Walk onto any bustling casino floor, and you will inevitably be drawn to the loudest, most energetic table—the one surrounded by a crowd cheering, groaning, and high-fiving in unison. This is the world of Craps. More than just a game, it is a communal experience, a high-octane spectacle of luck and camaraderie. While it feels quintessentially American, a cornerstone of the Las Vegas experience, the roots of this iconic dice game stretch back centuries to the castles of medieval Europe. This article traces the incredible Craps history, from its complex ancestor, Hazard, to its transformation in the New World into the beloved casino classic it is today.
Origins of Hazard
The story of Craps begins with a much older and more complicated English dice game called Hazard. The precise origins of Hazard are debated among historians, but it rose to prominence in England during the High Middle Ages, with mentions appearing in literature as early as the 14th century, including Geoffrey Chaucer’s “The Canterbury Tales.” It was a wildly popular game of chance played by knights, nobles, and commoners alike in taverns and courts.
One popular legend attributes its invention to Sir William of Tyre and his knights during the Crusades in the 12th century, who supposedly played it to pass the time during the siege of a castle named Hazarth or Asart. A more linguistically sound theory suggests the name derives from the Arabic word “az-zahr,” meaning “the die,” which was likely introduced to Europe through Moorish influence in Spain.
The rules of Hazard were notoriously complex. A player, the “caster,” would throw two dice to establish a “main point” (a number from 5 to 9). They would then throw again to try and match that number, winning the round. However, there were numerous immediate winning and losing numbers on both throws, known as “nicks” and “outs,” making the game difficult for newcomers to grasp. Despite its complexity, Hazard was the dominant dice game in England for centuries and the undisputed foundation upon which Craps was built.
Craps in France and Colonial America
As with many cultural trends, the English game of Hazard crossed the channel and found a new home in the lavish gambling parlors of 17th and 18th-century France. The French aristocracy embraced the game but, over time, began to simplify its convoluted rules. In this refined French version, the lowest possible losing roll in Hazard, a roll of two (snake eyes) or three, was known as “crabs.”
This simplified version of Hazard journeyed to the New World with wealthy French colonialists and settlers. A prominent figure often credited with this introduction is the nobleman and politician Bernard de Marigny, who brought the game to the vibrant, multicultural hub of New Orleans, Louisiana, in the early 19th century.
Here, the game moved from aristocratic salons to the streets and back alleys. The name’s final transformation is a subject of fascinating linguistic folklore. The French term “crabs” likely evolved into the anglicized “Craps.” Another popular theory suggests the name came from the way players would crouch over sidewalks or floors to play, resembling toads. The French word for toad, “crapaud,” was used as a derogatory nickname for the street players, which eventually became shortened to Craps.
Evolution into Modern Craps
It was in the bustling, unregulated gambling environment of 19th-century America that Craps truly came into its own. The game became a staple on the Mississippi riverboats, where professional gamblers and hustlers further stripped away the complexities of old-world Hazard, creating a faster, more accessible game for a broader audience. The core Pass and Don’t Pass betting structure began to take shape during this era.
However, this simplified “street craps” had a major flaw: it was highly susceptible to cheating with fixed or loaded dice, as players were only betting “with” the shooter to win. This problem was definitively solved by an American dice maker named John H. Winn around 1907. He is often called the “Father of Modern Craps” for his revolutionary contributions. Winn updated the table layout and, most importantly, introduced the “Don’t Pass” bet. This allowed players to bet *against* the shooter, making the use of fixed dice irrelevant, as a cheater could just as easily lose as win. This innovation legitimized Craps as a fair casino game and is the foundation of the version we play today.
Craps in American Casinos
With John H. Winn’s standardized rules, Craps was perfectly positioned for the rise of legal casino gambling in the 20th century. When Nevada legalized gambling in 1931, Craps quickly became a star attraction in the nascent casinos of Las Vegas. Its fast pace, multiple betting options, and, most importantly, its social and participatory nature made it a hit. Unlike games like Blackjack, where players compete individually against the dealer, Craps created a sense of “us against the house,” with everyone at the table often winning or losing together on the shooter’s roll.
The game’s popularity was further cemented during World War II. American soldiers from all walks of life played street craps with blankets as their tables to pass the time overseas. They brought their love for the game back home after the war, introducing it to a new generation and solidifying its place in American culture. It became synonymous with the glamour and excitement of Las Vegas and Atlantic City.
Rules and Mechanics
While the Craps table can look intimidating with its myriad of betting options, the basic gameplay is quite straightforward.
- The Come-out Roll: The first roll of a new round by the “shooter.” If the shooter rolls a 7 or 11, bets on the “Pass Line” win immediately. If a 2, 3, or 12 is rolled (this is “craps”), Pass Line bets lose.
- The Point: If the shooter rolls any other number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10), that number becomes the “point.”
- Winning/Losing: The shooter must now roll the “point” number again *before* rolling a 7. If they succeed, Pass Line bets win. If a 7 is rolled first, they “seven out,” and Pass Line bets lose, ending the round.
This simple Pass Line bet has one of the lowest house advantages in the entire casino, making it a very popular wager. Beyond this, players can make dozens of other bets on specific numbers or combinations, each with different odds and payouts.
Craps Today
Today, Craps remains a potent symbol of the classic “Vegas Experience.” It represents the pinnacle of social casino gaming—a loud, exciting, and communal adventure. While it may not have as many tables as Blackjack, the tables it does have are almost always the most lively on the floor.
The game has also successfully transitioned into the digital age. Online Craps is offered at virtually every internet casino, using a Random Number Generator to simulate the dice rolls. More recently, Live Dealer Craps has emerged, streaming a real game with real dealers and dice, bringing the social energy of the casino table directly to players’ screens. While some minor rule variations exist, the game developed by John H. Winn over a century ago remains the global standard.
Conclusion
The journey of Craps is a remarkable story of evolution, a game that traveled from the castles of medieval crusaders to the parlors of French nobles, down the Mississippi on riverboats, and finally onto the dazzling floors of Las Vegas. It is a perfect bridge between ancient gambling traditions and high-energy modern casino entertainment. Each roll of the dice carries with it centuries of history, transforming a simple game of chance into a true casino icon.
FAQs
Where did Craps originate?
Craps originated from a medieval English dice game called Hazard, which dates back to at least the 14th century. This game was later simplified in France and brought to America by French settlers in New Orleans, where it evolved into the modern game of Craps.
What is the connection between Hazard and Craps?
Hazard is the direct ancestor of Craps. Craps is essentially a heavily simplified version of Hazard. It adopted the core mechanic of establishing a “point” number with two dice and then trying to roll it again before rolling a specific losing number (in Craps, a 7).
Why is it called Craps?
The most widely accepted theory is that the name evolved from the French word “crabs,” which was a term for the lowest losing rolls in the parent game of Hazard. Another popular theory suggests it comes from the French word “crapaud” (toad), used to describe the way early street players would crouch to play on the ground.
Is Craps a game of skill or pure luck?
Craps is a game of pure luck. There is no skill or strategy that can influence the outcome of the dice roll. The only element of player choice lies in which bets to make, with some bets offering a lower house advantage than others. However, the result of each roll is completely random.