The game of Craps revolves around dice. Wagers are made upon the result of a single roll, or a series of rolls, of a pair of dice. Craps is a game of probabilities and odds, so any discussion of Craps will benefit by a brief explanation of the probabilities involved. Since the game uses two dice, a shooter (the person rolling the dice) can roll any number between 2 and 12. It is important to understand that some numbers are more likely to appear than others on a single roll of the dice.

Craps is the well known casino game of dice, it is developed from Hazard, a game from the 14th century, that was once popular between high-stakes patrons in English gambling houses. The name "Craps" comes from the nickname "Crabs", which is a roll of 1-1 in Hazard. The modern game of Craps was developed by black Mississippi riverboat gamblers in the 19th century, borrowing heavily from the rules of Hazard. Craps is fast, exciting and immensely popular, and the game has long been a favorite target of anti-gambling forces. Craps undoubtedly is responsible for many fortunes changing hands at dice tables in glitzy casinos, back rooms and alleys. It may even be guilty of something a little more serious: the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. Popular history names Mrs. O'Leary's cow as the culprit, having kicked over a lantern in the barn, sparking the conflagration which destroyed much of Chicago. A Chicago businessman named Louis Cohn claimed, years later, to have knocked over the lantern himself during an especially exciting game of Craps, then laid the blame on the heifer. He was particularly remorseful, he said, because "I was winning." At first glance, Craps can be intimidating. There are numerous bets that can be made, and some of the terminology seems complicated, but the small amount of effort it takes to learn the game is well worth it. Many casino patrons consider Craps to be the game. Nothing in a casino generates as much excitement as a hot roll at the Craps tables. The game of craps has a long, colorful history and is still going strong.

Soldiers in the Roman Legions used to shave down pig knuckles into the shapes of cubes, and toss them onto their inverted shields as a form of entertainment while in camp. Hence we get the term "to roll the bones". We do know that the game we know today as "craps" came to the United States from Europe.

When the "shooter" rolls a 7 or 11 on the first throw (The Come-out roll) it is refer to as a "natural" and an automatic win. On the other hand, if 2, 3 or 12 rolls, it is called, "craps" and you lose your Pass Line bet. Any other number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10) becomes your "Point." You win if the "Point" repeats before 7 rolls, and you lose if 7 show before your "Point." Is made. Place these bets in the area marked "Pass Line" on the layout.