craps

American  

[kraps] / kræps /

noun

(usually used with a singular verb)

1. a game in which two dice are thrown and in which a first throw of 7 or 11 wins, a first throw of 2, 3, or 12 loses, and a first throw of 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10 can be won only by throwing the same number again before throwing a 7.

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craps British  

/ kræps /

noun

1. a gambling game using two dice, in which a player wins the bet if 7 or 11 is thrown first, and loses if 2, 3, or 12 is thrown

2. to play this game

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Etymology

Origin of craps

First recorded in 1835–45, apparently from French craps, variant of crabs “double-ace” (lowest throw at the game of hazard), from 18th-century English slang; see crab ¹ ( def. 7a )

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

craps

Investors in SpaceX are doing what craps players call betting on the come.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 27, 2026

Ralenkotter was born April 4, 1947, in Covington, Ky., outside Cincinnati, and moved to Las Vegas at age 4, where his father, Donald, became a craps dealer at the Las Vegas Sands.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 30, 2025

A few people looked askance at them, their eyes and facial expressions signaling annoyance or disgust mixed with curiosity, but they quickly went back to playing cards or craps.

From Salon ● Nov. 12, 2024

As slot machines clanged in the background and people packed around craps tables, Ms. Miles reflected on the job interview she had just come from at a nearby Walgreens.

From New York Times ● Aug. 4, 2023

That craps was the game of choice of the bond trader was interesting, though.

From "The Big Short" by Michael Lewis

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Related Words

• poker
• roulette

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