History of Craps Rules

The history of modern Craps is quite short – only circa one hundred years old. The direct predecessor of modern craps was an English game of "Hazard" (the name Craps is believed to have derived from the English crabs which was the name for the throw of aces or ace-deuce).

There is historical evidence that it was played by the soldiers in Twelfth Century during the Third Crusade, led by the three most powerful kings of Western Europe: Frederick Barbarossa of The Holy Roman Empire, Philip Augustus of France and Richard The Lion-Heart of England.

Hazard was probably created long before the crusaders. It is possible that the first English settlers on "Mayflower" brought it to America.

English Hazard became very popular in New Orleans around 1800, where French called it Craps. After that rules and odds changed many times.

Few new variations of the game popped up which were simpler and faster than original Hazard. One variation – Table Off game – became especially popular with gambling establishments at the end of nineteenth century.

Learn Craps Strategy

The Shooter's first roll of the dice is called the "Come Out" Roll, and he can win or lose with that throw;

• If he rolls a 7 or 11 he, and the players who chose to bet with him, win.
• If he throws a 2, 3 or 12, that is "Craps," and he and the players who chose to bet with him, lose.

If the dice totals 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10, that number becomes the shooter's established "Point," and he must continue rolling the dice until he makes the number again in order to win. However, if the shooter rolls a 7 before his point, he "Sevens Out" and loses.

Although the object of the Craps game is very simple, Craps is complicated by the mass of bets available to the players.

Most of those bets are heavily weighted in favour of the Casino, and should be avoided (read this Craps Betting page for the best bets to play in Craps).

To be eligible to become the Shooter, place a bet on the "Pass Line" or "Don't Pass" Bar. The dice are passed to Players in a clockwise direction so you might have to wait a while for your turn as a Shooter.

If you want to play, but don't want to be a Shooter, you may also place this bet, but are not required to do so and may wait to place a bet after the "Come Out" roll (the first roll of the dice by a Shooter).

Remember: You can learn craps rules best by playing free here

The "Stickman" (the person with the stick who assists the Dealers) will push about five dice towards you. With only one hand, pick up two. Next, roll the dice hard enough so that they hit the wall of the opposite end of the table. The object of this Come Out roll is to establish a "Point", which needs to be something other than a 2, 3, 7, 11 or 12 (it may help you to think of the "Point" as a "Starting Point").

On the Come Out (first) roll, if a 7 or 11 is rolled prior to establishing a Point, you win. If, however, a 2, 3 or 12 is rolled, you lose. If neither of these is the case then you have established a Point.

Once you have established a Point, which will be a 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10, the Dealer places a plastic disc (white side up) on the corresponding box on the Craps table. At this time, to win you need to roll that Point again (you win) before you roll a 7 (you lose).