Be smart, play smart, and become versed in craps the correct way!
Dice and dice games date back to the Crusades, but modern craps is just about a century old. Current craps evolved from the ancient Anglo game called Hazard. No one knows for certain the birth of the game, although Hazard is said to have been made up by the Anglo, Sir William of Tyre, in the twelfth century. It’s theorized that Sir William’s paladins enjoyed Hazard through a blockade on the citadel Hazarth in 1125 AD. The name Hazard was acquired from the fortress’s name.
Early French settlers imported the game Hazard to Nova Scotia. In the 18th century, when expelled by the British, the French moved down south and settled in the south of Louisiana where they at a later time became known as Cajuns. When they left Acadia, they brought their favored game, Hazard, along. The Cajuns simplified the game and made it mathematically fair. It is said that the Cajuns altered the title to craps, which was derived from the term for the bad luck throw of two in the game of Hazard, referred to as "crabs."
From Louisiana, the game migrated to the Mississippi river boats and throughout the nation. Most think the dice maker John H. Winn as the founder of modern craps. In 1907, Winn developed the modern craps layout. He created the Do not Pass line so players can wager on the dice to lose. Afterwords, he developed the spots for Place wagers and added the Big 6, Big 8, and Hardways.