosing a format without confusing it with a recommendation

The phrase “best craps casino” can suggest that one format is automatically superior, but the choice between live dealing and digital dice is about the kind of game experience you want. A live stream offers a view of a physical table and a dealer-led pace. A software table removes the live presentation and lets the interface show each result. Neither description tells you whether the operator is suitable for you.

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For online craps in New Zealand, it is also important to separate access from local establishment. Offshore sites remain accessible to New Zealand residents, while an online casino operator cannot be physically located in New Zealand. A familiar interface or an available table does not alter that distinction.

If you move between formats, take time to learn each table’s controls and rules instead of assuming that the same screen layout means the same procedure. Keep attention on the information the game actually displays: the rules, the current result and the status of your selections. That makes it easier to tell whether a difference comes from presentation or from a table-specific rule.

Choosing a Craps Site: Checks Before You Deposit

Bonuses, Odds and the Small Print

A craps bonus can look generous while offering little practical value if its conditions prevent you from using it on craps. Before treating an offer as part of your playing funds, check whether the terms include the game, which bets count towards any wagering requirement, and whether a maximum stake applies while you meet it. Some bonus terms exclude craps altogether; others may cap bets at NZ$5 during wagering requirements. A restriction like that can make a promotion difficult to use at a table with higher minimum stakes.

The house edge helps put the offer in context, but it does not tell you whether the bonus is worthwhile on its own. On a Pass Line bet, the casino’s mathematical advantage is approximately 1.41% over the long run. That is an expected cost built into the game, not a prediction of what will happen in an individual session. A bonus does not remove that edge. Its value depends on whether you can meet the conditions without making bets you would not otherwise choose or risking more than you intended.

Read the bonus rules for exclusions, eligible games, stake limits and any requirement to deposit before play. Check whether the offer is cash or restricted bonus credit, and what happens to it if you withdraw before meeting the terms. If the wording is unclear about craps, ask the operator for clarification before accepting. A headline figure is not a substitute for knowing what you can actually use.

Also check whether the promotion is available to you under the operator’s current terms. Do not assume that an offer advertised elsewhere applies to your account or to New Zealand customers. During the transition to the new online casino licensing regime, advertising to people in New Zealand is prohibited; a promotion’s presence on a page is not evidence that it is permitted or suitable for you.

Finally, bonus conditions do not change what happens when money is withdrawn. Large wins may prompt operator checks and may attract the Inland Revenue Department’s interest. Keep records of the offer and its terms, and do not accept a promotion simply because it appears to increase your balance. If the conditions make the game, stake or withdrawal unclear, the safer choice is to leave the bonus unclaimed.

Bankroll Limits and Habits That Keep a Session in Check

A bankroll is money set aside for gambling, not money you expect to get back. Decide what you can afford to lose before opening a craps table, and keep that amount separate from funds for rent, bills, food, debt repayments and other commitments. If losing it would affect those priorities, it is not a suitable session bankroll.

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The aim is not to make a session last a certain length or to guarantee a result. Dice outcomes cannot be controlled, and a budget cannot turn gambling into income. It gives you a clear boundary for spending instead. Once the money you set aside is gone, stop; do not add more because the session has been disappointing or because you think a win is due.

Set a budget before you start

Choose a total amount for the session and decide in advance how much of it you are willing to lose. That planned stopping point is your stop-loss. It should be a firm limit, not a figure you renegotiate at the table after a run of bad results.

A specialist review has suggested setting aside a session bankroll of 20–50 times the base bet. Treat that as one source’s guideline, not as a standard for Kiwi punters or a promise that the money will last. A larger bankroll does not make a game safer or guarantee that you will leave ahead. Your own affordable loss is the more important boundary; if the suggested scale exceeds it, do not stretch your budget to match.

Keep the session budget distinct from any money you have won. A win can feel like spare cash, but it can disappear just as readily as money brought from home. Decide beforehand whether you will stop at a particular point if you are ahead, or take a break and reconsider. Without a plan, it is easy to keep playing simply because the session is going well.

Use limits that work together

A stop-loss controls how much you are prepared to lose in a session. A deposit limit can restrict how much money you put into an account, while a session limit can help contain how long you spend gambling. Set these controls before play, rather than waiting until you feel tired, frustrated or tempted to continue. If the site provides self-exclusion tools and you need a stronger barrier, consider using them.

Limits are useful only if you respect them. Do not move a stop-loss higher during a session, make another deposit to keep playing, or switch to another table to escape a limit you set for yourself. A limit that can be dismissed whenever it becomes inconvenient is not doing much work.

It can help to keep a simple record of what you planned to spend and what you actually spent. The purpose is not to judge each decision in isolation. It is to notice whether sessions are regularly going beyond budget, whether you are adding money after reaching your stopping point, or whether gambling is starting to affect ordinary spending. Those are reasons to pause and reassess, not reasons to raise the budget.

Take a break when the session turns

A cold streak can make it feel as though a change in betting will bring the session back under control. It will not change the dice. Take a break when you feel yourself becoming tense, impatient or focused on the last loss. Step away from the table and give yourself time to decide whether you still want to continue under the limits you set.

A break is not a tactic for making the next roll more favourable. It is a way to interrupt an emotional reaction before it dictates the next decision. If you return, do so only while you are still within your budget and session limit. If you are no longer able to follow the plan, end the session.

Chasing losses means continuing or increasing stakes in an attempt to win back money already lost. It can turn a planned expense into an escalating one, because each loss creates pressure to recover more. Do not raise your bets to catch up, borrow money to continue, or treat a near miss as evidence that a win is owed. The earlier loss is already part of the session; the next decision should be based on your remaining budget, not on the wish to erase it.

Notice when play is affecting you

Pay attention to changes in your habits as well as to the money spent. Hiding gambling from people close to you, neglecting responsibilities, borrowing to play, or feeling unable to stop at your limits are signs to take seriously. You do not need to wait until a crisis to seek help. If gambling is causing distress or affecting your finances or relationships, use support services such as Gambling Helpline NZ or the Problem Gambling Foundation.

Do not rely on a win to solve a financial problem. A large win may also lead an operator to carry out checks, and it may attract interest from Inland Revenue. Recreational players’ winnings are generally tax-free in New Zealand, but that does not remove the possibility of checks or questions about a particular win. Keep records and respond to requests for information rather than assuming that a payout will be immediate or require no follow-up.

A session plan cannot remove uncertainty from craps. It can make your own boundaries clearer: decide the affordable loss, set a stop-loss and session limits, take breaks after a cold streak, and stop when those limits are reached. If the plan starts to feel negotiable, ending the session is the safer choice.

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Published by the Casino Expert NZ team.