| Updated: Craps is a spectacular, fast-paced casino game that has been played for centuries but still fascinates gamblers around the world. At its core, it is a fairly simple game in which players bet on the outcome of rolling a pair of dice. However, its rules and the way it is played have changed significantly over the years.
For centuries, craps has been popular as a street game in many parts of Europe, but today’s casino craps includes many more types of bets, complex rules, and the chance to win substantial amounts. The game has undergone many changes, the most recent of which were fueled by the rise of the online gambling industry and the optimization of casino software for mobile platforms. Still, it remains one of the most traditional games available at brick-and-mortar and online casinos.
Craps Development in the USA
The dice gambling game of craps was brought to North America by French settlers at the beginning of the 17th century. It was played in the New French colony of Acadia, located in what are now the Maritime provinces of Eastern Canada. After the French and Indian War (1754-1763), New France lost control of Acadia and, as a result, most of the settlers were deported. Some Acadians eventually made their way to present-day Louisiana, where they developed Cajun culture. Craps was an integral part of that culture.
Street Dice Games
John H. Winn and Bank CrapsStreet Dice Games
It is believed that the modern-day American version of the game was brought to New Orleans by Bernard Xavier Philippe de Marigny de Mandeville, a young gambler descended from wealthy colonial Louisiana landowners. Bernard de Marigny, who later became President of the Louisiana State Senate, popularized the game after returning from London.
Before this, hazard players could choose any number from 5 to 9 as the main number to bet on, but de Marigny simplified the rules. In his version, players had to roll a 7 to win. The American nobility and high society rejected the dice game, however, so the wealthy gambler began playing with the local underclass. Soon, craps, which may also have been a local mispronunciation of the English word “crabs,” became popular among ordinary people and was carried up the Mississippi River.
For decades, the dice game, although known by different names, was played on the streets by people from all walks of life. Various rules were adopted, but in most cases, the winning number remained 7, while 2 and 3 were considered losing numbers.
John H. Winn and Bank Craps
For the next century, craps was mainly known as a street game and did not become a prominent casino game until the 20th century. Both players and gambling establishments used loaded dice to cheat. In the early 1900s, however, American dice and playing card manufacturer John H. Winn introduced the “Don’t Pass” betting option, which allowed players to bet against the shooter, a practice also known as “wrong” betting.
His innovation effectively curtailed cheating, allowing the game to gain more attention in gambling houses across the country. In 1907, Winn presented his new and improved craps betting layout. It is this betting layout that is still used in casino craps today. For his innovations, John Winn is known as the Father of Modern-Day Craps.
In 1931, gambling was officially legalized in Las Vegas, and casinos began offering craps at their tables. Before long, the rules and payouts were standardized across all casinos, and the game known today as craps emerged.
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Craps in Modern Times
Craps became especially popular during World War II among American soldiers, who spread the game around the world. Today, it can be found wherever casino gambling is permitted – from Las Vegas to London to Macau. Advancements in the Internet and related technologies over the past two decades have also made it possible to play craps online.
Playing Craps in Land-Based Casinos Online Craps Mobile Craps GamesPlaying Craps in Land-Based Casinos
Today, casino craps is essentially the same game that was played at the beginning of the 20th century. One or more players bet on the outcome of a roll of two dice, but instead of playing against one another, participants play against the casino. The craps table is oval-shaped and covered with a green betting layout on which chips, rather than cash, are placed for the various bets. The available bets and their payouts may vary among casinos.
A craps table is usually staffed by four casino employees and often attracts a large crowd of spectators in addition to the players. This is due to the nature of the game. Compared with most casino games, craps is very fast-paced and exciting because some players can win while others lose on the same roll. As a game based entirely on chance, it is also steeped in superstition. Consequently, there are numerous rules and specific etiquette that players are expected to follow when playing craps in a brick-and-mortar casino.
Online Craps
Craps can also be played online, and an increasing number of casino patrons prefer this option. In general, playing online is much more convenient and affordable than visiting a brick-and-mortar casino. Online players do not have to spend money on travel, accommodation, meals, or tips for casino staff. Instead, they can play craps for as little as $1 per round from the comfort of home.
Online craps offers another significant advantage: it is much easier to play the game on the Internet. The speed of the game, the complexity of the betting process, and the large number of people playing simultaneously at land-based casinos can be intimidating for less experienced players. One way to avoid this pressure is to play from a computer or mobile device.
In virtual RNG-based craps, players have full control over the pace of the game and can consult the rules or various strategies while playing. They can also spend as much time as they wish playing craps for free. Most online casinos offer demo versions of their games in which players wager with play credits rather than real money. The social aspect of craps, however, cannot be fully replicated in an online casino, even in live-dealer versions of the game where players can chat with casino staff and other participants.
Mobile Craps Games
Online casinos have existed since the 1990s, but over the past decade, many online gambling operators have also begun offering mobile slots and table games. Some optimize their websites for mobile use so that players can easily open games in browsers on their phones and tablets. Many casino apps also provide access to real-money casino games, including craps. These apps are developed for specific types of devices, however, so players should check whether they are available for download from the App Store or Google Play.