Craps looks chaotic but is built on a simple dice mechanic, and a few of its bets are among the best-value wagers in any casino. This page sets out the plain facts: how a round works, which bets are cheap and which are expensive, and the house edge on each — without hype.
It is written to inform, not to promote. Nothing here recommends playing or depositing. Craps is a game of chance built with a house edge, so over time it is designed to return less than is staked.
What It Is
Craps is a dice game played against the house, in which players bet on the outcome of a roll (or a series of rolls) of two dice. It has a busy-looking table with dozens of betting options, which makes it seem intimidating — but you only need a couple of them. Online, it appears as a standard digital game with a random number generator, and as a live-dealer game.
The key thing to know before anything else: most of the table is made up of bad bets, and a small handful are excellent. Knowing which is which is the whole game from a value point of view.
How a Round Works
A round starts with a “come-out” roll, which either resolves immediately or sets a “point” that the shooter then tries to repeat before rolling a 7.
The Bets and House Edge
This is where craps rewards knowing the maths. The Pass Line and Come bets have a house edge of about 1.41%, and Don’t Pass / Don’t Come are slightly lower at around 1.36% — all among the best bets in the casino. The Odds bet, which you can place behind a line bet once a point is set, is unique: it has no house edge at all, paying at true odds. Backing a line bet with Odds is the single most efficient thing you can do at a craps table.
By contrast, the flashy centre-table proposition bets — the Field, Hardways, and one-roll bets like “Any 7” — carry house edges ranging from around 5% up to 16% or more. They pay big and land rarely, and they’re where casinos make most of their craps money. In short: line bets and Odds are cheap; the tempting middle of the table is expensive. Our guide to RTP and house edge explains how these numbers translate into long-run cost, and you can browse more games via our casino games section.
Playing From New Zealand
You’ll find craps at online casinos that accept New Zealanders, as digital and live-dealer versions. Rather than naming specific sites, the important thing is to check the operator itself: the legal backdrop changed in 2026, when the Online Casino Gambling Act 2026 created New Zealand’s first licensing system for online casinos, run by the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA). From 1 December 2026, only DIA-licensed operators may lawfully offer online casino games to New Zealanders. Our overview of online casino licensing in New Zealand explains how that works.
Practical Notes (Not a Strategy)
No betting system beats the house edge — dice have no memory, each roll is independent, and no “hot shooter” or progression changes the odds. The one genuinely useful, factual point is bet selection: sticking to the line bets plus Odds keeps your average cost as low as the game allows, while the proposition bets do the opposite. A few honest pointers: ignore the centre-table bets; take Odds if you’re going to play, since that portion is edge-free; try a demo/free-play table first to learn the flow; set a firm time and money limit; and remember bonus funds often exclude or reduce table-game contribution to wagering (our casino bonuses guide explains the fine print).
Staying in Control: Responsible Play in Aotearoa
Craps is fast and social, with many bets resolving on every roll — which makes it easy to have a lot of money in play without noticing, especially on the tempting high-edge proposition bets. Treat any casino game as paid entertainment only — never as a way to make money or recover losses. Regulated operators must provide control tools such as deposit limits, reality checks and self-exclusion. Our guide to self-exclusion tools explains how they work.
Free, confidential help is available in New Zealand at any time — you do not need to be in crisis to use it.
Factual information disclaimer
This article is provided for general information only. It describes the rules and standard odds of craps; it does not encourage gambling, does not recommend playing this game or depositing with any operator, and is not legal, financial or professional advice.
Gambling involves financial risk and can be harmful. House-edge figures are long-run averages that vary with the specific rules and paytable, not a promise of returns. Game details and availability can vary by casino and change over time — always check the specific game’s rules before playing.
If gambling is affecting you or someone you know, free and confidential support is available: the Gambling Helpline Aotearoa on 0800 654 655 or at gamblinghelpline.co.nz, and the New Zealand regulator, the Department of Internal Affairs, at dia.govt.nz.
Which craps bets have the best odds?
The Pass Line and Come bets (~1.41%) and Don’t Pass / Don’t Come (~1.36%) are among the best in the casino. Best of all is the Odds bet placed behind a line bet, which has no house edge at all.
Which craps bets should I avoid?
The centre-table proposition bets — the Field, Hardways, and one-roll bets like “Any 7” — carry house edges from around 5% up to 16% or more. They pay big but land rarely, and they’re best avoided.
What is “the point”?
If the come-out roll is a 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10, that number becomes the point. A Pass Line bet then wins if the point is rolled again before a 7, and loses if a 7 comes first.
Is there any skill or system in craps?
No system changes the odds — each roll is independent and the dice have no memory. The only meaningful choice is which bets you make: line bets plus Odds keep your cost low, proposition bets raise it.
Where can I get help if gambling becomes a problem?
Free, confidential support is available in New Zealand through the Gambling Helpline Aotearoa on 0800 654 655. Support is available at any time, and you do not need to be in crisis to reach out.
