For beginners, the Kiwi online casino scene is often a little intimidating, especially if you look into the more complicated strategy-based games such as poker or blackjack. Still, if card games tickle your fancy, that doesn’t mean you should shy away from them and instead go for the less complicated games such as slot machines. You could take the card games for a spin in free-to-play mode to test the waters before going for real money action on live casino New Zealand platforms, for instance.
Outside the usual slot machine’s simplicity mantra, beginners often overlook craps. Even though it is super straightforward, it can be easily called one of the most exciting casino games. However, like any other chance-based entertainment, you must know the correct playing techniques before you swing into action. So if you are a newbie looking to experience the thrill of craps, here’s all the information you need to know as a beginner of the dice game.
Basic Rules of the Craps Game
Before you get the good times rolling on a craps table, you must first understand some fundamental gameplay rules. They include:
- When the puck is off, a round of craps is about to start;
- Rolling 2,3, 7, 11, or 12 means the round is over immediately;
- If 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10 gets rolled, it then is considered the point. The puck is then turned on, and the shooter keeps throwing the dice until they roll a 7;
- When shooting, roll the dice in such a way that they’ll hit the opposite back wall;
- Shooters can use one hand to handle the two dice;
- Dice must always be in plain sight of the casino staff. There’s the boxman (supervisor) and the stickman (pushes the dice and calls results).
While the rules can get you a long way in craps, knowing more about the gameplay dynamics guarantees a better experience and, obviously, more chances to make money as you’ll be making informed decisions. And isn’t that what you aim for? Additionally, whether you’re playing online on one of the thousands of iGaming platforms or offline in one of the good old land-based casinos, the above-mentioned basic rules will invariably be the same.
Placing a Bet
All craps start with a pass-line bet where you bet that the dice will land on a 7 or 11. If they land on a 2, 3, or 12, then you don’t pass. In land-based casinos, several players can play the game simultaneously, allowing them to bet on each other. However, in an online setting, you bet on the virtual dice roller, and in some cases, you can be the virtual dice roller, meaning you can bet on or against yourself.
Rolling the Dice
The game opens with the first roll-out of the dice– the come-out roll. If the event shooter has not thrown the point roll yet, all rolls made in the game are considered a come-out roll. So, how do shooters make points? Find out in the next section.
The Shooter Must Establish a Point
If the shooter rolls on a 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10, that number becomes the point. The dealer can then mark the point obtained on the craps table with a small, usually white button showing the game is ‘On.’ Henceforth, the shooter’s goal becomes to roll the point again.
However, the point doesn’t have to be the same combination. For instance, if it was a 6 out of the dice showing up as a three and another three, the shooter can roll 1 and 5, 2 and 4, or 3 and 3, to make a 6 again. This is to say that all combinations will work, but the shooter must land the point again before a 7. But what’s wrong with the 7?
The Role of the Seven in Craps
A 7 is not bad in itself because if the shooter rolls a seven on the come-out roll, they win. However, if a seven is rolled after a point is established or before rolling the point again, the shooter will lose by a seven out. The same goes for an 11, the only other natural number.
With all the above in mind, here’s a summary of the three rules of the come-out rolls for easier understanding:
| Rule | Roll | First Roll Result |
| Craps | 2, 3, or 12 | The shooter loses but can roll again |
| The Point | 4, 5, 6, 9, 8, or 10 | The dealer marks the point on the table; the shooter rolls again. If they land the point before a 7, they win. If a 7 is obtained before landing the point, the player loses, bringing the round to an end. |
| Natural | Hard 7 or 11 | The shooter wins and will roll again |
Don’t Crap Out!
Understanding these craps 101 basics and betting rules will take your betting experience to the next level. Keep the above rules in mind and continue practicing your skill to become the best shooter at the crap table!