Live Dealer Craps Is Finally Here

Live-dealer casinos offer a wide variety of games, including baccarat, blackjack, Caribbean stud, roulette, and more. Up until now, though, craps has been completely absent from live casinos.

This fact is strange when considering that craps is easily one of the most popular games in brick-and-mortar casinos. Finally, though, live dealer craps is here!

This page discusses what you can expect from live craps. It also explains the pros and cons to playing this new live-dealer game.

Craps Finally Makes Its Entrance into Live Casinos

Evolution Gaming has long been a leader in the live gaming industry. Not surprisingly, they’re also the first to experiment with craps in this space.

According to Evolution, certain players have been requesting this game for years. Evolution has literally decided to roll with this idea and unveil the first live-dealer craps game.

This developer’s version takes place in a speakeasy-style studio that’s complete with black-and-white photos and dated brick walls. That said, you’ll get more out of the experience than just the game itself.

It’s unclear if other live-dealer studios will jump into the mix with live craps. Assuming Evolution is successful, then other developers will most likely give this game a try.

What Is Live Dealer Craps Like?

If you’re well-versed in craps, then you shouldn’t face much trouble getting started with the live-dealer version. The latter works mostly the same as the land-based game—albeit with a couple of notable differences.

First off, you won’t be rolling the dice like at a physical table. Instead, an electronic device tosses the cubes.

The thought of an electronic arm rolling dice isn’t the most-exciting thought. But the device is more impartial than, say, if the house dealer were performing the toss.

Secondly, you’ll enjoy some assistance when placing wagers. The software highlights spots on the virtual board where you can put chips.

Again, you won’t experience much of an adjustment if you’ve played land-based or online craps. Even if you’re not very experienced with this game, you’ll enjoy a pressure-free learning environment.

Why Did It Take So Long for Live Casinos to Offer Craps?

Live-dealer gaming outfits are in the business of supplying games that players love. That said, they only feature games that they think will be hits.

Live casinos have had no problem offering baccarat, blackjack, and roulette across the board. They’ve added Caribbean stud, Let It Ride, Mississippi Stud, and three-card poker in recent years too.

For whatever reason, though, live sites haven’t felt comfortable offering craps. I can only speculate on why the live gaming industry has ignored craps. But here are two possible reasons:

Players don’t get an opportunity to roll the dice. Rolling the dice is a big part of craps. When you don’t get an opportunity to roll the bones, it takes a lot of fun out of the game.
Live craps doesn’t translate perfectly to the online realm. the craps table’s atmosphere is a big bonus. Players often bet on the shooter (pass line, don’t pass line) to win.

Given that they’re betting together, they also cheer with each other when the shooter wins. The same camaraderie is nowhere to be found when it comes to live craps.

Regardless of how Evolution Gaming felt about craps before, though, they’ve pushed these feelings aside and have ventured into new territory.

Pros of Live Dealer Craps

Live craps boasts unique advantages when compared to the land-based version. You’ll benefit from the following perks when playing this game in live-dealer casinos. But everything isn’t better about live craps. After reading this section, make sure to check out the cons section below.

Enjoy Live Craps through Your Phone

Up until now, craps had only been available in two forms:

Land-based casinos
Online casinos

The latter used to be the sole way to play this game through your smartphone. Of course, virtual online craps just isn’t the same as playing in brick-and-mortar casinos.

Live-dealer craps helps remedy this problem to some degree. You still get the land-based feeling without needing to leave your home.

Place Smaller Minimum Bets

Brick-and-mortar casinos typically require you to place a minimum bet worth $5 or $10, and in some places it’s $20 or higher. Live craps, on the other hand, only requires either a $1 or $5 minimum wager.

Of course, you may like betting more in hopes of winning larger payouts anyways. But if you’re a low roller, you’ll appreciate the smaller minimum bets in the live version. And when you keep your wagers small, you limit how much you can lose in a playing session.

Learn the Live Game Without the Pressure

Craps is one of the most-intimidating games to learn in brick-and-mortar casinos. It features a myriad of bets and several superstitions that you’re expected to understand.

As an example of the latter, you’re not supposed to say “seven” at the table. Many players consider mentioning seven to be bad luck and will get annoyed at you for saying it.

In any case, you may feel too intimidated to even play craps in a land-based setting. If so, you’ll find live craps to be an easier place to learn.

First off, the software will indicate where you can place wagers. It highlights available spaces where you put your chips.
Secondly, you don’t need to worry about violating any unspoken superstitions. You can say seven as much as you want when playing on your smartphone.

Cons of Live Dealer Craps

Craps is definitely bringing a unique experience to live-dealer gaming. As you’ll see below, though, the live version does have its drawbacks. These drawbacks aren’t going to keep everyone from enjoying live dealer craps, but you do need to be aware of them.

You Don’t Get to Roll the Dice

Craps presents a unique opportunity in comparison to other casino games. It allows you to physically handle the dice and determine the outcome with a round.

Of course, casinos require you to hit the backstop with dice to randomize the roll. Nevertheless, it’s fun to toss the cubes with your money riding on the line.

Unfortunately, live-dealer craps takes this fun element out of the equation. Given that you can’t physically be at the table, an electronic device rolls the dice.

You may still appreciate live craps even without the ability to toss the cubs. But you’ll find it a little less entertaining than when you can physically complete the roll.

This also eliminates the possibility of controlled shooting. Of course, there’s some question as to whether or not controlled shooting is even real.

Available on a Limited Basis

Unlike many other live casino games, craps is only available in limited quantity. Evolution Gaming is the sole provider that’s offering this game.

Of course, Evolution is the most popular provider in the live-dealer space. Therefore, many casinos will provide live craps.

On the other hand, though, Evolution Gaming is far from the only developer out there. Many other live-dealer outfits will take a wait-and-see approach on if they’ll also feature live craps.

Nothing Replaces Land-Based Craps

Neither traditional online craps nor the live version can replace what brick-and-mortar casinos offer. The latter not only gives you the chance to roll dice but also revel in the atmosphere.

Again, many gamblers like wagering on the shooter. This aspect creates a team-like atmosphere where everybody rejoices when the shooter wins.

You may celebrate wildly at home when playing through your phone. However, you can’t replicate what it’s like to play at a brick-and-mortar casino when sitting on your couch.

Conclusion

The live-gaming scene used to completely ignore craps. Finally, though, live casinos will begin offering craps alongside other hits like baccarat, blackjack, and roulette.

The jury is out on whether live-dealer craps will be a success. After all, it lacks certain elements that make the land-based version a hit. Namely, you can’t cheer with other players or roll the dice yourself.

But according to Evolution Gaming, players have been requesting live craps for years. That said, this game should enjoy a following and experience some level of success.