Craps Information

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Dice and dice games goes back to the Crusades, but modern craps is just about one hundred years old. Modern craps evolved from the old Anglo game called Hazard. No one knows for certain the birth of the game, however Hazard is said to have been invented by the Anglo, Sir William of Tyre, around the twelfth century. It is believed that Sir William’s horsemen bet on Hazard during a siege on the fortification Hazarth in 1125 AD. The title Hazard was acquired from the castle’s name.

Early French settlers brought the game Hazard to Canada. In the 18th century, when exiled by the British, the French headed down south and settled in the south of Louisiana where they a while later became known as Cajuns. When they were driven out of Acadia, they took their preferred game, Hazard, with them. The Cajuns broke down the game and made it more mathematically fair. It is believed that the Cajuns altered the title to craps, which was derived from the name of the non-winning toss of 2 in the game of Hazard, recognized as "crabs."

From Louisiana, the game extended to the Mississippi scows and across the country. Many think the dice maker John H. Winn as the creator of current craps. In 1907, Winn created the current craps layout. He appended the Do not Pass line so gamblers can bet on the dice to lose. At another time, he invented the spots for Place wagers and put in place the Big 6, Big 8, and Hardways.