Craps Strategies

Pickup Craps – Hints and Techniques: The Background of Craps

by Aden on Feb.17, 2026, under Craps

Be clever, play clever, and become versed in craps the proper way!

Dice and dice games date all the way back to the Middle Eastern Crusades, but current craps is approximately a century old. Current craps developed from the 12th Century Anglo game referred to as Hazard. No one knows for certain the origin of the game, but Hazard is believed to have been invented by the Englishman, Sir William of Tyre, sometime in the 12th century. It’s supposed that Sir William’s paladins gambled on Hazard through a blockade on the fortress Hazarth in 1125 AD. The name Hazard was derived from the fortification’s name.

Early French colonists brought the game Hazard to Nova Scotia. In the 1700s, when expelled by the English, the French moved south and found sanctuary in the south of Louisiana where they at a later time became Cajuns. When they were driven out of Acadia, they brought their favored game, Hazard, with them. The Cajuns simplified the game and made it mathematically fair. It is believed that the Cajuns adjusted the title to craps, which was gotten from the term for the non-winning throw of two in the game of Hazard, known as "crabs."

From Louisiana, the game moved to the Mississippi river boats and all over the country. A good many think the dice maker John H. Winn as the creator of modern craps. In 1907, Winn assembled the modern craps setup. He appended the Do not Pass line so players can wager on the dice to not win. Later, he created the spots for Place wagers and put in place the Big 6, Big 8, and Hardways.


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