Tag Archive: origins of craps

It's generally considered that the game of craps first was invented during the first Crusades of the Holy land. The chancellor of one of the four city sections of Jerusalem made a simple game of dice to help soldiers deal with the boredom of down time between fighting campaigns. It was called Hazard. After being bought back to Europe by returning soldiers, it became an instant hit around the continent. The name probably comes from the French. To play, many people would simply squat...like toads.