A Brief History of Craps

By Mike J. Davies Editor in Chief at Casinos.US Updated: 08/11/2023

Mike J. Davies Editor in Chief at Casinos.US See Full Bio

Mike is our Senior Editor and experienced gambling strategist. A former hockey player, he transitioned to the casino industry after finishing his B.A. in English. Blackjack systems, online casino guides, gambling terms, and more – Mike is familiar with all fine points of gambling.

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History of Craps

• Craps History: A Brief Overview
• Unearthing the Origin of Craps
• How to Play Craps
• Craps’ Legal Status: A Look at US Legislation
• Craps: Payouts, Odds, and RTPs
• Strategies in Craps: A Historical Perspective
• Frequently Asked Questions

Craps, a game of chance and strategy, has been a staple in casinos for centuries. This dice game, where players place bet on the outcome of a roll of two dice, has a rich history that spans continents and cultures. From its origins in the Roman Empire to its modern-day popularity in online and brick-and-mortar casinos, the game of craps has evolved and adapted to the changing times.

Today, we’re going to look at the history of craps, how you can play craps online for real money, how the game evolved, and why it’s so popular at casinos today. Why is craps called craps? Who invented craps? We’ll answer these questions and more.

Craps History: A Brief Overview

Craps has a complex and interesting history. Its origins can be traced back to the Roman Empire, where soldiers would toss pig knuckles onto their shields, a practice that saw the phrase “to roll the bones” created. Naturally, the game evolved over time, with influences from the Old English game Hazard and the Arab game Azzahr.

When historians studied craps history, they found that it started to gain popularity in Europe during the Middle Ages, and by the 1700s, it had become something of a go-to game among noble British families. It was eventually taken to the US by English settlers and French immigrants, where it saw several changes before becoming the game we know today as craps.

Unearthing the Origin of Craps

The origins of craps go back a long time, with some historians claiming that the game actually dates back to the Roman Empire. According to these historians, soldiers in Roman legions would play with pig knuckles, tossing them onto their shields. This is believed to be the earliest form of the game craps, although it’s worth noting that not all historians agree with this hypothesis.

One of the biggest influences in the evolution of craps was a British game called Hazard. According to historians, Hazard was created by a man called Sir William of Tyre, an English noble, and his knights during the Crusades in 1125 AD. It was a popular game, both with troops and the English aristocracy, and it was played for centuries before its rules were officially established by Montmort in the 1700s.

However, Hazard isn’t the only ancient game that influenced craps. It also has close ties to Azzahr – an Arabian game – which, like Hazard, was popular during the Middle Ages.

The early game of craps spread rapidly across Europe and became particularly popular in England – and as a result, it was mentioned frequently in books and works by medieval author Geoffrey Chaucer. He noted how popular the game was becoming and wrote about it in more than seven different publications.

By the late 1600s and early 1700s, the game of Hazard had made its way to the luxurious gambling houses of England, and it was one of the most common games played by royalty and aristocrats. Interestingly, the term “crabs” was used to denote the roll of the lowest value in the game, and most experts believe that this term eventually gave the game its modern name.

The final chapter of the origins of craps was when settlers arriving on the Mayflower landed in Louisiana. They are believed to have taught the game’s rules to those who took them in, and over the following centuries it underwent a few changes, before becoming the game we know and love today. Craps is now one of the most popular casino games in the world, and it’s found at both land-based and American online casinos.

How to Play Craps

Craps, while appearing complex at first, can be quickly mastered with a little practice and a basic understanding of the rules. The game is usually played on a specially designed table, which features a variety of betting areas for players to place their chips.

At the core of the game is a pair of dice. The person who throws the dice is called the shooter. Gameplay begins with the shooter making a “come out” roll. If they roll a 7 or 11, all “Pass Line” bets (those betting that the shooter will win) are won. If the shooter rolls a 2, 3, or 12 (also known as “craps”), all Pass Line bets lose, and the dice are passed to the next player. If the shooter rolls any other number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10), that number becomes the “point”.

Once a point has been established, the objective for the shooter is to roll the point number again before rolling a 7. If they do so, Pass Line bets win. If a 7 is rolled before the point, all Pass Line bets lose, and the dice are passed to the next player.

