Introduction & History Of Craps
As with most modern games, the history of craps is somewhat unknown. Some believe it originates in the age of the Roman Empire. Soldiers of the Roman Legions played a game using pig knucklebones shaped into cubes. For entertainment they would "roll the bones" onto their shield. Actual dice can be traced far back into history. Modern looking cubical die found in Egypt have been dated at 600 B.C. The origin of dice can be traced even to prehistoric times. Primordial fortunetellers used to throw sacred arrows, bones, sticks and stones upon the ground trying to predict the future for his tribe.

The known history of craps begins with an earlier game called "hazard". The name "craps" comes from the French pronunciation of the word "crabs", a nickname of the game hazard. 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. 5 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.

Craps began its American history through the French Louisiana colony of Arcadia, which first brought hazard to the continent. The first version of modern craps was created in New Orleans in 1813 when Bernard de Mandeville simplified the game of hazard. The original version of craps allowed only field and come bets. This new game made its way up the Mississippi River by steamboat. From there is spread to casinos and gambling halls across the country.

The flaw with Mandeville's craps was that it was very vulnerable to the use of fixed dice. A dice-maker named John H. Winn mended this flaw. He introduced the option for players to bet either "right" or "wrong", including a space on the craps layout for "Don't Pass" bets. The benefits of fixed dice were nullified by this adjustment and craps grew to become one of most popular games in the world.

Craps Playing Tips
Don’t throw the dice on the floor. A very common belief is that when one or both of the dice fall off the table, the next roll will seven out. Luckily, this outcome can be forestalled by making the dealer give the shooter the same fallen dice for the next roll. This explains why you might hear players around craps tables hollering “Same dice!” A dealer may be wary, however, of using the same dice if they suspect someone could have replaced them with crooked dice during their absence from the table.

Another rather popular myth at the craps table is that when the dice touch someone's hand, that roll is also sure to seven out. For this reason, you can often hear players and casino staff shouting “Watch your hands!” You best heed this advice if you don’t want a whole lot of dirty looks cast in your direction. Wait for a break in the action to get your chips. Proper craps etiquette insists that players do not throw money on the table to cash in while a shooter is on a hot streak. If this is done, it is thought that the next throw will seven out if the dice hit this “new money”.

Even in craps men and women are treated differently. A popular myth originating from the early days of the game suggests that a woman who is playing for the first time will be a hot shooter. This “virgin principle” will often attract quite a crowd for new female players. If you’re a lady playing for the first time, then, and want some company, make your virgin status known. However, if you’re a man, it’s best to keep your dice virginity to yourself. A new male player is said to be a cold roller. Wrong bettors are considered bad luck by many craps players. You may not be extremely popular if you continually bet against the shooter.