Be cunning, play cunning, and learn how to play craps the proper way!
Dice and dice games date all the way back to the Crusades, but current craps is approximately a century old. Modern craps developed from the ancient Anglo game referred to as Hazard. No one absolutely knows the origin of the game, however Hazard is said to have been invented by the Anglo, Sir William of Tyre, around the 12th century. It’s believed that Sir William’s soldiers played Hazard amid a blockade on the fortress Hazarth in 1125 AD. The name Hazard was derived from the citadel’s name.
Early French colonizers imported the game Hazard to Canada. In the 18th century, when banished by the British, the French relocated south and settled in southern Louisiana where they a while later became Cajuns. When they fled Acadia, they brought their favorite game, Hazard, along. The Cajuns simplified the game and made it mathematically fair. It is said that the Cajuns adjusted the title to craps, which is derived from the name of the non-winning toss of 2 in the game of Hazard, recognized as "crabs."
From Louisiana, the game moved to the Mississippi river boats and throughout the nation. Many think the dice builder John H. Winn as the creator of modern craps. In the early 1900s, Winn designed the current craps layout. He appended the Do not Pass line so players can wager on the dice to not win. Later, he invented the spots for Place bets and put in place the Big 6, Big 8, and Hardways.