Casino Game: Craps

Craps in essence is a simple dice game, in which players make wagers on the outcome of the role of a pair of dice. Because all that’s needed is a pair of dice it is played informally in many countries throughout the world as a street game. In a casino though, it is played on a large table and is called Table Craps or Casino Craps. It tends to draw large crowds around the table and is one of the most exciting casino games, with the player whose turn it is to throw the dice, called the shooter, often making theatrical gestures as he rolls the dice down the table. The betting systems, allowing you to place wagers against the bank and other players, tend to be a little more complicated than in other casino games and, with knowledge of the table etiquette a must, it is therefore often a little off-putting for a beginner. But considering the excitement of the game and the low house odds, it is definitely a game worth learning. Craps, these days, are becoming ever so popular in casino websites too.

Rules

The play of the game is very simple, being based on the outcome of the roll of a pair of dice. But there are many rules surrounding the betting and the significance of the numbers thrown. These rules can vary between countries and even between casino sites so it is important to familiarise yourself with the rules that are being used.

Variations

There are different versions of Craps used around the world today and, as they all affect the betting and house advantage, it is important to understand the rules of the one you’re playing. For example, Crapless Craps is a simplified version of the game with easier betting but the house advantage is significantly higher at 5.38%. Other variations like Simplified Craps and High Point Craps differ similarly in that it is the form of the betting which changes, sometimes with certain numbers being ignored or maybe others winning automatically. More fundamental changes can also be made with, for example, Die Rich Craps being a variation which is only played with one die. In New York Craps the layout of the table is changed to allow different betting patterns, and in Bank Craps all bets must be placed against the house.

Strategies

There are a few different systems of betting which are used in Craps, including the Martingale system and the Parity Hedge system. Most make use of the ‘gambler’s fallacy’, which is the erroneous belief that your previous dice rolls will influence your current roll.

History

Craps originates from the old English game called Hazard, which has very ancient routes possibly stretching back to the time of the Crusades. The modern version of the game was played in Europe in the 18th century and was brought to the New Orleans by a French aristocrat called Bernard de Mandeville in the early 19th century. The French called the game crapaud, from the French for toad, because of the way people used to crouch over a floor or sidewalk to play it. In the U.S.A. the rules were adapted slightly to prevent players from cheating, with a man called John Winn introducing the ‘don’t pass’ betting option for this purpose. And in casinos the game was transferred to a table, giving us the familiar version of craps which is played in casinos worldwide today. 

View all the casino sites that offer craps.