There are many other types of bets in craps, including “Don’t Pass” bets, which are essentially the opposite of Pass Line bets, “Come” and “Don’t Come” bets, and various one-roll bets. Each of these carries its own odds and rules, adding extra layers to the game, and, of course, different bet options with varying odds and payouts.

Craps’ Legal Status: A Look at US Legislation

Craps, much like other forms of gambling, has a complicated legal status in the United States, owing to the country’s diverse and often complex state-specific laws. As is the case with pretty much all casino games in the US, the legality of craps depends entirely on the state it’s played in. However, it hasn’t always been that way, and when looking at craps history, you’ll notice there were long periods where it was completely illegal in the States.

Why? Because, historically, gambling was widely considered illegal across the United States. That started to change, however, in the 20th century. The state of Nevada was the first to legalize gambling back in 1931, with Las Vegas eventually growing into the bustling casino hub we know today. Following suit, New Jersey legalized gambling in Atlantic City in 1978. These two states carved out a niche for themselves, attracting millions of tourists each year to their luxurious casinos, where craps has always been somewhat of a staple game.

Today, the majority of states allow some form of gambling. Many have large commercial casinos that offer craps, among other games, while others have tribal casinos operated by Native American tribes on reservation lands. These tribal casinos, established under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988, have the right to offer a range of casino games of chance – and this includes craps.

Where things start to get murky is when you look at online gambling. Its legality is, again, state dependent. Some states, like New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Michigan, have legalized online casinos where craps can be played, while others have yet to permit this digital extension of the gambling world.

Thankfully, the US has made significant progress in the past few years, and there are now more real money online slots sites and online casinos available to US players than ever. As more states continue to legalize online gambling, this will continue to increase – which is great news for US players!

Craps: Payouts, Odds, and RTPs

Understanding the odds, payouts, and RTP percentages is fundamental to becoming a knowledgeable and effective craps player. They not only provide insight into how the game operates, but also serve as a guide for implementing betting strategies and managing your bankroll effectively.

Odds in craps refer to the probability of winning a particular bet. These are often expressed as a ratio, such as 1:1 or 2:1, and the lower the odds, the higher your chances of winning. For instance, the odds of winning a Pass Line bet, which is placed before the come-out roll, are almost 50/50, as you win if a 7 or 11 is rolled, and lose if a 2, 3, or 12 is rolled.

Payouts refer to how much you stand to make if your bet wins. For example, a successful Pass Line bet typically pays out at even money, or 1:1. This means that for every dollar you bet, you will win one additional dollar. Certain bets in craps, such as single roll bets, offer higher payouts due to their lower probability of winning.

Finally, there’s the RTP, which is a term used in the gambling industry to describe the percentage of all the wagered money a slot or casino game will pay back to players over time. For craps, this can vary based on the types of bets you make, but it generally hovers around 98.6% for the best bets, such as Pass Line and Don’t Pass Line bets. This means that, theoretically, for every $100 wagered on these bets, the game will return $98.60 over time.

Here is a simple table to illustrate some of the common bets, their odds, and payouts:

Strategies in Craps

Craps, like most casino games, is primarily a game of chance. However, using certain strategies can help manage your bankroll and potentially increase your chances of having profitable sessions.

The first and most fundamental strategy in craps is understanding the bets. The “Pass Line” and “Don’t Pass Line” bets are the most basic bets in craps and come with the lowest house edge. Starting with these can make the game simpler to understand while offering the best odds, so they’re often recommended to new players.

Next, understanding and using the “Odds Bet” is crucial. After a point is established on the come-out roll, you can make an additional bet known as the “Odds Bet”, which has a house edge of zero. Yes, you read that correctly – zero. This means the casino has no advantage on this bet.

Of course, it’s always important to be patient when gambling. Craps is a fast-paced game, and it’s easy to get swept up in the thrill and make rash decisions. Take your time, think your bets through, and don’t chase losses. Gambling should be fun, and being able to control your emotions is key to doing that successfully.

Lastly, it’s vital to practice good bankroll management. Decide on a budget for each session and stick to it. Don’t risk more than you’re comfortable losing – after all, while strategies can help, the roll of the dice is ultimately down to chance.