CRAPS HISTORY
The casino dice game of craps
is of American origin, adapted from the game hazard by Bernard de Mandeville
in New Orleans in 1813. In hazard the banker, or setter, sets a stake. The player,
or caster, calls a main (a number from 5 to 9, inclusive) and then throws two
dice. If he throws in, or nicks, he wins the stake. Five is nicked by 5; 6 by
6 or 12; 7 by 7 or 11; 8 by 8 or 12; 9 by 9. The caster throws out, losing the
stake, when throwing aces or deuce-ace (crabs, or craps ) or when throwing
11 or 12 to a main of 5 or 9, 11 to 6 or 8, and 12 to 7. Any other throw is
his chance; he keeps throwing until the chance comes up, when he wins, or until
the main comes up, when he loses. When a chance is thrown, the setter pays more
than the original stake, according to specified odds. In French hazard the player
throws against the house. In English, or chicken, hazard the player throws against
an opponent.
Mandeville simplified hazard into
the present game of private craps. Private craps then moved up
the Mississippi river on steamboats and spread to casinos and gambling hall
throughout the country. This original version of craps allowed only field
and come bets, which made the game very vulnerable against fixed dice, which
were often used. It wasn't until John H. Winn, a dice-maker by trade, created
an innovated version of craps, where players could bet for, or against
the roller. This eliminated the usefulness of fixed dice and created the very
popular versions of craps that are played today. By 1910, craps
had become the most popular casino game in the world.
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