Learn to Play Craps – Hints and Tactics: the History of Craps
Dice and dice based games go back to the Middle Eastern Crusades, but modern craps is only about 100 years old. Current craps flourished from the archaic British game called Hazard. No one is certain of the beginnings of the game, but Hazard is believed to have been developed by the British man, Sir William of Tyre, in the 1300’s. It is believed that Sir William’s soldiers wagered on Hazard at the time of a blockade on the fortification Hazarth in 1125 AD. The title Hazard was derived from the citadel’s name.
Initial French settlers brought the dice game Hazard to Canada (the colony of Acadia, which is Nova Scotia today). In the 18th century, when expelled by the British, the French headed south and discovered refuge in the south of Louisiana where they eventually became Cajuns. When they were driven out of Nova Scotia, they brought their preferred game, Hazard, with them. The Cajuns streamlined the game and developed it to be more statistically attractive. It is believed that the Cajuns changed the name of the game to craps, which was derived from the term for the non-winning throw of two in the dice game of Hazard, called "crabs."
From Louisiana, the game extended to the Mississippi river boats and around the territory. Many consider the dice maker John H. Winn as the founder of modern craps. In 1907, Winn built the modern craps layout. He put in place the Don’t Pass line so folks could bet on the shooter to not win. Later, he created the areas for Place wagers and added the Big six, Big eight, and Hardways.
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