Eve Luneborg
Craps is a popular dice game, and perhaps one of the most iconic casino games. You’ll find it in all major land-based casinos, and also in many online casinos. The game is fast and fun to play, but not quite as intuitive as many other table games. Therefore, to play, you need to learn the rules.
When you play live casino craps, a real dealer rolls the dice in real time, and you watch it all on your screen. To play live craps, you need to understand not only the basic rules, but preferably also some key strategies. In this article, we will cover how to play craps, where to play, and also give you some tips that will help you succeed.
Live casino craps is the classic dice game played with a real dealer, who rolls the dice live on camera. Instead of playing against a computer, you watch the dealer throw the dice in real time from a studio or a land-based casino. You place your bets on what you think the dice will show, such as the total score or specific numbers. The dealer manages the game by calling out the results and paying out any winnings.
You can also chat with the dealer and other players, making the game feel more social than regular RNG craps.
In short, live craps is exactly the same as craps you play at land-based casinos. The only difference is that the dealer or a machine rolls the dice, so no player is selected as the ‘Shooter’. As such, everyone who plays is participating as ‘Players’. Game rules, payouts and other aspects tend to be just like in “real” craps.
Craps uses two dice, and the goal is to predict the outcome of a roll. The game starts with the “come-out roll.” Before this first roll, you place a bet on the Pass Line if you think the dice will total 7 or 11. If the roll is 2, 3, or 12, this is called “craps,” and you lose your bet. If any other number shows up, that number becomes the “point.” Once the point is set, the dealer keeps rolling the dice until either the point number or 7 comes up. If the point appears, you win; if 7 appears, you lose.
You can place other bets too. The Don’t Pass Line bet works the opposite way. On the come-out roll, it wins if the dice show 2 or 3, loses on 7 or 11, and pushes (ties) on 12. After the point is set, you win if a 7 appears before the point number. You can also make Come and Don’t Come bets during the point phase, which act like Pass and Don’t Pass bets but apply to the next rolls.
A key feature in craps is the Odds bet. After placing a Pass or Come bet, you can add an Odds bet behind it. This extra wager pays true odds if you win, with no house edge, so it’s one of the best bets you can make in craps. There are also several side bets available in most games, but these usually come with a higher house edge.
Knowing these basic rules is key to success in craps. It might seem complicated, but once you start playing, you’ll quickly get the hang of it. Understanding when to bet and how the dice rolls affect your chances is key to playing craps well.
Since craps is a physical game that traditionally requires dice to be rolled by a player, it hasn’t been easy to convert this game type to live casinos. Therefore, unlike other games, like roulette, blackjack, baccarat, or poker, the selection of live craps games is rather slim. However, there are some versions you can try, and below you can read more about our top three favourites.
Evolution’s Craps is a live dealer game that aims to give you a genuine craps experience online. The game is streamed in high definition from a professional studio, and you get to see the dealer roll real dice on a real table.
The house edge on the Pass Line bet is about 1.41%, which is standard for craps. What makes Evolution’s version stand out is the multiple camera angles, giving you close-up views of the dice and table action. You can place all the usual bets, including Pass, Don’t Pass, Come, and Odds bets.
The chat feature lets you interact with the dealer and other players, adding a social element to the game. Evolution is well-known for being the biggest and best live game studio, and for having the most versatile game selection. When they added Craps to their portfolio, they truly showed that they can convert any physical casino game into a live casino game.
First Person Craps by Evolution is almost just like the real version of live craps, except that it’s not truly live. Unlike live dealer games, you play alone against the computer, but the game combines random number generator (RNG) technology with live video. This combination makes it feel realistic.
The house edge is around 1.41% on the main Pass Line bet, matching traditional craps odds. First person Craps sticks to the standard craps rules, so if you already know the basics, you won’t have any trouble.
The main differences between First Person Craps and Evolution’s standard live dealer craps table are that it’s RNG-operated and that it’s a much faster game.
Livesolutions’ Craps offers a straightforward live dealer craps experience without any extra bells or whistles. The game is streamed live with a clear view of the table and dice, and it focuses on the core gameplay rather than fancy multiple camera angles or interactive features.
The house edge for Pass Line bets is set at the usual 1.41%, which is standard for craps games. Livesolutions offers all the standard bets like Pass, Don’t Pass, Come, and Odds bets, making it a true replica of the game you find at land-based casinos. The dealer runs the game in real time and interacts with players in the chat.
The game studio Livesolutions is considered to be a niche studio, and you won’t find them present at any Irish live casinos. But when you do find them, trying some game rounds on their games is well worth it, if you’re a player who prefers to focus on the game, rather than all the “extra” features found in games from other live software providers.
When you play live craps, the quality of your experience depends a lot on the software provider. These companies build and run the games, stream the live dealers, and ensure everything works smoothly. Craps is a game that only a few game studios offer, and the biggest one of them is Evolution. So here, we’ll look closer at this provider, also with the game studios Livesolutions, since they also have a version of craps.
Evolution is the biggest live casino provider in the world and sets the standard for live craps games. Their craps games are streamed from top studios with excellent video quality and professional dealers. They offer two versions: the classic live dealer craps and the faster, single-player First Person Craps.
In these games, you can place all the usual bets, and you’ll also find features like multiple camera angles and an in-game chat. They focus on creating a real casino experience, with smooth gameplay and basic rules. You’ll find Evolution’s craps tables at most online casinos that offer live dealer games.
Some notable Evolution live craps games include:
Livesolutions is a smaller studio than Evolution, but also offers a simple and clear live craps game. They focus on smooth gameplay rather than extra features. The video quality is good, and the dealer manages the game clearly and professionally.
