
“Snake Eyes” in the context of gaming, especially in casino environments, refers to a dice roll where both dice show a 1, which is the lowest possible roll in many dice games.
The term is most commonly associated with craps, a popular casino dice game where rolling snake eyes (two 1s) is generally unfavourable for the player.
However, it is actually offered at many land-based and online casinos in New Zealand. Follow to learn more about this game.
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What is Snake Eyes Dice Game?
Snake Eyes is a simpler version of Craps, offered as a standalone game at places like SkyCity Auckland Casino.
The term “Snake Eyes” in the game comes from the appearance of the dice.
When both dice show the number “1,” they resemble the shape of a snake’s eyes – two small, round dots. The term evokes this image, giving the roll the name “Snake Eyes.”
In many cultures, “snake eyes” is associated with bad luck since the roll is considered one of the least favourable in dice games like Craps.
It focuses on a single roll of two dice where the goal is to get a total of 2, called “Snake Eyes.”
One key feature in Snake Eyes is the “sucker bet”—the bet placed on rolling Snake Eyes. This term refers to bets that offer high payouts but with low odds of winning.
In the case of Snake Eyes, the payout can be as high as 30 to 1, but it’s a rare outcome, making the odds unfavourable.
This makes it a high-risk, low-reward bet, which is why it’s called a “sucker bet.”
Craps, on the other hand, include a variety of betting options, some of which have better odds and more complex strategies for winning.
Table Layout of Snake Eyes Dice Game?

The game table layout is a smooth, felt-covered surface, typically in dark green or blue, with distinct sections outlined in bright colors for visibility.
Each betting area is clearly labeled with bold text, often in white or yellow, making it easy for players to locate their preferred bets at a glance.
The betting areas are labeled evidently for different types of wagers.
- Hardways: Bet on totals like 4, 6, 8, or 10 appearing with matching dice (e.g., two 3s for a hard 6).
- Totals Bets: Place multi-roll bets on specific totals like 5, 6, or 8.
- Single-Roll Bets: Areas for quick bets like Field (totals 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, or 12), Any 7, and Craps 2.
Each area shows the payout odds, helping players decide their bets easily.
How to Play Snake Eyes?
Before starting the game of Snake Eyes (or any similar dice game like Craps), it’s essential to understand some key terms that are commonly used in gameplay:
- Active Dice: The dice that are rolled in the game.
- Dice: The cubes with six sides, numbered 1 through 6, used to play.
- Roll: The act of throwing the dice to see the outcome.
- Shooter: The player who rolls the dice.
- Total: The sum of the numbers on the top faces of the two dice after they’re rolled.
- 7 Out: A roll that adds up to 7, which usually ends the round in some dice games.
We hope you understand these terms and are ready to learn what happens in the game.
Snake Eyes is usually played with a group of players and one shooter (the person rolling the dice). However, it can also be played with just 2 or 3 players.
In most cases, Snake Eyes is a side bet in bigger casino games like craps. It’s not often played as its own full game in casinos.
But sometimes, certain places may offer Snake Eyes as a standalone game where players focus only on rolling Snake Eyes.
Gameplay
In this dice game, players begin by placing bets on various outcomes they believe will happen when the dice are rolled, such as the total of the dice or specific combinations.
The dealer will assist if a player cannot reach the betting areas. After all bets are placed, one player, called the Shooter, rolls the dice.
The Shooter continues rolling until they decide to stop, roll a 7, or no longer have an active bet on the table.
- How to roll: The Shooter picks up both dice with one hand and throws them to the opposite end of the table.
- After the roll: The dealer announces the dice result, clears losing bets, and pays out the winners.
- Multiroll bets: Some bets remain active for several rolls. Players can remove these bets before a 7 is rolled or before the dealer calls “no more bets.”
This is not the only thing that needs to be learned. There are certain types of bets that can result in winnings.
Types of Bets in Snake Eyes
In this game, players have various betting options that range from single-roll wins to multi-roll strategies.
Here are some of the possible bets used in this dice game.
1. Snake Eyes (2) Bet
- What it is: A specific wager on the dice rolling exactly two 1s (a total of 2).
- How to win: If the dice show two 1s, you win.
- Payout: Typically 30 to 1 (or higher, depending on the casino).
- Risk: High-risk, as the probability of rolling Snake Eyes is low (1 in 36).
