Craps developed from a simplification of the Old English game hazard.

Its origins are highly complex and may date to the Crusades, later being influenced by French gamblers.

What was to become the modern American version of the game was brought to New Orleans by Bernard Xavier Philippe de Marigny de Mandeville, scion of wealthy Louisiana landowners and a gambler and politician. The game, first known as crapaud (a French word meaning "toad") reportedly owes its modern popularity from its being spread through the African-American community .

In craps, players may wager money against each other (street craps) or the bank (bank craps) on the outcome of one roll, or of a series of rolls of two dice.

Because it requires very little equipment, craps can easily be played in less formal settings, and is said to be popular among soldiers.

In such situations side bets are more frequent, with one or several participants covering or "fading" bets against the dice.