Craps (Street Version)
The simplified version of the casino dice game, playable anywhere with two dice. Players bet on the outcome of rolls, with the shooter trying to make their point.
What You'll Need
About This Game
The simplified version of the casino dice game, playable anywhere with two dice. Players bet on the outcome of rolls, with the shooter trying to make their point.
How to Play
- Shooter places a bet, others can 'fade' (match) it
- Come-out roll: roll two dice
- Natural (7 or 11) = shooter wins immediately
- Craps (2, 3, or 12) = shooter loses immediately
- Any other number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10) becomes the 'point'
- Shooter continues rolling:
- Roll the point again = win
- Roll a 7 = lose ('seven out')
- After loss, dice pass to next player
- Side bets available on specific outcomes
- House rules may vary
History & Background
Craps evolved from an English dice game called "Hazard," which dates back to at least the Crusades era (12th-13th century). Legend attributes Hazard's invention to Sir William of Tyre during the siege of a castle called "Hazarth."
The game was brought to New Orleans by French-Creole colonists, who called it "Crapaud" (French for "toad") - possibly because players crouched on sidewalks like toads while playing.
In 1907, American dice maker John H. Winn revolutionized the game by inventing the "Don't Pass" bet, which allowed players to bet against the shooter. This eliminated the need for rigged dice and made Craps fair for casinos.
Street Craps (the two-player version) remains popular in urban areas. The game uses simpler rules than casino Craps, focusing on the pass/don't pass mechanic. During WWII, American soldiers spread Craps globally, and it became one of the world's most popular dice games.