| Updated: September 25, 2025Craps is a spectacular, fast-paced casino game that has been around for centuries but still manages to fascinate gamblers all 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, over the years, its rules and the way it is played have changed profoundly.
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 leave the table with huge profits. The game has gone through many changes, the most recent of which was 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 you can find in a brick-and-mortar or online casino.
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.
Prior to this, hazard players could choose any number from 5 to 9 as the main number to wager on, but de Marigny simplified the rules. In his version, players had to roll a 7 to win. The American nobility and high society, however, rejected the dice game, so the wealthy gambler began playing with the local underclass. Soon, craps – which may have been a local mispronunciation of the English word “crabs” – became quite popular among common people and was carried up the Mississippi River.
For decades, the dice game, although often 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, whereas 2 and 3 were considered losing numbers.
John H. Winn and Bank Craps
Over the next century, craps was primarily known as a street game and did not become a prominent casino attraction until the 20th century. It was exploited by both players and gambling establishments, who used loaded dice to cheat. In the early 1900s, however, an American manufacturer of dice and playing cards, John H. Winn, introduced the “Don’t Pass” betting option, which permitted wagering against the shooter – also known as “wrong” betting.
His innovation effectively curtailed cheating and allowed the game to gain greater acceptance in gambling houses across the country. In 1907, Winn unveiled his new and improved craps betting layout. It is precisely this layout that we still use in casino craps today. For these contributions, 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 we know 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 start of the 20th century. One or more players wager on the outcome of a roll of two dice, but instead of competing against one another, they 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 wagers. Both the available bets and the corresponding payouts can vary from casino to casino.
A typical craps table is staffed by four casino employees, and in addition to the players, it often attracts a large crowd of onlookers. This is due to the nature of the game; compared with most casino offerings, craps is very fast-paced and exciting, as some players win while others lose simultaneously. Because the game is based entirely on chance, it is also steeped in superstition. Consequently, there are numerous rules and a specific etiquette that players are expected to follow when enjoying 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 today. In general, playing online is much more convenient and affordable than visiting a brick-and-mortar casino. Players do not need to spend money on travel, lodging, meals, or tips for casino staff. Instead, they can enjoy craps for as little as $1 per round while relaxing at home.
Online craps offers yet another major benefit: the game is much easier to play on the Internet. The speed of the action, the complexity of the betting process, and the large crowds at land-based casinos can be intimidating for less experienced players. A great way to remove this pressure is to play from a computer or mobile device.
In virtual RNG-based craps, players have complete control over the pace of the game and can consult rules or strategies at any time. They can also spend as long as they like playing for free; most online casinos provide demo versions in which you wager with play credits rather than real money. The social element of craps, however, cannot be fully replicated online – even in live-dealer games where you can chat with the dealer and other players.
Mobile Craps Games
Online casinos have existed since the 1990s, but over the past decade many gambling operators have begun offering mobile slots and table games. Some optimize their websites for mobile browsers so that players can open games directly on phones and tablets. There are also numerous casino apps that provide access to real-money casino games, including craps. These apps are created for specific operating systems, so players should check whether they are available for download in the App Store or on Google Play.