Craps is a casino dice game. Craps is a simplification of the Old English game hazard. Other sources point that the name Hazard could be a version of the Arabic 'al zar' or 'azzah' meaning "the dice" and could indicate oriental origin of the game. Its origins are complex and may date to the Crusades, later being influenced by French gamblers. What was to become the modern American version of the game was brought to New Orleans by Bernard Xavier Philippe de Marigny de Mandeville, scion of wealthy Louisiana landowners and a gambler and politician. The game, first known as crapaud reportedly owes its modern popularity from its being spread through the African-American community
“Hazard” became extremely popular in England and was frequently played in luxurious gambling houses across the country thorough out the centuries. The game's popularity spread amongst the high classes all over Europe. The French will claim they have given the game its present name, using and corrupting the name given to a losing throw of 2 in the game of Hazard, known as crabs. However, the game in its present form was developed in America, most likely by African Americans in the 19th Century. John H Winn, a dice maker, developed the game further so the players could bet with or against the shooter, and become known as the father of modern craps played in casinos all over the world.
The basics of the game:
The rules of craps may look confusing to the novice player – a complex table layout and many betting options – but in reality it is an easy and fun game to play. To understand the basics of craps we need to introduce some terms.
The Point : At the start of a brand new game, when you throw a 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10 on the Come-out roll, this number becomes the Point. You continue rolling the dice until you roll the Point or roll a 7. When this happens, this signals the start of a new round. A disk referred to as the "puck" reminds you of where the Point is. The Point will either be "ON", where it is white and placed on a number, or it is "OFF", where it is black and placed on the Don't Come.
Come-out roll : If the Point is not already established, the roll is referred to as a Come-out roll.
Come Point : You may place a bet on the Come line or Don't Come line only after the Come-out roll, when the Point has been established. If the next roll is a 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10, the bet that was placed on the come line moves up to the value of that roll and this number becomes the Come Point for this bet. |
