The name of the game "Craps" actually comes from the French pronunciation of the
word, "Crabs" a nickname for the earlier game of Hazard.
Developed in the 1700's, Hazard was played by members of the European aristocracy
before arriving to America through the French Louisiana colony of Arcadia.
By 1813, Bernard de Mandeville of New Orleans took the game of hazard, simplified
it, and transformed the game into the first version of craps. His adaptation of Hazard
traveled up the Mississippi River on steamboats, spreading throughout the United
States. Mandeville's craps had one major flaw; the game was vulnerable to the use
of fixed dice due to its betting rules. John H. Winn fixed the problem by introducing
the possibility for players to bet 'right' or 'wrong' in the layout of the craps
table, including a space for 'Don't Pass' bets. His adjustments revolutionized the
game, eliminating the usefulness of fixed dice and making it possible for players
to bet for or against the roller.
Stepping back further into the past, some believe craps to have originated from soldiers
of the Roman Legions playing with pig knucklebones shaped into cubes at the time
of the Holy Roman Empire. They would "roll the bones" onto their shields for entertainment.
World War II also witnessed soldiers using craps in its modern form as entertainment,
which gained immense popularity as a way for them to break the monotony of war. Even
movies included the game in their story lines as casino craps took over the gambling
world.
Over the years, particularly in the 1990's, craps lost much of its popularity as
slot machines and other casino favourites began pulling in the majority of gamblers.
Only recently, craps has shown signs of making a comeback into the gambling scene
since entering the 21st century. Technological advances, such as the option of playing
craps online, have also contributed to the return.
One thing can be sure: the game of craps has been around for hundreds of years and
will continue to hold an important place in gambling tradition.
CRAPS:
Any Craps - A bet that the shooter will get 2, 3 or 12 on the next roll. The bet
pays 7:1 and the house has an 11.1% edge.
Any Seven - A bet that the shooter will get 7 on the next roll. The bet pays 4:1
and the house has a 16.7% edge. (A real sucker bet)
Back Line - Another name for the Don't Pass Line.
Buy Bets - You can place a bet on 4, 10, 5, 9, 6, and 8. You win if the number is
rolled before a 7 (after the Come Out roll). You are paying a 5% commission to the
house in order to get correct odds for your bet. Some casinos only collect the commission
on winning bets while others collect it when you place the bet.
Big 6 & Big 8 - A bet that the shooter will get a 6 or an 8 before a 7. The bet pays
even money and the house has an edge of 9.1%. A place bet on 6 or 8 pays 7:6 but
is otherwise identical. The place bet is a lot more advantageous, with the house
having an edge of 1.5%.
Big Red - A bet that the shooter will get any 7 on the next roll
Come Box - The players place their Come bets wager in this area of the craps table.
Come Bet - A wager that the dice will pass. The wager is placed after the Come Out
roll, but is otherwise identical with a Pass Line bet.
Come Out Roll - The first roll in each betting round. This roll establishes the "point"
(for Pass and Don't pass bets). Pass bets win if the come out roll is 7 or 11, and
lose if the come out roll is 2, 3, or 12. Don't Pass bets lose if the come out roll
is 7 or 11, and win if the come out roll is 2 or 3. Don't Pass bets tie when the
come out roll is 12 (or in some cases 2).
Crap - The numbers 2, 3, and 12.Craps - 2, 3, and 12 on the "Come out roll" and the
name of the game.
Crap Out - Rolling a craps on the Come Out roll.
Dealer - The casino employee responsible for all the bets laid on his side of the
table. In craps there are two dealers.
Don't Come Bet - A wager that the dice will not pass. The wager is placed after the
Come Out roll, but is otherwise identical with a Don't Pass bet.
Don't Pass Line - The area on the craps table where the Don't Pass bets are placed.
Don't Pass Bet - A bet that will win if the shooter gets 2 or 3 on the Come out roll
(and tie on 12). The player will also win if a 7 is rolled before the point is repeated.
The edge of the house for this bet is 1.40%.
Double Odds - An odds bet that is twice as large as the original pass/come "Flat"
or "Contract" bet.
Edge - The casinos advantage on the wagers that are placed.
Field Bet - A bet that a 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, or 12 will be rolled next. The bet pays
even money for 3, 4, 9, 10, and 11, and generally pays 2:1 for 2 or 12. Some casinos
pay 3:1 for either the 2 or 12.
Free Odds Bet - A wager made in addition to the Pass Line, Don't Pass Line, Come
and Don't Come bets after a point has been established. It is paid at true odds.
Front Line - Same as Pass Line.
Hard Way - A player wagers that a "hard" (both dices showing the same number) 4,
6, 8, 10 will be rolled before a "soft" 4, 6, 8 or 10 or a 7 is rolled.
Horn Bet - A bet that the shooter will get 2, 3, 11, or 12 on the next roll.
Lay Bet - The opposite of a Buy Bet. You can place a bet on 4, 10, 5, 9, 6, and 8.
To win the 7 has to come before the chosen number. You are paying a 5% commission
to the house in order to get correct odds for your bet.
Lay Odds - An odds bet placed following a Don't Pass bet with a point being established.
The odds bet is a fair bet with no house edge and is paid at the correct odds. This
also applies to a Don't Come bet. Which is referred to "laying the odds" for your
Don't bet.
Layout - The surface of the craps table. The layout shows all areas in which a wager
can be placed.
Off - A marker placed on the wagers to indicate that they are not at risk on the
next roll of the dice.
One-Roll Bets - A bet which outcome is determined only by the next roll of the dice.
Pass (Pass-Line Bet) - The bet is made before the Come Out roll and wins if the Come
Out roll is 7 or 11, or when a point is rolled before a 7. Loses if the Come Out
roll is 2, 3, or 12, or when a 7 is rolled before the point. The house has an edge
of 1.41% on this bet.
Place Bets - A bet at a place number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10). It wins if the number
is rolled before a 7. The house edge on these bets varies; 1.52% on 6/8, 4% on 5/9,
and 6.67% on 4/10.
Point - The number established on the Come Out roll. Point Numbers can be a 4, 5,
6, 8, 9 or 10. In order for the dice to "pass", the shooter must roll the number
again before rolling a 7.
Press a Bet (Press) - Doubling your bet when you win, also called "letting it ride".
Puck - (Disk) - A disk telling whether the odds are on or off. It is switched "on"
after the Come Out roll when a point has been established.
Right Bettor - A player betting on the Pass Line (with the shooter).
Shooter - The player who rolls the dice.
Seven Out - When a 7 is rolled after the point has been established but before the
point has come up again.
Stickman - The casino employee who calls out the dice rolls and returns the dice
to the shooter. The stickman also is responsible for the placing and paying the proposition
bets.
Taking Odds - To make an Odds bet.
True Odds - The actual odds of rolling any total number, not to be confused with
the House Odds written on the table.
Vig (Vigorish) - A commission taken for certain bets by the house.
Working Bets - Live bets that are in action.
Wrong Bettor - A player betting on the Don't Pass Line (against the shooter).
