Craps Strategy

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Dice and dice games date back to the Middle Eastern Crusades, but modern craps is approximately 100 years old. Current craps evolved from the old English game referred to as Hazard. No one knows for certain the beginnings of the game, but Hazard is believed to have been made up by the Englishman, Sir William of Tyre, around the 12th century. It’s presumed that Sir William’s paladins bet on Hazard amid a blockade on the citadel Hazarth in 1125 AD. The title Hazard was acquired from the citadel’s name.

Early French colonizers brought the game Hazard to Acadia. In the 18th century, when displaced by the English, the French headed south and settled in southern Louisiana where they a while later became known as Cajuns. When they were driven out of Acadia, they brought their best-loved game, Hazard, along. The Cajuns broke down the game and made it mathematically fair. It’s said that the Cajuns adjusted the title to craps, which is derived from the term for the bad luck throw of two in the game of Hazard, recognized as "crabs."

From Louisiana, the game migrated to the Mississippi barges and throughout the nation. Many think the dice maker John H. Winn as the father of current craps. In 1907, Winn created the modern craps layout. He created the Don’t Pass line so gamblers can bet on the dice to not win. Later, he developed the spots for Place bets and added the Big 6, Big 8, and Hardways.