History of Craps
| Updated: How Craps Came to Be
Craps is a table game in which players predict the outcome of rolling a pair of dice. It easily ranks among the most popular games of chance, alongside roulette, and is played by thousands of people in both online and retail casinos.
This immense popularity can be explained by the large number of betting options available and the game’s fast-paced action. Craps is played at a rapid pace, and because money tends to change hands quickly, the tables typically attract large crowds of excited players and spectators. But where did craps originate, and how did it become one of the most widely played casino games of all time? Read the following article to find out.
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“Rolling the Bones” in Ancient Rome
Tracing the origins of craps is challenging, but there is evidence suggesting that a similar game was played as early as the Ancient Roman Empire. Of course, dice as we know them today did not exist at the time. Soldiers from the Roman legions reportedly collected pig knuckles, which they carved into small cubes and tossed on their upturned shields. This practice is said to be the origin of the term “rolling the bones,” which is still used at contemporary craps tables.
Historical accounts also suggest that slaves in the Roman Empire played games similar to craps, using nutshells, clay, or animal teeth to craft their “dice.” More privileged citizens used expensive materials such as gold, ivory, silver, and porcelain for their dice instead.
The Evolution of Craps in the Middle Ages
Many believe that craps as we know it today originated from an old Arabic game called “azzahr,” which roughly translates as “the die.” Other theories, however, suggest that craps resulted from the simplification of “hazard,” a game played in England during the Crusades.
According to one account, hazard was invented by an English nobleman named Sir William of Tyre, who played it with his knights to pass the time while they waited for an opportunity to besiege the castle of Hazarth. The dice game of hazard began to spread throughout Europe, and its popularity increased dramatically, especially in France and England, where members of the aristocracy played it.
However, it was not until the beginning of the 18th century that the formal rules for playing hazard were outlined by French mathematician Pierre Remond de Montmort in his book on mathematical probabilities, Essay d’analyse sur les jeux de hazard, or Analysis of Games of Chance.
Craps Travels to the New World
At the turn of the 18th century, the dice game crossed the ocean with the French, who established the colony of Acadia in present-day Nova Scotia, Canada. Half a century later, in 1755, France lost control of Acadia, and the descendants of the French settlers, known as Cajuns or Acadians, were forced to relocate to Louisiana. The Cajuns spoke a distinct French dialect, and playing dice games such as “crebs,” as they called it, formed a significant part of their culture. Having adopted the game from their French forebears, they spread it throughout Louisiana, and “crebs” quickly reached the port city of New Orleans.
Other theories suggest that a French nobleman, Bernard de Marigny, brought the modern version of the game to New Orleans after returning from England. Craps traveled up the Mississippi River on steamboats and quickly spread throughout the United States.
Some argue that craps was brought to America by the first English settlers who crossed the Atlantic on the Mayflower. It is possible that both the French and the English brought their own variations of the dice game to the New World, with each group introducing its own terms and rules of play.
By the mid-19th century, the name “craps” had become prevalent. Craps was played in the streets, where players used stair stoops and curbs as backstops for the dice. The game continued to evolve as more terms and rules were established. For instance, when players tossed a losing roll of the dice, resulting in 2, 3, or 12, they referred to it as “rolling craps” or “crapping out.” Both terms remain in use today. Toward the end of the 19th century, the “table off” rule was introduced and quickly adopted by many gambling establishments in the United States. What began as “hazard” was gradually transformed into the simpler and more dynamic dice game played today.
The House Gains the Upper Hand
As noted earlier, many theories suggest that French nobleman Bernard de Marigny introduced the modern version of craps to 19th-century New Orleans. Regardless of whether this account is accurate, this early version was considered “flawed” because the rules outlined by de Marigny gave craps players a significant edge over the house. The rules also created opportunities for cheating.
De Marigny’s version was flawed because its betting structure enabled players to exploit the house. Participants could also attempt to avoid losing tosses by “loading” the dice so that specific numbers were rolled repeatedly. Needless to say, gambling establishments in the United States and elsewhere could not tolerate this practice.
American dice maker John H. Winn set out to correct the flaws in de Marigny’s version. In 1907, Winn developed the rules of craps further by allowing players at the table to bet either for or against the dice shooter. In other words, Winn introduced the “Don’t Pass” bet, which earned him the title of “Father of Modern Craps”. Winn’s ideas also contributed to improvements in the table layout through the addition of the “Don’t Pass” grid. Players could now bet with or against the shooter, which effectively reduced the advantage gained from using loaded dice.
Craps Takes Over Las Vegas
The popularity of craps skyrocketed in the 1930s when gambling was legalized in Nevada. In fact, the legalization of gambling in Nevada significantly contributed to the popularity of casino games in general. Enthusiastic players flooded the tables in Las Vegas gambling venues, helping craps become one of the most popular casino games of all time.
Another factor that contributed to the game’s spread around the world was World War II. Many soldiers mastered the dice game and played it recreationally on their army blankets to pass the time. Because street curbs were no longer available as backstops, other methods of controlling the dice were invented, including the so-called “Army-blanket roll.” After World War II ended, soldiers carried the game around the world.
Today, craps is played in casinos around the globe and remains hugely popular in gambling destinations such as Las Vegas and Atlantic City. Contemporary craps tables are typically designed to accommodate up to sixteen players, and two dice are used. “Pass Line” bets are the most popular wagers in the game because they have the lowest house advantage, which stands at 1.4%. Players have developed hundreds of strategies and betting systems in an attempt to beat the house. What began as a game of “hazard” has evolved into one of the world’s most social and iconic table games.
Craps Goes Online
Technological advancements over the last two decades led to the launch of online casinos, allowing craps enthusiasts worldwide to enjoy their favorite dice game from the comfort of their homes. Players can now choose from a wide range of online craps variations developed by leading software suppliers in the industry.
Online craps games provide an immersive experience through high-quality graphics and ambient sound effects. They also allow beginners to learn the game by testing various strategies, exploring the available betting options, and playing at their own pace. A new generation of online craps players has emerged, further boosting the popularity of this ancient yet modern dice game.