The History of Craps

Craps: The History
by Wilson of Predictem.com

Where did the game of craps begin? Well, it depends on who you talk to, but most research points back to members of the European aristocracy as early as the 1700’s. The game was first called “Hazard” before it evolved into “Craps” which derives from the French word, “Crabs”- thus avoiding a potentially negative word often associated with a certain sexual disease. Of course “Craps” also carries a certain connotative definition as well. No matter how icky the word may be, people who understand the game seem to enjoy playing.

Eventually, craps made its way to the United States via the French Louisiana colony of Arcadia. In 1813 the game was simplified by Bernard de Mandeville of New Orleans. The game quickly spread up the Mississippi River on steamboats, and ultimately throughout the United States. However, Mandeville’s version had a glitch; because of the betting rules people would use fixed dice as they realized that they could only bet one way thus they corrupted the results in order to win.

John H. Winn, a gambling enthusiast, corrected Mandeville’s betting rules by allowing players to bet “right’ or “wrong” in the layout of the table. Also, Winn included space for “don't pass” bets. The new version of craps was born and the odds of gamblers fixing the dice were nearly eliminated, especially now that they could either bet for or against the shooter.

Other research into the history of craps has shed light on the fact that many soldiers of the Roman Legions would play a game with pig knucklebones which were shaped into cubes. They would, in turn, “roll the bones” to pass the time. Soldiers who served during WWII were also known to play craps as a way to break up the monotony of war.

Craps has been a casino favorite over the years much due to its livelihood. Just ask any James Bond fanatic, yes, Hollywood helped glamorize the game by including it in several Bond films as well as other hit movies on the big screen. In the movies a craps scene is usually not complete unless there is a gorgeous woman attached to the arm of a handsome man who’s sipping fine liquor and balancing his Columbian cigar all while rolling the bones in anticipation of hitting the number.

In the eighties and nineties the gambling industry saw a lot of new slot machines, and other casino table games such as Caribbean Stud and Let it ride which slowly over shadowed the traditional craps table. During the late eighties and most of the nineties the popularity of craps was on a decline, but in recent years it has rallied to surface at the top of the gaming world. The reasons for craps making a comeback may differ, but in my opinion, it is basic logic and knowledge of a casino’s edge within a certain game. Craps is one of the few casino games where a player can significantly reduce the odds to their advantage, or at least as close to an advantage as possible.

I feel comfortable saying that craps, both on line and on land has gained the respect of new players, and reassured the veteran players that its reputation as the most exciting and popular casino game is second to none. The game of craps has been around for a long time and I believe it will continue to stand at the top of the gambling industry as a game that not only guarantees edge of your seat excitement, but also a sense of competitiveness, community, and class. Luck to ya.

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