Craps TipsBeginner Craps Tips

Read more about the
Las Vegas 2024 Super
Bowl Streaker!

Be clever, play brilliant, and learn how to play craps the correct way!

Dice and dice games date all the way back to the Crusades, but modern craps is only about a century old. Current craps evolved from the 12th Century Anglo game referred to as Hazard. No one knows for sure the origin of the game, however Hazard is believed to have been invented by the Englishman, Sir William of Tyre, around the 12th century. It is believed that Sir William’s paladins wagered on Hazard during a siege on the castle Hazarth in 1125 AD. The name Hazard was derived from the castle’s name.

Early French colonists brought the game Hazard to Nova Scotia. In the 18th century, when displaced by the English, the French relocated south and discovered safety in southern Louisiana where they after a while became known as Cajuns. When they were driven out of Acadia, they brought their favored game, Hazard, with them. The Cajuns streamlined the game and made it mathematically fair. It’s believed that the Cajuns changed the name to craps, which was acquired from the term for the losing throw of two in the game of Hazard, referred to as "crabs."

From Louisiana, the game migrated to the Mississippi riverboats and across the nation. A great many think the dice builder John H. Winn as the creator of modern craps. In 1907, Winn developed the current craps layout. He appended the Do not Pass line so players could bet on the dice to lose. At another time, he established the spots for Place bets and added the Big 6, Big 8, and Hardways.