2. Any Craps
- What it is: A bet that the total of the dice will be either 2 (Snake Eyes), 3, or 12.
- How to win: If any of these totals are rolled on the next roll.
- Payout: Usually 7 to 1.
- Risk: Higher risk because you’re betting on multiple low totals.
3. Field Bet
- What it is: A single-roll bet that the dice will total 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, or 12.
- How to win: If any of these totals come up on the next roll.
- Payout: Usually pays 1 to 1 for most numbers, but a 2 or 12 often pays 2 to 1.
- Risk: Moderate, since it covers a broader range of possible outcomes.
4. Pass Line Bet
- What it is: A wager that the shooter will roll a 7 or 11 on the come-out roll, or will establish a point and then roll that point again before a 7.
- How to win: On the come-out roll, you win if the shooter rolls 7 or 11, or if the shooter establishes a point and rolls it again before a 7.
- Payout: 1 to 1.
- Risk: Moderate to low.
5. Don’t Pass Line Bet
- What it is: The opposite of the Pass Line bet; you bet that the shooter will roll a 2 or 3 (or a 12, depending on the house rules) on the come-out roll, or that they will roll a 7 before their point.
- How to win: You win if the shooter rolls 2 or 3 on the come-out roll or if they roll a 7 before their point.
- Payout: 1 to 1.
- Risk: Low to moderate, but less common than the Pass Line bet.
6. Come Bet
- What it is: A wager placed after the come-out roll, betting that the shooter will roll a 7 or 11 or that a point will be established and rolled again before a 7.
- How to win: Same conditions as the Pass Line bet, but made after the point is established.
- Payout: 1 to 1.
- Risk: Moderate.
7. Don’t Come Bet
- What it is: A bet opposite of the Come bet, placed after the come-out roll, betting that the shooter will roll a 2 or 3 (or a 12) on the next roll, or that a 7 will roll before the point.
- How to win: Similar to the Don’t Pass bet but placed after the point is established.
- Payout: 1 to 1.
- Risk: Moderate.
8. Place Bets
- What it is: A bet that a specific number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10) will be rolled before a 7.
- How to win: The number you place the bet on must be rolled before a 7.
- Payouts:
- 4 or 10: 9 to 5.
- 5 or 9: 7 to 5.
- 6 or 8: 7 to 6.
- Risk: Moderate, depending on the number placed.
9. Big 6 or Big 8
- What it is: A bet that the shooter will roll a 6 or 8 before a 7.
- How to win: The 6 or 8 must be rolled before a 7.
- Payout: 1 to 1.
- Risk: Moderate.
How to trigger the Win?
Snake Eyes is also a part of Craps. The bets mentioned above are more suited to Craps rather than Snake Eyes, but since Snake Eyes is an important aspect of Craps, it’s equally important to understand the betting types in Craps.
However, triggering a win in Snake Eyes is quite simple. To trigger a win for Snake Eyes in a Craps game, you need to place a specific bet that the dice will roll exactly two 1s, which is known as a Snake Eyes.
Here’s how it works:
- Place the Snake Eyes Bet: This is a single-roll bet where you are predicting that the outcome of the next roll will result in two 1s. You place your chips in the designated area for Snake Eyes on the betting layout.
- Wait for the Dice Roll: The dice are rolled by the shooter.
- Win Condition: If the dice show two 1s (a total of 2), you win the Snake Eyes bet. The payout for Snake Eyes is usually quite high due to its low probability of occurring (around 1 in 36), typically offering a payout of 30 to 1 or more.
- Losing Condition: If any other combination is rolled, including a 7, 11, or any other total, you lose your Snake Eyes bet.
So, to summarize:
- You bet on the dice showing two 1s.
- If the dice show Snake Eyes (2), you win.
- If any other roll occurs, you lose the bet.
Because Snake Eyes is a rare outcome, the payout is higher, but it’s also a high-risk bet.
Editor’s Verdict
Snake Eye, as a full-featured standalone game, is quite rare but can be found at SkyCity Auckland Casino in Auckland, New Zealand.
It is a high-risk game, as rolling both 1s on two dice simultaneously is a challenging task.
The betting odds for this are 1 in 36, making it a game suited for those willing to take risks.
Given the high probability of losing your stake repeatedly, it’s important to make smart betting choices.
If you have any doubts or questions, feel free to ask in the comment section below or share your thoughts on Snake Eyes with other readers.