Craps is a game of pure energy and excitement. In a land-based casino, the craps table is a loud, boisterous hub where players cheer and groan in unison. Evolution Gaming has captured this vibrant atmosphere and brought it to the online world with its Live Craps game. For a first-time player, the vast array of betting options on the table can seem overwhelming, but a simple Evolution Gaming craps strategy can make it accessible and thrilling. This guide will reveal how to win at live craps by focusing on the live craps best bets and delving into the highly effective craps pass line strategy for both beginners and seasoned players.
The craps table might look like a complex grid of numbers and phrases, but for most players, only a few key areas are essential. The game is centered around a "shooter," a player who rolls two dice. All players at the table bet on the outcome of the roll. The game is split into two phases: the "Come-Out" roll and the "Point" phase. The Come-Out Roll is the first roll of a new round. If the shooter rolls a 7 or 11, the "Pass Line" bets win. If they roll a 2, 3, or 12 (called "Craps"), the Pass Line bets lose. If any other number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10) is rolled, that number becomes the "Point." The Point Phase begins once a Point is established, and the goal is for the shooter to roll that number again before a 7 is rolled. If the Point is rolled, all Pass Line bets win. If a 7 is rolled, all Pass Line bets lose, and the round ends. Evolution Gaming’s platform streamlines this process with a user-friendly interface. It includes an "Easy Mode" for new players that highlights only the simplest, low house edge bets, making it much less intimidating than a physical table.
The first rule of any successful Evolution Gaming craps strategy is to stick to the bets with the lowest house edge. These are the bets that give you the best chance of winning over time. They form the core of any professional player's approach. The Pass Line and Don't Pass Line are the most fundamental bets in craps and the foundation of the craps pass line strategy. The Pass Line bet has a house edge of just 1.41%. The Don't Pass Line bet, which is the opposite of the Pass Line, has an even lower house edge of 1.36%. Betting the Pass Line is often called "betting with the shooter," while betting the Don't Pass Line is "betting against the shooter." The Come and Don't Come bets work just like the Pass Line and Don't Pass Line, but they can be placed any time after a Point has been established. They are essentially a way to create a new, personal Point on a different number. Their house edge is also very low, at 1.41% and 1.36% respectively. Taking and Laying Odds is the absolute best bet in craps, as it has a house edge of 0%. The "Odds" bet is an additional wager you can make after a Pass Line or Come bet has been placed and a Point has been established. The casino pays out at "true odds" on these bets, meaning they do not have a built-in advantage. This is the single most important secret for anyone looking to understand how to win at live craps.
The simplest and most effective Evolution Gaming craps strategy for a beginner is to focus exclusively on the Pass Line with Odds. This approach minimizes risk, simplifies the game, and gives you the best statistical chance of winning. Start by placing a bet on the Pass Line. This is your foundation. Wait for the Come-Out roll to establish a Point (any number other than 7, 11, 2, 3, or 12). Once a Point is set, immediately place an Odds bet behind your Pass Line bet. Evolution's platform makes this easy by allowing you to take "full odds," a multiple of your original bet (typically 3x, 4x, or 5x, depending on the casino). This is a crucial step to reduce the overall house edge of your wager to almost zero. Wait for the shooter to either roll the Point number again or a 7. If the Point is rolled, you win both your Pass Line and your Odds bets. If a 7 is rolled, you lose both. This simple, two-step process—Pass Line and Odds—is the backbone of any sound craps strategy. It is the perfect starting point for new players to learn the game's rhythm without getting bogged down in complex, high-risk bets.
For those who have mastered the basics and want to increase their betting action, a few more advanced strategies can be integrated into your gameplay. The Come Bet with Odds: After establishing a Pass Line bet and a Point, you can place a "Come" bet to get more action on the board. This works exactly like the Pass Line bet, creating a new Point on a different number. You can then also take Odds on your Come bet, again reducing the house edge. This strategy, sometimes called the "Come Bet Craps Strategy," allows you to have multiple active bets at once, increasing your chances of a payout on a good roll. The Iron Cross Strategy: This is a popular system that aims to win on almost every roll. It involves placing a combination of bets on the Field, the 5, 6, and 8. The goal is to cover all possible dice outcomes except for a 7. The strategy is to place a Place bet on the 5, 6, and 8, and a Field bet. The Field bet covers 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, and 12. If a 7 is rolled, you lose all your bets. While this strategy covers many numbers, the bets have a higher house edge than the Pass Line/Come bets, and you are always at risk of losing a significant amount on a single 7. It is a high-risk, high-reward approach. The 3-Point Molly: A more conservative advanced strategy that provides solid table coverage. You start with a Pass Line bet with Odds. After a Point is established, you make a Come bet with Odds. Once that bet has a Point, you make a third Come bet with Odds. This puts three of your bets on three different numbers, protecting you from a 7-out by increasing your chances of winning on a good roll.
Just as important as knowing the live craps best bets is knowing which ones to avoid. These are often called "sucker bets" because they have a very high house edge and are designed to quickly drain your bankroll. Any Seven is a one-roll bet that pays 4:1 if a 7 is rolled on the next throw. With a house edge of 16.67%, it is one of the worst bets on the table. Hardways are bets on specific pairs (e.g., Hard 4, Hard 6, Hard 8, Hard 10) that must be rolled as a pair before a 7 or an "easy way" is rolled. The house edge on these bets is high, ranging from 9% to 11%. Craps Numbers (2, 3, 12) are one-roll bets on these numbers. They offer high payouts but are extremely unlikely to hit. The house edge is typically over 11%.
Mastering how to win at live craps on Evolution's platform is not about complex, unproven systems. It's about disciplined betting and a deep understanding of the odds. For the beginner, the craps pass line strategy of betting Pass Line with full Odds is the most effective and safest way to play. For the pro, integrating Come bets with Odds allows for a more dynamic game while keeping the house edge at a minimum. Remember to always manage your bankroll and, most importantly, avoid the high-house edge bets that will inevitably lead to losses. By sticking to these principles, you can enjoy the electrifying experience of craps while giving yourself the best possible chance of walking away a winner.
The "Odds" bet is the best bet in craps because it has a 0% house edge. You can only place it as an additional wager after a Pass Line, Don't Pass, Come, or Don't Come bet has established a Point.
The Pass Line strategy involves placing a Pass Line bet before the Come-Out roll, and then taking a full Odds bet once a Point is established. This is the simplest strategy with a very low house edge.
You should avoid "sucker bets" with a high house edge, such as Any Seven, Any Craps, or Hardways. These bets pay well but have a high probability of losing in the long run.
Evolution Gaming's Live Craps follows the standard rules of the game. The key difference is the user interface, which makes it easier for new players to understand the betting options and see real-time statistics.
Yes, while the base payout on a Pass Line bet is 1:1, by taking full Odds, you increase your potential payout on a single roll. When combined with a good shooter's long roll, this can lead to significant winnings.
