Evolution Live Craps: How the Game Works and Where It Launched
How the first online live craps game works, from Easy Mode to the speakeasy studio
Evolution built the first online live craps game and gave the old dice table a fresh start. It runs from a speakeasy style studio and comes with tools that help beginners. Craps has a reputation for being hard to follow, so those tools matter.
This guide explains how Evolution Live Craps works, which features it offers and where it has launched. It also covers the basic rules and the odds on each bet, so you know what you are playing.
What Is Evolution Live Craps?
Evolution announced Live Craps in November 2020 and called it the world’s first online live craps game. The table sits in an underground, speakeasy style studio. The look is old school, but the technology is modern.
The game keeps the traditional rules of craps. You predict the outcome of a roll of two dice. However, Evolution added digital tools that land-based casinos do not offer.
Evolution says craps was the most requested new game from players and operators for years. The company’s Chief Product Officer, Todd Haushalter, described it simply:
Todd Haushalter, Chief Product Officer, Evolution
Evolution is a Swedish company that was founded in 2006. It is listed in Stockholm and holds a licence from the Malta Gaming Authority. Our Evolution Gaming review covers the full live casino range.
Live Craps at a Glance
| Developer | Evolution |
| Game type | Live dealer craps |
| Studio theme | Underground speakeasy |
| Announced | 12 November 2020 |
| US launch | Pennsylvania and New Jersey in 2022, Michigan in May 2023 |
| Beginner tools | Easy Mode, interactive tutorial and My Numbers display |
| RNG version | First Person Craps |
| Table limits | Set by each casino |
Features That Make Craps Easier
Craps looks busy at first glance. The table has many bet spots, and each one pays differently. Evolution designed several tools to cut through that.
Easy Mode
Easy Mode swaps the full betting grid for a smaller one. It keeps only the bets that are easiest to understand. As a result, new players are not faced with dozens of options at once.
Interactive tutorial
A short tutorial explains how the game works. It also shows what each bet does. You can read it before you place your first chip.
My Numbers
Each possible dice total gets its own display. The display shows the number you need and the payouts it can return. In addition, you see your potential winnings for the next throw, and they update constantly.
Dynamic statistics
Boards on the studio wall update as players place bets. You can see how many other players back the same number. This adds some of the buzz you would get at a busy land-based table.
How Craps Works in Simple Terms
The first roll of a round is called the come-out roll. Most beginners start with the pass line bet. It follows three simple steps:
- A 7 or 11 on the come-out roll wins.
- A 2, 3 or 12 loses. This is called craps.
- Any other number becomes the point. The shooter keeps rolling until the point repeats (you win) or a 7 appears (you lose).
The don’t pass bet works in reverse. It wins on a 2 or 3 and loses on a 7 or 11. A 12 is a tie. After a point is set, it wins if a 7 comes before the point.
The shooter is the person rolling the dice. In an online game, you are betting on the outcome rather than throwing the dice yourself.
Craps Bets and the House Edge
The house edge shows how much a casino keeps on average from each bet. A lower number is better for you. These figures come from the maths of the game, so they stay the same on any craps table.
| Bet | House edge | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Pass line | 1.41% | Beginners |
| Don’t pass | 1.36% | Players who bet against the shooter |
| Odds bet (after a point) | 0% | Adding value to a line bet |
| Any 7 | 16.67% | Avoid if you want longer play |
The odds bet has no house edge because it pays true odds. You can only place it after a point is set, and it must back a line bet. The casino sets the maximum odds you can take.
Single roll bets such as Any 7 are tempting because they pay fast. However, they cost far more over time. Most careful players keep these to a minimum.
First Person Craps: The RNG Version
Evolution also released First Person Craps. It uses a random number generator instead of a live table. The game is built from 3D graphics that copy the speakeasy studio.
It includes the same tutorial and My Numbers display as the live game. Evolution pitched it as an easy way to learn before you play for real.
A GO LIVE button sits in the interface. One click takes you through an in-game portal to the live table. This is a smart way to move from practice to real play.
You can often try the RNG game in demo mode before you commit any money. Always confirm that you are over the legal gambling age first.
Where Live Craps Is Available
Live Craps launched in Europe first. Evolution then took it to the US, where it went live in Pennsylvania and New Jersey in 2022. Michigan followed on 16 May 2023.
Evolution did not name the casinos in those announcements. Availability depends on the casino you use and your location. Therefore, check the live casino lobby before you register.
Many online casinos with Evolution tables list craps among their live games. Our William Hill Casino review shows one brand with a live casino powered by Evolution. Our guide to online casinos in the USA explains which states allow online play.
Evolution has also grown by buying other studios. It announced plans to acquire the slot developer Big Time Gaming in 2021. You can read the original acquisition news and our Big Time Gaming guide for more.
Live Craps vs First Person Craps
Evolution offers two ways to play. Each suits a different type of player. The table below shows the main differences.
| Feature | Live Craps | First Person Craps |
|---|---|---|
| Format | Live dealer studio | RNG with 3D graphics |
| Setting | Speakeasy studio | Animated copy of the studio |
| Tutorial | Yes | Yes |
| My Numbers display | Yes | Yes |
| Other players | Shared table with live stats | Solo play |
| Switch to the other version | Not needed | GO LIVE button |
Beginners often start with the RNG game. They learn the bets at their own pace. Then they move to the live table once the rules feel familiar.
Why Evolution Added Craps
Evolution already ran live blackjack, roulette and baccarat. Craps was the missing land-based classic. The company said that adding it completed the range of games you find on a casino floor.
Craps also suits online play well. The game is social and fast, and the digital tools remove the confusion. As a result, it can appeal to players who would never walk up to a busy craps table.
Evolution lists its dice games together on its own site, under Live Craps and Dice. This shows how seriously the company treats the category.
Operators benefit too. A craps table gives them a game that rivals the other live classics. Players who enjoy dice games now have a high quality option without leaving home.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Easy Mode simplifies the betting grid | Not every casino offers the game |
| Interactive tutorial for new players | Table limits differ by casino |
| My Numbers shows payouts clearly | Side bets carry a high house edge |
| RNG version for practice | Fewer players than at a land-based table |
Tips for New Craps Players
Start slowly. Craps moves fast, and it is easy to lose track of your balance. A few simple habits help:
- Use Easy Mode for your first sessions.
- Stick to the pass line or don’t pass bet while you learn.
- Add an odds bet once you feel comfortable.
- Avoid single roll side bets.
- Set a budget before you join the table.
Live dealer games work differently from slots, so a quick read of our live dealer gaming tips helps. If you enjoy dice games in general, our piece on digital dice games adds some context.
There are many new and exciting things happening in the iGaming industry, and Evolution is at the forefront. Players looking for fresh online gaming experiences now have a modern way to play a classic.
FAQs
Who created Evolution Live Craps?
Evolution created it. The company announced the game in November 2020 and called it the world’s first online live craps game.
Is there an easy way to learn craps online?
Yes. Easy Mode shows a smaller betting grid. The interactive tutorial also explains each bet before you play.
What is First Person Craps?
It is the RNG version of the game. It uses 3D graphics and a GO LIVE button that takes you to the live table.
Which bet has the lowest house edge?
The odds bet has no house edge. The pass line and don’t pass bets are the lowest edge bets you can place without it.
Is Live Craps available in the US?
Yes. It went live in Pennsylvania and New Jersey in 2022 and in Michigan in May 2023. Availability depends on the casino.
What does the My Numbers display do?
It shows the number you need and the payouts it can return. It also shows your potential winnings for the next throw.
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