Craps

Craps is considered to be one of the oldest forms of gambling. Based on dice, it has been a source of entertainment for several successive civilizations for centuries. Long before its arrival online, craps was played by many different cultures around the world. Let's take a look back at the history of craps.

The very essence of dice

Roman emperors like Caesar Augustus, Nero, and Caligula were avid gamblers. But long before they became gaming devices, dice and other objects were first the attributes of a shaman. This was during prehistoric times, when fortune tellers used sacred arrows, bones, sticks, shells, or stones to try to predict the future of their tribe. Dice then evolved in shape, size, and markings. Some were made of wood, stones, bones, others with animal teeth, horns, walnut shells, and seeds. The modern appearance of the cubic matrix was found in Egypt in the year -600. The fact that the Arabic language uses the same word to refer to a knucklebone means that dice were popular in the East for centuries.

The origins of craps

Historians assert that the direct predecessor of modern craps was an English game called "Hazard." In the year 1125, during the Third Crusade (1189-1192), under Sir William of Tyre, the British besieged a castle named Azart or Hazarth. When Sir William and his knights were not engaged on the battlefield, they passed the time by playing dice. From this, the term "Hazard" was born. It involved throwing dice onto their upturned shields to divide the spoils of war. Hazard was once extremely popular throughout England. It remains one of the most popular games in major casinos around the world after more than a millennium.

A game inherited from the Arabs

Another theory claims that Hazard existed long before the time of the Crusades. Indeed, the English imported a lot of Arab culture during these Christian expeditions, including spices, fabrics, and words. It is therefore possible that the transfer of the Arabic game "azzahr" to craps came from the culture of these travels. It evidently gained popularity during the Middle Ages, hence the deduction of some specialists. The term "azzahr", derived from the Arabic words "al-zahr" or "Gaza", means "dice". But whether it comes from England or Arabia or both, Hazard remained popular throughout the British kingdom until the 17th century.

The Birth of Modern Craps

The history of modern craps began over a century ago. In the early 1700s, it crossed the Atlantic to reach the French colony of Acadia (Canada). In 1755, the French lost Acadia to the English and it was renamed Nova Scotia. The English banned the Acadians, who then migrated to Louisiana, where they became known as Cajuns. They then developed the French Louisiana language and called it "crebs" or "creps," a modified spelling of the word "crabe" (crab). The history of craps traces its roots to the chance card game, which was also developed and promoted in the United States in 1813.

America, Promised Land of Modern Craps

The first British settlers on the "Mayflower" introduced the game to America. Southern cities around the Mississippi River were the first in the country to adopt it. In 1843, the word "cajun" was replaced by the Anglo-American term "craps," whose rules have been distorted several times. Few new simpler and faster variants than the original have emerged since. John H. Winn was one of these revolutionaries. In 1931, casino games were finally legalized in the state of Nevada. It was only a little later that the modern version was brought to New Orleans by a well-known politician named Bernard Xavier de Marigny, of Mandeville.

Today's Craps

In general, there are two types of Craps nowadays, including "street craps" and "craps bank". In the 1990s, a couple of Las Vegas casinos began experimenting with a simplified version called table craps. Filled with players and noisy spectators, it became a major attraction. In the 21st century, online casinos have allowed their members to enjoy craps for free or for real money. This has also led to the popularity and explosion of tournaments and freerolls. Currently, online craps is still one of the most popular games in virtual platforms.

It is good to understand how probabilities and odds are calculated according to establishments. It may seem difficult, but it is not as complicated as one might think. How to do it? Follow this article to learn more about craps probabilities and feel free to consult our resources. craps rules if necessary beforehand.

The basic formula for calculating probabilities

When calculating probabilities in craps, the first thing to remember is the number of possible outcomes, which is 36. Each will produce a number between 2 and 12. Not all craps probabilities are equal. The number 7 is the most dominant with six possible ways to roll it, five ways to roll a 6 and an 8, four ways to roll a 5 or a 9, three ways to roll a 4 or a 10, and two ways to roll a 3 or an 11. And just one chance to roll a 2 or a 12. In fact, the formula used to calculate the chances of rolling a specific total in craps is quite simple: just divide 36 by the number of combinations. In other words, there are 6 combinations that will total 7, or a one in six chance of rolling a 7. So, there are only 11 possible totals (2 to 12), but there are 36 combinations that can result in them.

Your chances of rolling a 7

To win a Pass Line bet, you need to roll a 7 or 11. This means you have a 6 and a 2 for a total of 8 out of the 36 possible combinations. If you roll a 2, 3, or 12, you lose the bet. This means that out of 36 times, you will lose 4 times. So, 12 out of 36 times, you will either win or lose. Whether it's one or the other, it's time for the Odds bets to come into play. After a come out roll, a point has been automatically established. The chances of rolling that point again are much lower compared to rolling a 7. For example, if your point is 5, your chances of rolling that result again are only 4 out of 36, compared to 6 out of 36 for rolling a 7. This means it's more likely to roll a 7 before rolling a 5.

Odds betting

Once again, when you play craps online, the numbers you roll are out of your control. However, understanding probabilities can help you make the right play and learn which bets are most favorable based on the odds. Of course, the Odds bet is not completely free. You must make a flat bet (pass, don't pass, come, or don't come) before placing the bet. However, when you make a "Pass" bet, the shooter can establish a certain number of points (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10). Then, you can make a "Free Odds" bet by placing your bet on the Pass line. If the shooter rolls the point again, not only do they win the bet, but also the one at high odds. For a "Don't Pass" bet, the shooter needs to roll a 2, 3, or 12 to double their bet. The actual probabilities vary depending on the point. This is the only bet you can make in craps where the odds are not against you.

Understanding percentages

If we look at these numbers in percentage form, there is exactly a 33.33% chance that the craps player can lose or win the Pass bet. The percentages for each result are as follows: 2 at 2.78%; 3 at 5.56%; 4 at 8.33%; 5 at 11.11%; 6 at 13.89%; 7 at 16.67%. Then 8, at 13.89%; 9 at 11.11%; 10 at 8.33%, and 11 at 5.56%. However, these numbers serve as a basic guide for craps players looking to determine the different probabilities. Beginners should also try a few attempts to improve their chances. Of course, understanding these percentages is not enough. You must also have the right strategy to improve your overall chances.

Do a simulation

The game can be more fun when simulated using real dice or on a computer. This type of method is particularly useful in gaining more experience in order to find the probability of winnings. The key is to anticipate the final results of the game during a round. If you are trying to calculate the rate of losses, their numbers must be divided by the total number of games. The best way to proceed is to count the number of times you have won and lost for overall results and note them as fractions relative to the total.

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