In Livesolutions’ craps, all standard bets are covered, with a house edge typical for craps. While they don’t offer multiple camera angles or many interactive options, their game appeals to players who prefer traditional craps without distractions. You’ll usually find Livesolutions’ craps in large online casinos that cooperate with multiple software providers for their live dealer catalogue.
Here are some of Livesolutions’ most popular craps games:
It’s easy to get going on playing craps online. You can get a casino account registered and set up in a matter of minutes. Just follow these simple steps:
The first thing you need to do is decide on a casino to play at. Practically all Irish online casinos offer live games, so you can choose whichever you prefer. Our choice is Lucky7even, as they have a great selection of live dealer games, and also offer craps.
Once you’re at your chosen casino, in our case at Lucky7even, you’ll see a sign-up or registration button. Typically, this is prominently displayed, often in the upper right corner. Clicking this will open the registration form, which you need to complete in order to create your casino account.
After you’re signed up with the casino, you can navigate to the cashier, where you can select a payment method for your first deposit. You’ll find a list of various options, and you can choose the one you prefer. Enter the amount you want to deposit and then follow the on-screen instructions to complete the payment.
When your deposit is credited, you can start playing. So now, you can go to the casino’s live section. There, you might find a category that lists all dice games, and if so, this is the one you select. If not, you can easily go to the search field and type in ‘craps’ to see all results. Just note that this might also show RNG craps, so make sure you choose a live dealer version.
To select the game you want, simply click it. Then, it will load and open directly in your browser, no matter if you’re on a desktop or mobile. Once the game is opened, wait for the betting window, choose what you want to bet on, and how much you want to stake. You’ll use the virtual chips to place your bets on the pop-up table.
You can play for as long as you want, and when you’re done, you can request a withdrawal of your winnings. Go to the withdrawal page and choose the same payment method as you used for your deposit, as long as this is possible. Then, enter your cashout amount and confirm the withdrawal. Now, the casino will start processing it. Note that if you haven’t already, you’ll be asked to verify your account before your first withdrawal can be approved.
Playing craps well means more than just understanding the rules. You need some good strategies and smart habits to improve your chances for long-term success. Here, we’ll cover some popular betting systems, how to make the most of casino bonuses when playing craps, and why managing your bankroll matters.
To use a progressive betting strategy means that you change your bet size based on previous wins or losses. The most popular method is the Martingale system, where you double your bet after every loss. By doing this, one single win will recover all your previous losses and give you a small profit. This can work short-term, but is risky because you can reach table limits or run out of money.
Another strategy is the Paroli, where you increase bets after wins to make the most of a winning streak. This should also lower risks during losses. These systems don’t change the house edge but help you manage your bets more systematically. Always use progressive betting carefully, and don’t bet more than you can afford to lose.
Casino bonuses can add extra value, but not all bonuses can be used to play all games. Therefore, you need to check the bonus terms carefully to see if craps bets count towards wagering requirements. Some casinos restrict craps or give it a low wagering contribution rate.
If you find a live casino bonus that lets you use it on craps, it can boost your bankroll and give you more playtime. However, stay aware of wagering requirements and bet limits. Due to the max bet limits (typically €5), you won’t get much use out of a progressive betting strategy when playing with bonus funds.
Managing your bankroll is key if you want to stay in control while playing craps. You have to decide in advance how much money you want to spend, and then stick to that limit. Divide your bankroll into smaller bets and avoid putting it all on the table at once. Usually, it’s recommended not to bet more than 5% of your bankroll per game round, but if you use progressive strategies, you should start even lower, at 0.5% or 1%. This helps you play longer and reduces the chance of big losses in a short time.
Keep track of your wins and losses, and don’t chase losses by increasing bets recklessly. If you hit a losing streak, it’s better to take a break than risk more money. Good bankroll management means setting clear limits and stopping before you go too far into the red.
Not all craps games are the same, and picking the right one matters. Look for games with a low house edge, which means better odds for you. Check if the game offers common bets like Pass Line, Don’t Pass, and Odds bets, as these have a lower house edge than side bets.
But the most important aspect is that you find a version of craps that you enjoy. After all, online gambling is not just about the possibility of winning money; the main objective should be that you have fun.
No matter what kind of game you’re playing, it’s important that you play responsibly. This means that you play for the enjoyment of it, and not for any other reason. It’s also important that you never play for money you can’t afford to lose, and that you don’t let gambling get in the way of your overall well-being. Playing within limits you’re comfortable with is at the essence of responsible gambling.
Speaking of limits, all reputable online casinos with a gambling license offer limits that you can activate on your account. The basic ones are cool-off limits of self-exclusion, which allow you to either pause or close your account. Then, many offer limits for deposits, wagers, losses or sessions. These limits allow you to keep on playing at the casino, but not completely unrestricted. Using these kinds of limits is highly recommended for all players, even if you think you’re in control of your gambling habits.
Live casino craps gives you a way to enjoy a classic dice game with real dealers and real dice — online. Most live craps games use the basic rules, including the come-out roll, Pass bets and Odds bets. In essence, live craps is played exactly the same way as the game is played at a brick-and-mortar casino, except that it’s the dealer who’s the shooter, rolling the dice.
To succeed while playing craps online, you need to know the basic rules, and preferably also some of the most useful strategies, alongside proper bankroll management. With this, you can have fun at the tables, at the same time as you might win.
Unfortunately, there are very few game studios that stream live dealer craps, so the selection of these games isn’t too vast. But, you can find Evolution’s craps game at almost all casinos, and some will even feature craps by Livesolutions.
Eve Luneborg – Live Casino Specialist at LiveCasino.ie
Eve Luneborg has been part of the online casino industry since 2014, when she moved to the sunny shores of Malta to pursue her passion for gaming.
